Three for Four Straight

Thursday morning I maxed Tyler out on the bench press. Since I want to start training him on percentages, I needed to know what his max was. So he hit 280 for a solid rep. How about that? Now those forty-five pound plates that have until now mostly been decoration for the gym are being used. I p8 X 130ushed a meager

  10 X 50

  10 X 72

  6 X 100

  13 X 110

  12 X 120

  8 X 130

Of course there were the seated dips and the corator tuff stuff. By sunup, we were up, lifted up, and ready to face the day. It does feel good to get a workout done early in the morning. I am just no good at it on my own.

Later I ran 3.1 miles to take the streak to 88 days. 

At the pool, however, I wimped out again. I had a good practice, but I failed to bust out a really big one. I swam

  1,300 26:14

  brick kick

  300 easy

  4 X 50 @ WIFL

  2 X 50 paddles

  300 for time 4:51

  150 easy

  total: 2,550 yards

So that made three workouts per day for four straight days. This is what time off work is supposed to look like. I go back to school next week. How do I feel about that? The break was a little short. Other than that, it was great. Thank you, Jesus.

Three for Three

I forget yesterday to mention the rest of the training day. I wrote about Tyler and my morning lifting. I did not, however, mention that I also ran 4.24 miles and swam 3,550 yards. Yeah, I'm forgetful like that.

Wednesday was another good training day. We lifted deadlifts and light legs. I took my PR to 255 on the trap bar deadlift. 

Later in the morning, I went out for a four-mile run. While out there, I decided to go for five. Then I shifted to six. I finished with 7.05. Sometimes you just feel like running.

Wednesday night is the time I swim with Tyler. He had an out of town funeral, however, and could not get back in time. Consequently, I tapped out early. I am sorry like that. I swam

1,200

3 X 50 @ WIFL

10 X 100 @ 2:23

150 free/back by 25s

total: 2,500

Yeah, I should have gone for 3,000 or 4,000 but for no reason other than laziness, I stopped and went home. Sometimes I find it difficult to swim the extra distance and the tough sets when I am all alone. Tom was there when I arrived, but he left before I finished to 1,200. 

Still, it was a good day. Three straight days of three workouts per day. Despite yesterday's pool wimpage, I have some serious yards for three days and on the road my total is good there two. Thank you, Jesus.

Meet the Training Partner

I do try to respect people's privacy. Unless it's Randy Beets'. That's why I have not named my new training partner. I kept forgetting to ask him if he minded me naming him in the blog. He is OK with it. I didn't think he'd mind, but it is only proper to ask first.

Tyler Kirk is the God-sent man to bump up my training. He is 27-years old, very strong, and extremely hungry to train. Not only that, but he wants to learn, to be coached, to get really fit. Often, in my own mind, I have lamented the fact that I have so much knowledge. I wanted to pass it on to someone. Now I have someone who wants what I have in my mind, what I have learned both from study and experience.

We did pull at Plate City Tuesday morning. That consisted of five sets of chest-supported rows, two sets of lat pull downs, and two sets of the Swim Pull. To that we added reverse flys with the red band, and we finished off with two minutes and ten seconds on the Ski Erg.

We also talked about the fundraising challenge, about the minimum training, about his need for a bicycle, about nutritional strategies, about the event itself. And he mentioned this morning that since we started training together, his arms and shoulders feel stronger in the water. Imagine that. I told him that we are going to max his bench out Thursday morning so that we can start training him on percentages. I can get this guy way, way stronger. 

He is a big guy, 6'2" and 250. He told me that he got up to over 300. "I looked in the mirror one day and said, 'No more,'" he relayed to me. I need to have one of those mirror moments. I have had them in the past. I need one now. Still, I have not lost the weight that holds my running back so terribly. Lord help me. It's not like I have to starve. I just need a little restrain. "The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak," said Jesus correctly. You know, He's right nine times out of ten. Or is it ten times out of nine?

Training Partner Back

My training partner is back from his Florida vacation, and he showed up right on time Monday morning. We did our push workout. I benched

  20 X 50

  10 X 72

  6 X 100

  3 X 130

  5 X 140

  5 X 140

  5 X 140

  5 X 140

  CG Incline

  13 X 100

  11 X 100

We also did the seated row and corator tuff stuff. We capped the workout off with 2:00 on the Ski Erg. I am working that back into the programming. 

I told him about my fundraising plans for the summer, about the new sport I am creating, about how I will be the world champion. "You'll win your age group," he said. "When are we doing this?"

Wow. When I told him about catfish pond swimming, he got excited and wants to go. I told Penny that it's like God gave me Randy Beets back. Randy was the only one who would swim the ponds with me. He helped create the original Chicot Challenge. And anything crazy I could dream up, he wanted to do it. This guy is the same way, up for whatever crazy stuff I can come up with. 

Later in the morning I went for a shuffle on the turn rows off Hades Road and ended with 6.44 miles. Now, if I could just find the water.

I did find the water and went for one hour and thirty-three minutes straight getting 4,700 yards. Hey, that made a day. A strong gym session, a good run, and some big yards in the pool. Thank you, Jesus.

BBU 7

BBU 7 was like falling off a cliff. What with me being sick, shopping, and incessant eating, it seems I took a step detour world tour backwards. I gained weight, lost fitness, and feel bad. And that is the good news. I can't tell you what the bad news is, but it's really bad.

Monday I shuffled 1.41 miles.

