30 Minutes Running then 30 on the Bike

I did 1:00/30 intervals running this morning. I think this is the pace I'll attemp for the half marathon. When I finished I did the stationary bike for 30 minutes. This is all in anticipation of a big dinner tonight and Chinese food tomorrow.

An Active Day of Exercise

I took advantage of a slow work day and covered an assortment of trainings. I ran intervals for 30 minutes this morning while it was still on the chilly side. When I got home I rode the stationary bike for 10 minutes (I feel the need to ease my butt back into it). I swam at the Aquatic Center at lunch time for 40 minutes. Tonight, I talked Stan into doing hills with me. We went at a very slow pace for 25 minutes.

40 Minutes Swimming

Yesterday was a rest day. I did look at a training schedule for the quarter Iron Man and it's apparent that I need to ramp up my training - swimming for longer periods and biking. I haven't been on my bike since the Tri I did in early September.
I swam for 40 minutes this morning.

6 Miles in the Park

Stan joined me for the first three miles of my run. Needless to say we walked at a very slow pace. I was proud of him for taking the initiative to join me. It took us just over an hour to do the 1.5 mile leg, back and forth. When we made it back to the entrance, Stan went off to do errands and I redid the loop running intervals. This second time took 39 minutes. I got to the car just before the rain.

30 Minutes Swimming

There was only one other swimmer when I arrived at the Aquatic Center. I did 30 minutes of laps. FBF's schedule for the halfers is 11 miles. I really don't want to get up at 4:00am to make the 5:00am call, so I think I'll sleep in a do 6 miles or so later in the morning.

30 Minutes running Intervals

I ran intervals this afternoon in anticipation of eating the big dinner I had prepared. I don't think it will have helped much as I totally pigged out. The Aquatic Center will be open tomorrow, so I'll need to do some serious swimming.

A Casual 30 Minute Walk

I was going to make today a rest day, but decided to take a casual 30 minute walk.

Another 30/30

It was freezing cold last night, yet this morning we had fog, rain and then it was like spring. I went for a run in the misty rain, figured I was already wet and went for a 30 minute swim.
I've decided to sign up for a quarter Iron Man. I'd love to do a half, but I'm not ready yet. I think a 1/4 is just the right step up. It's a .6 mile swim, 28 mile bike course and a 6.5 mile run. There's one in April in Galveston, the Lone Star Tri that features a sprint, a quarter and half Ironman. The swim is in Offat's Bayou at Moody Gardens, so although salty, should be cleaner than some of the local lakes.

30 Minutes Running/30 Minutes Swimming

It was in the low 30's this morning. I ran intermittent intervals for 30 minutes.It was pretty nippy out, so I didn't take my water with me. When one of the pesky geese decided to charge, I responded with a loud honk. He left me alone!
It was still early when I got home, so I decided to go swimming. Getting into the pool wasn't so bad, it was the getting out part that I was no fun. The water temperature was very inconsistent - warm in spots and very chilly in others. I did laps for 30 minutes, got out of the pool and into the locker room as fast as I could. I changed into dry clothes before heading to the car. the Aquatic center is going to be closed on the 24th and 25th.

6.5 Miles in Sugar Creek

Today FBF met at Finish Line sports and did our annual holiday run through Sugar Creek. The mileage for today was 10 (the route was actually 9.1), but I had decided that since I had done the 30K that 6 would be enough for me. It was a great treat to be able to walk with Shelley and Jacque. We stayed together until mile 6 and then I turned and went back in.
I've decided that I really want to do either a quarter or half Iron Man this spring. I'm looking at the Lone Star Tri in Galveston. I'll need to get a new bike and a wetsuit and have to decide if I'm ready to make that kind of financial commitment.

20 Minutes Swimming

I swam again this morning. I've really been enjoying the quiet time. Since I no longer count laps, but go by time, my swims have become more of a meditative state. I've come up with some really good ideas these last few swims.

20 Minute Swim plus 50 Minutes of Hills

I swam at the aquatic center for 20 minutes this morning. Tonight Patricia and I did hills for 50 minutes. The parking garage was pretty busy with holiday shoppers, so we had to be extremely cautious.I feel fully recoverd from the 30K and will probably do only 6 or 8 miles on Saturday.

