Wednesday

Wednesday was another double-dip day the first one of those in a while. I started with 

1,500 29:55 (1:59)

4 X 50 decline

 1 - 51

 2 - 46

 3 - 45

 4 - 44

3 X 300 @ 5:27 (good set)

800 medium paddles

total: 3,400 yards = 3,107 meters

Since I did squats Tuesday, all that remained to do was to run and coach. I shuffled 2.74 miles in the chilly, rainy air.

I had all my swimmers back this week so I swam with Brad and did an easy 1,000 yards with some drills.

It was another good day. Thank you, Jesus.

Sentencing

Sentencing

by Jay Unver

(Lehrton, Mississippi) Zane Hodge appeared with his lawyer at the conference room at the Big ASS Training Center in Lehrton this morning to receive his sentence for his competition interference infraction. Like the trial, the proceeding was short and sweet.

Hodge stood with counsel while the sentence was read by Dr. Nomann. The athlete lost his entire year's salary, which amounted to six cans of potted meat, two dollars cash money, and a five dollar line of credit with Jimmy's Used Swimming Jammers. In addition, Hodge was fined three dollars, had to vacate his 500 yard victory over Beets in Virtual Meet 1, and was hit with a five year $250,000 Show Cause Judgment.

At the announcement of the Show Cause Judgment, an audible gasp arose in the room, Hodge turned white, wobbled, then collapsed as his lawyer tried unsuccessfully to catch him. His head struck the floor hard and he lay motionless while two bailiffs rushed to his side and tried to revive him. Nomann called an ambulance and within minutes Hodge was taken out on a gurney, placed in an ambulance, and taken to the hospital.

That is all known at press time. More information will be forthcoming. 

Tuesday

By the grace of God, I had another good day of training, teaching, and cat loving Tuesday. It started at the pool with

1,200
12 X 100 @ 2:00
450 small paddles
total: 2,850 yards = 2,604 meters

I only shuffled 3.06 miles, but that brings me to 14.12 for the week. Then I went to Plate City. Because I am racing Saturday, I decided to do my leg workout along with my pull workout so that I can begin getting fresh for my 5K. I usually do legs on Wednesday and Saturday. Doing them on Tuesday gives me more time to taper. I hope to work lower body again Saturday afternoon when we get home from the race. I did six sets of squats, a set of reverse hypers, some leg curls, and one set of leg extensions. I also did six sets of one-armed bent rows and some rotator cuff work. 

It was a good day. Thank you, Jesus.

Monday

I started the week with a bang. I banged out a good practice first thing. I swam

2,050 39:17 (1:54)
6 X 200 @3:53
300 medium paddles
total: 3,550 yards = 3,244 meters

I felt that set of 200s, especially the final one. Now that I am doing some quality swimming, I am realizing how out of shape I am for it. I have the low end endurance, but when the pace picks up, things begin to hurt.

In the afternoon, I went out for my long run of the week. Since I am racing Saturday, this is a taper week, a step back cycle. Everything will be downhill from here on. I did 11.06 miles. Then I took nutrition, rested a bit, and went to Plate City for bench day. I pressed

12 X 95
6 X 115
5 X 135
5 X 135
5 X 135
5 X 135
5 X 135

Overhead Dumbbell Press

8 X 25
4 X 30
1 X 35

Triceps push down

30 X 32.5
20 X 37.5
16 X 42.5

That was one good day of training. Thank you, Jesus.

Hodge Guilty

Hodge Guilty

by Jay Unver

(Lehrton, Mississippi) The competition interference trial of champion swimmer Zane Hodge was concluded in just under an hour Monday morning at the Big ASS Training Center and Headquarters in downtown Lehrton, Mississippi. 

Dr. Nomann, President and CEO of Big ASS Endurance

Hodge pled innocent but was unable to explain repeated phone calls to an unidentified person in Morganton, North Carolina. "A butt dial," was all he could say. That would be sixteen butt dials for a total of thirty seven minutes. Thus his explanation strains credulity.

The strongest evidence against the ageing athlete, however, was the conclusive fact that the power shortage, which interfered with Randy Beets swim Friday, October the 18th, was due to a cyber attack launched by Mississippi Delta Community College computers. Hodge is an English teacher for the school.

The computers in question, however, are located on the Moorhead campus. Hodge works on the Greenwood campus and provided documentation that he was not on the Moorhead campus that Friday. "We don't even work on Friday," he argued. In fact, he was not on the main campus any that entire week.

Hodge vowed to have no knowledge of anyone working on his behalf. "If they did this for me, they did it without my knowledge, and if I had known I would have protested and called Big ASS immediately."

Randy Beets, Wt'fer at Doober's Purrdolls and sometimes swimmer

Although Dr. Nomann agreed with the possibility that the cyber attack could have been done outside of Hodge's knowledge, "still it came from your workplace and you must be held accountable."

Hodge's lawyer, Tom Flanagan, argued that "the ones who actually did the deed should be held accountable, not an innocent man."

Since employees of Mississippi Delta, with the exception of Hodge, are not members of Big ASS Endurance, they could not be charged with any violation nor could they be compelled to testify although they were asked to.

Nomann pronounced Hodge guilty and set sentencing for Wednesday October the 30th at 10:00 a.m.

When asked to comment, Hodge said, "I can't. I'd lose my preaching license if I told you what I thought about this."

Jay Unver is a journalist, investigator, and sports event
verifier for Big ASS Endurance.

