Earlier this morning when the sun was hitting the front of my car, I spent some time cleaning it off. Not entirely jsut enough to get it started before the sun really started its work.
Later in the morning, I moved the car out to the street to get more sun on the driveway and patio. I also shoveled some snow to get the melting to go a little faster.
I wouldn't call it a big workout but I would say I felt it in my arms, shoulders and back.
That may be all I do today.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
No Pool This Week
Much to my surprise it actually did snow this weekend. On Friday nights when I normally swim after work it was supposed to snow. I thought I may have time to get in the water and swim some but needed to watch the timeline of the snow's arrival. And I needed to work in a visit to the grocery store on the way home as I had NOTHING in the house to eat. OK, I had enough to get me through dinner and breakfast the next but nothing in the sense of being snowbound. Well it turned out to start snowning in South Park around 4:30pm - so there was no visit to the gym. I went to the grocery store near my house - bought a whole bunch of foods for the week - or at least I felt that way with the bill at checkout.
It didn't actually start to snow or precipitate near my house until the middle of the night. But we battened down the hatches and found ourselves in for the evening.
Saturday morning it was still a wintry mix outside. There was no heading to the gym for Satuday either.
I will gave to stay with the 1700yards rep for the month of February.
It didn't actually start to snow or precipitate near my house until the middle of the night. But we battened down the hatches and found ourselves in for the evening.
Saturday morning it was still a wintry mix outside. There was no heading to the gym for Satuday either.
I will gave to stay with the 1700yards rep for the month of February.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Splash and Dash
So the Splash & Dash date has been posted to the Y web-site. Much to my surprise, it is the same weekend as the second Ramblin' Rose Triathlon I have signed up for. So it will not be a race on my list for 2010. Which reminds me, I have been focusing on the swim thing for so long now, I need to work the bike bit back into the mix.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
got some sleep
there was very little on tv last night... so i curled up on the couch and read some of Total Immersion.. I will comment on that later. A little after 9 I decided to take myself to bed and read. I don't know how long I read for but I did find myself getting sleepy before 10pm and decided to just go to sleep.
I woke up this morning feeling so rested! I really dont remember the last time I went to bed before 10am. It has been a while for sure. So I am making a mental note to do it on a more regular basis. I feel so much better in the morning and really what needs to be done after 10?
I also feel glad that I didn't swim. I was feeling quite exhausted and sore from the Friday Saturday swims. I would like to have made the 3 swim agenda for the week but as of today and the lack of those aches - I feel better for not having had the proper equipment.
I woke up this morning feeling so rested! I really dont remember the last time I went to bed before 10am. It has been a while for sure. So I am making a mental note to do it on a more regular basis. I feel so much better in the morning and really what needs to be done after 10?
I also feel glad that I didn't swim. I was feeling quite exhausted and sore from the Friday Saturday swims. I would like to have made the 3 swim agenda for the week but as of today and the lack of those aches - I feel better for not having had the proper equipment.
Monday, January 25, 2010
let's talk about the workout
if spun correctly this could be a very embarrassing story... but truth be told I figured it out long before there was any time for embarrassment... plus my non-naked in the locker room approach would not have left me hanging out for all the world to see
so yesterday i picked through the workout clothes and shoved a bathing suit, goggles, swimcap, contacts etc in my gym bag... i left the house earlier than usual to get to a client meeting... and by the time i got to the office it seemed like most of the day had passed me by... and the phone wasn't ringing off the hook but there were more calls than usual; and with only a half a day to get a full day's worth of office work completed? whew...
a little after 5 i decided just close up shop and get to the gym - this is the promise you have made yourself - go to the gym right at 5 on Mondays and Fridays and go swimming... I got a fairly good parking spot and there were lanes available...
I get to my little spot in the locker room and start to put stuff away - purse, winter coat, car keys (darn left my water botttle in the car). Start to undress - shoes, suit jacket. Start to unpack gym bag - towel, goggles, blach bathing suit bottom, blue bathing suit bottom... NO bathsuit top...!!! Are you kidding me? Nope...
