30 Minutes Walking

This weather was pleasant this morning. The paths are still clogged with tree limbs, buts it's getting better. I walked the whole time except for about 1 minute of running.

15 Minutes in the Pool

It was really chilly this morning, plus the pool temp was 74, so I waited for the water to warm up a bit. I think the reading must be for the spa, because by late afternoon it showed 80, but the water was very cold. I used the AV for 15 minutes and then did leg lifts.

18 Miles in the Park

Steve and I met at 5:00am at Oyster Creek park. The weather was terrific, in the mid 50's. I wore a racer back shirt and was a little cool. But by the time we finished it was a lot hotter and I was very comfortable. I was tired, but my back didn't hurt at all. I had had a chiropractic adjustment on Tuesday, also started taking Turmeric for inflammation (3 caps a day), and got a new pair of compression shorts from Sweat It Out - this time for lower back support. I'm pretty sure it was the combination of all three things that helped. The new shorts are very tight in the tummy, buttocks and back area. So tight, that when I went to the restroom it took me 5 minutes to get them back on. Between "sausage" fingers (swollen even though I took E-caps) and the tight shorts, I thought I would have to call for help.
I decided that I would walk NY with Steve instead of trying to run. I'd much rather have a partner to do the race with, than finish a little faster and be by myself the whole time.

15 Minutes Swimming

I swam for 15 minutes with the AquaVee. I guess I'll make tomorrow another rest day. I'll be short one training this week, but have an 18 miler on Saturday and don't want to overdo it.

30 Minutes Walk/Run and a Little Cycling

I went to the Chiropractor yesterday, had an adjustment and took a rest day. My lower back was much improved by this morning. I didn't want to push things, so I did a little running mixed in with my walking. I also wore my new compression shorts designed for lower back pain and my older version Asics. I felt pretty good when I got home, so I decided to get some saddle time on the stationary bike. I only lasted 10 minutes before the back pain started to return. I'll do 30 minutes walking and then swim tomorrow.

It's 18 miles on Saturday.

30 Minutes Walking and 10 Minutes Swimming

I had planned to run this morning but my lower back was hurting again, so I walked instead. The area is slowly getting back into shape,including the paths by the lake which have been cleaned of debris.
The pool water temperature was 84 degrees tonight, so I decided to take advantage of it and swam for 10 minutes.

15 Minutes Swimming

The pool warmed up a bit - 78 degrees! Today was to be a rest day, but I figured that swimming was low impact. I did 15 minutes with the AquaVee.

16 Miles in Oyster Creek Park

Steve and I met at 5:00am and did 16 miles at Oyster Creek park. I had not been to the park since a week ago Friday. The damage was huge. It was still very dark when we started out, heading east, thinking the short leg would have less damage. It turned out that there were several felled trees blocking the path in various spots. Luckily, Steve had a flashlight so we managed to navigate around them.

The paths on the other side, west of the entrance, were clear, The fallen tress, and there had to be hundreds, were mostly in the creek. The poor critters, bunnies and squirrels seemed pretty disoriented. We walked briskly for some of the time, but our overall pace was a little over a 16 minute mile. I was glad to walk because my lower back was hurting again. I don't know if it's my newer shoes (100 miles), running or a combination of both that's causing the pain. I wore an older pair of shoes, and except for the blister I developed on my right foot, felt they were a better fit.

Since I flipped weeks (last week was supposed to be the 16 miler and this week 12), I will probably taper to 13 miles next weekend.

15 Minutes Swimming

The water temperature is slowly dropping. It was 75 degrees this morning. Again,it wasn't so bad after the initial chill. I tried to use hand paddles called "freestyle". I had a little trouble, but can see where they could help. They force you to lift your arms out of the water which should make for a stronger stroke. I might use them at the Aquatic Center when it opens back up (looking forward to a little warmer water).
I hit my goal weight today - 139.4. I now have lost a total of 65.6 pounds since I started my weight loss odyssey in 2005 and 30 pounds +/- since April of this year. I now need to keep the weight off and stay in this range.

2 Runs Today

My first run was this morning. I took advantage of the cool weather and mostly ran for 30 minutes. It was still a challenge trying to navigate the felled trees. I got to thinking about how NY, with its hills, is just 6 weeks away. With that in mind Patricia and I did hills in the parking garage tonight. We ran up the inclines and walked the flats and ran back down the entire way. We did this 4 times in about 40 minutes.

30 Minutes Swimming

The pool temperature has dropped significantly. It was a cool 76 degrees. I decided that if I jumped in and got it overwith, it wouldn't be so bad. It took a few minutes to adjust, but the cool water felt good - until I got out. I figured that the longer I could swim, the more "payback" I would get on freezing my body, so I swam for 30 minutes.

4 Miles Walking in Segments

Since I needed to put my Mom's plants and lawn furniture back in place, I decided I would walk to her house. The first leg was 1.8 miles. After dragging everything out of her garage, I headed home the longer way - 2.3 miles. All of the sidewalks were blocked in places with felled trees. I was glad to walk, as my lower back has been really hurting me Saturday. I think I lifted something the wrong way.

Some Storm Damage

Blocked Path

40 Minutes Walking

It's so sad to see so many trees felled by the storm. I know that what we are experiencing here in the microcosm of Sugar Land is nowhere near the devastation closer to the coast and on the north side of town. Still, it's not a pretty site. The clean-up is going to take a long time. Many of the sidewalks and paths are blocked, so running is a challenge. I took a 40 minute walk at a moderate pace. Here are some photos from Saturday.

