Illness to Boot

Saturday morning, Sweetie came home early from a sleep-over party with vomiting & diarrhea. She was feeling better by early afternoon so I began to think that is was perhaps an allergy (celiac's) rather than the flu. However, Buddy woke up around 11 p.m. Sunday night with the same symptoms so I knew then that it was bound to catch me, too. Within a few hours, I was down for the count.

I honestly don't recall ever having been so sick. DH said, "You look like death warmed over." Thankfully, he stayed home to watch the kiddos because there was nothing I could do. I had to lay down all day... if I stood up, I got dizzy and nauseous. By the early evening, my body ached terribly - I couldn't get comfortable - my back hurt so much I was in tears. I have a pretty high tolerance for pain and this really knocked me down. I took a few ibuprofen and thankfully was able to get to sleep. I slept until about 7 this morning.

I was nervous to stand up but fortunately only a tiny bit of dizziness that subsided quickly. I walked around, picked up a few things. I made breakfast. I actually felt normal so I decided to go to Masters like usual. Fortunately, it was an easy day...

400m warm-up (I arrived a little late)
6 x 50m backstroke drill w/ paddles
4 x 200m freestyle
100m cool-down
1600m total

Lack of Running Leads to Forgetfulness

I arrived to Masters late yesterday. I had forgotten Sweetie's Taekwondo uniform and had to turn back just after we left the house. Then as we were unloading and gathering our things (my swim bag, the kids' lunch bags, etc.), I realized that I had also forgotten to bring along a towel! I briefly contemplated NOT going in but I caught myself. "Forget it! I need this. I can't skip out on my swims, too!" Apparently, when you stop running - your mind starts to falter and you begin to forget things more regularly. Fortunately, they have towels you can rent for 50 cents.

So... I didn't get much of a warm-up in, just 300m (100m each of free, breast and back). The drill set was focused on breast - 16 x 25m with 10 sec rest interval. We were instructed to do 2 kicks for every 1 pull. Easy enough. I led off (the other 2 were talking) - I really pushed myself maintained a good lead each leg.

The main set was 8 x 150m - the first 50m free (threshold), the second 50m breast or fly (choice), and the last 50m free (threshold). I allowed the other 2 women go ahead of me - I knew they were stronger swimmers than I... I was actually surprised I had stayed ahead during the drill set. By the 3rd 150, I was lagging and I started to fall behind just a little.

Just before we had started the 150s, a 4th swimmer had joined our lane. I allowed her to go ahead of me as well as he started the 5th 150. I was feeling stressed that I was holding her up. Once I was last, I felt relief and allowed myself to concentrate more on my form and enjoy the swim. I felt more at ease and the feeling of fatigue lessened. Note to self - remember to relax and enjoy yourself. Stress and worry will bring fatigue.

Thus... a solid swim despite my tardiness. 1900m total.

Super Fly

Our swim yesterday was all about the butterfly. I arrived with time enough to do 700m warm-up (500m mixed stroke / 200m kicking w/fins) then it was on to the core of the practice.

The drill set was 16 x 25m fly drill with 10 sec rest interval. Fortunately, coach allowed us to use fins - otherwise, I would have sunk! The main set was 6 x 50m breast, 6 x 100m free at threshold, and 6 x 50m fly. I managed to do 3 rounds of the 5o fly. I was toasted.

That's it. No runs to report. I have completely lost it. I'll be starting from scratch.

BONK! of a different sort...

I've been a little absent here lately. Have I been traveling and away from the computer? No. Have I been too busy to blog? No. Has our internet provider started charging by the amount of time we actually spend online as opposed to a set fee per month? Not yet.

I've been absent because I've fallen off the wagon. I haven't been training. At least not on a regular basis. I have swam a few times but that is it! I am starting to feel quite frumpy. I feel so guilty! As a result, I haven't had anything running or swimming related to share.

After the Circle the Bay, I wanted to take a couple of months to enjoy myself and not train with anything specific in mind. I wanted to continue working out though! Funny how a training plan really helps you to stay focused and reach your goals. I need to get myself going again as I've lost the endurance I had built up.

I went to Masters yesterday anticipating a crowd. My girlfriend had attended on Mon and Wed - both of which she said were unusually crowded (6+ in each lane). Certainly not ideal but what can ya do? Surprisingly however, there were very few there yesterday! Just myself and one other swimmer in my lane, only one in the third lane, while all the other lanes had 2-3.

After the warm-up, Coach has us working on backstroke. 4 x 25m back w/fists, 4 x 50m back palm down, 4 x 75m w/paddles and correct knife-hand strike position. This drill set forces you to focus on the rotation of your body in relation to your hand position. He encouraged us to use fins and to take it easy - speed wasn't the objective.

I enjoy backstroke. It has always been one of my favorite strokes. As we were doing the 75s, I really got into a groove and I felt like I was gliding through the water with little effort. As I was approaching the wall on the last 75, my mind was drifting. I wasn't paying attention and didn't see the flags warning me of the obstruction ahead. I banged my head on the wall! Fortunately, it hurt for only a few minutes. I hung onto the wall and allowed my senses to return before I floated leisurely back to the start. I don't even know what I was thinking about. Perhaps I should fib and say I was daydreaming about sex or Lance Armstrong's abs. It would make the story so much better... but I wasn't! Pain for naught!

I recovered quickly and we then did a freestyle pull set: 50m pull, 100m pull, 150m pull, 200m pull and 250m pull. I began to feel the effort of the pull set in the midst of the 150. I am so accustomed to kicking - so much of my strength is in my legs (at least it has been). At the wall, I told Coach, "This set is killing me!" He laughed and replied, "You race to your strengths. You train to your weaknesses." A light bulb went off in my head. I know this but haven't been executing. I need to change my strategy. I need to be more focused.