Everything went back in the bag. I packed on up and headed home.
I wish I had the chance to swim but it wasn't in the cards tonight. Instead tonight I will continue to read about swimming and go to bed at a reasonable hour. Which is any minute now, actually.
so yesterday i picked through the workout clothes and shoved a bathing suit, goggles, swimcap, contacts etc in my gym bag... i left the house earlier than usual to get to a client meeting... and by the time i got to the office it seemed like most of the day had passed me by... and the phone wasn't ringing off the hook but there were more calls than usual; and with only a half a day to get a full day's worth of office work completed? whew...
a little after 5 i decided just close up shop and get to the gym - this is the promise you have made yourself - go to the gym right at 5 on Mondays and Fridays and go swimming... I got a fairly good parking spot and there were lanes available...
I get to my little spot in the locker room and start to put stuff away - purse, winter coat, car keys (darn left my water botttle in the car). Start to undress - shoes, suit jacket. Start to unpack gym bag - towel, goggles, blach bathing suit bottom, blue bathing suit bottom... NO bathsuit top...!!! Are you kidding me? Nope...
Everything went back in the bag. I packed on up and headed home.
I wish I had the chance to swim but it wasn't in the cards tonight. Instead tonight I will continue to read about swimming and go to bed at a reasonable hour. Which is any minute now, actually.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Ariel is my role model
I remembered one of the things that went through my head.
So every Saturday there is a Masters Swim class in the morning that ends at 9. I try to schedule my arrival to the gym for sometime after that but still early in the day. The last thing I want is to be in the pool with these people or to find myself sucked into one of the classes. Sure my swimming isn't bad but I like the alone aspect of it. Usually I end up passing some of the "students" either in the locker room or by the pool. So yesterday there was a group of women talking as I was making my way to the pool. They were talking about a famous female swimmer. See how good I am at this, the only famous swimmer I know is Dana Torres. But I don't think this is who they were talking about. The one was commenting how she had a poster of this person on her wall when she was growing up. Of course my mind truly wandered with that on so many levels -- she had a poster on her wall as a child (not allowed at my house - although I did fill up a bulletin board with pics of Sting), she had a poster of a woman in bathing suit up on her wall, this swimming thing has role models? (OK I know the whole Michael Phelps piece...) I just found it all odd. And so I thought - well who would be my role model?
I decided on Ariel. She likes to swim, she likes to sing, she obviously likes the tropics, and she has cool friends. Of course I don't have some prince charming (or whatever his name is) and I don't think I could get away with a clam shell top.... But I have decided she is going to be my role model in this swim a mile quest.
a swimmers mile
the more i read about swimming a mile the more i come across this generally accepted equation = 1650yards in the water is considered a mile... so hey that means i have swum a mile both friday and saturday... how cool is that?!?
so while i was in the water yesterday i had lots of thoughts of things to write about but now that i am a day away and back at the comfort of my computer.. i am drawing a blank...
so while i was in the water yesterday i had lots of thoughts of things to write about but now that i am a day away and back at the comfort of my computer.. i am drawing a blank...
Friday, January 22, 2010
Keep ramping it up
Tonight's swim was another good one. OK - I must admit now that I am thinking about the left hand breathing it has become more difficult again. So I am not pushing it.
Tonight's swim
100 warm up
600
3x300
100 cool down
YES - that is a total of 1700
ALMOST a mile!
Sure there are breaks in there but how cool is that!?
I don't think I have swam that far before in a workout. Good for me!
Tonight's swim
100 warm up
600
3x300
100 cool down
YES - that is a total of 1700
ALMOST a mile!
Sure there are breaks in there but how cool is that!?
I don't think I have swam that far before in a workout. Good for me!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Inconsistent workouts
I am doing well with the swims over the weekend. I am not doing well with getting in other workouts. I did walk the other night and did the ab video. But that wasn't much.
Yesterday I was going to go walking but ended up working on some work things from home along with finishing reading a book. So not that much of a workout.
Tomorrow I am planning on swimming again. I also have plans to go to a friends for dinner. Not sure that will work because of timing of the swim.
