My First Mile

Remember when you ran your first mile?  I do - I was on the treadmill at the YMCA.  I ran until the display said 1.00 and then hit the stop button and caught my breath.  Well - now I have another mile to remember...my first mile swim!  I actually hit it faster than I expected.  Last week, I came sooo close (my wednesday swim was only 60 yds shy of the mile mark), but I didn't realize it until I was logging my swim or I wouldn't done two more laps.  So, today before I got out of the pool, I checked my lap count to see how close I was to the magic 36 laps...and I had already swam 41 laps!  Hmmm, what shall be the next distance goal for the hour long class...I'm not too far off from 2km (44 laps) so that is not much of a stretch, maybe an even 50 laps (2,500 yds)?  Why not? 

Today's workout - Swim 2050 yds. First mile swim!! 

Not Exactly "Master" Swimming

Don't get me wrong...I am no "Master" swimmer.  But, I do know how to swim - I took lessons through the YMCA back in Indiana about 30 yrs ago after all.  However, I have never been a part of a swim team/group.  Over the past couple years, I have been in the pool maybe twice a month (at the most) as cross-training. 

But then I got some "bucks" to spend at my gym for a referral.  Out of the options that they had, for some unknown reason, I decided that three months of Master Swimming would be a good way to spend those "bucks".  For two weeks before I actually signed up for the group, I made it the pool twice a week and tried to build up somewhat of a base - you know, so that I could make sure that I could survive trying to swim for a whole hour! 

So, two weeks ago I took the plunge and actually showed up for the group.  There were probably about a dozen people there that day.  I was by far the worst/slowest swimmer in the group. Somehow, I managed to survive the whole hour - although I wasn't exactly keeping up with the group.  There were 3 people in my lane and basically, I would go last and swim around twice.  Then I'd wait while they passed me (because they were about to lap me!) and repeat.

After class, the instructor asked me how I felt about the class and told me it would get easier. But I don't feel too bad about it - I mean, I couldn't even run a mile when I started out, and here I am two marathons later!  Today - I ALMOST swam a mile!!  I was only 60 yards short!  Next week's goal - I will get that mile swim for sure!

Today's workout - Swim 1700 yds.  Words of wisdom from the coach: Lift elbows higher on the recovery, I'm a really good kicker (could that have anything to do with the fact that I run?)

Only two weeks into class and it is already getting a little easier.

Working on my Fitness (again)

I got a little sidelined by a sore hip, and took some time off to recover.  It has been harder than expected to pick it back up again after only a couple months off!

Here is what I am currently up to:

Master's swimming (will post about this one at a later date)
Training for Ragnar Relay (August 17-18...will be here before I know it!)
Trying to increase my runs to prepare for a fall half marathon
Debating which half marathon that may be???
Generally trying to have fun with random crosstraining (including Zumba!) to help prevent future injuries.
Oh yeah, and...trying to sell our house, having a new house built, going on vacation, working, enjoying my family, you know...life!

Although it is tough, it feels so good to be "working on my fitness" again!

Today's workout - 4.17 miles on hilly terrain around my neighborhood. I didn't think there were that many hills nearby, but wow was that tough!  or maybe it has something to do with the treadmill hill workout I did only a couple days ago? Today was only suppose to be an easy run, but what was I suppose to do? Turn the other way when I came across a hill?  I need to be able to kill those hills in a couple weeks at Ragnar!!
Run: 4.17mi 45:37 (10:57) hilly

 

Where have I been?

It's been a long time since I have posted anything here...obviously. But I have been doing some running. I won't drone on about everything that has happened since I last posted, mostly because I don't want to try to remember it all.


So - current stuff. I am in the midst of a streak. Nothing too exciting, 14 days at less than 3 miles per day. But at least I am running consistently.

Plans/goals for the year - I'm planning to focus on improving my short distance PRs in the spring. Hopefully, by the fall I will be able to finally make a solid attempt at a sub-2:00 half marathon.