30 Minutes Walking Briskly

Yesterday was a complete rest day. I was still pretty tired, so I walked briskly for 30 minutes. Patricia and I were going to do hills tonight, but didn't. I'll probably swim tomorrow.

20 Minutes Swimming

I wanted to take a bit of a break from running after the 30K yesterday,so I opted for swimming. I did 20 minutes of laps at the aquatic center. The temperatures were in the 40's, but the water was warm.

Williams Ranch 30K

I had signed up for the 30K while I was still in the Houston Full Marathon mode. My plan was to see how I did, time wise, and if I met the pace requirements, to stick with the full. The deadline for switching was last Wednesday. I switched to the half and went ahead and did the 30K. I left early with the walkers, and walked at a 15.25 minute pace for the first 8 miles in 2:02 hours. Then I started running intervals for the balance of the 10.5 miles with an average 13.80 mile. My average pace for the whole race was 14.24. I don't know if I could have run the whole thing at 13.80, but I would have been well under the time limit of 4:15 if I had. I would have still been over the 13:45 for the Houston Marathon. The bottom line is that I finished the race and beat my prior 4:51:34 time for this race.

15 Minutes Swimming

Tomorrow is the 30K so I thought 15 minutes of swimming would be just right. I had to compete with the swim teams for a lane and managed.

30 Minutes Swimming in 30 Degrees + Hills

It snowed last night in Sugar Land! When I got to my car this morning there was a thin film of ice on it. The sun was shining, but the air was still freezing.When I got to the aquatic center, the lifeguard had to pool the cover off of a lane for me. I jumped into a lane that was in use until mine was availabl. Once in my "private" lane, I swam for 30 minutes. The hardest part was getting out of the pool. The metal handrail was freezing. I swear I had a thin layer of ice on me by the time I got to the alcove. I dashed to the car, cranked up the heater and took a HOT shower when I got home. I have to admit, it was pretty invigorating.

Tonight, Patricia and I did hills for 50 minutes. It was pretty chilly in the parking garage, but we had a good work-out.

30 Minutes Running Intervals

I got in the late afternoon and ran intervals. The wind was picking up as a cold front started to make it's way in.

20 Minutes Swimming

Swimming laps in the pool was a big change from the open waters I had come to enjoy on our vacation. Although there were about 7 adults swimming at the Aquatic Center, we each had our own lanes so it wasn't too bad. The air had a chill, but the water was warm. I swam for 20 minutes.

6 Miles in the Neighborhood

The weather was in the 40's this morning - crisp and clear. I got out around 7:00am and did an out and back route from my house that was 6 miles. I walked the first 3 miles and then ran intervals on the way back. My time was 8 minutes faster on the return. I wanted to do closer to 8 miles, but I felt a tugging in my left calf and didn't want to push it.

The Scale is My Friend

We got home late on Thursday. If walking around terminals counts in my training, then I must have done at least 3 miles yesterday. I weighed in this morning and was happy to see that I did not gain any weight while we were on our cruise!
I won't have a chance to train again until Sunday. The 30K is just over a week away. I hope I'm up to it.

30 Minutes on Deck and the Treadmill

This is our last day of the cruise. I did laps on the deck for 20 minutes and then hills on the treadmill for 15 minutes. Tomorrow is a travel day, so I will make it a rest day. Back to reality...........and the scale (although I think I did pretty well).

30 Minutes Walking

This is our next to last day of the cruise. We’re at sea today and tomorrow. I walked on deck for 30 minutes and did hills on the treadmill for 15. Then I took a stretching class. I stayed for the Abs class, but had major problems with the crunches, so called it quits. That’s my next area of concentration – strengthening my core. I’m anxious to see what the scale has to say on Thursday…..

55 Minute Open Swim at Tortola, BVI

Today was our last port of call, Tortola, BVI. I walked the deck for 30 minutes before we left for the beach. This time we took an adventurous taxi ride over the hills to the beach.We were on a “safari” type bus and the ride felt as though we were at Disney World. We arrived at a beautiful beach called Cane Gardens Bay. The weather was fabulous. This time I swam for 55 minutes – what a work-out. I was ready for a nap when we got back to the ship.