Get Out The Swimmies!

Water + Me = Fat Guy Flailing

Yeah...try as I do to swim, I'm just horrible at it. I go in to it every time, thinking, "just try to mimic any of the other decent swimmers in the pool." You know, the ones that can actually put their face in the water between breaths and don't look like each stroke might be their last. I really don't know what the problem is, but I definitely don't have any stroke/breath rhythm. After, barely making it 25 yds, I try again and give up. Oh well, I can do a decent breast stroke (go figure), so I stick with that, trying to look as though it is MY stroke and all other are inferior.

I need a swimming coach.

Badly!

Oh, I also biked for 30 minutes today.

Sweetheart, I Have a New Girlfriend!

Dear Wife,

I'm sorry I have to tell you this, but I have a new girlfriend. This doesn't mean we can't be together anymore, it just means that I will be spending more time with my new friend. She has nice lumps, fantastic humps and curves in all the right places. Though it looks like she has been with many before me, when I am with her, I feel like I am the only one. Sure, the path will sometimes get rocky, or seem like I'm climbing a never ending mountain, but she always seems to let me down easy. I think we are meant for each other...her name is Chenango Valley State Park.

I know, I'm a dork, but what else is this outlet for if not creativity. This is quite a fascinating place to do some good trail work. It is a bit rocky, so the going was slow. For the first time in quite awhile, I also didn't run with my IPod. It just didn't seem right to run in such a beautiful place and tune out the natural sounds.

Mileage: 4.00

Time/Pace: 45:31/11:22

Avg HR: 146

Tonight I will hit the gym for some core work and a swim.

Swimming and Biking and Abs, Oh My!

A good old fashioned cross training day. Yesterday started with my core workout, then hit the bike for 60 minutes and swam 500 yds (.28 miles). I'm slowly trying to increase my swim distance. Maybe someday I will actually be able to do a forward crawl, but for now its breast stroke and back stroke.

Bad Blogger

I've been a bad blogger lately. Sorry! I'm still trying to get used to my new work schedule, so some days I am just incredibly unmotivated to blog. Anyway...Today was my scheduled day off, but I also took yesterday off. My shins are aching again. I want to fight through it and you can scold me as much as you want, but I will still press on, for better or worse.

On Wednesday, I did another BRICK-like workout. I ran 6 miles immediately followed by a .25 mile swim. I find that I am not as tight after the swim as I would be if I had just ran. I'm assuming the swim is helping with that. The swim was actually more doable than the past few and I am going to increase my distance next week. I have a good weekend of runs coming up and I am determined to finish, unless my leg snaps in half.

Did I Just Do a BRICK?

Hmmm....I've been reading about BRICKS, a triathlon training technique where you do two of the three disciplines back to back. Today I ran 3 miles and then hopped in the pool and swam for .25 miles (18 lengths). It wasn't too bad, though my swimming is still pathetic. I guess I'll just have to keep at it.

Mileage: 3.00
Time/Pace: 27:39/9:13
Avg HR: 147

Swimming Again

Today I went out and got a pair of goggles and a nose plug. HUGE HELP!! I swam for another 20 minutes and did my medicine ball core workout. MY biggest problem swimming is getting a breathing rhythm and while keeping my head in the water. The lifeguard on duty must think I look like a flailing cat, that was thrown in the water and is desperately trying to get to the edge. Oh well. It can't get any worse. Well...unless I drown.

The Great Swimming Experiment

At the hotel I'm staying at, they've worked a sweet deal where the guests get to use the local Y for free. It is only a block away and has a pool. I've been contemplating adding swimming to the mix, but I have some issues with the whole public water activity thing.

However, I thought, what the hell, and went for it. I went out and bought a swim suit, some flip flops, and a beach towel.

As I went through swim, I began to realize why I have an issue with public water sports. Here's my list.

1) Feet. I have an issue with feet. Some people don't take care of their feet like they should. Maybe it always isn't their fault, but still, feet just bother me. This is worse at water parks as you have to share things like water tubes with other slimy-skinned people.

2)My Own Fat. Hey, I'm a fat guy. I don't actually look appealing without my shirt on. I try to take other people into account when I bare my chest. I feel bad for the lifeguard, who is forced to watch this round pasty guy thrashing in the water. She must be thinking, "Please don't drown. I don't want to have to drag your fat ass up from the bottom."

3) Man Junk. Come on guys! Cover it up! Why do the old fat men always prance around the room flapping in the breeze and then think it is a good idea to strike up a conversation with me. Hey buddy, you are wet, naked, fat and hairy. I really just want to dry off, get dressed and leave.

4) Water up the nose. This is the hardest part for me. I think I'll need to invest in a nose plug or something. I don't do the whole face in the water freestyle crawl thing, because of this. I need to learn how to do this, so I must try the nose plug.

So, in spite of all of this, I swam for 20 minutes. Swimming is pretty intense, especially when you do it for an extended period of time. I've never really swam for exercise, just recreation. The experience was tolerable and I will do it again (maybe even tomorrow!)