So, I’m not committed to any tri yet, but have been feeling the drive to get ready for one. So, I’ve been trying to get multiple activities in lately. In the last week, I’ve added yoga and paddling to the mix.
Yesterday I started the week out right with a pre-work swim (500 free and 300 breast). Followed it up with a very warm 5 miler at lunch (thankfully, some of the humidity has blown away). Finished off with a near 2 mile walk with the fam before bed-time.
This weekend was the first in a long time to not be full of office work and/or travel. So, I took full advantage of it. Saturday am I spent a few hours safety boating for the Chesapeake Boathouse International triathlon. The 2 waves I got to watch/work were the elite Juniors girls and elite junior guys. I was extremely impressed with the competition which haled from all over the world, and probably includes a few future Olympians. They flew through the swim course on a very windy and choppy day. Between flights I was able to watch a few bike loops, and see all the girls get out on the run course. They were extremely good, and fun to watch. Definitely got me amped to get my tri on.
Worked around the house the rest of the day, and after the kiddos went down, hit the bike to chase the remaining minutes of light. Ended up getting in 13 miles in 45 minutes. Not the fastest, but I hit all sorts of graduation traffic, and haven’t been on the bike in months. Followed that up with a 2 miler with the pup. Slept well after that.
Today, did yard work all day, and just capped off the night with a 3.5 miler. Good start to the week.
Finally dragged myself out of bed early enough on a Saturday to put in a longish run. Up before the sun and out the door by 6:40am, just in time to see the sun begin peaking over the horizon. Didn’t have a set route or goal, but wanted to put in at least an hour. So off I headed to campus letting the sun warm the 60 degree morning. Almost wanted a jacket for the first 3/4 mile, but after that, the temp was just glorious.
Had the roads to myself until I got fairly near campus where there were a couple brave souls stirring, getting the tailgating supplies out and cranking. Not too many folks, and surpirsing, didn’t see a single beer. Turned north at the end of the stadium, say the crew getting ready for the crowds, and then headed back toward home. As I neared the road home, I felt a few extra miles at least, so I turned north for a bit before heading into the neighborhood. Finished with 7.6 on the iPod, so probably more like 8 miles. The legs felt surprising great given I haven’t been over 5 miles in at least 5 months.
Saturday we were surprised that the Cossatot was holding out very well, so we scheduled a rare warm weather run for Sunday. Got up bright and early to meet the crew at 5am. Loaded the truck and headed to Arkayakansas. Got to the put in 9:45 and were paddling by 10:20. Had a great run of the middle section, including a combat roll in the last drop of “the Esses”. Proceeded down to the falls for my first run on them. Made clean drops in Cossatosser, Eye-Opener and BMF. Had the line on Washing Machine, but ended up pointing too far right and nudged bowling ball rock which gave me a bit of kick back into the machine, so I was hard a paddling and went right into the rock which rolled me. Unfortunately I was unable to roll back up in the foamy washout and swam. Didn’t flush into Whiplash, but my boat did take the left sneak route before coming to rest on a rock feet away from the final drop. Picked the boat out and carried back up the hellish 1/3 mile portage to the take out.
Great day on the river with a great group of paddlers. Completed the day with dinner at Pete’s Place in Krebs, Okla. Best gnocchi on earth. Try it if you get the chance.
Finished off the weekend with a 3.75 miler on Monday morning before taking G&A to the Dr for their 1 yr check-up and shots. I was sore, but was able to work some of it out.
I forgot to write that I actually went out to the lake last week to get in a bit of roll practice. Went after work w/ C and the kiddos. They took the stroller and walked around the bank, playing in the grass whilst I paddled. Didn’t get too much time, but hit all my rolls. Was in the newest boat (el Jefe) and boy is it the easiest thing to roll. A rusty hip snap and that thing was up. Bracing was great, could almost lay down in the water and it would just pop right back up. Can’t wait to get it on some moving water.
That said, I’ve definitely been getting extremely inflexible. So I pulled out the Yoga for paddlers dvd and had a session last night. Felt great, but need much more. Maybe a repeat tonight or tomorrow.