Tuesday, I made it to the pool where I swam 4,600 yards. On the road, I did 2.15 miles, and in the gym I lifted. So Tuesday was almost a normal day.

Wednesday I did a short swim and a medium run. The swim was 2,050 yards, and the run was 4.44 miles.

Thursday I forced myself onto the treadmill for 1.31 miles.

Friday, despite being ill, I ambulated to Hillbilly Heaven. I shuffled 12.02 miles and walked 2.39.

Christmas day I found time for 1.18 on the dreadmill. 

Sunday, I did a little lifting and shuffled 1.05 on the hamster wheel.

For the week, I

ran 23.56 miles,

swam 6,077 meters,

cycled 4:00 minutes on the stationary,

lifted weights two times, and

Ski Erged 1:30

That was not terrible. To get that much training in while sick and at Christmas was a victory. I just had hoped for a bigger win. I did get back to the Ski Erf for the first time in a couple of months. I had stopped that after my arm fell off a second time. Now, I am ready to make my push for the spring. Thank you Jesus, for a good Christmas, renewed health, and a reset mental state. Help me to keep the later two.

The Day after Christmas

I finally felt well the day after Christmas. We didn't have church so I lounged late and long, drinking coffee, blogging, and reading. The cats have been keeping their distance lately. I need cats. 

The only thing physical I did was a little lifting and a short treadmill run. I did my trap bar deadlift routine working up to 250 pounds for a new personal record. The dreadmill run gave me 83 days straight of shuffling. Not bad for an old man.  

Christmas Day

Christmas day 2021 was a nice one. We slept a little longer than usual. When we did get up, we were in no hurry. Forrest had to work so we were meeting at his and Paul's that night. Since I thought I might have COVID, I stayed home while Penny went to Hillbilly Heaven. I took some naps, read, and drank coffee. 

By the time she came home, I was feeling better. Penny didn't argue with me when I told her that I was running to Forrest's. She knows how to pick her battles. I only did 1.18 miles, but kept the streak going at 83.

I could not wait to open gifts. Although I mostly shop like my dad did, I bought Penny and Andrea and Forrest some actual presents. At a sprawling flea market south of Florence, Mississippi, I ran across a signed photograph of one of the Golden Girls. Forrest loves them, so I bought the photo and Penny framed it. He was ecstatic. 

When Penny and I made our trip to Arkansas, we went one day to Heber Springs. There we stumbled into a downtown store where I found a silver necklace that framed a mercury dime. I instantly knew it was for Andrea. She was so happy that I almost cried. 

"Did Momma help you?" she asked.

"No."

"Did she teach you how to shop for jewelry?"

"No. I just browse until I find something looks like you. Then I buy it."

"You have a gift for picking out jewelry."

Later she texted me and told me again how much she liked it. That made me feel like a million dollars.

For Penny, I went to Russel's Antiques. I found a ring, and they wrapped it. So I came out OK.

What did I get?

Candy. Some clothing-- good stuff. A lightweight folding knife that I can carry in my running pouch for self protection. And a pie. A Paul Brown pie, and they don't get any better than that.

What kind?

Peach. Is there any other?

Well, I would say yes, there are several other kinds.

Then you have a never eaten a Paul Brown peach pie. You know what they say. 'Once you go peach pie, you never go by.'

Do they say that?

I do.

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, I was still ill. Consequently, I pondered long and hard over whether or not to run to Hillbilly Heaven as I had planned earlier in the week. Around noon, however, I strapped on my hydration pack and headed out the door. 

It was not a good run. I never found a groove or got a high or ran well or smooth and certainly not strong. But no run is a bad run. I shuffled for eight miles before I stopped for a walking break. Yeah, I was weak like that. No, I did not run up the big hill. Even walking that monster is a chore. I arrived at HBH with 12.02 miles of running, and 2.39 miles of walking. Just what I needed for my ill body.

Mostly I lounged on the couch after that. Danny said he'd bet $1,000 that I had Omricon. One thing is for sure. I ain't going for a test on Christmas day. I am home it bed now. Penny has gone back to HBH. I decided not to expose everyone again. I know. It's like closing the barn door after the horses are out. But maybe it will help them and me. Maybe. I will try to take some naps and . . . .

And? I will try to sneak in a mile somewhere. I don't feel like a step, but you know my illness. I have to do something.

Merry Christmas, everyone. Stay safe, and if possible, stay well.

Treadmill and TV

I did not do much Christmas Eve Eve. I have been under the weather, and I mostly stayed in bed. The pool was out. The open road was out. The gym was out. Later, around 6:00 p.m. I dragged out to Plate City to try for a mile on the dreadmill. The TV was the trick. I was able to endure and keep the streak alive at 81 now.

My weight is still too high. My strength is still too low. My motivation is still right in the center. Maybe I will really get it together and bust out some good times in 2022. Maybe. Let's hope. Let's train. Let's believe. 

Heck if I Know

Wednesday was a tough day for me. I was not feeling too well. Overtraining? General fatigue? Flu? COVID? I didn't know, but I was moving slowly. I was, however, moving. First I moved out the door for 4.44 miles of roadwork. It was slow, methodical, and not much fun, but I did it. 

After lunch I was lounging when John called. I agreed to meet him at the pool. Most likely I would not have gone if he had not called. I swam

1.850

3 X 50 build

50 back

total: 2,050 yards

I just didn't have it. I tapped which irritated John. Tough ______ said the kitty. 

