12 Laps at the Aquatic Center

It doesn't seem to matter what time in the morning I get to the Aquatic Center, the same people who need to learn about lane etiquette are always there. I guess that's why I went crazy last week and did so many laps - I had the lane all to myself. I managed to get 12 laps in and then off to work.

A TRIO of TRI Training

This morning Patricia and I went to the Aquatic Center. I did 14 laps. When I got home this evening there was a great breeze so I decided to run for 30 minutes. I still had energy when I got home, so I got on the stationary bike for 15 minutes.
We'll see how I feel in the morning.

30 Minutes Mostly Running

The humidity level still seemed low this morning. I ran without a watch, so I had no idea of the lengths of my intervals. My Ironman watched conked out on me. It's supposed to be water resistant, yet it filled up with water. It's not like I'm diving or anything. Just going in the surface of the pool. I don't press the timer in the water.
I was out for 30 minutes and felt I got a good work-out.

20 Minutes Swimming

I didn't get to swim until late afternoon. The Aquatic Center was busy, but I was able to get my own lane. Unfortunately it was the one that the cooler fountains were dunping into, so I had to time my breathes just right.

I really need to get some saddle time in. I'm scheduled to do a "Mini Sprint Tri" on Septemeber 7th. This particular race will be a very special one as the person for whom the race was created, Stephanie Johnson, passed away last week of stomach cancer. She's left behind her husband and 3 small children.

I really would like to finish without being last and the key is doing better on the bike.

15 Minutes of Laps

I said that today would be a rest day, but the water was calling out to me this morning. I went to the neighborhood pool this morning and swam laps for 15 minutes. The difference between this pool's water and the Aquatic center's is like day and night. I never thought I would prefer cool water to hot, but I do.

9 Miles

My mileage for today was 9 miles. Fort Bend Fit was scheduled for 5. I got to the parking lot early and did 14 laps, just under 4 miles. I left with the Orange group at 6:15am and did 5 miles more, mostly running. My walk breaks were very inconsistent and I was pretty whipped. Between yesterday's swim, getting up early and the 4 miles preceding the 5 mile run, I had definitely overdone it.
Tomorrow will definitely be a rest day!

.6 Miles at the Aquatic Center

I'm not sure what got into me today. I guess it was so nice to be the only swimmer in the pool and to not have to play chicken with the men who don't have a clue, that I just kept swimming. I finally stopped after 24 laps.
It felt like I had swum a mile, but it was barely over half. I was pretty pleased with myself.

30 Minutes Running in the Rain

It's been raining on and off all day. I decided to take my chances during what seemed to be a clearing in the weather, but after 5 minutes it started drizzling. Then it started pouring down rain. I forgot how liberating it feels to run in the cool rain. I started out doing 3:00/1:00's and then did a few 5:00/1:00's.

Now that the Houston Marathon is being firm about closing down the course right at 6 hours, I'm hopeful I'll get faster and finish before the cut-off.

12 Laps at the Aquatic Center plus 30 Minutes Walking

It rained hard this morning, so I decided to wait until around 8:00am to go swimming. I was hopeful that I would avoid the old men who usually come early in the morning. They have no concept about etiquette. I got to the pool and happily there was only one other person in the lane. But, about 10 minutes into my swim, there they came. Once in the pool they kept coming head-on into my side of the lane. It was like playing chicken, I wouldn't budge and forced them around me. Unfortunately, they don't seem to understand English, otherwise I would try to talk to them about sticking to their side.
After I got home I went for a 30 minute walk. I thought it would be a good idea to rest my right leg after yesterday's fall.

50 Minutes On and Off the Bike

Although I was on my bike for most of the 50 minutes, I had my first fall. In fact I had two falls. Today has just been an off day for me all around.

I now know why it's a good thing to wear gloves while riding, no matter the weather. When I fell the first time, I hadn't put them on yet. I was trying to maneuver around a parked car and misjudged the distance between it and the curb. My right foot was in the pedal strap, so I wasn't able to get my foot out to balance myself. I banged up my knee a little, but was otherwise unscathed.

The second time I was also at a curb, waiting for a break in the traffic so that I could cross the street. I misjudged the curb and gently fell over onto the grass.

I know there's a lesson to be learned, just not sure what it is! Maybe it's to stay away from curbs.

A Brick

I was ravenous this weekend and paid for it when I got on the scale this morning. I wore my TRI outfit and swam 8 laps at the Aquatic Center. When I finished, I put on my new shoes and ran around the lake for 35 minutes, doing mostly 3:00/1:00 intervals.

5.5 Miles with Fort Bend Fit

My mileage for today was 5 miles. I got to Velocity 20 minutes early and did a mile in the parking lot. Then I took off with the orange group to do 4 miles (which actually was 4.5). I ran most of the time with a few very short walk breaks.My total time which included about 2 minutes waiting for traffic lights was 50 minutes. I estimated my time at an 11:00 minute mile. My next goal is to finish a 5K in under 36 minutes.

