Swim

January 16th, 2009

Been to the Y before work twice this week.  Same last week.  First 3 involved running and stretching only.  Today I hit the pool.  After yesterday’s 0 degree windchill run, I really wasn’t in the mood for a near single digit temp run, even though there was very little wind.  Almost slept in, hit the snooze button once and reset the alarm, but that inside voice urged me to get up.

And I’m glad that I did.  The swim went well.  The water temp was a little cold for first thing in the morning, but I think it kept me cool for the warm up and helped the whole swim.  Thing felt great from first stroke to the last.  Finished with 3 x 200 free and 3x 100 breast.  Was thinking I really need to get some sort of swimming routine.  Wish the Y had a class to take as I have no clue what I’m doing, and I just end up adding time and laps to the workout.  Guess I also need to decide if I want to be swimming toward some goal, i.e. find a summer tri (longer than sprint, shorter than half IM) in the area.

On another note, I am registered for the Austin 1/2 yet again.  Something about the city and the run keep bringing me back.  So tomorrow and Sunday are looking good for longer runs.

Winter runs

December 23rd, 2008

Well, we got another blast of arctic air to help keep things cool around here.  Since the last post, I’ve managed 2 runs.  Saturday, after the initial blast of cold air pushed in, I finally got around to running.  Went mid-afternoon, so I had to dodge the masses trudging to the store for last weekend shopping.  Ended up being a nice run of 5 miles.  Thought the doggie would be tired, but he commenced running his crazies laps around the table when we got home.

Last night got the kiddos down after some delicious crawfish pasta.  Then bundled up and hit the wind.  It had warmed to a balmy 26F or so, as long as you could stay alee.  However, the windchill was in the low teens.  Managed to clock 4 miles in just over 32 minutes.  Man do I love the cold weather.  It makes running fast so much easier.  Ended with a nearly 1 mile stroll with Grandpa and pup looking at the lights in the neighborhood.

On the downside, the kiddos have not cooperated and slept throught the night, so my plans of hitting the Y in the am have not worked this week.  4.5 hours just will not cut it.  That extra hour I get by punting on the swim is so worth it.

Another day

December 17th, 2008

Another swim.  Got up for an early am swim, even after staying up till well past midnight making Buckeyes.  Mmmm, PB and chocolate.  Surprising the arms were not sore, at least until I was in the pool, trying to propel myself through the water.  But on I plodded, and put in the same routine as yesterday: 3 X 150M free and 1 x 100M breast.

Back in the Pool

December 16th, 2008

My sweet wife insisted that I get out of bed this morning and get to the Y for some exercise.  I complied, but somewhat reluctantly.  C: the alarm had only gone off once, I swear.  But thanks for threatening the cold water.

Got out of the driveway and the Jeep was slipping and sliding.  Noticed fine particles falling from the sky.  Realised it must be sleeting/snowing/freezing raining.  Slowly made it to the Y with little trouble.  Getting across the parking lot on foot was much more of a feat.  Got in about 10 minutes of stretching, and sauntered over to the pool.  Not a soul in the water, so had the enjoyment of making waves in an otherwise still body of water.  Not too much has been lost in form during the 5 month layoff.  But I’ve definitely not been using those swimming muscles.  I’m not looking forward to tomorrow am.  Put in 3x 150m free and 3x 100m breast.  Good stuff until getting on I-35 to head to work.  The normally 20-25 min commute turned into 1.25 hours.  Bleech.

Cold Run

December 15th, 2008

Yesterday started out warm enough.  I had to change out of the sweater I was planning on wearing to church because it was too hot.  Switched out for a polo after church to run errands as we were nearing 75 degrees give or take.  Noticed a very strong north wind while dropping off the recycling, and while in the store it began getting cold.  Filling up with gas, I was wishing for a coat.  One hour later and I was in a a sweatshirt and down vest.  So after baths, George’s haircut, and picking up some great new to us toys from some friends, I was ready to run.  I missed runs Thurs-Sat, and was really wanting to run, so 25 mph winds and 10 degree windchill wasn’t about to stop me.