I went home and was due to do a deadlift workout. I could not force myself out the back door even though the best gym in Greenwood Mississippi America the world is back there. I felt like I was coming down with something.

As I type this, I know I was coming down with something. A cold? Flu? COVID? I don't know. I coughed a lot last night and a little bit this morning. I did sleep well once I went to sleep. My plan is to lounge a lot today. I want to keep the run streak going, but even that is in jeopardy. Praise the Lord anyway. Happy Christmas and Merry New Year to you and all.

The TV Is In

Here is a little vid of the gym. Plate City is the bomb.

Praise the Lord Anyway

Tuesday I got back on track. The cable guy was supposed to come and guess what? He did. So I was out there early making up the workout I missed Monday. He called bout 9:00 and said he was on the way. He did a bang-up job. The TV is in. It looks good, works good, and I even took a treadmill run to check it out. On the bench, I pressed

  20 X 50

  10 X 72

  6 X 100

  3 X 130

  5 X 140

  5 X 140

  5 X 140

  4 X 140

Incline close grip: 13 X 100, 14 X 100. Also I did seated dips, chest-supported rows, and Swim Pulls.

So it was a good morning. I lifted push and pull, the TV got installed, and all of that was done by noon.

At the pool, John was a no show. I swam straight for 4,600 yards in 1:31:11. After that, I was tired. I went home and my TV in the house was not working. The cable box is messed up. So one problem solved, another problem takes its place. I worked on it. Penny, who has the patience of Job, worked on it. I called the number on the screen and they worked on it. So now a tech is supposed to come back out Monday night. Sigh.

I watched YouTube. I like that better anyway. But I do want my TV back. Did the tech who installed Plate City mess something up? Who knows. Praise the Lord anyway.

I'm like That

I didn't get much done Monday, but what I did do needed doing. Do you like all that doing? The first thing I did was to drink the coffee pot dry. I have this terrible feeling that if there is coffee in the pot, I am not doing my job, and I am wasting God's precious gift of the bean. I am spiritual like that.

After that, I went to the tooth dentist. Don't you love going to the tooth dentist? Anyway, I needed to go and I'm glad that is out of the way. I take care of my teeth like that. 

Then I went Christmas shopping. I usually take care of all my shopping in two stops, and I pulled it off like that again. First, I went to Russell's Antiques. Yeah, I'm good like that. Then I went to the bank, cashed a couple of checks, and when the door opened with my money at the drive through, I yelled, "Boom!! I just finished my Christmas shopping!" Yeah, I'm really good like that. My daddy taught me how to shop.

Then after lunch I lounged long. John called and was insistent that I come to the pool right then. Remember he stood me up four straight days last week after yelling at me that I could not go to heaven. I should not have answered the phone, but I'm polite like that. I did not go. Time was running short. It was Over 60s night. Not only that, but I thought it well to give my wounded forehead another day out of the water. I am health conscious like that.

So instead, wanting to keep the streak alive, I went out for a short shuffle. Yeah, I'm dedicated like that. I only went 1.41 miles because my knee was gimpy, but I did it, took a shower, then got ready to go.

Thank the Lord for a full day even though I did not do much training. The cable guy is supposed to come today, this morning. Maye this time we will get it done. Thank you, Jesus, for a super Plate City Gym. It is great like that.

BBU 6 and Old Man Problems

BBU 6 was a good one, a solid one, one of big numbers. It started Monday with me looking at the weather forecast and trying to decide if I would run the Grenada half marathon Saturday. The prediction was a bit sketchy at the time. I started, however, training like I was with a mere 4.42 miles for my opening day of the week. In the pool, I busted out 3,400 yards, and in the gym, I lifted heavy and long.

Tuesday I ran another four miler with a 4.34-mile effort. In the pool, I went straight for 4,400 yards. In the gym, I was lifting those weights like I was mad at them.

Wednesday was the day the cable company was supposed to come and get Plate City ready for long treadmill runs and trainer rides. Things didn't work out. They are scheduled to return tomorrow morning. I shuffled 4.11, swam 4,400 with sets, and did some truncated lifting. Wednesdays are like that. 

Thursday I cut the roadwork to 3.1 miles in an effort to do a little bit of a taper. In the pool, I went straight again this time for 4,450 yards. Yeah, I was swimming pretty good numbers most of the week. I lifted again to complete my fourth straight day of three workouts per rising and setting of the sun.

Friday is where the wheels fell off. I ran 2.07 miles, but then fell into a pit of laziness and did not go to the pool, nor did I lift. I just lay around and dreamed of how I should be training. 

Saturday I was in for Grenada and accepted the gracious offer of a ride from BK and her friend, Cyndi. Besides banging my head on the back door of her SUV, I ran the race taking my weekly total to over thirty miles, and my yearly total to over 1,000. I enjoyed the run, and back home I napped and then went to Plate City for double duty. I did Friday's workout and Saturday's. And that included squats on the same legs that I shuffled 13.1 on earlier in the day.

Sunday we had our Christmas party at church. I ate enough food to feed a hungry army for a week. Lord forgive me, but those were some good peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. And Frances Barrentine's tea is to die for. Back home, it was naps and a short shuffle of 1.12 miles. That took the streak to 77 days. My knee was gimpy so I only did the minimum.

For the week, I

  ran 32.28 miles,

  swam 15,216 meters, and

  lifted weights five times.

