BBU 12

I had another pretty solid training week. Like everyday, Monday started at the gym. We did our benches and for some reason, I was weaker than usual. I was not able to get five reps on the fifth set. In fact, I was not able to get four reps. I barely completed three without having to be saved by my partner. 

For road work, I did 3.61 miles. I don't remember where. I am writing in the back of last year's training diary because getting rid of those mean tweets is rapidly rendering our America into a third-world country. I ordered a new one from Turnrow Book Company January 2. I have checked with them often. They say that is how things are now.

At the pool, I swam 3,200 yards. Was Tyler there? Heck if I know. Who can keep up with stuff like that in a third-world country? I don't have enough writing material to record that so I am typing this off tiny scribbling on back pages of a filled-up diary. Sigh.

Tuesday, we lifted again. I ran 3.33 miles, and swam 1,900 yards. No, I don't have any detail about the swim. In our new America, those things just don't exist anymore.

Wednesday, we lifted, I ran 2.78 miles, and swam 2,742 meters. Don't ask me to explain why I recorded meters. In a third-world country, consistency is hard like that.

Thursday we lifted. On the road I did 8.4 miles, and in the water I swam 3,153 meters. I am pretty sure Tyler did this one with me, and we hit it hard and hit it right. We are good like that.

Friday, besides the gym work, I shuffled 2.09 miles and swam with John for 2,400 yards.

Saturday we lifted at 8:00 a.m. Much later I went to the pool for a mere 1,450 yards. I forced myself out the door for a tipper around the neighborhood for 2.23 miles. And Sunday, all I do is preach, rest, study, and take a really short shuffle. I went 1.53 miles.

For the week, I

ran 23.97 miles,

lifted weights five times,

swam 14,061 meters, and

Ski Ergged for 21:35

That is a pretty good week. Not great. Not very good, but a little better than average good. A gift of God. Thank you, Jesus.

Three on Saturday

Saturday morning, the gym was open at 8:00 a.m. Tyler was there, in the cold, and making her Plate City debut was Vicki, my swimming friend. We worked legs, chatted, and enjoyed the morning as it gradually warmed up. By the time we finished, the temps were probably in the 40s, up from the low 30s at the start.

Later in the morning, my legs protested the short, slow shuffle I made around the neighborhood. Despite only doing 2.23 miles, the week's work had built up to produce some residual fatigue. I guess the heavy squats we did that morning might have had an impact also.

Pool? Yeah, I went, but I did not do much. I rarely do on Saturday, but I did get wet nonetheless. I swam

1,200

50 fast

50 back

50 back/free

50 breast

50 back

total: 1,450 yards.

So another three workouts are in the book for Crazy Man Quadrathon. Stay tuned and pray for our success. Thank you, Jesus.

Mice and Men

Friday arrived like Christmas. I did not, however, sleep in. Tyler and I were in the cold Plate City at 5:30. Being double day, push and pull, we hit it hard doing bench presses, rowing, lat pull downs, and a bunch of other stuff. We saw the night slowly turn into day. That is always nice. 

Later in the morning, I went for a short shuffle down on the river. It sure is nice to have a chance for a shot of nature so close to home. Sometimes I see stuff down there. Last week, I jumped a couple of deer. I have seen armadillos, racoons, birds of all sorts, and squirrels. I only ran a little over two miles, but that made 116 days in a row and gave me my second workout of the day.

Later in the afternoon, I showed up at the pool. even John made it. I swam

2,100

300 back

total: 2,400 yards

I had plans to swim farther, but you know what they say. 

What?

Something about mice and men. 

Praise God for 2,400.

Good Fishing

The bed felt really good Thursday morning, and with our new schedule I get to sleep in. Tyler runs, I sleep, and the world turns. Plus it is my short day at school, and it is also our Friday so I really like Thursdays. No, I did not and do not lift on Thursdays anymore, but I did go for a run. And the fish were biting. I went 8.4 miles at a pace, while slow, was faster than what I usually run. I did some pickups and they felt good.

Then at the pool, the fish were biting there too. Tyler and I met at 6:00 p.m. and swam

1,800 36:18

5 X 50 @ :59

4 X 200 @ 4:35 the last one was in 3:28

250 Redneck IM  5:18

350 easy

total: 3,450 yards = 3,153 meters

Wait, you say. How do you come up with a 250 IM with four strokes? 

We did the first and last leg at 50 free. The middle two strokes, back and breast, we did 75 each. Yeah, we're smart like that.

So I had a nice day at school, a good run, and good swim, and a good night's sleep. Thank you, Jesus.

Training and the State Games

The gym was brutally cold Wednesday morning. We have had lower temperatures out there, but with the wind that was coming in from the north it hurt. Nevertheless, we did it, we pushed through, pushed the weights, and finished our program. We're bad like that. 

On the road, I was a slow moving toad. I shuffled out Hades Extended and around for a total of 2.?? miles. I forgot the exact distance, and I don't have my training log with me as I type this. But, despite the cold and despite the fatigue, I got 'er done. I'm bad like that.

At the pool, Tyler and I busted out a big one, a kind of big one. We started with a 1,650 yard warmup. Then we did three sets of 4 X 50 @ 1:00 followed by a 50 back. On the last set, we dropped the 50 back. Then we did 3 X 50 stroke, back for me, breast for Tyler. After that, we did a 200 Redneck IM, maybe my first. First? I have done several 100 RIMs before but I'm not sure about a 200. We finished with an easy 300 for a nice 3,000 yard practice. 