First mistake was that I overcompensated for the wind.  Wore a fleece shirt and a wind-proof jacket.  After about 1.5 miles I was extremely warm and drenched.  Headed home and dropped off the pup and went bakc out for some more after dropping the fleece.  Felt good for about the next 2 miles, but by then the outer jacket was drenched as well, and the wind was doing a great job of cooling me off.  Pushed through to get to 5 miles, but was on the verge of getting very cold.

What a rookie mistake.  I’ve watched Bear Grills and Survivorman enough to know not to get all sweaty in the freezing temps.  The trick is to not get your clothes wet, and allow them to keep you warm.  I missed.  Should have changed my base layer to one that wasn’t sweaty when I took off the fleece, or should have taken off the jacket prior to getting all sweaty, to allow evaporation to work.  OR maybe I just need a breathable windshell.

But I did manage a nice ice-stache.

Newsletter Month 15

December 12th, 2008

We had quite a month this past month.  Highlights include trips to Shreveport and Spring Branch, more walking, and eating food off of kids menus at restaurants.

We headed down to Spring Branch to see Grammy and Grandpa, as Uncle Billy, Aunt Missy, and cousins Nate and Jacob.  We had a blast getting to meet the cousins and Aunt Missy.  We played around the house, going up and down the stairs, riding horsey Grandpa, chasing the cousins and acting silly.  You both loved getting to go outside for rides in Oma’s red wagon.  You made great use of the trails all over Grammy’s yard, and wore Grandpa out.  You also had a great time taking baths in Grammy’s huge tub.  Ab’s hair was finally getting into too long and falling into her eyes, so we gave you your first haircut.  It ended up being much shorter than we had hoped, but is growing out nicely.  We ended the trip with lunch at Chuy’s in San Antonio after Uncle Billy finished the marathon and Aunt Missy finished the 1/2 marathon.

A few weeks later we headed down to Shreveport for Thanksgiving with the Morris’s and Nana and Pop.  We again had a great time playing with the cousins, and walking all over Nana and Pop’s house.  You both found Mommy’s old mini piano and had a blast pounding out songs for us all to enjoy. We also got to meet up with Aunt Lauren, Uncle Kendal, Carlisle and Camper for an evening of fun at the Land’s house in Dixie.  Shannon, Patrick, and Michael were also there, so we had quite the time keeping up with 5 toddlers running around the house.  We went to the Sciport Museum and had a blast playing with the exhibits.

There were downsides to both trips in that Abs really didn’t want to sleep in her car seat, and screamed for the last 2+ hours each way.  Let me tell you, it is not fun to drive through the night with screaming children.

The other big achievement was getting you to eat off of children’s menus at restaurants.  We no longer have to pack foods for you.  You have also become very proficient at feeding yourself, so you can finish off quesadillas, rice, chips, and sandwiches all on your own.

G has really gotten the hang of walking and can go from room to room, stop and start without falling, and loves to hold onto Mommy or my hand as we walk around.

We’ve finally started to cool off, and that has meant hats, which you both are getting used to wearing.  It has also signaled the season of Christmas, which we’re currently getting ready for.  While we’ve been extremely busy, it has been fun to slow down and try to see things through your eyes.  You both love the new decorations going up around our house and elsewhere, and you love looking at the light decorations out the car window when we’re out driving at night.  I’m very thankful to get to share some of our traditions with you, and look forward to making new ones as we prepare to welcome the newborn Christ.

All my Love,

Daddy-Doo

Quick note

December 9th, 2008

I’m still hanging around.  Been running 4-5 times a week.  Really looking forward to the return of cold air, snow, rain, sleet and all that is right with the world.  Tonight should be spectacular, and hopefully, I’ll be able to sport the first ice-stach of the season.  Got close last week, but never got around to the frozen crisp-ness.

Oh and newsletter will be up this week as well.