Yeah, that's good training. That's Randy Beetsin training. That is Sasquatch beatsin training. That is summer-fund-raising training. I need a few more months like that. The swimming has to come up. It has been creeping up, but it now needs to bound up. I am signed up for the National Senior Olympics this May. I rather not be embarrassed. I don't expect to win, but I don't want to be humiliated in front of my wife. That is my dilemma right now. I am thinking of maybe doing a full marathon in February. If I do, I need to be running more miles than I am. For the Senior Olympics, I need to be swimming many more meters with some tough sets. There is a tension between the two. When you get to the level that it takes for those two things, they no longer compliment each other but compete for energy, time, and focus.

And not only all of that, but there is my upcoming fund raiser for the DFM. And the 2023 one is so big that it is on my mind everyday now. Yeah, it is that wild, that aggressive, that crazy.

Sigh. Old man problems. To run more miles or swim more meters? Or both? And how about that gym? And my bicycle has hardly been touched. Where will all of this sort itself out? Don't change that channel. Stay tuned for the continuing sage of an elderly man who still likes to play at endurance athletics.

Thank you, Jesus, for a solid week and a nice time at church. Now help me start  my Christmas shopping today or at least by tomorrow.

Sasquatch Is Real and I Beat Him in a Race

There was more than one beating Saturday morning when Katie Jones (Yes, this is the one I call BK for Bad Kate), Cyndi Saia, and I made a pilgrimage to Grenada, Mississippi for the second annual Winter Classic Half Marathon. We pulled up on the square to park, do packet pickup, and wait for the start. Of course we did some people watching while there. 

We saw one huge man who was about six foot five and so big I bet he weighted 400. He had fat smushing out from his shorts like a busted can of biscuits. Katie said, "Look, Zane. Think you can beat him?"

Instantly I felt my stomach knot up. "It's on," I answered.

The big guy was wearing a singlet and enough body hair to clothe a herd of horses. I thought, if he took his shirt and shorts off, people would run and scream "Bigfoot, Bigfoot!" So Sasquatch is real, and I am going to race him. 

After we took our packets back to BK's truck, she lived up to her name in spades. While I was putting my stuff into the bag I had brought with me, she urgently called me to come to the back of her SUV. "Quick, Zane, come here, quick."

So I high stepped it back there and WHAM!!! I saw stars, my knees buckled, and I twirled around dizzily. 

"Are you OK?" BK asked suppressing a grin. I had run into the raised back door thingy of her SUV.

I saw two of her. I didn't know which one to look at.

"I'm OK," I fibbed. Actually, I was dizzy and seeing double.

"Are you bleeding?"

I took my cap off and rubbed my throbbing head.

"Yeah. I'm squirting blood by the quarts."

Notice the white behind the sunglasses on my left eye. That is part of the towel, the pound of gauze, and the roll of paper towels that we wrapped my wound up with. 

We walked around, chatted, and saw Vicki Jee who was there for the 10K. Then we lined up to start. That is Sasquatch in front of me. I was sizing him up and planning my attack.

Then we were off. The race leaves the square and to my surprise, within a quarter of a mile from downtown Grenada, we were beside a big tupelo gum break which slowly transforms into some dry woods. This is a forest jammed up against town. That was odd to me. We ran one mile and then took a right turn. Somewhere down there, I ducked off the road to take a pee. When I climbed back up onto the roadbed, an old man with a thirty-pound belly passed me. I frantically fought to regain my lead over him. 

We ran straight down that road to the foot of the Grenada Lake levee (Dam is probably the more accurate choice of words, but never pass up a chance to alliterate). The course took a right turn and we ran below the dam for over two miles until we climbed the road to the top. Ouch. On top of the levee, I could see the slower runners below. It was awhile before I saw Sasquatch. He was the very end of the race. Hey, you gotta give him props. This race was a challenge, and he took it.

The course goes all the way across the longest earthen dam in the world, three miles, then drops back down to the road below. Down there, I went off into the woods again. This time, it took longer because I really needed to sit down. Back on the road, Thirty-pound Belly passed me again. Slowly, I reeled him in and when I pulled alongside of him quipped, "Battle of the geezers." He managed a weak smile through a pained face.

Slowly the miles clicked by: nine, ten, eleven. Around eleven miles, a sheriff's deputy began to give me super protection. Every time a car would approach, he drove, with blue lights one, to the center of the road, stopped, and waved the oncoming traffic into the far lane. Wow. I have never been treated like that. It's just me, I thought, way back here in the back, and I'm being treated like the race leader.

Finally, we came to the woods in downtown Grenada. By this time, I was down to a survival shuffle, but still ahead of Sasquatch and Thirty-pound Belly. As I neared the finish, I heard BK and Cyndi yelling, "Come on Zane." Crossing, someone (race director?) immediately approached and asked how old I was. What was that about? Did BK set that up? She will never admit it if she did.

So it was a nice race. The course is interesting, well marked, and superbly controlled by the sheriff's office. They could, however, use a couple of porta potties out there. I'm glad I went, and this one is on my list now. Thank you, Jesus, for a good experience and a victory over Sasquatch.

Easy like That

There is no doubt about it. John is angry with me. He has been a no show for three days in a row. How dare I have a difference of opinion. Not only that, but CC has been giving me the treatment. A few days back, she climbed up on top of Max's bird cage and turned her back to me. That meant that her face was about three inches from the blinds. When I went to the bathroom, she repositioned so that her back was still towards me. Sigh.