Tyler and I discussed the State Games which are held in Meridian each year. The swim meet is scheduled for June 4. That is two days after Crazy Man Quadrathon. We are in. Yeah, we're bad like that. Thank you, Jesus. 

Announcing the Next Big Thing

The tentative date is June 2, my 66th birthday, and the alternate dates are June 3 and June 4. Surely we can fit it into that window. You never know, however, what the weather is going to do or even if I have to work that day. I hope to be off, but it's not in the bag.

What is quadrathon? It is a triathlon (swimming, cycling, and running in that order) plus a powerlifting meet. A powerlifting meet is a max squat, bench, and deadlift in that order. We, however, are upping the ante. We are adding a lift, the log press, to make our meet four lifts instead of three. Why? Because we can and because it works with the theme of four. 

The triathlon will be 66 miles consisting of a one mile swim, a 55 mile bicycle ride, and a ten mile run. The run, however, will be broken up into four runs. In keeping with the theme of four, the swim will also be in four parts. The whole event will go something like this:

5:30 a.m. meet at Plate City Gym and do a 2.8 mile wakeup run

6:00 a.m. powerlifting meet

7:30 a.m. 2.0 mile run to the pool at Twin Rivers

8:00 a.m. four one/fourth mile swims (one warmup, two for time, and one cool down)

8:45 a.m. 2.0 mile ride back to Plate City Gym

9:30 a.m 55 mile bicycle ride

2:00 p.m. 3.2 mile run

finish 2:45

finish:

One reason for breaking the run up is to deal with heat and hydration. It is so hot that time of year, that to do ten miles straight is almost impossible. For me it is at least. I have experience with long stuff on June 2. The pool swim, well we could do one mile without stopping but want to keep with the theme of four. Besides, swimming for time is more difficult than a straight one-mile swim. 

So does this thing have a name?

Yes. I thought you'd never ask. We are calling it Crazy Man Quadrathon, and we will be raising fund for the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi. Last year, the Great Geezer Run was successful in terms of raising money. We raised right at $7,000. This year, we are setting a goal of $7,500. I think we will get it. Why? One reason is Tyler will be helping in both efforts. His presence will keep me moving during the event, and his help raising funds should be a big boon to the effort. 

We are both training hard with enthusiasm. Pray for us. An unseasonably cool day on June 2 would elicit lots of praise to God from me and will help us inestimably. 

Bad Like That

Monday was a fun day a strong day a long day at work and at training. At 5:30 the temperature at Plate City was 32 degrees. That is pretty cold for a hot-weather man. But that is not the coldest we have trained in. Last Friday we hit the weights in the dark and in 24 degree weather. We are bad like that. We did our push workout, but for some reason I was not strong. OK, I am never strong, but there was a big drop off in my strength. On the bench press, I have been doing 5X 5 at 80% of one rep max. This week, I failed the fifth rep on the fourth set and only completed three reps on the fifth set. Huh?!?!?

I blamed it on Saturday when we did some strongman stuff. Our central nervous systems were fatigued, was my guess. A lot of big folks, strong folks, powerlifters and strongmen competitors talk about CNS fatigue a lot after lifting really heavy. Maybe that was it because we pushed the farmer's walk pretty hard. Tyler and I both felt a little subpar, but we pushed through for a solid session. Yeah, we are bad like that.

John called at 2:14. He was at the pool. On Monday and Wednesday, I get off at 2:45. He thinks if he does that enough, if he calls from the pool and says come on right now that I will get off work earlier. He is delusional like that. So I set up to swim with Tyler at 6:00. I went home and took a small run of 3.61 miles.

At the pool, we kept it simple and did a straight swim. We went for one hour and three minutes. I covered 3,200 yards. Tyler was not too far behind. Surprisingly, I got a little tired and Tyler did too. Saturday strongman? I don't know, but we did it anyway. We are bad like that. Not only that, but we are toxically masculine. Both of us, and we are going to toxic masculine all over the quadrathon in June. Count on it. And thank the Lord for it.

BBU 11

BBU 11 was another deposit in the strength and endurance bank. Those are two banks, by the way, not one. Monday, Tyler and I began the week at Plate City. We did our push workout. Pee Wee played and begged for attention. In the afternoon, I ran 2.18 miles, and we met at the pool and swam 2,800 yards.

Tuesday was more early gym work followed by 2.54 miles of road work, after school, and then a big 3,300 at the pool. 

Wednesday morning, we did our deadlifting session. I only shuffled 2.33 miles, and at the pool, we did 3,100 yards.

Thursday morning, Plate City was dark and vacant. The sound of metal clanging on metal was unheard. Tyler went duck hunting, and I slept in. We even discussed making this a weekly thing so I can rest up and he can get in some bigger running. On the road, I did 3.46 miles, and in the pool alone I dropped to a mere 1,250 yards. Yeah, I can be lazy like that.

Friday, Tyler and I opened Plate City with the temp reading 24 degrees. We doubled up and did push and pull. On the road, I squeaked out 4.42 and in the pool I stroked out 2,200.

