Sunday Summary

It was a lousy week for swimming. I had no access to a pool on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday, and although I did get my stitches out Friday, and even though Dean Seeley, my tri-teammate and the nurse practitioner who sewed my head up, said I could swim, I had second thoughts about getting in the water. Since I was in Ruleville, I stopped by to see my sister and brother-in-law who live near that town. Sis, who is also a nurse practitioner, didn't know of my injury. Seeing my bandage and asking to usual questions, she took a look and advised me against swimming. "But he said I could," I pleaded. "Did he say you could swim in a catfish pond?" was her retort. Well, really, I was not trying to pull a sneaky. I just forgot to mention that. "Don't swim today or tomorrow," she bossed at me. As bad as I wanted to, I realized she was probably right. I have to tape my nostrils up when I train in the pond because if I don't a sinus infection is automatic. With all the fish, fish feces, fish food, fish predators, fish predator feces, snakes, mud, turtles, algae, and ducks, that water has to have a lot of bacteria.

So I drove to Carroll County. That's where I go when I want to run with a touch of a wilderness experience. I didn't go long, I had done 6+ miles Thursday, but Friday I got in a 4-miler in the hills and that is always good for fitness. I then went home and napped.

Saturday I went out Money Road for a planned long run/walk. I ran a little over 6-miles before the cold wind started bothering my knee caps. That seems to be an issue with me now. My knees just don't like cold weather, and although I had tights on, that just wasn't enough. After a nap, I went outside and did a monster upper body weight session.

Normally I don't do anything on Sundays but nap. But my wife wanted to go to her mom's, so I got out of the truck around 7-miles from the house. Since my knee caps had gotten sore the day before, I walked all the way. It was a a nice stroll for some gentle exercise.

For the week, I

I'm eager to get back in there.

swam only 1,873.7 meters
ran 24.71 miles
walked 14.48 miles
and lifted weights once.

For the year I have
swum 76,506.66 meters
run 152.42 miles
and walked 54.98 miles.

Compared to last year, I am
+ 6,171.46 meters swimming
and + 90.92 miles running.

With my stitches out three days Monday, I think I am safe to get back even in the pond. The pool, not a second thought. My goal for the week is to bust out as many meters as possible and recapture the endurance I was beginning to build. Also, I plan on a lot of dry-land and running. Yehaa.

Pretty in Pink

Monday I did a short trainer ride (22 minutes), a short run (2.15 miles), and a long upper body weight session. While doing some pull ups, I felt a little pain in my rear left shoulder. I stopped all pull ups and modified the rest of the workout. An injury would be disaster. I have put myself on the line by publicizing my charity swim to the extent that I have. In order to raise funds, however, you have to publicize. The down side of that is I would feel really rotten and embarrassed if I couldn't pull it off. Tuesday morning the shoulder felt OK, but I am still a little on edge about it.

Tuesday I went to the pond, threw my thermometer in the water, and took off on a run around the multitude of levees. I really love running out there. The levees are soft, the air is clean, and the waterfowl population during the winter is amazing. I ran 4.06 miles and then pulled the thermometer out. It read 49 degrees. Doo WHAAAT!?!?!? I hate to admit it, but I totally wimped. I packed my stuff and left. The inner fire just wasn't there. I guess I'm still a cold-water-sissy.

I drove to my daughter's and got to hang out with my grandchildren a little while then went to masters where I swam

1,100

The new pink tape goes contrasts well with the green water

400 back kick/swim with fins
200
4 X 50 descend
4 X 200 as 100 strong, 50 all out, 50 easy
4 X 200 as above but with fins
300 pull, no paddles
1,000
Total: 4,700 yards = 4,295.8 meters.

Wednesday I had one of those days when I just didn't want to do anything. That happens from time to time, usually once every three weeks or so. Instead of running and lifting weights, I got in bed with my cat and the weeny dog and napped all afternoon.

Thursday I ran 2.13 and then drove to the pond where I was eager to try out the new pink duct tape my wife bought me. I can't wear a nose clip, and I can't swim the pond without one- to do so is an instant sinus infection. My solution is to tape my nostrils with duct tape. It is a skill and through trial and error, I have become quite proficient at it.

The water was up to 58 degrees. Hot dog! I suited up and swam three full laps for 2.14 miles (3,443.26 meters). This is my longest open water swim of the year and puts me a bit ahead of last year's training. At masters I swam

1,000
500 back kick/swim with fins
250
4 X 100 @ 2:00
3 X 100 @ 1:50
2 X 100 @ 1:40
1 X 100 @ 1:30
100 easy
10 X 100 @ 1:30 with fins and paddles
100 easy
8 X 50 as 50 kick/50 swim with kick board between thighs
200 easy
Total: 4,350 yards = 3,975.9 meters.

It was my second successful double, and for the day I swam 7,419.16 meters.