What did you do to her? 

Nothing. The other cats got too close, and she will not have it. So I guess I'm just a bad man who can't play well with others.

Playing, what playing did I do yesterday? 

I thought you'd never ask. First, I went to Plate City to do some painting, cleaning, lifting, and waiting.

Waiting?

Yeah. Sudenlink was supposed to be there sometimes from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. to install the cable in Plate City. The TV is bought. The TV is waiting. I am waiting.

They didn't show?

They did, one hour late and without a work order to install the cable.

Huh?

My thoughts exactly, huh? I went over and over and over and over this on the phone with whomever I talked with.

So what did the tech do?

He handed me a box and left.

What now?

I called back and talked to Matt for a long time. They are supposed to come back Tuesday sometimes between 8:00 and 11:00.

With a work order to install the cable?

I sure hope so. If not, I might try to do it myself. That could wind up knocking the whole neighborhood out of cable.

So you've had a tough week, what with John and CC and the cable company,

Except for the cable company, not so bad. I have not had to deal with John for three days in a row, and although I love CC sleeping on my chest, I rest better when she does not.

What else happened?

I did a little shuffle on the road, 3.11 miles.

And you went to the pool?

I did and swam 4,450 yards straight.

Good swim.

Yeah. Good swim, good day. And guess what? CC greeted me when I got out of bed this morning. She came running, meowing, and wanting love.

And you gave it to her.

Yeah. I'm easy like that.

Don't stop.

I can't. It's just me. Thank you, Jesus, for CC and Plate City and John even. But let him be mad one more day to give me a good end to a full week.

Can't Go to Heaven

My new training partner went out of town for the rest of the week so guess what I did. You got it. I slept in and the rest was delicious. Still I rose about 6:30, but 6:30 is a lot more rest than 5:00. Yes, I went to Plate City early and spent the morning cleaning, and fixing up. I know, I promised pictures. I was so caught up in my work that I took none. The cable guy is supposed to come this morning so I am looking forward to more improvements.

I did light legs, which is code for deadlifts. Since I might race Saturday, I wanted the leg load to be light so I could recover and not get passed by walkers if I decided to make the trip to Grenada for the half marathon. Why not? you ask. Weather. It is supposed to rain, and the idea of thirteen miles in the rain and cold does not exactly get me juiced up to do something, anything other than hide in my bedroom and drink coffee with the cats.

At the pool, John was a no show again. I think he is mad at me. We had a yelling match Monday. He started off about how wrong it is that college football players can get paid now. I could care less and don't understand why he does. He told me that I can't go to heaven and believe it is OK for a college player to get some cash. 

He didn't.

No. He did not tell me that. He yelled it at me. John is normally a fairly intelligent guy, but when he gets an idea, facts don't matter to him. And if you challenge him, it is on. He will want me to pray for us when he does show back up at the pool. I think I will tell him no. Since I am not saved, I will not pray. 

Back to the pool without John. I swam

  1,400 27:57

  20 X 100 @ 2:23

  200 back 4:51

  4 X 25 no breath

  550 10:44

  100 easy 1:55

  total: 4,400 yards

That's good training right there. And that is two days in a row that I hit 4,000 meters. If you care about the math, I always convert to meters for my official records and there is an almost 10% percent difference. 

Back home, I went out for a little shuffle. After 4.11, I was done. Three workouts planned. Three workouts done. Life is good. Thank you, Jesus.

Training with a Partner Again

My training partner showed up again Tuesday morning at 5:30 a.m. Yeah, that is early for me too. Especially two days in a row (for any students reading, I know that is a fragment). But there is something really neat about seeing God birth a new day. And when the workout is over, you have a big task completed, and it is still very early.

What's that? What did we do? We did pulls. We started on the chest-supported row machine. But then it began to rain. While we soaked in the sounds of the rain hitting the "tin" roof, we decided to switch to the one-armed bent row because the other machine is outside of the roof. So we did rows, lat pull downs, the Swim Pull, and some biceps work. Then I went inside about the time I normally get out of bed. 

Around mid-morning, I went for a run. I headed out Hades Road and did some side stuff (not too much because the turnrows were wet) and came home with 4.34 miles. Speaking of running, there is a half marathon is Grenada Saturday. The problem is the weather forecast is calling for rain. I want to do it, but . . . . 

I went into the pool about 3:00. John was a no show. I swam 4,400 straight in 1:24:08 for a 1:54 pace. Yeah, that is not too bad for me, and that was my longest swim since last summer. I felt good, strong, smooth. I only wish I could feel like that running now, but it looks like those days might be over. 

Penny and I went to the Greenwood Chorale at the Presbyterian Church:00 p.m. We saw Davo there. He had a knee replacement. I saw him about a year ago walking with a cane, and he was not walking fast. He used to be one of the best endurance athletes in town, but age has done a number on him.

What's that you say? Age has done a number on me? Shut up!

Anyhow, Davo is walking well now. I found out through a mutual friend that Dave only had a partial replacement so his recovery was swift and complete. Well, it was good to see him and see him moving well.

It was a good day with three training sessions in the books, the bank, the body. Thank you, Jesus, and bless little Centerville. May our worship Sunday be "in spirit and in truth," may our fellowship be sweet, and may the Word of God feed your people.

Training Partner

I have a training partner.