Saturday I shuffled for my longest run of the week: 6.11 miles. Tyler and I opened the gym at 3:30 and enjoyed the sunshine as we did legs and strongman stuff. It was nice. We even watched some football while we lifted.

Sunday night, I forced myself out the door for 1.9 miles. Besides that, I preached and did lots of resting.

For the week, I

ran 22.94 miles

swam 11,564 meters,

cycled 5:30

lifted weights five times, and did

20:00 minutes on the SkiErg.

Not bad. Not bad, but not bad. See what I did there? We are racing towards the next big thing: June 2. Save the date. I will announce this week the name of the event. Thank you, Jesus, for health, Plate City, Pee Wee, and a training partner. Thank you also for my longsuffering wife, and cats that need affection. 

Strongman Saturday

Tyler and I finally got to do a full Saturday workout, in the afternoon, without time pressure. We opened the gym at 3:30. It was leg day, and on Saturdays I am a bit inclined to experiment or do some strongman stuff. We warmed up with reverse hypers, seated leg curls, and back extensions before moving on the squats. We are working percentages now on the squat. With the warmup sets, we were done squatting after five sets. Then we picked up the farmers walk handles.

I am not comfortable doing those in the dark. But it was daylight, and we slowly warmed up with 90-foot walks both ways across the yard. Gradually we added weight, Tyler working up to an additional 75 pounds per hand. I topped out at 60 pounds added to the 52 pound implements. Double that gives 214 pounds that I only went 50 feet two times with. The farmers walk is a full body exercise plus it adds to cardiovascular fitness. The heavy ones had me huffing like I needed a paramedic with an oxygen machine.

So we had a good workout. We turned the TV on and watched some football while we worked. Nice. I did not mention that I shuffled 6.1 miles earlier in the day, sometime around noon. The pool? I did not want to be that busy. Danny and I did breakfast at Acy's to start the day. All in all, it was a pretty full day with breakfast, running, gym work, and studying for Sunday. 

Good day. Thank you, Jesus.

2021 in Review

I just realized that I have not done my annual Year in Review post. I like to look back, take stock of the athletic year, add up the numbers, and ruminate some on how and where I improved. At my age, improvement is rare. And I have noticed a new trend in the races over the last couple of years. They are now lumping the 60+ ages into one age group. Now, I no longer have one of the few thrills I used to get as an older man: ageing up. In the past, I looked forward to the new age group so I could compete with people my own age. Now, not so much. Now, I have to compete against those 80 and 100 year olds. Ain't fair.

I had a decent year running as far as total numbers go, but my pace is still very slow and I am beginning to think that it always will be. For 2021, I ran 1,066.62 miles. Those are decent numbers. I like to run at least 1,000 per year, which keeps me in pretty good shape and able to do races from the 5K to the half marathon. For the marathon, one needs a little more, and I am finding it hard to give more. With lifting and swimming, and a job, well, I get tired.

In the pool, I swam 566,125 meters which comes out to 351.84 miles. I had a good Senior Olympics, winning five gold and one silver medal. That was at the Mississippi State Senior Olympics. The nationals are this spring in Orlando. I did not swim the Chicot Challenge, however, opting to do the Great Geezer Run instead. I am now in that dreaming mode, coming up with all sorts of challenges to keep things interesting. I will most likely do Chicot again one day, but I have created a new sport for 2022, have a plan for 2023, and have ideas beyond that. 

In the weight room, I stayed busy. Just operating from memory, I don't recall maxing on the bench press all year. In fact, I once thought I would put a ceiling on how much weight I would ever attempt bench pressing to possibly preserve my shoulders. The number I came up with was 140 pounds which is 80% of my one-rep max if it is still what it used to be. I do, however, plan to max out at least twice in 2022. On the squat, I added five pounds. Huh? I was not consistent with that lift. It hurts, and I don't like pain. On the deadlift, however, I went up 55 pounds. Yeah, that is real improvement.

The gym, Plate City, made major strides over 2021. I added weight, machines, and I had Simon put in the wall which made it possible for me to clean up, organize things a bit, and add a TV. Plate City is a real treasure now, the best gym in town, in the state, in the nation, in the world. I plan to do an inventory of the weight soon to find out how many pounds of plates I have. It is not called Plate City for nothing.

Not only did the gym improve, but God sent me a training partner late in 2021. Tyler has been a shot in the arm for my program. He is even going to do the 2022 fundraiser with me, the one I have been promising to reveal real soon. I mentioned 2023 to him, and he said he wants to do that also.

So on balance, it was a good year. I finally placed in the Heart O' Dixie triathlon, qualified for the national senior Olympics, improved the gym tremendously, and kept training at a respectable rate. Due to COVID, after I qualified, the national games dropped all qualifying so now anyone can go to nationals. For me at least, that took a bit of the shine off. The one thing I failed at, however, was at losing weight. I dropped about three pounds and kept it off, but I need to lose another eighteen.

There you have it, I ran, I lifted, I swam, and by the grace of God my wife and I survived another year. Thank you, Jesus.

I Am like That

Thursday was a light day. It is always somewhat light, at least as far as my work load goes. This semester it is. Last semester it was my long day plus I had a night class. Since Thursday is our Friday, I was not thrilled about working at night then. This term, I have no night class plus I am off at 12:05. What?!?! Yeah, the weekend starts at noon on Thursday. Sweet.