10/21 - 10/27

I am beginning to do real buttbeetsing training again. Monday I swam 2,879 meters and ran 4.13 miles. Not only that, but I lifted weights. Tuesday I got some real quality into the swim when I did a 4 X 200 set in the midst of 2,924 meters. This is the kind of swimming I have been reticent to do. Now I have a reason, a need, for some tough water work. I ran 15.03 miles that afternoon and lifted more weights.

Wednesday I sort of lapsed into the lazy lane with 3,000 yards but no real tough stuff. I  ran 1.17 miles in the Alley workout I did. Thursday, however, I moved back into the fast lane with a 5 X 200 set inside of a 3,100 yard total. I dropped the turnaround on the 200s by a second. I ran an additional 3.12 miles that afternoon and lifted more weight.

Friday is always a big day. I did the virtual meet against Randy. Although I lost, this will work for my good. I am not going to continue to lose. We swam a 250, and 100, and a 650 for time. I totaled 3,300 yards. It was terribly rainy and cool. I went to Twin Rivers and ran 7.65 miles on the treadmill and lifted weights.

Saturday, John and I went to Tuscaloosa for the Alabama verses Arkansas game. That mean I did not do any training. For the week, however, I

swam 14,394 meters,
lifted weights five times, and 
ran 31.1 miles.

Next up is the 5K at Vardaman. I hope to win my division there. The last 5K I did was in 29:54, I think. I hope to beat that by at least thirty seconds. I have three thirty miles running weeks and a lot of weightlifting in my legs since then.

Thank you, Jesus, for good health and the opportunity to have fun.

Virtual Meet 3

Virtual Meet 3

By Jay Unver

(Lehrton, Mississippi) I stopped Zane Hodge's house to get his reaction to Virtual Meet 3. Hodge, who has been Big ASS's top swimmer since 2007, has recently suffered a series of swim defeats to his arch rival Randy Beets. In Virtual Meet 3, Hodge was treated like a red-headed step child by the tall guy from up north. Hodge and fans alike are unused to seeing this kind of outcome. The results are as follows:

   Hodge                     Beets

250 - 3:38                250 - 3:33

100 - 1:19                100 - 1:12

650 - 10:15              650 - 10:01

total - 15:12             total - 14:46

Hodge's cheerful wife, Penny, showed me out the back door. "You know where he is," she said.

He was there alright, at Plate City, but not working out. He was sitting on a tire, an eighteen wheeler tire, with a scowl on his face.

"Hey there," I greeted him.

"What do you want?" he snapped.

I ignored the snub. I had expected him to be in an ill mood. Losing to Randy Beets is not something he is used to and certainly not something he likes or can even tolerate.

"I guess you're here to crow about your boy, Randy."

"He's not my boy. I'm here as a reporter, here to get your reaction."

"Here to see if I am going to shoot myself?"

"I know you hate losing. . ."

"Dang tootin' I hate losing. That goof, what happened? How did he get faster than me?"

"I don't know," I answered. "Maybe it has something to do with that enforced layoff when you are fell off."

"Yeah. That's it. I'm still on the comeback trail, you know."

"I know. No one is downgrading you. They are just wondering how you will react. How you will respond. Will you quit? Will you get even? Will you train harder? What will you do?"

Hodge was silent for a full minute or more. When he spoke it was not about the swim meet, but his trial. 

"What do you think they're going to do to me?" he asked.

"Are you saying you're quilty?" I asked.

"No. But I am saying the deck is stacked against me. What am I going to do?"

"Swim?" I answered after some silence of my own.

"Yeah. I'll swim until they banish me from Big ASS. Win or lose, I'll never give Beets the satisfaction of retiring me."

Deltoids Sore

I have long lamented the fact that my deltoids never get sore. The fronts get a little tight sometimes after a big bench press session, but they never get sore. I have tried and tried and tried to make them sore. I have done lateral raises until I grew mentally fatigued with the process and quit. I have done upright rows and upright rows and upright rows until it was time to do something else.

I have laid out kettle bells and dumbbells across the back yard and gone up and down the line working those muscles, trying to make them hurt. They get tired, but the next day there is never soreness. 

The only time they ever got sore was when I was playing around with overhead squats. Huh? Yeah, just playing around and the next day it was wow!

Then, late Friday afternoon, my deltoids grew sore. What's going on? I asked myself. The tough swim this morning? Nah. The weights yesterday? Nah. Nothing unusual, except. . .

I did some overhead dumbbell walks. This is the second time I have done them and I did not get sore the first time. But this time, I went farther, 390 feet, with 15 pound dumbbells overhead. The delts and the rotator cuff muscles are constantly contracting, reacting, adjusting to keep the weights centered, overhead, balanced. That's the only thing it could be. I did do some tough swimming Friday morning and that may or may not have contributed to the soreness. I just know that next week, I will be doing more walking with dumbbells. It builds shoulder stability.

First Saturday

First Saturday is always good for me. I slept in, drank extra coffee, and you know what else. Yeah, I hung out with some neat cats. Then I went to the pool to do my half of the virtual swim meet against Randy Beets. I swam,

1,250 23:52 (1:54)
250 ft 3:38 (1:27)
350 easy
100 ft 1:19
350 easy
650 ft 10:15 (1:34)
350 medium paddles
total: 3,300 yards = 3,016 meters

It was one of those rainy, cool days that made me want to stay inside all afternoon. I sure didn't want to get out and run or lift in that stuff. What I did instead of lounge, was to go the Twin Rivers Gym. There I ran 7.65 miles on the treadmill, and I also lifted some weights. I don't do that often. I prefer the open road to a treadmill. And I prefer my own gym to one where all sorts of people drift in and out. But it is nice to have the option to workout when the weather is inclimate like it was Friday. Thank you, Jesus.

