Rest

Today is my second day of rest (no workouts) before tomorrow's race. I decided not to push my body with swim workouts this week due to the upcoming event, but next week, I'll try to incorporate at least two swim workouts.

I'm also thinking about changing things up with my runs, as in running after work. I've been getting up at 3:30 am in order to get my run in before work. There are several things I really like about running that early - no traffic, nobody around, peace/quiet, and solitude.

But there are also some things that I don't like - getting up that early, the darkness, and the avoidable coolness. I say avoidable because I know that if I switch to the afternoon, it would be much warmer.

If I do switch, it would also be much easier to hit the treadmill at the club after work; since the club opens at 5 am, before work is not an option. I'm not opposed to running in the cold, rain, or other inclement weather, but it would be nice to have another option.

The danger in moving my runs to the afternoon is the blow off factor. If I get up at 3:30 am to run, then by golly, I'm going to run. But if it seems optional...well, I could see myself hemming and hawing myself out of it. Oh yeah, I have something called self discipline that I can counter that with, don't I!

The best thing that I can do is to get into a routine where I work out every weekday after work, whether it's a run, the gym, or a swim. If I commit myself and make that routine my norm, then I should be ok.

I just have to be home in time to make dinner; momma won't put up with any foolishness in that department...

Not for the faint of heart

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTn1v5TGK_w

I don't often link youtube stuff, but this Ironman triathlon finish is pretty brutal...and inspiring in a sadistic/masochistic way...

Let the Crosstraining BEGIN!!!

aka, Rusty Swims.
At first I thought I'd only do 200 yards (8 lengths, 4 laps), but I saw that it only took me a hair over 6 minutes, so I added on another 100 yards. I'll be paying for that tomorrow, I'm sure.

I don't know if I'll be swimming every day after work, but I'm inclined to think, "yes." I'll have to do some research on swimming training and recommended starting distances/times.

Oh, and I'll need a goal...hmmmm... maybe this one... We'll have to see if another sprint tri pops up in Jun/July 2011.

The bouncing ball

It's been a while since I've posted a weight chart. To tell the truth, I reached a low of 185.x in May of this year and steadily gained tonnage until Aug. So, I was a bit ashamed of posting my fatness, but now that I've had some nice shedding, I'll post it.
One of the reasons for the post is that I'm very happy to report that I broke the 190 barrier this morning. Woot! Hopefully between the running and the gym, I'll be able to tone up and drop some more weight; 180, I'm eyin' YOU!

Rusty goes to the gym

Last night, my wife and I headed out to take advantage of our new gym membership at LA Fitness. We didn't do much, just a little machine training; we were mainly looking to familiarize ourselves with the machines.

I was going to do a little swimming and some jaccuzziing, but my wife didn't bring her swim suit and the yoga class that she was going to take while I was water boarding, was on Wed night...not Tues night...so, we just wrapped it up and went home.

Today, I'm going after work to swim a couple of laps and sit in the hot tub to soak my aching legs.

aaaaaaahhhhh....hooooooot tuuuuuuuub....

EDIT: I just did this post at work, so yesterday's difficulties in posting seem to be gone. yay.

Ouch

I hit a wall just after the second mile, and it was all I could do to resist cutting the run short and finish the 3.5 miles. I'm paying for it now: My hips ache, my muscles ache, my back aches. Good thing I don't have any more runs scheduled until the race on Saturday.

EDIT: that 4th mile should be .5 miles...

No run

Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning were a lot of fun in my house; I had some wicked back spasms. I'm not sure if the speed work brought them on or if it was just my back acting up. Regardless, even though I'm back to abby-normal, I figured I'd take today off and run tomorrow.

Oh, and Percocet is my frieeeeeeend.