Thursday was also light because Tyler went duck hunting leaving me to sleep in. Yeah, I am lazy like that. The extra hour and a half of sleep did me good and had me being nice to people. Yeah, I'm grouchy like that.

After work, I went home and ate again. Again? Yeah. The breakroom at school has been filled to the brim with food all week so I ate all morning. Yeah, I eat big like that. After consuming what had to be my 20,000th calorie of the day, I took a nap. 

I then took a shuffle and wore an ungodly amount of clothing. Heading out Hades Road, I soon found that I could not take it, not out there anyway. At 33 degrees, when that 20 mile per hour wind hit me, I turned around in a hurry. Back in town, I was able to shuffle out a little over three miles. Yeah, I am uninspired like that.

I went to the pool. Vicki and John were in the water. Vicki was swimming like she was possessed. When she stopped, I stopped so I could speak to her. I was only 900 in. Then the lazies took over. I swam a few 50s, some 25/25 breast/free, and a 100 redneck IM. I stopped at only 1,350. Yeah, I am lazy like that.

So despite being like that, I at least got a little bit done. Tyler is back tomorrow and so is the cold weather. What will happen? Stay tuned.

New Route

Wednesday morning was cold like all mornings have been lately. Where are all those less-than-intelligent people who were complaining about the warm weather? Where are they because I want to start slapping some of them all of them. Have mercy, by the grace of God and a lot of clothing, I am still alive. We did light legs and heavy semi-heavy deadlifts. Nothing fancy, nothing complicated, just three sets of squats and some back extensions to get us warmed up then trap-bar deadlifts with shrugs at the top. And four minutes on the Ski Erg. Four minutes. Who's bad?

It was supposed to and did start raining in the early darkness of night. Knowing that, I went out for a short shuffle before going to the pool. I created a route. I went out Hades Road and turned onto a turnrow that runs back towards town. I followed it as far as I could go until it began to parallel town. The turn row eventually dumped back onto Hades Road and the round trip was 2.33 miles, almost all of it on gravel or dirt. Nice.

Tyler was out at the pool. I tried to recruit another real swimmer to meet me there, but that fell through. So I did what I often do when I am alone at the pool and tired: a straight swim. I know myself well enough to be certain that once I warm up and stop, I often stop. For the day. Yeah, I'm lazy like that. I went 3,100 yards in one hour and two minutes. By the way, that is good training. At least once per week I want to do a long uninterrupted swim. It is good for endurance both physical and mental. 

Not a bad day. Thank you, Jesus

Potential

Tyler and I were lifting heavy Tuesday morning before daybreak. Pee Wee was playing hard, tearing up toys and having a jolly good time. The birds get up around 6:00 a.m. so our free music starts about the time I am getting awake. We did pulls, chest-supported rows, lat pulldowns, curls, the swim pull, and the Ski Erg. 

I felt really lazy so I only shuffled 2.54 miles. I had the time. The spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak. 

I met Tyler at the pool at 6:00. We swam

1,250

8 X 25 drill

2 X 50 breathing 

some back stroke (We did Tyler's first 50 back)

500 for time 8:37

1,100

total: 3,300 yards

With my journal crises full on, I got confused about what we swam. I am not sure how many drills and how much backstroke. I was trying to write in a tiny space and cleared my watch before I was ready. I am sure, however, that we swam 3,300. That is the longest practice we have done together. Tyler's swimming fitness has come a long way in a short time. He has some real potential.

MLK Day

The week started cold and dark, as usual, with me thinking I did not like this Tyler guy. I always feel that way when the alarm goes off at 5:00 a.m. Being a sleepy head is not something I will ever get over. At 65 years of age, I have stopped fighting nature. I won't change, but I can deal with it, cope with it. But don't ask me to be chipper and happy early in the morning. I can get up, but not with a smile. The truth is I do like Tyler, a lot, and I knew, I know that after the morning workout, or maybe halfway through it, I would know that, feel that again. It's just me and the weaker part of my nature, my personality, the genes my parents passed on to me. It must come from my mother because Dad was always an early riser, up and 4:30 everyday of his life that I know of, even the day he died.

Pee Wee always hears Tyler before I do whether he is running or riding. If he drives over, Pee Wee's head shoots toward the fence and his ears perk up. Then two seconds later, I hear his Bronco pull into the drive. How does he know? I am sure he can hear the Bronco coming, but how does he know whose Bronco? Maybe he has figured out that there is no one else with the lack of sense or the possession of dedication to be up at that time of night, morning. Racoons, possums, and other dogs, yes, but people, no. 

He is always happy to see him, Pee Wee is of Tyler, the way dogs are, the way they always greet us. That is one of the things that makes them so special. I am happy too, in a subdued way, for I know that without him, Tyler, this early morning workout would never take place. We push weights. Pee Wee plays with his toys. We bench press, log press, and do seated dipping. Pee Wee chews toys, tears the stuffing out of toys, and makes a mess of the gym floor. Then we finish off, as we always do, with the Ski Erg, this time three minutes and fifty seconds worth. That's a lot of Ski Ergging for an old man and it hurts, but I know it is valuable, it is what sets us apart from everyone else we see at the pool, at the lake during a triathlon, at the dinner table with whomever.