Thursday

Lately I've been backing off some on Thursday. There are two reasons for this. One, I am tired from getting up early Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Two, I want to be a little fresh for the virtual swim meets Randy Beets and I have been having. Not this time, however. At the pool, I swam

1,300 26:51 (2:03)
5 X 200 @ 3:54
400 small paddles
300 medium paddles
2 X 50 forearm paddles
total: 3,000 yards = 2,833 meters

Notice I repeated the set of 200s. I like those because they hurt in a delectable way. Consequently, I think they are a good training stimulus. Tuesday I did 4 X 500 @ 3:55. I added one rep today and reduced the rest interval by one second. What do you think I'll do next week? the next time I do 200s?

I shuffled 3.12 miles bringing my weekly total to 23.45 miles. If I can knock off that ten-miler Friday, I will have a banner week. But it is supposed to rain all day. What to do? It's not a big deal if I can't get the long run in. I'll do what I can do.

It was light bench day at Plate City. I did

20 X 95
15 X 105
13 X 110

OH Dumbbell Press

11 X 25

Incline Dumbbell Press

11 X 30
12 X 30

Triceps push down

35 X 30

Overhead Dumbbell walk

390 feet X 15 pounds

That was a pretty good day. Thank you, Jesus.

1507

This is blog post 1,507, and I was wondering if 1,506 was the last one ever. Recently my computer crashed. The computer man had to install a new hard drive. Then trying to get into my email, which I still have not done, and all my other stuff has proven difficult. Google told me my password was wrong. It was not. It let me in here, but I can't get into my email account or any of my other Google stuff. I am frustrated enough to eat my teeth.

I have a book for passwords. Funny how they never work, or as they told me on one screen that my account does not exist.

Sigh.

I'm angry enough to eat my teeth.

At least I got into Facebook, and I got into here. I would be most upset if I could not get into my blog. I write in here everyday. In fact, I write in here more than everyday. I think this is blog post number 345 for the year with 70 days to go. Now I need to get into my YouTube account. I use that a lot also. Lord help me. I filled out forms and forms and forms, all the questions asked, and their email said I did not provide enough information. I provided all the information they asked for. 

Did I mention that I am angry enough to eat my teeth?

Sigh.

Writing passwords and keeping up with them is not enough.

Virtual Meet 3

Virtual Meet 3

By Jay Unver

(Lehrton, Mississippi) At a news conference at the Big ASS Training Center, Dr. Timothy Nomann announced today that Virtual Meet 3 is set for Friday, October the 25th. There was some doubt as to whether the meet would go on due to the impending trial of Zane Hodge on competition tampering charges. Hodge's trial is set for Monday, October the 28th.

"All competitions will continue as scheduled," Nomann confirmed. He went on to add that Hodge's trial is expected to last "less than a day, maybe less than an hour."

This information sparked a buzz within the room with reporters immediately drawing conclusions on the idea of such a speedy trail. Nomann gavelled the room back into order and warned of "a rush to judgment."

Events for Virtual Meet 3 are:

   250 free
   100 free
   650 free

"Is it true that Randy Beets is leading in this series?" Johnny Nogood of the Paduka Podcast asked when the conference was opened for questions.

"Yes. The results are clear."

"Does that mean that Hodge is past peak?"

"You should draw your own conclusions on that. It may say more about Randy Beets than Zane Hodge," Nomann reasoned.

Alley Workout

Wednesday was a normal day. That meant I had some time to train. It was abnormal, however, in that John was at the pool on time. Not only that, but he was early. When I drove up, he was in his car waiting. What?!?!?! I started in the pool with

2,000 40 :18 (2:00)
2 X 150 @ 3:15
75 h/25 e
600 medium paddles
total: 3,000 yards = 2,742 meters

I had planned an alley workout, the first one in a while, a long while, maybe a year. Alley workouts are sort of a blend of crossfit and strongman. It has been so hot for so long that to even think of one would almost make me throw up. Now that it has cooled, I have been thinking. I decided on

dead lifts
squats
ropes
run

The ropes send my heart rate through the roof. That is the reason I chose that move just before the run. My heart rate would be high, my breathing out of control, and lactic acid coursing through my body. In that condition, I would run around the block, having to recover while I ran. The plan was for four rounds.

I did two.

Sissy.

This is when and why you need a training partner. It's difficult to do the really tough stuff alone. I tapped out after two rounds even though the second time through was easier than the first.

But I did workout out.

After the ally workout, I did some extra squats, 2 X 95, 1 X 100, and 1 X 105. Then I mowed the front lawn and went inside for the night.

Deposits

Tuesday I made some big-time deposits in the Bank of Endurance. It started like this. I went to the pool before 5:00 a.m. and swam

1,700 34:29 (2:00)
4 X 200 @ 3:55
500 small paddles
50 medium paddles
50 large paddles
50 extra large paddles
50 small paddles
total: 3,200 yards =2,924 meters

Remember yesterday I was in a tizzy about what to run. Not today. I hit the road 3:10 p.m. and shuffled 15.03 miles. That's big time right there; I don't care who you are. I ran slowly, but I felt as if I could have gone on. The endurance is coming up. Maybe by next month, Buddy Bones and I can start doing some marathons. 