The pull set was then followed by a descending 200m free swim, 150m free, 100m free and 50m free. I could really feel that I was rotating better.

I felt really good. With each passing day, I love swimming more and more.

Total distance: 2050m

America, America

In honor and memory of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

A Shrewd Four

My sitter is back! I headed out for a run along the river trail... hoping to do about 6. Though, at the 2 mile mark, I realized I was going at marathon goal pace (8:25) so I opted to stop and do a 2x2 mile tempo run. As I rested, I thought... hmmm, wouldn't it be sweet if I could better the mile I did last week?! Can I top 6:58? I decided to give it a go... the return run included a couple of gentle downhill segments and I thought for certain this could help better my time.

I started to really struggle. I was parched. I hadn't thought to bring along water. 3/10 of a mile to go and it was all I could do to continue running. I finally hit the lap button and realized that the humidity, my running hiatus, and the 2 fast-paced previous miles really had done a number. 7:38. It is amazing how quickly one can lose endurance & fitness when you take time off.

Somewhere along the way, I had discovered a tiny shrew along the road that had perished by some unknown cause. I made it a point to bring it home with me to share with the kiddos. Impromptu nature study... tied in perfectly with our current focus on vertebrate animals. They were delighted with my discovery. As I was carrying the little fellow with me, I essentially jogged/walked the last mile for cool-down.

4 miles in all. Getting my running legs under me again. Will take time.

A Loss for Words & Blurb

I'm really lacking for things to say. Since school started last week and I lost my 2x week sitter, I haven't been running. Swimming is the only regular exercise I've been getting the past couple of weeks. And I missed that last Tues, too because the kiddos had a cold.

I can't recall precisely the swim workout we did on Thursday last week. I think I did about 700 meters warm-up (300 w/fins). As the coaches are on vacation these two weeks, it was up to us to determine a workout. We did three rounds of 8 sets of 50s, alternating stroke each length. It was very IM-ish but we did only 4 lengths (25m) of fly.

Today, I was completely on my own. I did 600 meters warm-up (100 free, 100 back, 100 free, 100 breast, 100 free, 100 IM) and 400 meters with fins, 2 lengths (25m) of fly. I then did an endurance set of 2 x 300m followed by 2 x 200m. I felt very relaxed and comfortable. At the end of the hour, I had completed 2000 meters so I was very pleased.

I keep thinking about doing more. Pilates. Strength Training. Core/Abdominal Work. Cross-Fit. I just don't know how to make sure I stick with it. Though I am hesitant, I think I may have to find a class at the fitness center at least once a week. I've been trying to convince DH to do a kick-boxing class with me at Sweetie's Dojo, but he has committed yet. He has inquired about maybe doing some swimming.

I have my sitter again - though just one afternoon a week. Hopefully, I'll be able to get back into the groove and workout on a regular basis. I'd like to get my weekly running mileage back up to 25 miles a week before I begin training for Eugene '09.

In other news...

I tied for 2nd place in the Virtual Mile! I'm elated! If you are interested in reading the full race report, hop over to Reid's post, The Virtual Mile Race Results.

Secondly, I recently had my homeschool blog posts from Aug 2007 - Aug 2008 uploaded to Blurb.com and printed into a hard-bound book. I just got it yesterday and I am delighted with the results. I've had a few photo-books printed at Snapfish and Shutterfly in the past. The quality has been good. However, I have to say that Blurb is far superior.

Their software allows you to modify the text, manipulate the layout and truly make it your own. DH was so impressed, he said I need to buy 2... one for each child (as the homeschool blog is basically a record of our school endeavors and of their academic growth, etc.).

Running Bibs Wanted

I came across a great activity that my kiddos are both excited about. It is called Running Number Math and incorporates geography, math, writing and art. If you have ever wondered what to do with your race bibs, this is the perfect opportunity to donate them to an educational cause.
I know many of you (like myself) have sentimental attachment to your bibs... if this is true of you, please feel free to send a color photocopy! If you are interested in helping, let me know and I'll email you our mailing address.

Thank you!

Stagecoach Robbery & The Virtual Mile ~ Race Report

As part of a new BarCon tradition, I participated in the 1-mile fun run aptly called The Stagecoach Robbery to go with the western theme this year. Bar ran along with Sweetie. Buddy opted to stay in the park on his scooter to cheer us all on with DH, Bef and B! As I had an opportunity to run sans-jogger, I decided to do the Virtual Mile a week sooner than most.

Kong took a few minutes to describe the course for a few of us, namely myself, were new to the race (I was the timer last year and failed miserably at the task). I recalled though, that Kris zipped through to the finish in approximately 7 minutes and I thereby opted to use him as my pacer.

We took off and as was expected, several of the younger runners took off right away. I tucked in behind and maintained pace ... picking them off one by one. Within a quarter mile, Kris and I were in the lead. I glanced at the Garmin and it was clear that if I stayed strong, I would achieve my goal of coming in under 7 minutes.

As we approached the finish, I started to sprint hoping to overtake Kris at the line, but he looked behind his shoulder and he, too, picked up the pace. When I crossed the finish, though, the Garmin said .89 miles... not a complete mile so I kept going. The last 1/1o of a mile was slower than what I had averaged earlier but I still managed to reach the 1 mile mark under 7. Garmin read 6:58 for the lap (I kept the timer on to get Sweetie's time... 10:32).

Family Photos

We had a family photo shoot last week and I am excited to share the results.

All Photos by Kat Nyberg