Saturday I am planning on swimming and then I am planning on donating blood. Yes, I know I fainted the last time but I am hopeful this time will be different.
Sunday going to try that swim again.
But really need to get some walks/runs/swims in the mix.
Wish me luck on motivating to get that in.
Yesterday I was going to go walking but ended up working on some work things from home along with finishing reading a book. So not that much of a workout.
Tomorrow I am planning on swimming again. I also have plans to go to a friends for dinner. Not sure that will work because of timing of the swim.
Saturday I am planning on swimming and then I am planning on donating blood. Yes, I know I fainted the last time but I am hopeful this time will be different.
Sunday going to try that swim again.
But really need to get some walks/runs/swims in the mix.
Wish me luck on motivating to get that in.
Monday, January 18, 2010
MLK DAY SWIM
We dont have all federal holidays off throughout the year but this is one we do close the office for. I always find it so close to Christmas and New Years and hard to take a break. Silly, I know. But I do. I feel like I am just getting into the rhythm of the new year and boom there is a day off. So I struggled with relaxing with the day off. Yesterday I did a lot of home office stuff and some work. I was feeling the previous 2 days' swims so I decided to just do office stuff and watch the Golden Globes. It was such a relaxing day I think I made myself tired from the tedium. So today I decided that I needed to get that gym visit into the mix as well as some work.
So after some coffee and a breakfast smoothie I headed out to the office. I just needed to print a few things to prep for binding tomorrow. From there I went to the Y. WOW was it ever crowded. I don't know if it s a normal Monday crowd or what. There was a seniors water class going on. Well I am sure it is open to everyone but that was the general populous. There were little kids swimming. And ALL the lanes were jam packed. That's the part I am not sure of. Was it because of the holiday or is that the normal Monday close to lunch time crowd.
I worked up my nerve and asked to share a lane. I don't know why but that always makes me feel like I am imposing. Truth be told I think I swim a little better when I have to share a lane. Hugging the rope makes me more aware of how high my head comes out of the water etc.
I did a similar routine as the other day 100 warm up, 600, 2x300, 100 cool down. I wasn't as successful with the left-hand breathing but I did OK. I think the longer stint at the beginning of the mix took it out of me for the latter laps. And there is something to be said for what you eat before you hit the water. I had an early lunch that was probably too fatty. I could tell it was there. Not that it bothered me but I think I prefer that empty stomache almost hungry feeling when I swim instead.
And let's give some page time to the guy that ultimately shared my lane with me. It would be entertaining to say he was some tall tan blonde surfer lifeguard type but that wasn't the point of my distraction. I guess he first caught my eye because he had a swim cap on. Most of the guys I have seen recently just have really short hair and dont do the swim cap thing. And he took some time prepping the cap before he put it on his head. I notice this because I am still looking some secret to get the darned thing on my head on the first try and to get it to stay. And then there was a similar extended routine with the goggles. Again I wonder is there a secret to keep them from fogging up that I have yet to learn. I only know of spit and soapy water (the latter not readily available poolside). And finally he was in the water. He wasn't a fast swimmer - well he was faster than me- but had a consistent SMOOTH pace. He would swim by me and I barely noticed. I stopped and seriously watched him at one point. You could barely see his head turn and come out fo the water to breathe. I was very impressed as I continue to work on breathing on both sides. I suppose consistently visiting the pool will help with that for me. On occassion he and I were stopped at the same time... And THIS is what really intrigued me... I think he had one of those water-proof headsets on. He definitely had some sort of bulky something sticking out the back of his head. The girl in the lane next to ours commented that she thought it was music. So then I started to think. What would I listen to in the water? Would it distract me? Would it help my pace? Would I inevitably lose count of the laps as a result of the music? And look at how well I do these days without music?
He was still swimming, barely breathing and jamming out to his music when I left.
And the senior water class - they were all in the showers when I got there. Thankfully they were more modest than that other crowd from the other weekend.