When I got in from my run, I took some nutrition and then went to Plate City. It was dark and cool. I liked that. It was also pull night. On the one-armed bent row, I did

13 X 40
5 X 45
5 X 50
5 X 50
5 X 50
5 X 50

I did some other stuff also. All in all, it was a solid day. Thank you, Jesus.

Hodge Charged

Hodge Charged

by Jay Unver

(Lehrton, Mississippi) At exactly 10:00 a.m. October 22nd at the conference center at Big ASS training Center, Dr. Timothy Nomann announced that formal charges had been made against star swimmer, runner, and strongman Zane Hodge. Nomann said "there is credible and powerful evidence that Hodge is guilty of collusion, interference, and sabotage of a fellow athlete during a sanctioned Big ASS event."  This charge stems from a power outage at Morganton Aquatics last Friday that prevented Randy Beets from completing the much ballyhooed virtual meet between the two top swimmers. If convicted, Hodge could face a number of sanctions including a possible expulsion from the Association.

After reading his brief prepared statement, Nomann left without taking reporters' questions. Speculation was rampant among the newsmen in attendance. "To move this quickly," I overheard one newspaperman say, "indicates that the evidence against Hodge is overwhelming."

One source, speaking under the conditions of anonymity, relayed that the attack that shut down power in Morganton, North Carolina, came from a cyber attack launched by computers at Mississippi Delta Community College. "This is fact. The IP address leaves no room for speculation. In short," this insider said, "his [Hodge's] goose is cooked."

Hodge's trial is set for October the 28th at the Big ASS Headquarters in Lerhton, Mississippi.

New Week

Unlike most people, I like Mondays. I like my job, I like starting over, and I like to train. Training, as well as the rest of my life, starts afresh and anew every Monday morning. This Monday, however, was not like most.

It was like most in the way it started. I met John at the pool early, or I was at the pool early and he came in later. I swam

1,600 32:26 (2:01)
10 X 50 @ 1:03
700 medium paddles
350 small paddles
total: 3,150 yards = 2,879 meters

My work day was also typical. After work is where things were different. First, I had to take River to the vet. He has almost doubled in size since he was there last, going from three pounds and fourteen ounces to six pounds and eight ounces. Doc also commented that he "is well endowed." That means, in part, that me might get aggressive and we hope to make it to six months before he is neutered. Second, it was raining frogs and tadpoles almost all day. I usually do a long run on Monday, but the rain and the third element, Over 60s, made that problematic. I settled on a four-mile run. Then it was Plate City, and then off to eat fish in Itta Bena. On the bench, I pushed

11 X 95
6 X 115
5 X 130
5 X 130
5 X 130
5 X 130
5 X 130

On the dumbbell over head press, I hit

10 X 25
5 X 30

For the triceps push down, I got

33 X 30
23 X 35
15 X 40

Despite eating too much food at the gathering, it was a good day and night. I always enjoy Over 60s. This time we played bingo. I guess you are old when you think Bingo is a really swell night. Thank you, Jesus.

Hodge in the Cross Hairs

Hodge in the Cross Hairs

By Jay Unver

(Lehrton, Mississippi) Zane Hodge continues to be in the cross hairs of attention in Big ASS Endurance. Last week, he set new records in the Association of Sports Strongmen. He upped his military press record from 70 X 4 to 75 X 4. And on the Husafell stone, he twice extended his own record within one week. Wednesday he broke his previous best by going 112 pounds for twelve feet. Saturday he once more set the mark by going fifteen feet with the stone loaded to 115 pounds.

Despite his accomplishments, Hodge was defeated by Beets in Virtual Swim Meet 2, and remains under investigation for his possible role in a power outage at Morganton Aquatic Center Friday the 18th interrupting Virtual Swim Meet 2 before rival Randy Beets could complete is 600 yard swim. Beets later redid his part in the meet, solidly downing Hodge.

Beets insists Hodge was in collusion with local forces to foil his attempt at victory. Thus far, the investigation has tied Hodge's cell phone use to a local number in the Morganton area. When asked why he would be calling someone in that area, Hodge at first denied the charge, then obviously flustered, said if he called someone in North Carolina, it was obviously "a butt dial."

The City of Morganton Electric Company at this point says the power outage was caused by a cyber attack. The source of that attack has not yet been determined. When asked about that, Hodge blushed and walked away.

If guilty, Hodge could face a number of disciplinary actions from the Association such as fines, suspensions, even banishment. 

10/14 - 10/20

Another good week is in the bank and earning interest. I like to think so anyway.
Monday I swam 2,250 yards, ran 14.53 miles, and lifted weights. Tuesday I swam 2,900 yards, but I did not run because something did not feel just right. I l did not even lift weighs but rested as I was feeling ill.

Wednesday I swam 2,900 yards again, and did two days worth of lifting. I did legs and my pull for upper body as well as shuffling 2.72 miles. Thursday I swam 2,600, ran 3.2, and lifted a lot.

Friday was huge. With the virtual meet, I swam 3,325 yards with 1,000 of that being for time. I later ran 10.15 miles, and lifted weights. Saturday I did lots of resting, coffee drinking, cat petting, and football watching. The only thing I did physical was to lift and lift a lot.

For the week, I 

lifted weights five times,
cycled 6:00 minutes on the stationary,
swam 12,771 meters, and 
ran 30.6 miles.

That makes my second straight thirty-mile running week. Thank you, Jesus.