John?

No. John and I swim together. Sometimes. But he is always late. You know; I have whined about that before. But after two years without, I now have someone to lift with, swim with sometimes, and maybe even take to the fish pond?

Randy Beets moved back?

No. This is a new guy. I got a text from a friend giving me a name and number of someone who wanted to meet me and maybe train with me. So I texted the guy and set up a time to meet at the little pool.

And?

He is a young dude who can swim and wants to learn, to be coached, the get in the best shape he can.

Wow. That sounds right up your alley.

Darn tootin'. He even joined Plate City, and we are working out in the morning.

You working out in the morning? What time, ten o'clock?

Five thirty.

No way.

Yes way. When someone is depending on you, waiting on you, it is easier to get up. 

Interesting. You mentioned the fish pond.

Yeah. We were chatting while we lifted, and the fish pond came up. He is up for that.

Rare.

You're telling me. He has that Randy Beets spirit of adventure about him. I feel like God sent him my way to bless me. And I can bless him by teaching him a lot.

So what did y'all do Monday morning?

Benches. I pushed

  

  20 X 50

  10 X 70

  6 X 105

  5 X 140

  4 X 140

  4 X 140

  4 X 140

Then close grip benches for two sets followed by seated dips.

And him?

He used the same weights I did. He is much stronger, though, so he did more reps. He is a big guy, 6'2'' and 250. He told me that he got up to over 300, and he looked in the mirror one day and said, "No more."

That's where it starts.

Yeah, I have had a mirror moment in the past. Anyway, I swam that afternoon and did

  2,000 40:58

  7 X 150 @ 3:37

    1 - first 50 fast 2:40

    2 - second 50 fast 2:36

    3 - third 50 fast 2:36

    4 - first and last 25 fast 2:36

    5 - first and third 50 fast 2:30

    6 - all fast 2:25

    7 - all easy 2:49

  350 25/25 free/back

  total: 3,400 yards

Pretty solid training.

Darn tootin'.

Did you run?

Darn tootin'. I went out after dark for 4.43 miles.

Congratulations.

Thank you. God is good. I finally feel like I am off work, free. I have a training partner, and my body is mostly healthy. Thank you, Jesus.

BBU 5

My fifth week of training for my yet unannounced huge challenge was OK. It was the end of the semester, always a stressful time, but I got it done and now I can open a can of huge training. 

Monday I started with 3,100 yards in the pool. I then moved to the gym where I not only lifted, but I ran on the treadmill between sets for 2.28 miles. 

Tuesday was more swimming, this time for 3,350 straight. A decent run of 7.4 miles followed that and of course, wait. I did not lift Tuesday. I do not remember why.

Wednesday I did 2.51 miles of roadwork and met Tyler Kirk at the pool for 1,750 yards. I did lift, pulling.

Thursday was another busy day because we had our Carmont Ministers' Wives' Banquet. It was nice. We met at the Kilmichael church. Before that, however, I had breakfast at Acy's with my old friend Danny. Too much eating. I did do some training. At the pool, I was good for 2,850 straight, and on the road I was bad for 2.31 miles.

Friday I swam 3,100, lifted weights, and shuffled 5.51 miles.

Saturday I spent the day with Penny. I did sneak in 4.4 miles of running, but nothing else was possible. And Sunday, I did a short 1.87 miles to finish the cycle.

For the week, I

swam 12,930 meters,

lifted weights three times, and

ran 26.3 miles.

That is not bad, but I need more meters in the pool, and more miles on the road. A little less fat on the belly would help also. Lord help me to lose the weight. I need divine aid. I can't do this by myself.

PlateCity Renovations

The world's best backyard gym is really good now. The wall is finished. The rearraigning, however, and the cleaning up continue. Enjoy this little glimpse of what is happening at the Hideout.

It's Beginning

Thursday started off like I was off work. I picked up my old friend Danny, and we went to Acy's for breakfast. We do that from time to time. The breakfast there is ausgezeichnet. So are their burgers and po'boys. Make the short drive sometimes and treat yourself and a friend or your wife. Stay away from the sweet tea, though, unless you want to develop diabetes. I watched the cook make it for about the fourth time now. By volume, it is 50% sugar. 

I always order three eggs over easy, grits, a sausage patty, two pieces of toast, and coffee. We chatted and ate and even talked about predestination/human freedom. Strangely, Danny did not argue but instead acknowledged that my points were something he is going to think about. Huh? Well, he has been sick. Normally Danny is brutal in an argument and loves to do it. Is this some sort of new beginning for us? 

I did not go to the gym all day. I was busy. My run was short, 2.31 miles on the levee and the Yazoo River Trail. Then at the pool, my swim was not stellar. I did a straight one-- 2,850 yards-- at a creepy slow 2:07 per 100 pace. I don't know why I was that unfast. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that I had not swum on Thursday since the summer. Yeah, once the semester started with a Thursday night class, my swim frequency took a direct hit. The most consecutive days in a row I swam all the fall school term was three. Yesterday made four and my muscles protested.

I did not have time for Plate City because we had our Ministers' and Wives' Christmas Banquet. We met at the Kilmichael church, and I had to get home from the pool and get ready in a hurry. We had a nice time, and it really feels good to be beginning to get back to some sort of normalcy. 

Thank you, Jesus, for a good day. And thank you that 'it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas/All over town.' 

New Workout Partner?