So after some coffee and a breakfast smoothie I headed out to the office. I just needed to print a few things to prep for binding tomorrow. From there I went to the Y. WOW was it ever crowded. I don't know if it s a normal Monday crowd or what. There was a seniors water class going on. Well I am sure it is open to everyone but that was the general populous. There were little kids swimming. And ALL the lanes were jam packed. That's the part I am not sure of. Was it because of the holiday or is that the normal Monday close to lunch time crowd.
I worked up my nerve and asked to share a lane. I don't know why but that always makes me feel like I am imposing. Truth be told I think I swim a little better when I have to share a lane. Hugging the rope makes me more aware of how high my head comes out of the water etc.
I did a similar routine as the other day 100 warm up, 600, 2x300, 100 cool down. I wasn't as successful with the left-hand breathing but I did OK. I think the longer stint at the beginning of the mix took it out of me for the latter laps. And there is something to be said for what you eat before you hit the water. I had an early lunch that was probably too fatty. I could tell it was there. Not that it bothered me but I think I prefer that empty stomache almost hungry feeling when I swim instead.
And let's give some page time to the guy that ultimately shared my lane with me. It would be entertaining to say he was some tall tan blonde surfer lifeguard type but that wasn't the point of my distraction. I guess he first caught my eye because he had a swim cap on. Most of the guys I have seen recently just have really short hair and dont do the swim cap thing. And he took some time prepping the cap before he put it on his head. I notice this because I am still looking some secret to get the darned thing on my head on the first try and to get it to stay. And then there was a similar extended routine with the goggles. Again I wonder is there a secret to keep them from fogging up that I have yet to learn. I only know of spit and soapy water (the latter not readily available poolside). And finally he was in the water. He wasn't a fast swimmer - well he was faster than me- but had a consistent SMOOTH pace. He would swim by me and I barely noticed. I stopped and seriously watched him at one point. You could barely see his head turn and come out fo the water to breathe. I was very impressed as I continue to work on breathing on both sides. I suppose consistently visiting the pool will help with that for me. On occassion he and I were stopped at the same time... And THIS is what really intrigued me... I think he had one of those water-proof headsets on. He definitely had some sort of bulky something sticking out the back of his head. The girl in the lane next to ours commented that she thought it was music. So then I started to think. What would I listen to in the water? Would it distract me? Would it help my pace? Would I inevitably lose count of the laps as a result of the music? And look at how well I do these days without music?
He was still swimming, barely breathing and jamming out to his music when I left.
And the senior water class - they were all in the showers when I got there. Thankfully they were more modest than that other crowd from the other weekend.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
New personal best. YAY ME!
I swam 1400 yards last evening. I went a little off my agenda with -- 100 warm up, 3x400, 100 cool down. It felt pretty darned good. Over the summer I got in that distance but it was mostly with a combination of drills along with the swimming. As far as long distance is concerned, I got up to about 600 straight. But usually I would stop at that. So the first part is the 3 part 400 series. I was psyched at that.
Not so psyched this morning when I woke up and found I was sore all over.
I contemplated not going to the gym at all. I belaboured a whole bunch of reasons why not to go. From being sore to an accident near my route to the gym. But eventually I just shut my brain off, got the bathing suit on and headed out.
It must have been a bit later than usual today. Or maybe today was a day for the new years resoluters to be out. There were no lanes free. So for my first hurdle - ask someone if I can share a lane. Never fun. And then with sharing a lane I talked myself out of the 3x400 series. I switched to 6x200.
But that worked out well for my new personal best --- I WORKED IN LEFT HAND BREATHING FOR THE WHOLE SERIES!!!!
For some this may be no big deal but this is one of the areas I had been working on with Paige since last May. I am really not comfortable with left hand breathing. But today - something with the pace and the lane share and the stiffness in my body - the left hand breathing worked. And it worked continually.
What a great feeling.
And the funny thing in the midst of it all - I do beleive it improved my pace.
Ask me tomorrow how I feel.
Not so psyched this morning when I woke up and found I was sore all over.
I contemplated not going to the gym at all. I belaboured a whole bunch of reasons why not to go. From being sore to an accident near my route to the gym. But eventually I just shut my brain off, got the bathing suit on and headed out.