Virtual Meet 2

Virtual Swim Meet 2

By Jay Unver

(Lehrton, Mississippi) Controversy struck like a bad storm at Virtual Swim Meet 2: Hodge versus Beets. Unlike the the virtual race and the first virtual meet, Hodge was relaxed when I met him at his house and followed him to the pool. Beets had not reported his times so Hodge felt no pressure.

He warmed up with 1,100. After that, he put on his swim cap and busted out 300 yards in 4:26. He was breathing hard as he lapped his watch and began a cool down swim of 250 yards. Then it was time for the 100. He did a dive start and beat last week's time of 1:22 with a 1:20. He then swam another 275 and got himself ready for the biggie, the 600. After 9:16, he was sucking air having completed a hard 600 yards. Immediately he put on small paddles and swam 400 easy, then he did some 50s with medium paddles and finished off with an easy 100 with small paddles. His total swim was 3,325 yards.

All was well, Hodge was happy, and then my phone rang. It Randy Beets and he was upset. He has swum his first two swims, but before he could do the 600, the power went out at Morganton Aquatic Center. 

"The power has never gone out there. Never. The weather is perfect. I smell a rat. Zane Hodge had something to do with this." It was too dark for him to see the walls. He wanted Dr. Nomann's number; he wanted to file a complaint.

Of course, you can imagine Hodge's reaction when told all of this. His face turned as red as a beet (pun intended); he yelled, said I knew where he was that he had never been within 400 miles of Morganton, North Carolina; said Randy Beets was a big, tall baby, a whiny butt, a sissy, a disgrace to all real swimmers everywhere. He shook his fist a said, "If the Association of Sports Strikers had gone through, his butt would be whipped already."

Just as he was finishing his tirade, my phone rang again. It was Dr. Nomann. I must inform you that I do more than write articles for Big ASS Endurance. I also serve as a witness to athletic events, and at times I act as an investigator. Nomann was opening an investigation, and he ordered me to follow Hodge home and retrieve his cell phone and his laptop.

The fit just hit the shan.

Friday

It was a big day Friday. Fridays usually are. I slept in, drank lots of coffee, and spent time with the cats. Then John and I met at the pool a little after 10:00.This was Virtual Meet 2. Since Jay Unver is doing an article on that, I will only give the basics of my swim. I swam

1,100
300 for time (4:26)
250 easy
100 for time (1:20)
275 easy
600 for time (9:16)
400 small paddles
4 X 50 medium paddles
100 small paddles
total: 3,325 yards = 3,039 meters

That's a pretty good practice right there. I don't care who you are.

I went home and took some nutrition and tried to rest. It was then time for my run. I went straight out Money Road and back for 10.15 miles. That's a good run right there. I even did some multi-pacing. At three miles, I threw in a fast .25 (9:13 pace); at 5.08 miles, I went 2.05 miles at 10:40 pace. After that, I shuffled home like an old man. 

Someone was supposed to show up at 4:15 to work out with me. He didn't make it. I waited until 4:35 and then went to the gym alone. That's the thing about fooling with other people. You're always waiting. I never waited when I had Trevor. I miss him terribly. But I have worked out alone most of my life so I guess I can keep doing it. I did pulling, lots of it, and then called it a day. One day, three workouts, one tired old man. Thank you, Jesus.

Thriday

You know how it started. John was actually on time. Then he called me in the afternoon and asked me if I swam this morning. No joke. I'm beginning to worry about him. I used to get aggravated when he would ask me over and over the same question. I took it that he thought I lied and if he asked enough he would get a different answer. Now I know that he really forgets. I swam

1,500 30:13 (2:00)
6 X 50 @ 1:06
800 small paddles
total: 2,600 yards = 2,376 meters

I shuffled 3.2 miles. My legs felt OK after not running Wednesday but squatting and playing with the Husafell stone. I set another world record (15 feet with 112.5 pounds). It was cool, and running is now fun. I endured it all summer. Now I enjoy it.

Plate City was open for bench day. The second push day of the week is rep day. The focus is on more repetitions, more blood flow, a touch of endurance. I pressed

18 X 95
14 X 105
12 X 110

Decline bench press

12 X 100

Incline bench with Swiss bar

12 X plus 20 pounds

Overhead dumbbell press

8 X 25

Overhead dumbbell walk

133 feet X 15 pounders  

So there you have it. Another three-workout day. Some more Beetsdown training. Another deposit into the energy bank for Chicot, for fun, for other events. Thank you, Jesus.

Wednesday

I'm still trying to get back into the swing of quality swimming. I'm not a morning person, which is part of the problem. I am also not a sprinter , which exacerbates things. We gravitate towards the things we are good at and away from our weaknesses. Wednesday morning I swam

1,400 29:12 (2:04)
5 X 100
700 small paddles
300 medium paddles
total: 2,900 yards = 2,650 meters

Well, that's not a lot of quality, but I took a stab at it.

After work and after a nap, I went out for a shuffle and did 2.72 miles. It was cool, and I ran without my FuelBelt making me feel light and fit. My pace was a little quicker. Now instead of being extremely slow, I am just slow.

Having missed Tuesday's gym work, I was anxious to hit Plate City. I did both workouts, my legs and pull for the upper body. I did four sets of squats in addition to the reverse hyper, leg curls and leg etensions, five sets of one-armed bent rows, some pull ups, and the Swim Pull. In addition to all of that, I set a new Big ASS record on the Husafell stone. I loaded a 2.5 pound plate it it, bringing the total weight to 112.5 pounds, and I carried it twelve feet. Eat your heart out Randy Beets.

