Just Breathe

My long runs are getting faster and swimming is getting easier.

On Monday we did a swimming drill that we had done before last semester as well. You swim 300 yards (12 lengths of a 25 yd pool), taking one breath every 3 strokes for the first 100, one breath every 5 strokes for the second 100, and one breath every 3 strokes again for the last 100. It's still most comfortable for me to breathe every 2 strokes, so when our instructor outlined the drill last semester, I was terrified. Once you panic and tense up, you start using more oxygen, which makes the drill even more challenging. This semester I did just fine, it wasn't scary anymore, and it wasn't that hard. I have yet to master the 1 breath drill though. You get to take one breath during the 25m length, ideally in the middle. You can breathe at the start of the lap as well. I can always make the first 1/2 on one breath, but I have to sneak in a second before I reach the wall.

I've been quite negligent with biking lately. Next week will be no exception as I will be in San Diego for a conference, and thus without a bike.

New Gadget

For Valentine's day I bought myself a Garmin watch. Using GPS it calculates the distance you've run, which allows it to also determine pace, approximate calories expended, ect. I only have mine set up with 2 training screens right now. The first has average pace, total time, and total distance. The second is called virtual training partner, and it shows you a cartoon of you vs. a virtual partner who is moving ahead at your goal pace. I also have it set to automatically stop the timer if I stop moving, for instance, at a stoplight. One of the features I think will come in handy, is a compass to guide you back to your start point, in case you get lost. Not that I do that all the time when I run somewhere new...

WDW and DWD

We returned home last night from a stay in Walt Disney World. Running at the resort wasn't as fun as I expected, as the exercise trail was only 1 mile long. Tuesday and Wednesday I ran on the trail and around the Fort Wilderness campground. Thursday Magic Kingdom opened early, so I ran around the park, and cooled down by riding Space Mountain again.

I got in a tiny bit of swimming in Typhoon Lagoon on Wednesday. Swimming into the waves wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be. I'm feeling more confident about open water swimming this summer. Now if I could just get used to starting out in a giant crowd. I suppose I could try this method:



The Dances with Dirt Green Swamp 1/2 marathon was awesome. The course wasn't actually that challenging, which is a bit of a disappointment. The most difficult part was staying on course, I missed 2 turns, so I ended up running an extra half mile. The last mile lived up to expectations, bushwhacking through stake-like stumps and prickers and having to wade through a river. I felt great the whole run.

Green Swamp Half Marathon Results:
Time: 2:15:30.4 (10:21 pace - 9:53 pace if you count my off-course distance)
Place: 27 of 78
AG: 3 of 7

I got another mug for my AG place. We are going to have to make room in the cupboard.

Superbowl 5k

A quick update as Greg and I are on the road.

Superbowl 5k:
Time: 24:42.2 (7:57 pace)
Place: 357
AG: 12

My coaching seems to be paying off.

I'll post results from the Dances with Dirt Green Swamp 1/2 marathon when we get back from Fl.