Tyler leaves to go to work. I go inside to seek a nap. It is MLK Day, and I am off work. I find a short rest before Penny gets up. Then the morning is filled with coffee and cats, and reading that Rick Bragg book I told you I bought Saturday. Rick Bragg is good for the soul like cats are, his words soothing, smiling, entertaining, enlightening. He can tell a story, make the most mundane part of anyone's day seem like an adventure. Wordsmith comes to mind. I can find no one to compare him to. He simply writes the best prose I ever read. 

Later in the morning, or more accurately, early in the afternoon, I take a shuffle, a short, slow one. It keeps me from getting too lazy. Then I had an appointment with the tooth dentist. Since I had that clogging up the afternoon, I agree to meet Tyler at the pool at 6:00 p.m. We swim

1,500

10 X 100 @ 2:19 (1:36 - 1:39)

200 easy 

4 X 25 back

total: 2,800 yards

That is a pretty full day off. It is nice to have a break, but it is the last one we will get until March. Sigh. Thank the Lord for it and thank the Lord anyway.

BBU 10 (I Need that New Journal)

I had to write this up by peeking onto a mass of scribbled notes written on a partially blank page in the back of my filled up training journal. Yes, once more I waited too long to reorder, and I am forced to find places to record my workouts. And I still have not heard from Turnrow. I called them last week. In case you have not noticed, we are becoming a third-world county. Shelves are empty, prices are high, and even a book order that usually takes three days now takes two weeks and counting. But at least we got rid of those mean tweets.

Monday, Tyler and I lifted weights, I ran 8.17 miles, and I swam 2,000 yards. Tuesday I shuffled another eight miles, this time going 8.28 after lifting in the morning dark. At the pool, I might have been absent or I might have done the distance I just recorded for Monday. I need that new journal. 

Wednesday I amazingly managed to lift weights and shuffle 4.08 miles. I think I did not swim. No, I did swim maybe. Sometime last week, Tyler and I did 2,750 yards. That might have been Wednesday or it might have been Thursday, but it did happen. I need that journal!

Thursday, I at least lifted weight and shuffled 2.2 miles. Friday I lifted and ran 2.43. Yeah, I tapered off after a strong start. Then Saturday, Tyler and I lifted before I took the girls to Jackson and did the old-man shuffled in a parking lot for 1.51 miles. Sunday I we closed church because of illnesses and weather. I stayed  in bed all day except to get out for a 1.6 miles. Also, I spun on the bicycle for a full 5:00 minutes. Yeah, I'm on fire like that.

For the week, I

ran 28.27 miles,

Ski Ergged 20:30 minutes,

spun 5:00 minutes on the stationary.

swam 7,125 meters, and

lifted weights five times

So except for some low numbers in the pool, that was a pretty solid week of training. Very soon, like maybe tomorrow, I will begin to announce the big even scheduled for June 2. Stay tuned to EndangeredSwimmer on YouTube for an announcement. In the meantime, I need that new journal in our new America. God help us.

Big Food only After

Tyler and I finally got to workout on a Saturday. He has been out of pocked or I have for weeks now. Penny, Andrea, Caitlin, and I had a day trip planned so originally I had cancelled our Saturday gym time. After some reflection, however, I realized that we still had time to "get 'er done" if we got up like we usually do. We did push the time back a bit, to 6:30. I was surprised that it was still dark when we started to move some weight.

We did light legs, deadlifts, shrugs, and the Ski Erg. While we lifted, it did become daylight. Then I had to call an end to our assault on the weights because Andrea texted that they had left the house thirty-minutes ago. I can't keep my girls waiting.

So Andrea and Caitlin arrived. We loaded up and left, headed first to the donut shop. I had suggested that we go to Acy's for breakfast, but Caitlin said that she could not eat a heavy breakfast before shopping. With my girls, shopping is a lot like Tyler and me in the gym: serious business that takes focus, energy, and effort. You can't eat big before that, only after.

We ate donuts as we drove south to the big city of Jackson, Mississippi. When we made it to the first store, I dropped the ladies at (I forget the name), and headed to Dick's in Madison. There I purchased a pair of swim goggles and four 2.5 pound plates, two for my grandson, Zane, and two for Plate City. Then I went to Academy Sports where I walked around and looked. It takes me about ten minutes to do that and then I am done for the day. I drove back to the parking lot where I dropped the girls, parked, and then took a 1.51 mile shuffle in the rain, in the parking lot. 

Then I began to take naps, listen to the radio, and wait. Finally, after several more stores and after filling the back area of Andrea's SUV almost to the ceiling, we topped that off by putting in a rug that we had to struggle to make room for. First, we dropped one back seat. Not enough room. Then Andrea scooted the passenger seat in the front all the way forward. Still the rear hatch would not close. The frightened look on our daughter's face was pitiful indeed. When I suggested dropping the center back seat and running the rug over the console in the front, Caitlin said that the center back and left back seats came down together. If we dropped that, there would not be enough seating room for everyone. I suggested that we try and see if the center back seat would come down alone. When it did, we then had to move loads and loads of stuff as we scooted the rug over an inch at a time. Finally we had the thing inside the truck with the back hatch closed.

After that, we headed to a restaurant for some real food. Usually, we go to Berry's in Florence. Today we had chosen Longhorn's in Madison. We went in the check on the wait time. The last time we tried to dine there, we opted out of an estimated two hour wait time. No, reservations are not allowed. When we were told twenty-five minutes, we knew a good steak was to be had.