Newsletter 13/14 months

November 6th, 2008

The last two months have been extremely busy.  We have had all sorts of visitors.  Our first visitors were Aunt Renee, Uncle Robert, and Reba-Grace.  We had a great time playing with them, going for walks, taking in a Fall Festival, and getting your very first taste of Rusty’s Frozen custard.  We weren’t too sure of what you would think of the tasty treat, but you loved it.  I got a kiddy cone to share, and ended up only taking a couple of bites since you both were screaming for more.

A week later, Grammy came up and stayed with us for a long weekend while Grandpa was in Wyoming on his annual hunting trip.  We got lots of great play time while Grammy was here, and she even kept you a couple of days instead of going to school which you loved.

Finally, we were visited for another long weekend by Nana and Pop.  They came up to help Mommy with a garage sale she was having with Misty.  Again there were lots of smiles and playing, and you both were very interested in helping Pop out with his projects.

We had some big milestones these two months as well.  Abs began walking on her own in mid-September.  Since then there has been very little crawling, only when tired or crabby.  Geo sat by watching as Abs was walking from here to there and on your 14 month B-day he also took his first steps.  He followed that up with many more steps yesterday, and seems to be getting the hang of it.  Most importantly, by the end of the day Geo figured he needs to put his hands in front of his face when he falls forward.  One big raspberry on the forehead will do that for you.

These months also continued Geo’s ear problems.  We were hopeful when we finally got an all clear from the Doc in late October, but less than a week later, bloody mucus began flowing from G’s ears.  A trip to the doc confirmed that there was indeed another ear infection.  The idea is that the infection began in the nose and moved up the Eustachian tube to the ear.  More drops it is.

You two have become very vocal and are coming up with all sorts of words.  Ball, Bubba, Boomer, milk, all done, are just some of what we can understand.

Finally, you both have off and on begun giving kisses to Mommy and I.  They are the sweetest things.  Big wide grinned open mouths smacks.

That’s it for this month. Love,

Daddy-doo

Been a while

September 30th, 2008

It has been a while since I last posted.  No, I didn’t go for a run that night.  Actually, took a full week off of running, but did 2 sessions of yoga, and did a lot of stretching of the legs on top of that.

But then I got back into the swing of things.  Went for 5 miles last Friday at work.  Followed that up with 7 on Saturday.  Add to that 1.5 hours of gardening at the church, trying to get some flower beds up to snuff, tailgating and attending the OU-TCU game, and I had a full Saturday.  Topped off the weekend by mowing and edging, re-routing the electric fence to save the garden from a dog who apparently like tomatoes, washing both cars, vaccuming one, and swapping car seats.

Instead of resting Monday, I went for 4.5 at lunch on Monday.  I was extremely beat down after that. And tonight is supposed to be B-ball, but I’m feeling much better than at 2:30am when Abs woke up and wouldn’t go back to sleep.  And she started walking yesterday.  Not long before I’ll have my very own running buddy.

Run, run and yoga

September 18th, 2008

Have actually been running a bit lately, but just been too busy to post anything.  Saturday I took the kiddos for a 3.25 miler in a killer wind and light mist.  Wore me out pushing the wind stopper in  front of me, but they both digged the ride.

Monday did a 4.75 miler at lunch.  PErfect day with a high near 70 and clear skies, no wind.  Did a loop around and through downtown and midtown.  Great mix of hills and flats and threw in a large set of stairs at the end.

Tuesday went to B-ball, but didn’t have enough show for a game, so took off for a run around campus.  Didn’t have the ipod, so no mileage, but was in the 4.5-5 mile range.  Good run, and campus was hopping for 8:45 on a Tuesday night.

Last night I had kiddo duties, so was in the house for the evening.  Got them down and turned on some yoga.  Felt great.  I’ve been extremely tight in the legs lately, even getting some cramps in the hammys, so it was just what I needed.

Tonight should be another run with the wind sled.  Good stuff.