I woke up Wednesday morning a free man. Sort of. I won't go into all of that, but I want to be off work. I am. Sort of. I worked on Plate City, took a run, lifted some weight, and took a swim. It was a good day. 

I started by continuing the cleaning and re-arranging of the gym. Things are looking nice out there. I also drove some spikes into the wall for plate holders to begin loading the weights I use most frequently. I have some store bought plate sleeves ordered so I will have to wait on them to arrive before I can finish this process. 

Instead of treadmilling, I went out on the road for an easy 2.51 miles. I did much of it on the Yazoo River Trail. On the way, I stopped my Danny Collins' house and set up breakfast for the next morning. Later, he texted my to ask what day and what time? I guess age happens to us all. 

Back home and after lunch, I continues the gym work with lifting. I love that, to multi-task while weight training. I do a set, then do something else between sets, then go back to the weights. It was a productive day out there.

At 5:15, I met Tyler Kirk at the pool. A mutual friend had arraigned for us to talk. He wanted to train with me so I was in. I'm always in for that. We swam

  1,000 warmup 20:10

  4 X 100 @ 2:23

  200 easy

  brick kick (Yes, Tyler did it too)

  150 easy

  total: 1,750 yards

I like Tyler. He wants to learn, he wants to improve, he is willing to be taught and to work. I like teaching people, sharing my experience and what I have learned from years of this kind of training. Also, he is a surprisingly good swimmer. I didn't know what to expect. We swam the warmup together at about the same speed. He takes the same number of strokes per 25 as I do. I taught him how to do a flip turn, and he picked that up quickly. He struggled, however, on the 100s, but he has never done that sort of swimming. I predict that he will get better at that rapidly. 

He also lifts. We are scheduled to meet at Plate City 5:30 a.m. Monday morning. Do I finally have a workout partner? Maybe. I good one is a nice thing to have. I don't mind working out alone, but when you have a partner and you learn one another, that person can and will push you to do far more than you will do alone.

Thank you, Jesus, for Tyler. Bless him, his health, his swimming, his family.

Tough Tuesday

Tuesday was endurance day, not by design but it just worked out that way. Monday I did a set of 100s in the pool, my first such set since early September. Tuesday I opted for a straight swim and went 3,350 yards in 1:05:55. All that was after giving exams and chasing after wandering sheep students.

I went home and since it was getting pretty late, I waited on it to get dark. When it did, I headed out the door for a run. I was thinking four miles when I left but sometimes things happen. I went out Hades Road. There was just enough light that I was not afraid. Anyway, I just shuffled and shuffled and finally went home with 7.43 miles in the bank. 

Yeah, not bad. I had had thoughts of running again at Plate City, but I figured I needed a continuous run instead of five or six little .3-mile things that I do on the treadmill between sets of lifting. Well after working, after a 3,350 yard swim, after a 7.43 mile run, what do you think I did when I got home the third time for the day? You guessed it: nothing.

Yeah, I had thoughts of the gym, of lifting, of cleaning up, of moving things around. But the late hour and the state of my fatigue won out. So here I am waiting to go back to school after telling my students over and over and over that I was going into the Witness Protection Program Tuesday afternoon. And I already know one of the students whom I have made numerous attempts to contact will complain, go all the way to the president, and I will be hunted down and told to take care of the situation.

Not this time. I might deal with it when I get back for the spring semester, but not before. I refuse. I am going to be off a little. God help me. I just want a little time off.

More Treadmill Running

I have run on the treadmill three of the past four days.

What?

Yeah. File that under Strange but True.

So what gives?

What gives is the fact that I have been enjoying the gym so much that I have not wanted to leave it to run. So I have been doing it all there, the strength training and the aerobics. As you know, Plate City has been under renovation. Pictures are coming soon. Last night when I got home from the pool . . .

Wait. Tell me about the pool.

OK. I started training. Real training. I did my usual long warmup of 1,350 yards. Then I did a couple of no-breath 25s. After that, I busted out a set of 10 X 100 @ 2:23.

That is training. How fast? Did you swim them all out?

No. I swam them at about 85%. They averaged under 1:40 each. Not bad for having done no speed work in months. But the interval was long. I will, however, start cutting it down over the next few weeks. Then I did a few more no-breath 25s followed by a long cool down. I finished with 3,100 yards, my longest practice in twelve weeks.

Nice. The gym, let's go back there.

Well, I cleaned up and moved things around. I changed the treadmill so that when I get my TV installed, I will run facing it. It was bench night so I pushed

  20 X 50

  10 X 72

  6 X 105

  3 X 130

  4 X 140

  4 X 140

  4 X 140

  4 X 140

Then I did two sets of close grip incline benches and one set of seated dips.

And the running? Tell me about the running.

I did that between sets. I think I took six short runs totaling 2.28 miles. Not only that, but I did some cycling for six minutes and forty five seconds. It was a solid night of gym enjoyment. One day, three workouts, much joy. Thank you, Jesus. 

BBU 4

I didn't have the week I wanted, but it was not a bad one. Monday I swam 2,800 yards and ran 3.07 miles. Not only that, but I did my thing at the gym.

Tuesday, I did my longest straight swim in a bit going 3,050 yards in just seconds over an hour. On the road, however, I only got 1.8 miles. Yes, I did the gym thing. 

Wednesday I was in the pool again for 2,800 yards and on the road for2.52 miles. At the gym, I did deadlifts.