15 Minutes Swimming

I worked on the yard a bit, trying to get the branches and leaves out of the yard and pool.I decided it might be easier to get in the pool to clean it, so I did and then I swam for 15 minutes with the Aqua Vee. The temperature had dropped a lot and the water was pretty cool. It was a bit of a shock adjusting.

10 Miles at Oyster Creek Park

Patricia and I went to Oyster Creek this morning. It was hard to believe that a huge hurricane was on its way. Most businesses and offices were closed and most people who hadn't "taken care of business" yesterday were making last minute preparations this morning. There were a few people in the park, but it wasn't too crowded. We arrived just after 7:00am and did 10 miles. The winds picked up a bit while we were there, but the sun was shining.
I was scheduled for 16 miles this weekend, but thought I would give my body a little rest after all of the racing and long mileage recently . I will "exchange" weeks and do 16 on the 20th. NY is just 7 weeks away!

15 Minutes in the Pool

We spent the morning preparing for the hurricane, moving anything not tied down in my mothers's and our yard and putting it in the garage. That was a workout in and of itself.After I was done, I did 15 minutes in the pool with the AV.
Patricia and I plan to meet at 7:00am tomorrow and do 10 miles before the hurricane hits!

30 Minutes Running and 10 Minutes Cycling

I only warmed up for 1 minute, then ran for most of the first 15 minutes. I walked briskly for the balance. When I got back I decided to do the stationary bike. I cycled for 10 minutes, which wasn't much, but was better than nothing.
16 miles is on the agenda for my long run. It will be a challenge if Hurricane Ike makes his way to Houston.

15 Minutes with AV

Yesterday was a total rest day. I wanted to exercise since I totally pigged out on Sunday (ate just about anything I could find), but I knew my body needed to recuperate. This morning I did 15 minutes in the pool with the Aquavee. I plan to run in the morning.

Stephanie Johnson Triathlon

All's well that ends well! My goal was to finish and not be last. The results are in and I finished 327 out of 368, a big improvement over my first TRI. My total time was 1:04, with an average 12mph on the bike and a 12:06 minute mile on the run.
This was a mini sprint, so the distances were shorter - a 200 meter swim, 6 mile bike ride and a 2 mile run.
I got up at 3:30am. Bob picked me up at 4:30am and we headed to the north side of town. It was still dark when we arrived. The race was set to start at 6:45am but didn't get going until around 7:15am. It was cool and I was worried that it would be cold on the bike ride after the swim, but the weather was perfect,
There were close to 400 people, so the pool area was very crowded. It was a 25 meter pool, so it took longer to get the people into the swim.

Getting into the pool

Getting out of the pool was a challenge as I had to wait for the person in front of me who had some trouble getting out.

I had a little trouble getting on my bike. I couldn't get my shoes into the pedal cages.

Getting on my bike

I got a migraine right in the middle of the bike ride. When I got to the transition area I took my medicine. I was smiling when Bob took my picture, but I felt really sick.

Starting my run

By the time I reached the finish line I was feeling better. I couldn't wait to get a slice of pizza, but it was gone by the time I came in.

My finish

Cynthia and George were waiting for me at the Finish Line with roses (and of course so was Bob who was busy taking the pictures)

Me, Cynthia & George after the race

15 Miles - OMG

My plan was to get up at 5:30am, go to Oyster Creek Park and do 15 miles. It's a good thing that I had blocked out the morning because I overslept and didn't make it to the park until 8:00am. I don't know if it was just too hot at the end of my mileage or if I had taken in enough water yesterday, but I had my doubts about whether or not I would make it to mile 15. I did 3:1 intervals for the first 6 miles and then did intermittent running for the balance. I stopped at the car after each 4.5 mile loop, had a gu, got a new bottle of water and did stretches. My legs started cramping at 13.5 miles, the end of the 3rd loop. I'd never had this happen before. At one point I would have been content to roll onto the path and stop. But I persisted and finished. I'm glad I did my run today, this way I can rest tomorrow and be ready for the TRI.

30 Minutes on the Stationary Bike

The weather was absolutely beautiful this morning. I was tempted to run, but since I am doing my long run tomorrow I decided it would be better to get some cycling in. I did 30 minutes on the stationary bike and then 10 minutes swimming.

20 Minutes with Aqua Vee

This weekend is going to be a real challenge. I'm scheduled to do 15 miles, but I have the Tri on Sunday. I also need to get some cycle time in. I think I'm going to do my long run on Friday.
Today I swam for 20 minutes with the Aqua Vee.
Tonight I attended Stan's softball game. He's been playing for a few months and this was the first time I was able to make a game. I was very impressed!

Stan up at bat!

35 Minutes Walking

I decided that after hitting all bases yesterday and really pushing myself during the race, it was time for a rest. But I had really pigged out and didn't want to miss an opportunity to take advantage of the cool breeze this morning, so I did a brisk walk in the neighborhood for 35 minutes.

Fired Up 5K,Cycling and AV

Today was the Fired Up 5K race. My goal was to set a Personal Record (PR)and if possible do it under 37 minutes. My best 5K race was at the Freedom 5K in 2006-38:25.Today I finished with a chip time of 36:59 and was very pleased. Patricia also did very well finishing in 30:10. Although her goal was to finish in the 29 minute rage, she did place 4th in her age group. Bob placed in the top 3 in his age group and received a "trophy".

Me, Maureen and Patricia before the race

Bob placed 3rd in his age group!

Sherry at the finish!

After I got home I decided to cycle some before I showered, so I did 30 minutes on the stationary bike.

Tonight we went to Maggianno's to celebrate our Anniversary (29 years tomorrow). I decided I need to work off some of dinner, so I did 10 minutes with the Aqua-Vee.