I got the 22-ouncer because they don't have a bigger one. We all had as much or more than we could eat. It made me happy to see my daughter struggle to get the last few bites down, and Caitlin had to have a take out for about half of her food. When I said that I wanted to pick up one of the steak bones and gnaw on it, Penny said, "Well, there are not many people around. Go ahead." Huh!?!?! So I did. It was good, yeah.

After the steak, we headed to Barnes and Noble bookstore where we browsed, lusted for books, and bought a few. I went to the sports section because that is pretty much all I want to read right now. Once there, I saw a Ricky Bragg book in the adjoining Pet section. Titled The Speckled Beauty, and about a dog, I knew I had to have it. Bragg is my favorite living author, and the combination of Bragg and dogs was more than I could ever say no to. So I made the purchase, and as I type this that book is on the bed beside me. Very soon, within minutes, I will begin reading. 

Thank you God, for a good day with family. Thank you for keeping us safe, for helping us to enjoy one another, and thank you for that wonderful meal.

Each Day

Thursday morning was more cold weather and more darkness at the world's best backyard gym. Pee Wee was in top form playing with his toys while Tyler and I played with ours. It was rep push day and we hit the bench press, the log press, the seated dip, and of course, lots of corator ruff stuff. Oh yeah, we top it all off with 3:25 on the Ski Erg. So, another gym session in the bank as we prepare for the big event June 2. If I have to teach summer school, the challenge might be moved back to June 3 or even June 4. More on that story later. 

Work was nice Thursday and the ladies had Reese's on their desk. Yeah, I'm spoiled like that. I was out early, with Tuesday and Thursday being my short days. After lunch, I took a sorely needed nap. 

Then I went to the pool. I got lazy and only swam

1,800

50 medium paddles

brick kick

50 easy

2 X 25 no breath

50 back

total: 2,000

I just did not feel like swimming. Vicki came in when I was getting ready to leave. If I had known she was coming, I would have hung in there for more yards. It is always easier if someone else is in the pool. Even if y'all are not doing the same thing, not working together, having someone else in the pool helps me to keep going without tapping out too early.

At home, I fought the temptation to put on my night night clothes. It was a real battle, but finally I dragged out for a short run. I went 2.2 miles of a planned 3.5. Yeah, I'm sorry like that.

So although it was not a banner training day, it was a decent one. In fact, everyday that God gives us is good. Thank you, Jesus, for another one. Help me to live each one as a gift.

Tough on Both Ends

Plate City was cold Wednesday morning. Even Pee Wee shivered some while he watched the gate for Tyler to arrive. Once there, we went to work. We had plans to max out on the squat.  Why? We max out to find our one-rep max so we can train using percentages. I had not maxed in eleven months, and we had no clue where Tyler was.

My squat weight is classified. Tyler hit 320, and he is the only one who has the security clearance to know my squat max. I was up five pounds from my last test. Five pounds?! Well, I have not been very consistent on leg work so I count that as a win. Leg work is difficult, and I am naturally not good at that. Thus, I favor, like most people, the things, the lifts I am good better at. Now that I have Tyler, maybe he can hold me accountable for doing my leg work consistently and fervently.

Anyway, maxing out takes longer than a regular workout so we were out there until daylight. Then I had my long day at work Wednesday. In the afternoon, I took a shuffle. The two eight-milers and the max squat session had my legs wanting to do anything else but run. I shuffled and walked until I hit four miles at just barely faster than walking pace. Then I tapped out. 

Wednesday nights I swim with Tyler. We met at 6:00. This is what we did.

1,000

2 X 25

11 X 150 @ 3:37

2 X 25 back

total: 2,750 yards

On the 150s, we had a floating 50 until we didn't. When we didn't, we had a floating 75. After that we had a floating 100. Then we had one all out and an easy one. What is a floating you ask? In a floating something, you have a fast section embedded in the longer swim. The fast part moves with each repeat, hence it floats. I am of the opinion that it is actually easier to swim it all hard rather than to shift gears once or twice during the swim. I don't know why, but it always felt harder to me.

So, we hit it hard on both ends of the day. We are training for the big event that we hope comes off June 2. What's that you say? Well, I guess I should tell you pretty soon. One reason I have been holding out is that one of the civic clubs lets me come speak each year, and I wanted to announce it then. But that will be so close to the event that we will lose some of the fundraising appeal. So I don't know when, but soon I will at least announce it here, then later on Facebook, then maybe some of the Greenwood people will still not have heard.

It was a solid day. I slept well. Praise God Almighty from whom all blessings flow.

Another Eight

Tuesday was a barnburner except I did not swim a lick. The pool was cool, and since Tyler and I lifted in the morning, I decided that a good run after work would be enough. 

I left the house with the idea of running maybe as far as four miles. I went out Wade Road and decided on five. After a while, I thought, I could probably get six. OK, I won't string it out. I shuffled along for another eight miles. By another, I mean I did eight Monday and another eight miles Tuesday. I don't usually do back to back longish runs, but I felt good and thought maybe I can have a banner week. When I feel really good, I hate to waste it because that is like catching fish: you don't know how long it will be before the fish are biting again.

When I got back on Crocket Avenue, I hit eight with a few minutes to go to make two hours of running. Why stop early? I made ten seconds over two hours for a total of 8.28 miles. That with the 8.17 miles from Monday, gives me a pretty good start on a big running week.