Thursday I did my long run of the week. It was only 9.66 miles, but it was what I had time for. Thursday was also my last meeting of my night class which will open up a little more training for me. Praise God. I did not swim. I did not even make it to the gym. Yeah, sometimes that happens.

Friday saw me back in the swing of things. I swam 2,350 yards and did something new at the gym. I ran the treadmill between sets at the gym. That was actually fun. 

Saturday was more of the same. At the pool, I went short with 1,350 yards. At the gym, I went twice. First a pull workout. Then, during the halftime of the SEC Championship game, deadlifts (plus shrugs), plus squats, plus treadmill running, plus a spin on the bicycle. That was a circuit that I repeated five times. It was good training. It was fun. 

An interesting aside. Normally, I wake up a little sore after my Saturday squats. By Sunday afternoon, the soreness is pronounced and continues into Monday. I did not expect that to be any different but to my surprise it was. I was not sore at all Sunday or Monday. Wow. I suppose the running and spinning flushed my muscles of the waste products that produce soreness. Nice surprise.

For the week, I

  swam 11,285 meters,

  ran 21.83 miles, 

  lifted weights five times, and

  spun 8:45 on the stationary bicycle.

That wasn't a bad week. I wish I had run more, but an endurance athlete is rarely satisfied. Thank you, Jesus, for good health and the opportunity to get done what I got done. It's a gift. I am grateful.

How Many?

Saturday was a big day for me. I swam for workout number one. At the pool, I did not have the push to hit it too hard. I already had had my biggest swim week for a few months, so I was content to do a mild practice of

  1,150 23:05

  2 X 25 no breath

  100 medium push 1:44

  2 X 25 no breath

  total: 1,350 yards

In the early afternoon, I did a pull workout at Plate City. I finished it up in time to go inside and watch the Alabama game. In the future, that will not be an issue because eventually, I will have a TV in Plate City.

At halftime, I went back to the gym to start workout number three (or was it number three and four?)  While I worked legs for strength, I also did some running on the treadmill as well as spinning on the stationary bicycle.

What? You ran on the treadmill and there was not a tornado forcing you to do that?

Guilty. But it saved me time and gave me a totally new workout, one that got me excited. I did several rounds of

  trap bar deadlift plus shrugs

  squats

  treadmill run

  stationary bicycle spin

I would rest between rounds, change plates, and write down my numbers. It was real. It was fun. But it was not real fun. In fact, it was real hard.

This workout convinced me not to sale my stationary. In an effort to revamp the gym, I had decided to sale the bike. But I think now I will keep it. Of course I have my rode bike and trainer, but the stationary has the advantage of me not having to change shoes so I can do circuit training like I did Saturday. I can always set up my trainer if I want to do a long trainer ride. That is one reason for the TV. Long rides in one spot are like treadmill running: boring. A revamped Plate City will be a training gold mine. Thank you Jesus.

In the Doghouse Again

She's doing it to me again. CC. I'm getting the treatment. I started to say that I didn't know why, but I know. Baby Kitty and Luvie have been needy of late and she does not like that. What else is new?

I don't know where she is sleeping, but it is not with me. Oddly, or maybe not oddly, I sleep better when she sleeps elsewhere because I don't have a cat pinning me down and preventing me from moving. But it bothers me, and she knows it.

This morning, she did not even come running when I arose from bed. Ordinarily she comes meowing and making a big fuss over me even after sleeping on my all night. That is my cue to do the same to her. If I fail to make the fuss, she gets her feelings hurt and begins to withdraw from me.

I found her, after I arose, in the living room on the back of Penny's wingback chair. She spoke and I went over and petted her and talked to her profusely. But I have not yet done enough penance. When I left the room, she stayed. That is my cue to come back and make more of a fuss. She does not understand, however, that I have a job and that is why I leave the house every day. Cats. Can't live with them; can't live without them.

Three for Three

As the semester winds down, my eagerness to bust out big training ramps up. Wednesday I swam

  375 (John stopped me)

  275 (Vickie came in and we did a set)

  20 X 50 2 1:30

  50 25/25 breast/free

  100 RIM (redneck IM) 2:07

  400 25/25 free/back 

  total: 2,800 yards

Back home, I shuffled 2.53 miles in the dark. After that, I went to Plate City, which is looking better every day. I did

  Deadlift

  5 X 135

  Trap bar deadlift

  2 X 170

  1 X 190

  1 X 210

  1 X 230

  1 X 240 PR

So I got three workouts three days in a row. Today, maybe not. I have class all morning and through lunch, and then a night class. This will, however, be my last night class of the semester. Praise God. Thank you Jesus. Hallelujah. 

Started Swimming

I started swimming yesterday. After Monday's 2,800 yards with a little bit of quality, I decided to do a straight swim. The idea of one hour popped into my thoughts so that is what I did. I stopped at 1:00:21 after 3,050 yards. That is the most I have swum since August, if memory servers me correctly. Yeah, it's been awhile.

I did not run much. After 1.81 miles, I called an end to my shuffle. At least I did something as well as stretch the streak to 57 days. Or is it 58?

In the gym, it was dark, and it was pull night. The basic construction of the wall is complete. Simon still has to finish the wiring, painting, and put in a shelf and some 2X8s that I will mount the plate holders on. Yeah, it's going to be great.

So that was it, three short but steady workouts. The streak lives, and the swimming is coming back. Yee ha, thank you Jesus.