14 laps at the Aquatic Center

My trip out of town was cut short due to a medical emergency with my Mom. She is doing better. I did 12 laps without stopping and then finished with 2 more. It felt really good to be back in the 50 meter pool.

30 Minutes in the Mountains

I probably should be taking a rest day but I am determined to conquer these hills. This morning I walked for 30 minutes, although I did run up one hill. It actually seemed easier to run than to walk, but I couldn't convince myself of that at the time.

I had some free time, so I returned to the swimming pool and did laps for 18 minutes.

Pool

Another 40 Minutes in the Mountains plus Swimming!

I did another 40 minutes of hills this morning. I've set a goal for week end to actually be able to run uphill by the the time the week is out.

I hadn't been swimming since Friday and was really missing it when I found out about a little known pool that was available nearby. I drove there during out break and swam laps for 15 minutes. The pool was about 25 feet long.



One of the Steep Roads

View of the treetops

40 Minutes in the Mountains

I'm at a retreat in California this week. The facility is located in the mountains with steep and winding roads. It's a challenge just to walk from my cabin to the meeting center. This morning I ventured out in the 50 degree weather and walked for 40 minutes. Downhill was almost as big of a challenge as uphill.

7 Miles in Increments

Since the FBF mileage was 3 miles today and my training was for 7, I had to get creative. I arrived at Velocity at 5:20am and did 1.5 miles in the parking lot. When it started to get light, I headed over to Oyster Creek Park and did 2.5 miles, finishing in time to get back to Velocity and go out with Orange group. My total came to 7 miles. I walked briskly while in the parking lot and ran most of the time in the park and with the Orange folks.

10 Laps

I had a migraine all day yesterday, so I wound up with a rest day that I really couldn't afford. This morning I went to Aquatic Center at 6:00am and did 10 laps. I'm scheduled for a 7 mile run. FBF is scheduled for 3 miles, so I'll have to get creative.

12 Laps at the Aquatic Center

This morning Patricia and I went to the Aquatic center at 6:00am and swam laps. I did a total of 12 with a few rest stops in between. I haven't been on my bike in over a week and don't know when I'll be able to ride again. I signed up for the Stephanie Johnson Mini-Tri in September. It's a 200 meter swim, 8 mile bike and a 2 mile run.

30 Minutes Mostly Running

I wasn't sure if Friday's 5K was a fluke, so I tried running as much as I could. After a 3 minute warm-up, I ran as long as I could and then took about a 10 second walk break. I did this for 25+ minutes and covered a lot more ground than usual. I guess it's the swimming that's increased my endurance.

8 Laps at The Aquatic Center

I was going to make today a rest day, but then I had about 1 hour of time open up in the late afternoon, so I rushed to the Aquatic Center. I did 6 laps without stopping in 9:30. Then I did two more laps before calling it quits.

6 Miles in the Park and 350 Meters in the Pool

Bob and I met early at Oyster Creek Park and walked 6 miles. The weather was bearable -overcast and a bit humid, but not oppressive. I ran some errands after we finished and then decided to go for a swim in the Crescent Lakes pool. I did 2 warm-up laps (25 yards each) and then swam for 10 minutes. I lost count, but I think I did 14 laps.

Freedom 5K

Today was the annual Freedom 5K at Lost Creek park. This was Patricia's first 5K race and she did great with a time of just under 34 minutes. I was pretty proud of myself for finishing under 40 minutes, with a time of 39:13. There were some problems with the chips and for some reason my time didn't register. Had it, I would have been either the second or third place winner for my age group. Probably the first and last time for that occurrence. Tomorrow is the official start for Fort Bend Fit with a 2 mile run. I'll volunteer and then do my 6 miles on Sunday.


Patricia, Bob, Me and Sherry before the race.

Sherry, Me, Patricia and Bob after the race

Anngela won her age group.

30 Minutes on the Bike

I rode my bike to my Mom's this morning, staying on the bike paths and sidewalks. I helped her with some things and then headed home. It took about 15 minutes each way, so I guess I averaged abot 12 miles an hour. I raised my seat several inches and it's amazing what a difference it makes!

8 Laps at the Aquatic Center

I woke up with a migraine, again. I think it's the fish oil I started taking. I thought I would be OK since it's made from sardines, but maybe not. I went to the Aquatic center and did 6 laps without a warm-up. The cold water really felt good on my head. I wrapped up with 2 more laps. I really need to get some biking in, but also need to focus on my NY trainig which started this week. Friday is the Freedom 5K and Saturday, sign-up for Fort Bend Fit.

Freedom 5K Route

Tonight Patricia and walked the course for Friday's 5K. This will be her first official race and she wanted to review the course. I was really tired, and although I'm sure she would have preferred to run, we walked.