Since Tyler and I are scheduled to max out on the squat Wednesday morning, that much running might not be a good idea. But I wanted to do it so I did. Now I need to get back into the water. Tyler manned up and swam Tuesday. No cold-water sissy he. Cold-water sissy me. 

Thank you, Jesus, for a good start to the week.

Need Title

The next training cycle began with a bang. Or more accurately, it began with visible breath. Plate City was cold and dark Monday morning. Tyler was back, and both Pee Wee and I were happy to see him. We hit those weights like we were mad at them. On the bench, I pressed

  20 X 50

  10 X 72

  3 X 100

  5 X 140

  5 X 140

  5 X 140

  5 X 140

  3 X 140

That is 23 reps at 80% of one rep max. That is a strength producer. We also did a couple of sets of the seated dip and of course, we finished with 3:15 on the Ski Erg. A nice way to start the day. 

It was the first day of classes, and I enjoyed myself. The only problem with school, however, is that our numbers are low, really low.

After work, I decided to run longer than usual since the little pool is still not functional for us. I went west first, then crossed the old bridge, ran down Front Street and crossed the new bridge back into North Greenwood. After that, I hit the Yazoo River Trail, then went out Hades Road, which looked almost like an earthly road that day. Out there, I ran the turnrows and managed to get in eight slow miles. Not bad for a Monday.

So I did two workouts then went inside to get ready for the big game. Alabama and Georgia were playing for the college football national championship. It was a down year for the SEC in football, but the top two teams in the nation were both SEC. Take that, haters. SEC, SEC, SEC!

BBU 9

The Big Buildup was fairly big last week. Monday we lifted, and I swam 2,010 meters. On the road I squeaked out a short 2.31 miles. Tuesday we were back in the gym, but in the water I fell off to 1,416 meters. On the road, I ran 3.32 miles.

Wednesday, once more we started the day at Plate City. In the pool, I was down to 1,188 meters. My roadwork was a whopping 3.62 miles. Thursday, I lifted alone. Tyler was out with illness but somehow I made it to the gym before daylight. After daylight, I ran 3.31 miles. The pool was closed so I did not swim for the rest of the week.

Friday, I only shuffled 2.57 miles. Between work and I don't know what else, that is all I got done other than eating too much food. Saturday, I ran long, or sort of long with 9.3 miles. Despite the roadwork, I finished the day with a squat session at Plate City.

Sunday, I barely kept the streak alive with 1.61 miles. This one brought me up to ninety-eight days straight. I never came anywhere close to that before. For the week, I

ran 26.04 miles,

swam 4,614 meters,

lifted weights five times, and

Ski Ergged 15:35

That wasn't a big week, but a decent one. It moved me closer to June and put more miles in the bank for 2023. Praise God.

Picking up Speed

Friday I picked up speed on my way towards the bottom after falling off the cliff. Thursday morning, I got up and lifted despite my workout partner being out. Friday morning when the alarm sounded, I turned it off and went speedily back to sleep. Yeah, I'm good like that.

At work, I received a text that the little pool was dry. To make a short story long, the pool was accidently drained and while dry, why not do some repairs? So no swimming Friday, no swimming Saturday, and probably no swimming Monday. Tuesday? I don't have a clue but, as thin as it is, I can feel the wind rushing through my hair. I am picking up speed. When it rains, it rains. Or something like that.

I did run. A little. But I did not lift after work. Maybe today I can pull the rip cord and slow this thing down. I plan to run, and I plan to lift, double-duty lift, today. Did I mention that I gained weight during punishment week? Yeah, the wind is so strong it's distorting my face. 

Where is that cord? Oh, never mind. I'll look for it later. Right now the coffee is good, and I have two cats on the bed with me. They are comfortable, and so am I. Thank you, Jesus.

Off the Cliff

Yeah, I am in freefall off the cliff. OK, maybe that is a bit of an overstatement. Actually, I got up and lifted alone Thursday morning. I knew Tyler was not coming, but I got up anyway. Give me a cookie. Heck, give me a pie and a medal.

I did the bench press stuff. It was raining hard, and the sound on that roof was delicious. Pee Wee was with me in the dark. He played with his toys while I grunted and groaned trying to push the weights.

At work, I suffered through another punishment day dreaming of what I'd do when I got off. When I did get off, I managed to go out for a run. It was cold, very cold and I even enjoyed the oddity of it all. Before I even finished the run, however, my mind had already tapped out. I did not even go to the pool. Huh? Yeah, I fell off the cliff. Then this morning I got a text that the pool was drained. WHAT!?!?! Now I really want to swim. Funny how that works.

Well, at least I don't have to chose this afternoon between swimming or running. The choice is made for me. Thank you, Jesus.

Tapping Early

Plate City was 47 degrees Wednesday morning. That felt a whole lot better than the 27 of Tuesday. Tyler was there and so was Pee Wee. It was deadlift day. I stopped at 80%, which right now for me is 225. I only did two set at that weight, but I will build the volume over the next few weeks.

I worked until 4:00 p.m. Boy, that is tough. When I got home, I went out for a shuffle on Hades Road. I lasted 3.62 miles. 