So a three-workout day and one that saw me set a new record. I like the Husafell. It is like doing squats, dead lifts, and bent rows all in one. I plan to work with it two to three times per week until I get strong and can carry the thing at least fifty feet. Thank you, Jesus. It's nice to have goals and things to be excited about.

Naps

I had a pretty good morning at the pool. I started with 1,300 straight and then went into some cruise intervals. I need to work those a lot more than I am. It's laziness, pure and simple, that prevents me from doing so. What I did is

1,300
200 cruise interval 3:27
150 small paddles
200 cruise interval 3:22
250 small paddles
200 cruise interval 3:19
150 small paddles
200 cruise interval 3:21
150 small paddles
200 medium paddles
total: 2,900 yards = 2.650 meters

That was a pretty solid practice. It had some quantity and some quality.

I went home after work and took a nap. I was supposed to have someone workout with me, but he did not show. After my nap, I took another one. It was raining and I felt poor, so I took a third nap. Thank you, Jesus, for good naps.

New Week

The new week began early. By 5:00 a.m. I was in the pool and swimming. I did

1,200 23:50 (1:58)
5 X 50 @ 1:09
200 small paddles
5 X 50 @ 1:09
350 small paddles
total: 2,250 yards = 2,056 meters

Since I did my long run Monday last week, I thought to do the same this week. The weather was nice, 71 degrees and cloudy. I did 14.53 miles. While out Money Road, I stopped to take a leak. I suppose most guys look at the stream, especially if we are outdoors, because it is one way not to pee on your shoes. I was shocked. What I was peeing looked like cherry Kool Aide. I have peed blood before, sometimes a bit dark, but this was stunning and frightening. "Am I going into rhabdomyolysis?" I questioned. "Am I going to die?"

I got to thinking over my last week of training. It was pretty full, but Sunday I only rested and did lots of that. Would, could rhabdo hit after a day off? Then I remembered having some pain Sunday afternoon, pain in the kidney area. I was experiencing discomfort now and it was all low, below the kidney. Then I concluded that it was just one more kidney stone. Lovely. I have not drunk a pop in a long time. Sigh.

I finished the run feeling good. Now it was time for Plate City. Bench day. Who doesn't love bench day? I pressed

17 X 95
8 X 115
8 X 115
8 X 115
8 X 115

Incline dumbbell bench press

11 X 30

Overhead dumbbell press

9 X 25
3 X 30

Triceps push down

32 X 30
22 X 35
15 X 37.5

It was another good day designed to give me victory over Randy Beets. Thank you, Jesus.

217 - 219

          217

Yellow eyes gaze down
from the wooded ridge above.
Sheep feed in peace.

          218

crows caw in clear sky
songbirds join the chorus
church sings hymns to God

          219

white church sits by dark woods
tombstones dot the green hillside
buzzards circle above

More Records

More Records

By Jay Unver

(Lehrton, Mississippi) Zane Hodge has been at it again setting strength records at Plate City Gym for the Association of Sports Strongmen, a new subsidiary of Big ASS Endurance.

"Heck, the record book is wide open so I am going to fill it up," Hodge said at Plate City during a recent interview.

Besides the bench press records he set a few weeks ago, he recently set a new Military press record: 70 pounds for four reps.

"I don't mean to be disrespectful," I told him, "but that doesn't sound too impressive."

"Well, it beats what Randy Beets has done."

"And what has Beets done?" I asked.

"Nothing," he shot back sounding a bit perturbed. "The records have to start somewhere. So the military press record starts at 70 pounds. Heck, I am a small sixty-three year old endurance athlete. The fact that I am lifting at all and doing strongman stuff is a bit odd, I think you will agree."

"Oh, no doubt," I added. "And what is this I hear about a hussy feld stone?"

"Husefell," he corrected me and spelled it. "I only recently acquired this strongman implement. I set the inaugural record for the Husefell carry at 110 pounds for ten feet."

"Well, I suppose you'll want to work that one up too," I suggested.

"Of course," Hodge answered. "It will be fun and give me something to do while Beets gets off by beating me on sprints in the pool."

10/7 - 10/13

The swimming volume has fallen off due to John and me moving to the indoor pool. We have to be out by 6:00 because the pool is reserved by some other people then. But still, I had a banner training week. It started with 3,300 yards of swimming on Monday morning followed by a 14.39 mile run that afternoon. That's good training right there. But that's not all. I also went to Plate City and benched

16 X 95
8 X 110
8 X 110
8 X 110
8 X 110

In addition to that, I did overhead dumbbell presses and triceps push downs.

Tuesday I swam 3,000 yards, ran 2.65 miles, and did leg work at Plate City.

Wednesday I swam 1,800 yards but I did not run due to a soreness in my upper achilles of the left leg.

Thursday I ran on dirt, the turn rows on Billy Whittington's place for 3.1 miles. That was after swimming 2,000 yards that morning. I benched in the afternoon.

Friday was the Virtual Meet with Randy Beets. I swam a total of 3,100 yards, ran 10.02 miles, and lifted weights.

Saturday I just lifted and watched college football.

For the week, I

swam 12,064 meters,
lifted weights six times,
pedaled 5:00 minutes on the stationary bicycle,
and ran 30.16 miles.

That was my first thirty mile running week in I can't remember when, probably three years. It felt good and I did not feel like I was over training. Thank you, Jesus.

VM 2 Set

VM 2 Set

By Jay Unver

(Lehrton, Mississippi) Within thirty hours of the first Virtual Meet between long-time rivals Randy Beets and Zane Hodge, Dr. Timothy Nomann has secured a signed contract from the two star athletes for Virtual Meet 2. 

