Marathon Years 4 and 5 - Triathlon Years

Freedom 5K

2009-07-04T09:14:00.000-07:00

Stan, Patricia and I did the Freedom 5K this morning. Stan was not too excited about a 3 mile walk that cut into his sleep time, but he did it! I was hoping to make this race a PR (personal record), but it didn't work out that way. My alternate goal was to finish in under 40 minutes and I did, just barely with a 39:17:1 time. Patricia wasn't pleased with her time of 31:39:4, but considering the weather and the fact that we both did a TRI last week, I think we did great. My training schedule has 6 to 8 miles for this weekend, so I will see if I can get in a long run tomorrow morning.

Stan's Big Finis(h)

Rest, then Time to Get Serious

2009-07-03T05:39:00.000-07:00

I've made this an easy week and will get moving again on the weekend. My NY Marathon training officially started with the 3 mile TRI run. On Tuesday, Patricia and I did hills for an hour. I swam for 15 minutes on Wednesday and did the stationary bike for 15 minutes last night. Saturday is the Freedom 5K. Stan and Patricia will both be doing the race. I'm proud of Stan for signing up.

I'm due for 6 to 8 miles this weekend, so I'll probably do a longer run on Sunday morning.

Last night was the Fort Bend Fit sign-up kick-off. It was really nice to see the old group, as well as some new faces.

My 4th TRI - Memorial Hermann

2009-06-28T14:03:00.000-07:00

Robert, Me and Patricia before the swim.

I had a PR today. Finished the race in 1:36:33 rather than the 1:50:04 of last year. My swim went really well, but I got a little hung up in the transition area after it. The weather was extremely hot. Patricia and Robert, my recruits into the cult, did really well.

A Taper Week

2009-06-27T13:47:00.000-07:00

I made it to the pool 3 times and out for light walks twice. Only got on the bike once, which may haunt me tomorrow. Patricia and I did dry run of the second half of the run course this morning. We are ready!

30 Minutes in the Stationary Bike

2009-06-20T16:35:00.001-07:00

I got up extra early this morning and visited the Gym. I cycled for 30 minutes.

1 Hour and 40 Minutes Walking

2009-06-18T16:31:00.000-07:00

I'm in Denver this weekend and don't anticipate too may opportunities for exercise. Since my activities didn't start until tonight, I took a long walk in the early afternoon. The weather started out nice, in the high 60's but by the time I finished it was hot and in the low 80's. I tried to run some, but with the high altitude and my banged up leg from my fall, I stuck to walking.

A More Active Week

2009-06-17T08:04:00.000-07:00

I have managed to do something every day this week. I swam for 20 minutes on Monday, biked for 40 minutes yesterday and walked for 40 minutes today. I would have preferred to run this morning, but since I fell off my new bike twice yesterday, I'm a little banged up. I had some challenges adding air to my tires and lost all of the air after I mounted my bike. I promptly fell off because I haven't gotten used to the new cages. After I refilled the tire, before I discovered that I had a broken valve stem, it happened again. I carried my bike to Bike Route where they got me fixed up in time to finish my bike ride with Patricia.

A Week of Mixed Activity

2009-06-14T19:23:00.000-07:00

I've lost my focus a bit, yet I am determined to stay on course. This past week included more gaps than I would have liked. I swam for 20 minutes on Monday (8th) and ran for 35 minutes and swam for 20 minutes on Wednesday (10th). On Thursday, Robert, Patricia and I drove the TRI bike course and then swam laps at the Aquatic Center. It was Robert's first time in a 50 meter pool. I think he was shocked at how much longer it was than where he had been training. I had a migraine from Friday to Sunday, so my long workouts didn't happen as planned. Saturday included just a 15 minute swim and Sunday, a one hour walk.

1 Hour Cycling and 15 minutes Swimming

2009-06-07T21:01:00.000-07:00

This morning Patricia and I volunteered at the Texas Tri. She had not seen a Tri in action and since this was where I had my first glimpse at transition area, I thought it would be a good experience for her. We worked the In/Out for the bike segment and it was wild! When I got home I cycled for an hour on the stationery bike. Later in the day, we went to the neighborhood pool to swim laps (the Aquatic Center is closed on Sunday)and did 15 minutes worth.
Tomorrow is a new day and a new week.

I plotted our my marathon training and it will begin officially on July 4th weekend.
In the meantime I'll be getting ready for the sprint Tri on June 28th.

New York Marathon and Catching Up

2009-06-06T23:00:00.000-07:00

The past 2 weeks have been a whirlwind. I got very little "long" trainings in on the weekends as I had commitments that left me no time nor energy. My goal is to get back on a strict schedule, especially since I got into the New York Marathon by way of the lottery.
Here's a recap of what I have accomplished since last post:
I ran for 30 minutes on Wednesday and Thursday, May 27th and 28th. My sessions were mostly running, my speed was faster!I only go to do 15 minutes of stretching in the pool on Friday, the 30th. In an attempt to get back on program, I swam for 30 minutes on Monday, ran for 30 minutes on Tuesday, did a mini-brick on Wednesday, cycling for 30 minutes and walking for 15 and the swam for 15 minutes on Thursday.
I did nothing on Friday or Today.

The Best Laid Plans....

2009-05-26T13:58:00.000-07:00

I swam for 30 minutes on Friday. I intended to participate in a 5K on Saturday, but had to go out of town for an appointment instead. Luckily I had not registered for the race. My long run turned into a 45 minute walk on Saturday. I used the Aqua Vee on Sunday but was only able to get 15 minutes in before the lightening and thunder started. Thankfully, Patricia and I got a 15 mile bike ride in on Monday morning. And today, I was able to swim at the Aquatic Center for 30 minutes with Jacque. I have a feeling this week is going to be a challenge, too, as I have our annual Spring Toastmasters Conference this weekend at Clear Lake.