It must have been a bit later than usual today. Or maybe today was a day for the new years resoluters to be out. There were no lanes free. So for my first hurdle - ask someone if I can share a lane. Never fun. And then with sharing a lane I talked myself out of the 3x400 series. I switched to 6x200.
But that worked out well for my new personal best --- I WORKED IN LEFT HAND BREATHING FOR THE WHOLE SERIES!!!!
For some this may be no big deal but this is one of the areas I had been working on with Paige since last May. I am really not comfortable with left hand breathing. But today - something with the pace and the lane share and the stiffness in my body - the left hand breathing worked. And it worked continually.
What a great feeling.
And the funny thing in the midst of it all - I do beleive it improved my pace.
Ask me tomorrow how I feel.
Friday, January 15, 2010
is 2k round the sound possible?
88 lengths of the pool to swim 2kilometers
25 yards
2200
1400 yards swam at latest work out
56 lengths swam at latest workout
800 yards to go
32 lengths to swim
I think I could get to this by Bacchus' birthday
25 yards
2200
1400 yards swam at latest work out
56 lengths swam at latest workout
800 yards to go
32 lengths to swim
I think I could get to this by Bacchus' birthday
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Washboard Abs
Timing etc did not work out today to go for a run. I could have gone on my own but there just wasn't enough motivation on my part to go out in that cold. So I decided to put that tv workout set up upstairs to use. I threw in the Washboard Abs video and did a 30 minute ab workout. It wasn't all that exhausting but I did feel the burn as they say in my stomach muscles. So I decided it was well worth it and I would continue with the approach on a daily basis. I would like to think it will help the stomache muscles kick in.
And I think the good thing about working on those stomache muscles it will ultimately help with my stroke while swimming.
Cool deal.
And I think the good thing about working on those stomache muscles it will ultimately help with my stroke while swimming.
Cool deal.
SPLASH around some
Well I went for a swim on Friday night
100 warm up
400 straight
3x200
100 cool down
Decided to ramp it up on Saturday
100 warm up
400 straight
300 straight
2x200
100 cool down
Trying to motivate to go to the gym right now to do another similar set
Late opening on Sundays and would probably go to the closer gym and run the risk that there wont be a lane available
I am slated to go run/walking this afternoon as well so part of me is thinking to just lay low on the swim excursion
Just nervous that the rental car place will be slack as always tomorrow and then I wont get a lane for tomorrrow night's swim
Decisions Decisions
100 warm up
400 straight
3x200
100 cool down
Decided to ramp it up on Saturday
100 warm up
400 straight
300 straight
2x200
100 cool down
Trying to motivate to go to the gym right now to do another similar set
Late opening on Sundays and would probably go to the closer gym and run the risk that there wont be a lane available
I am slated to go run/walking this afternoon as well so part of me is thinking to just lay low on the swim excursion
Just nervous that the rental car place will be slack as always tomorrow and then I wont get a lane for tomorrrow night's swim
Decisions Decisions
Monday, January 4, 2010
JUMP in the water
Today of all days I got back in the water. 36F and all those New Year's resolution people. But I didn't care.
100 warm up, 400 straight, 2x50 (got a bit turned around there), 3x200
Next pool day is Friday. There just isn't enough time in the evenings to get to the water before then.
Tomorrow I think it will be an aerobics at home type of day. And maybe some yoga (speaking of which I need to go upstairs and stretch)
Wednesday and Thursday - we shall see what transpires, I need to get the sit ups and push ups into the mix
100 warm up, 400 straight, 2x50 (got a bit turned around there), 3x200
Next pool day is Friday. There just isn't enough time in the evenings to get to the water before then.
Tomorrow I think it will be an aerobics at home type of day. And maybe some yoga (speaking of which I need to go upstairs and stretch)
Wednesday and Thursday - we shall see what transpires, I need to get the sit ups and push ups into the mix
Monday Music Musings - Muse
I did this for a while last year - made observations of certain things outside the workout tri world that caught my attention... Monday is for music. And it occassionally has a tie in to the tri thing because working out to music sure makes it a whole lot more fun.