I was supposed to meet Tyler at the pool. He texted that COVID had hit his workplace pretty hard and he was feeling poorly. Alone, I swam a mere 1,200 and then did 4 X 25 no breath. Yeah, that was it. I wimped out and tapped at only 1,300 yards.

So I did three workouts, but at least one of them was pretty short. Well shoot me. Sometimes I am lazy like that. Maybe tomorrow I can push it like it needs to be pushed. 

Testing Tyler in the Pool

Plate City was really cold Tuesday morning. Although it was only three degrees colder than Monday, I felt all three of them. So did Tyler. Even Pee Wee seemed chilly. We did the pull workout, hitting the chest-supported row machine for six sets, the lat pull down for three sets, and the Swim Pull for two sets. Of course, we topped the session off with the Ski Erg, 2:45. 

After putting in another long day at work, I shuffled out Hades Road for just over three miles. For the first time in months, there was no appreciable smoke out there. I liked that. A. Lot. I even got off on the turnrows. That is always nice.

Then it was on to the pool. We opened up with 1,300 yards. Then we did 3 X 50 decline. After that, it was testing time. We swam a 50 for time. Tyler beat me by at least two seconds. Some other swimmers showed up, so I stopped and coached Tyler through a 200 for time and a 200 cool down. 

I told him, "If you ain't hurting, you ain't swimming it right." He listened and went out hard. I timed his splits. He did the first 50 in :38. He went through 100 in 1:28. Notice the slowdown, but also note that when I swim a 200 for time, I am doing well if I hit 100 in 1:32. Off the top of my head, I can't remember what his third 50 split was, but he finished in 3:17. I found that to be a pretty good time. If I had been swimming with him, I would have been behind at 100 and only caught up somewhere during the third 50. In short, I think now know that he is a sprinter with some potential up to 200. Later, I will test him at 500, but I already think I know how that will go.

Another good day in the bank. Thank you, Jesus.

Frozen Plates at the City

Plate City was open Monday morning despite the bitter cold. To all you Yahoos who have been complaining about the warm weather, are you happy now? I hope you are because I'm not. Winters are supposed to be mild here. Quite watching those Hallmark movies and thinking it is going to turn cold, snow, and you are going to save the business, the town, Christmas. 

We started training Tyler on percentages. On the bench. We plan to test the squat this weekend. I pressed

  20 X 50

  10 X 70

  3 X 100

  6 X 140

  5 X 140

  5 X 140

  5 X 140

Close grip incline bp

  

  10 X 95

  11 X 95

When we went to the seated dip, which is outside of the covering, the plates from last week were on there and frozen. Yeah, frozen plates. Not only that, but the machine itself was frozen up. Are you cold weather people happy?!?!? Tyler, with his hulk strength, had to break it loose. 

I had to work. I had been taking a nap after our workout. This time I had to go to work. That's tough. After work, I hit the road for a short and slow 2.31 miles shuffle.

Since I not only had to work but work late, I met Tyler at the pool a little after 6:00. We swam

1,200

3 X 50 build @ WIFL

6 X 100 @ 2:20

150 easy

4 X 25 no breath

total: 2,200 yards

So I worked, worked long, and still did the three workouts. Not easy. Thank you, Jesus. 

Last Week of the Year

I finished the year out with a pretty big training week. I lifted everyday, ran everyday, and swam four times. Huh? Yeah, I fell off on the swimming, but the rest was banner.

Monday, I swam 4,700 yards, ran 6.44 miles, and lifted weights. Tuesday, I did more lifting. In the pool, I for 3,550 yards. In the gym, I lifted like I was mad at the weights.

Wednesday, I swam 2,500 yards. In the gym, I did the trap bar deadlift routine, and on the road, I shuffled 7.05 miles. Thursday was more gym, more water, and more road. In the water, I stroked for 2,550 yards, and on the road I old-man shuffled for 3.1 miles.

Friday I did some lifting and ran to Hillbilly Heaven. That HBH run was good for 13.61 miles. Saturday, I shuffled a mere 2.25 miles and then hit my legs hard at the gym. Sunday I only ran 1.5 miles.

For the week, I 

ran 38.2 miles (most of the year),

swam 12,154 meters,

lifted weights six times,

pedaled 3:15 on the exercise bicycle, and

Ski Erged for 11:15.

That Ski Erging will pay off in the pool. My shoulder is feeling good, and so am I. Tyler has shown up every morning on time and ready to work. So the training is going well. Very soon, I will reveal here the plan for the summer's fundraiser. It is going to be real. It is going to be good. And it is going to be real good. 

Thank You God

Tyler showed up Friday morning for the fifth straight day. It was pull day and we did the chest-supported row, the lat pull down, the Swim Pull, curls, and we finished with the Ski Erg. Once more, we worked hard and saw the nighttime slowly give way to the morning. That is always nice. 

I did not make it to the pool. I had to move some furniture. After that, I just had time to ambulate to Hillbilly Heaven. I shuffled for 10.55 miles straight, and walked most of the big hill. Then I resumed my survival shuffle for a total of 13.61 miles. Hey, that is my most in a good while, since late last winter. That puts me at over thirty miles with two days left in the week.

That was a pretty nice way to finish up the year. When I got down around that swampy area before you get to Hillview Baptist, I was struck by the coolness of the breeze and the beauty of the swamp. I thanked God out loud. Again, thank you, Jesus, for life, for salvation, for the year, for the day, for the run.