I've Got to Get Back to Exercising in the AM

2009-05-21T20:51:00.001-07:00

I didn't get to exercise yesterday, and almost missed today, too. I have got to get my exercising in first thing in the morning. I was really tired, but resolved to do something so tonight at 9:00pm, I cycled on the stationary bike for 30 minutes. Then I got in the pool with the Aqua Vee but only lasted 10 minutes. The belt is too big (this is a good thing) and kept slipping off. And I had a hard time ignoring the strobe effect that the waves and bubbles were making in the pool light.
I think I'm going to do a last minute sign-up for a 5K in Katy on Saturday morning. We'll see.

30 Minutes Each- Running and Swimming

2009-05-19T20:52:00.000-07:00

The weather was still cool this morning. My run was delightful. It's amazing how much difference the temperature can make. This evening Patricia and I swam at the Aquatic Center for 30 minutes. I did 6 laps in 7:41. I think that was my best time.

30 Minutes with the Aqua Vee

2009-05-18T20:50:00.000-07:00

The temperature had dropped overnight so it was pretty cool this morning (in the 50's). Our pool was chilly, but I went in anyway and swam with the Aqua Vee for 30 minutes.

I'm Hoping I'll be Back on Schedule this Week

2009-05-17T14:57:00.000-07:00

I've had out of town buyers this past week, and although I did get some exercise walking and going up an down stairs, it wasn't enough to offset what I've been eating. I completely missed training on Thursday, but got a 40 minute run/walk in on Friday and a 30 minute Aqua Vee swim on Saturday. Today I did 45 minutes on the trainer (first time with the new bike). It was fairly cool and overcast this afternoon, so my 30 minute run was pleasant. My plan is to get back on track with my exercise and eating, tomorrow. We're going to Maggianos for my Birthday dinner. Yum!

15 Minutes Swimming

2009-05-17T14:48:00.000-07:00

By the time I got to the Aquatic Center, it was early evening and I was very tired. I only managed a 15 minute swim. I think it's going to tough to get much exercise in this week, but I will try my best.

30 Minutes Swimming

2009-05-13T21:49:00.000-07:00

I didn't get any exercise in yesterday but did manage 30 minutes swimming tonight. It doesn't look too promising for tomorrow.

My New Bike!

2009-05-10T20:38:00.000-07:00

I cycled on the trainer this morning for 30 minutes. That was before I realized that I was going to buy my new bike. I went to Bike Barn and bought the TREK 7.3FX.
When I called Patricia to tell her that she could now train with my old bike, she was ready to go right then.
We went for a nice 1 hour ride. When we were crossing the narrow bridge on Sweetwater, I cautioned her to be careful. Instead, I got spooked and banged myself up. But the Bike was fine!

4.5 Miles in Oyster Creek

2009-05-09T15:21:00.001-07:00

I had a plan - walk 4.5 miles in Oyster Creek and then swim for 30 minutes at the Aquatic Center. I managed to complete the 4.5 miles, but when I got to the Aquatic Center I was disappointed to discover that it was closed for a swim meet.
At least I got my "long" run in.

Another Crazy Week

2009-05-08T23:46:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to cram as much as possible into my workouts. I did a brick on Monday - cycling for 30 minutes and then running for 30 minutes. My legs don't feel so noodly anymore. I swam for 15 minutes on Tuesday and 30 minutes on Wednesday. With back to back appointments on Thursday and today, I wasn't able to fit anything in. I hope to get up early tomorrow (Saturday) and go for a swim and run.
I looked at new bikes today and think I'm going to get a Trek Hybrid.

Squeezing Things IN

2009-05-03T20:36:00.000-07:00

I've been really busy this week and this weekend. I swam for 25 minutes on Thursday, ran for 30 minutes on Friday and missed Satruday. This afternoon I did 15 minutes with the AquaVee in the pool. I've gotten very spoiled doing 50 meter laps.

30 Minute Run and Cycle

2009-04-29T18:34:00.000-07:00

Went for a run this morning, but felt I needed more, so I cycled for 30 minutes on the trainer tonight.

Swimming x2

2009-04-28T11:49:00.000-07:00

The weather was horrible for a good part of yesterday, and although I could have cycled inside, I took a rest day. Patricia and I were supposed to swim last night, but the rain was torrential and there was lightening, so we cancelled. This morning I swam for 30 minutes at the Aquatic Center.
Patricia was really anxious to get some swim time in, so we went to the Aquatic center tonight. I did about 10 minutes of laps and then stretched in the water while she swam. I think she surprised herself!

4.5 Miles in Oyster Creek

2009-04-26T23:46:00.000-07:00

Shelley and I met at Oyster Creek park at 5:00pm. We completely forgot about the Sunday evening concerts that were part of Sugar Land's 50th anniversary. Parking was hard to come by, but it was nice to have live music during a good part of our walk. The weather was perfect. The skies were overcast and although it looked like rain was imminent, we never felt a drop. We also got the benefit of a great breeze.
It was nice to chat and catch up. Unfortunately, I pigged out when I got home.

30 Minutes Swimming

2009-04-25T20:59:00.000-07:00

I went to the Aquatic Center this afternoon. The water was colder than 78 degrees, but it felt good after about 5 minutes. I pushed to see how fast I could do one 50 meter lap and finished in 1:15. Now, if I could keep that up for 6 laps, it would equate to a prety fast swim (7:30). If the weather cooperates, I do a long run tomorrow.