"There is an excitement in the Association that we haven't seen for years," Nomann said from the conference room at the Big ASS Training Center in Lehrton, Mississippi.

Virtual Meet 1, ended in a strange draw. Although Beets won three of the four races, his failure to finish the 4th race, the 500 free, opened the door for Hodge to sneak in for a tie on points.

"This time," Nomann told reporters, "the scoring is going to be different. Three races, total time, and the lowest time wins."

"Is the new scoring the result of the strange draw we had in the first meet?" Johnny Nogood of the Podunk Podcast asked.

"No," Nomann answered. "The athletes just want to mix things up, to keep them interesting. I didn't realize how hungry these guys were for competition. I think they would sign a contract to shoot marbles if you could get them together. With them living hundreds of miles apart, virtual meets is the best we can do."

"Why did the rivalry die down for the past several years anyway?" Nogood asked. "With Beets winning three of the last five races, it looks like he might have been right when he said Hodge was ducking him by not continuing with Swim the Suck."

"I can tell you for a fact that is not true," Nomann said with authority. "Hodge is a teacher and a preacher. He loves his work and feels a divine call to it, which is why he continues to do it. I have seen his W2s. He will be making less money this year than he made sixteen years ago. With inflation, he just could not pay the big entry fees and make the trips to Chattanooga anymore. And with Beets moving to North Carolina, a lot of the opportunities for them to face each other in road races, bike rides, and triathlons disappeared."

"So how long will these virtual meets last?" another reporter shouted out.

"Your guess is as good as mine," Nomann stated. "But my guess is they will last a long time. Weeks, months, who knows."

"What are the events?" I asked when I realized they had not been announced.

"Beets and Hodge will swim three races next Friday in this order," Nomann responded. "300 free, 100 free, and 600 free. Times will be totaled and low time wins."

Second Saturday

Second Saturday was a slow-start day. I slept late, drank coffee, and petted cats. I love this. My body needs this. My mind needs this. My soul needs this. It was a huge relief just to know that I was not going to run, and I was not going to swim. I love those things, but absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Also, we are knee deep in the college football season. I don't watch basketball anymore. I don't watch pro football anymore. My passion for college football, however, has never been higher. At 11: 00 a.m., I watched Mississippi State embarrass the poorest, fattest, most unhealthy state in the union. One more time. We lost to the worst team in the SEC, Tennessee. Well, maybe WE are the worst team in the conference. Losing is one thing. Helping the enemy beat you is another. I am tired of another.

At 2:30 the Alabama game came on. I watched the first half of it and then went to the gym. Saturdays at the gym are always a little different. It is my second and hardest leg day of the week. It is also the day I do overhead barbell presses and a bunch of other stuff. I played with my new Husafell stone for the first time. I carried it ten feet. More to come.

LSU versus Florida came on at 7:00. This was the marquee game of the week. With LSU being ranked number five in the country and Florida ranked number seven, I was excited to see if LSU was as good as advertised. They passed the test, besting Florida by a score of 42 - 28 in a hard fought game that was entertaining to watch. 

Then it was time for bed. Another good day come and gone. Thank you, Jesus.

Virtual Meet 1

Virtual Meet 1

By Jay Unver

(Lehrton, Mississippi) The much anticipated Virtual Meet 1 has come and gone and a new excitement flows through Big ASS Endurance like a fresh Fall cold front. Beets did his four events as follows:

200 - 2:40
50 - :31
100 - 1:09
500 DNF (cramps)

Like with their virtual race, I was there when Hodge received news of Beets' swim and the times he did them in. Also like last week, Hodge grew sullen and stopped speaking. I decided to let sleeping dogs lie.

This week, Hodge slept later, ate breakfast, and arrived at the Twin Rivers indoor pool at 10:00 o'clock. He warmed up with 1,100, just like last week, only he did not do a fast 50. He then put on his cap, went to the deeper end of the pool and did a dive start to begin his 200. He swam it in 2:47, seven seconds slower than Beets' time. He was visibly stunned when told his time. He then swam several slow laps. His 50 and 100 were swum in

50 - :36
100 - 1:22

The witnesses were starting to chant, "Beets won, Beets won."

Hodge yelled out, "Shut the heck up!!!"

Silence then gripped the building as an agitated Hodge began some more transition swimming.

There was now no way Hodge could win the meet and since Beets DNFed the 500, I wondered how hard Hodge would go. All he had to do was finish the 500 and he would at least have one win. 

Hodge swam the 500 in 8:22, pretty slow compared to the  7:16 of a week ago.

"So, you have been dethroned," I said pulling no punches when Hodge finished his cool down swim.

"Not so fast," Hodge snapped. "We agreed to three points for each victory and two points for second place. 

"So?" I asked.

"Do the math," he said smugly. "Beets won three events. That equals nine points. I was second on three events. That equals six points. I won one event. That is three more points. Six plus three equals nine. We tie, nine to nine."

"By golly, you're right," I exclaimed. "Looks like you dodged a bullet. Do you think that's fair?" I asked.

"Fair? It is what we agreed to in the contract. I don't care how we do it. We can do it by points, like in a regular meet, or by the number of events, or we could even do it by total time. It makes me no difference."