A carry over from 2009 is Muse. I first heard them through Pandora in connection with who knows what band - Keane, Snow Patrol, Stereophonics. Just not sure. The song I first heard and liked was Starlight. Look for it. It is actually older than I realised. I then youtubed them to see what else there was to see. Supersonic Black Hole caught my ear - the video didn't do much to catch my eye. And I can say that for the most part of the other videos of theirs that I found. But from a music standpoint - and let's not kid ourselves a good video does not mean it is a good song - I am really enjoying them.
You will hear them in the movie Millions. And supposedly they were some inspiration or something for the Twighlight novels. So check them out.
I can't say that I have worked out to any of their tunes yet. I do have a friend that has them in her spin class mix. And I do know they are good to drive to.
A carry over from 2009 is Muse. I first heard them through Pandora in connection with who knows what band - Keane, Snow Patrol, Stereophonics. Just not sure. The song I first heard and liked was Starlight. Look for it. It is actually older than I realised. I then youtubed them to see what else there was to see. Supersonic Black Hole caught my ear - the video didn't do much to catch my eye. And I can say that for the most part of the other videos of theirs that I found. But from a music standpoint - and let's not kid ourselves a good video does not mean it is a good song - I am really enjoying them.
You will hear them in the movie Millions. And supposedly they were some inspiration or something for the Twighlight novels. So check them out.
I can't say that I have worked out to any of their tunes yet. I do have a friend that has them in her spin class mix. And I do know they are good to drive to.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
try another walk today...
you won't believe how cold it is out there today... i was shocked when looking at the weather on-line yesterday and thought nah that has got to be wrong... but nope it is pretty darned cold out there today.. so my thought is to do a walk similar to yesterday - well today i think i will head into town first - the less i pass the entrance to my neighborhood the more the likelihood that i will stay out and walking about... i have not thought about running - want to just get the walks in for a longer period of time and this one will be with lots of layers so i am sure that will count towards something
you can definitely tell it is cold out there - the little guy has been sleeping a lot yesterday and today and supposedly that's what dogs do - OK he did just stand outside for a bit in the sun but he didn't last long
so i guess i need to start thinking about what those layers will be when i head out there
it looks like it is going to the warmest around 1pm
that gives me time to get breakfast cooked and some other things done around here
got in a 3.66 mile walk - it never warmed up out there
i was all bundled up and when walking with the wind and into the sun it was nice
turning around and going the other way - not so much
you can definitely tell it is cold out there - the little guy has been sleeping a lot yesterday and today and supposedly that's what dogs do - OK he did just stand outside for a bit in the sun but he didn't last long
so i guess i need to start thinking about what those layers will be when i head out there
it looks like it is going to the warmest around 1pm
that gives me time to get breakfast cooked and some other things done around here
got in a 3.66 mile walk - it never warmed up out there
i was all bundled up and when walking with the wind and into the sun it was nice
turning around and going the other way - not so much
Friday, January 1, 2010
Garmin Connect - Activity Details for New Years Waxhaw Walk - 3.5 miles
Garmin Connect - Activity Details for New Years Waxhaw Walk - 3.5 miles
so tracy and her friend ran a bunch yesterday... i think they did 4 miles
then kp called today with the great accomplishment of runninh 6 miles
so i figured it best to get out of the house
i clocked almost 6 miles on mapmyrun to do but stopped short and did 3.5 miles
it was good to get out there.
so tracy and her friend ran a bunch yesterday... i think they did 4 miles
then kp called today with the great accomplishment of runninh 6 miles
so i figured it best to get out of the house
i clocked almost 6 miles on mapmyrun to do but stopped short and did 3.5 miles
it was good to get out there.
6 Pack Abs by 6/4/10
In addition to this game plan, I also cleaned out some junk hoarding areas of the house this morning. As a result I have found 3 other ab oriented videos. Now to set up the extra TV and VCR (yes, vcr) in the guest room so I have no excuse to not use them.
Before pictures? Nah- I don't think we will go that far....
One Hundred Pushups
I will keep you posted.
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