Top of the Key

Good day, can’t believe i got up to swim masters.  I had a good swim day.  got in about 2700 yards and really felt good on the main sets.  It kept snowing today, and i’m glad i got my run in yesterday.  It’s so cold right now, and there’s so much snow on the ground.  I’m not sure what i’ll do for my brick tomorrow…we’ll have to wait and see.

One for the books today!  A long, tough, mentally challenging day.  I woke up at 4 am to get on the bike at 5.  Thinking the ride would take me 3 hours, it took 4.  55 miles on the cranks and it was a test every mile.  I am so glad I got through it.  There were times along the way i wanted to stop, my back was aching, my head just wasn’t into it.  So getting through it, was HUGE.

I’m glad i did my swim yesterday.  There’s really no way i could do that today.  I felt tired this afternoon, and had to down a cup of coffee before my 6 mile run.  It started to snow too, and hard.  Since it’s getting darker out here earlier, by the time i was half way through the run, it was dark, and the snow was wet and whipping in my face.  I was on a runners high for the first 2 miles, then had to settle into a groove to finish.

Again, i was thinking of stopping at mile 5, but finished it thinking to myself this is one of those days that matters.  I needed to get this workout completed.

Tomorrow is our anniversary, all i have is Masters swimming in the morning.  Actually looking forward to a good pool workout.

Monday…i’m sitting here writing tonight, and my big Berner is sticking her face in my face.  She’s a big love.

So today it was cold, so cold.  I got up to my run in the morning and planned to do my z4 on the track.  It warmed up somewhat, so the coldness went away, but the breathing with the cold air gets to my lungs.  Need to make sure i don’t get sick or cold in the next few weeks.

Just got back from the pool where i swam 1400 yards.  I had it on the plan to swim tomorrow, but it’s a huge day as it is.  So i got it done today, along with a leg workout at the gym.  I’m happy with the first day back.  Tomorrow will be early and long.  Another 6 mile run in addition to a 55 mile bike tomorrow.

Resting up…getting to bed early if i can.

Sunday’s day off…finally not going to do anything today.  looking forward to tomorrow’s workout and starting a whole new week.  My back is somewhat sore, taking care of it by doing some yoga tonight.

Saturday’s here!  Another stabalizer week coming to an end.  I wasn’t very motivated to the bike ride today, but got 29 miles in.  Took a little over 2 hours.  My back was a little sore, and my head wasn’t totally in it.  But the mileage had 11 miles of z3 work.  Needed to get that done.

I just got done with a massage too.  That helped relax me.  It was an all body massage, so more relaxing than fixing my tight and injured areas.  I feel way relaxed now.  Prepared for my big week, with two rides of 55 miles.  I can see the mileage going up on my plans by a ton.

Friday after Thanksgiving, and I feel pretty good.  Didn’t overeat yesterday, and had a very heatlhy feast.  Decided to get into the pool around 2 in the afternoon.  Was thinking i would try some flip turns.  Probably the best i’ve ever done.  It’s not the easiest thing to do, but i will get it eventually.

Looking to go  back again at some point this weekend to try flip turns some more.  Took it easy otherwise for the rest of the day.  Caught a movie and crashed early.

A beautiful thanksgiving day here in Boulder.  I got up early to ride the bike.  I rode 20 miles, 4 of which were a TT in z4.  I was feeling pretty good.  Then we shot off to the Turkey Trot 5k, both Jess and me.  I was hoping to do much better than i did, and just didn’t feel it today.  Maybe i was tired.  maybe not.  I do konw that i need to improve if i’m going to do well in AZ.

Jess did great.  We both felt that the weather played a big part.  My lungs were hurting after the race.  I had a bad cough too for a while, but now i’m feeling better.  Looking for a good day of swimming tomorrow.

Feeling more recovered this week already.  The volume has gone way down.  I met up with my friend and coach Craig, and did some videotaping of our swim strokes.  I need to find the older tapes of our swimming for comparison, but i can see a big difference.  I am good on the rotation, still looks a bit choppy, and i’m surprised how easy my effort looks for putting down a 1:23 100yd.  Craig’s stroke looks so smooth and fluid.

Still have some work to do on the swim.  I wonder if I swam every day for a few months how much improvement would be made.  But of course, the other two sports would be neglected.  Turkey Day tomorrow!