First Saturday

Friday is first Saturday. Although Penny was off and she bought groceries early in the week, we did not go to Jackson. We didn't even go out to eat Friday night as we almost always do. So I met John at the little pool at 10:00 a.m. for workout number one. It was the day of the Virtual Meet with Randy Beets. Jay Unver is doing an article on that, so I will only give the numbers here. I swam

1,100 10:46 (1:53)
200 for time 2:47
225 easy
50 for time 36:76
125 easy 
100 for time 1:22
175 easy
500 hard (not so hard really) 8:22
650 small paddles
total: 3,100 yards = 2,833 meters

Workout number two was a ten-mile run. When I began the shuffle, the temperature was 84 degrees. When I finished the run, the temperature was 62 degrees. Lovely. I threw in three single miles at a harder pace. It was an enjoyable run and one that should aid in my fitness journey. I set a new mileage record (since my latest comeback) and got in two long runs this week.

I ordered a Husafell stone from Titan Fitness and it came in Friday. When I got in from my run, Fed EX had dumped it in the front yard. Really, there was my package in the middle of the front yard. Penny pitched a fit about that, but really it was alright. If he had left it on the porch, I would have had a heck of a time getting it off. The stone weighs 110 pounds empty. It is hollow with the top open, shaped like that stone near Husafell, Iceland, so it's loadable. You can dump plates or whatever in there to make the thing weight whatever you want it to weight. A Husafell stone is a strongman implement. These things are often used in strongman competitions and of course in strongman training. I loaded the stone into the back of my pickup. Wow. I felt those quadriceps big time, and my whole back. This thing is going to be instrumental in making me stronger.

I ate a salad, rested, then went to the gym. It was time for a pull session. I did seated rows, pull ups, chin ups, and the Swim Pull. It was one very solid day of training and working out in what felt like fall weather was wonderful. Thank you, Jesus.

Slipped Slump

If Wednesday morning was a slump, Thursday morning was a slipped slump, a slump's slump, a championship slump. I did manage to get some yardage in, but the quality was lacking, "the thrill was gone," and my friends Mo and Joe had left town. Scratch that, they left the country. I was tired. I swam

1,300
200 small paddles
100 pull
250 medium paddles
150 large paddles
total: 2,000 yards = 1,828 meters

I love Thursdays because the weekend starts at 12:05. I went home after work and took a much needed nap before driving to Wade Road. I simply wanted out of town, and the idea of running on dirt was pulling me. I only did 3.1 miles, but it was all on turn rows. The temperature was 89, hot but not that killing hot we had all of July, August, and September.

At Plate City it was rep push day. I went out there a few minutes after 5:00 and with a cloud over, it felt cool. I benched

17 X 95
13 X 100
12 X 105
14 X Swiss bar plus 20, incline
7 X Swiss bar plus 40, incline

Overhead dumbbell press

10 X 25

Triceps push down

31 X 30

Dumbbell overhead walk

approximately 100 feet

That last item, the overhead dumbbell walk is something I picked up on YouTube. I learn a lot there and gets bunches of ideas. I got this one from my favorite YouTuber, Brain Alsruh. He has the best content on the channel. He suggested trying that for improving overhead pressing as it forces the shoulder to constantly re-stabilize. I felt some fatigue in there, inside the shoulders. I was very conservative and will remain so because of all the swimming I do. I think this could be good for my shoulder health. It could also lead to injury if I push it too hard. So slow and easy is the word.

It was a good day. God was kind. He always is. Thank you, Jesus.

Mid-week Slump

Like usual, I had a sinking spell Wednesday morning. The training plus the job plus getting up early every morning, start getting to me by mid week. I was stall swimming. I stall swam

1,100
300 medium paddles
200 small paddles
200 small paddles
total: 1,800 yards = 1,645 meters

Since John was out, I tapped out early and went home.

When I got home from work, I took a nap. I did not shuffle because I had a soreness just above my left Achilles. You know what they say: better sorry than safe. Seeing how I did two fourteen-milers within three days of each other, discretion was the better part of valor.

I did work out at Plate City. I pulled

One-armed bent row

10 X 40
8 X 45
8 X 45
8 X 45
8 X 45

Pull up

4,3,3, and then three singles with 7.5 pounds

Swim Pull

27 X 33
13 X 37.4
12 X 40.4
10 X 43.4

It was still a pretty good day. Thank you, Jesus.

Shuffling the Deck

John called Monday evening and wanted to know what time we were swimming Tuesday morning. It really ticked me off because first, he already knows what time, and second, I'm pretty sure the only reason he wanted to double check was so he could be sure to be late. He was. That kind of thing gets old. I swam

1,100
8 X 100 @ 2:05
300 medium paddles
8 X 50 @ 1:09
400 small paddles
total: 3,000 yards = 2,742 meters

I only shuffled 2.65 miles and I immediately went to Plate City and started leg work. Usually I do leg work on Wednesday. My split is push/pull/legs/push/pull/legs/off. That is what I have settled into and it works for me. This week, however, Penny is off Friday which means we might be going to Jackson. For that reason, I did my long run Monday, and Tuesday I did leg work at the gym. It took me years to figure out when to work legs and how to program it with running a lot of miles (running a lot of miles being contextual, of course). I finally figured the day after my long runs works best. I can hit them pretty hard and the day after the leg weights, they will be a little bitty bit more recovered for running than the day I worked them. One more easy day and then they are ready.

So I will do pulling Wednesday. Tuesday I squatted for four sets, did one set of reverse hypers, two sets of leg curls, and one set of leg extensions. I also worked my neck, which I have long intended but often forgotten.

Hence it was a three-workout day. Thank you, Jesus.