Change in Attitude

March 28th, 2008

So I thought about my post yesterday, and decided I needed to suck it up and take advantage of the Y and all it has to offer and embrace the experience.  So I decided to drag myself out of bed early this morning and get in a long challenging workout.

Spent 30 min on the elliptical trainer.  Did the interval setting and focused on keeping the stride long and fast.  Then went over to the bike and spent 20 minutes again on the interval program.  Kept the RPM’s high and finished with 6 miles.  Finally went to the pool for some laps.  Swam 2 X 250M free and 2 X 100M breast with no breaks in between.  Used the breast as recovery between the sets of free, and then as a cool down.

Felt good, and I still got in to the office early.

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Workouts

March 27th, 2008

Sorry for the lapse in posting.  I’ve been to the Y numerous times over the last week.  At least 3 swims, a cycle, 1 session on the rowing machine, and 4-5 rounds on the elliptical.  I’m actually liking the elliptical, gets the heart pumping and is quite a bit more comfortable than the unwieldy seat on the stationary bikes in the cardio room.

But I’ve come to the realization that working out in the Y is pretty blah.  It is working out.  It is not the adventure that running and biking are.  There are no new trails or routes to take, no chance of finding a new street or cool new part of the town.  There is a tv, or magazine, or the same 4 walls.

It really hits me, especially this time of year.  I’m quite sad that I’ve yet to run in the warm southern breeze of spring.  I haven’t gotten to smell the blooming pear trees and other flowers floating through the air.  I have only kept track of the speedy buds of new growth on the trees and lawns from the safety and security of my car on the way to and from work.  It really kind of stinks.

I need to remedy this by getting the road bike out this weekend and maybe taking a boat to the lake tomorrow evening or this weekend.  Soak up some sun, get a breath of fresh air, enjoy nature and all its glory.

Oh, still haven’t made it to a spin class.  The one morning the kiddos woke up early enough for me to get to a class was this Wednesday, and of course no spin class Wed. morning.

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Biking and swimming

March 19th, 2008

We had a great trip to Shreveport over the weekend. Got to see the Roberts who were in from Denver and celebrated Mad’ s 1st B-day at a great party. We also got to have breakfast with the Gibsons. Ummmm Strawn’s pancakes. Good to see everyone and the kiddos were great in the car. Only downside was no exercise to speak of, and too much good food.

Finally got back to the Y last night for a quick spin. It felt good to get the blood pumping and the legs churning. Pushed the upper end for 30 minutes. High resistance and high rpms. Ended up with 9.2 miles in 30 min. The legs felt very good afterward. Finished with stretching. Still having some knee pain. Its in the back of my knee, but is definitely feeling better.

Went back this morning to bike and swim. Spent 2o minutes on the bike. Did the 1 to 1 interval program. Man was I feeling it. 20 minutes yielded 6.1 miles. But my heart rate was definitely up and the legs were burning. Then headed to the pool. Great swim. Really felt like I was gliding through the water. Put in 2 x 250M free and 2 x 100M breast for a total of 700M.

No spin class to speak of. 5:45am is just way too early. Tomorrow is the last morning that the Y offers the class, so I’m going to try extra hard to get there. I really do enjoy the class, especially the spin bike. So much more like my road bike.

Getting ready for the road, and to spread the word about watching out for cyclists, check this video out.

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Swim,Swim,Swim

March 14th, 2008

Its been awhile, but I’m still here.  Not running, but we’ll get to that.  This past Sunday my leg was feeling good, and knowing that I had a Dr’s appointment on Tuesday I wanted to make sure I would be able to remember where the pain was.  So I went running.  Took the kiddos in the jog stroller and went.  Wanted to test the leg and put in 5 miles total.  Didn’t feel pain until around mile 3.  The pain was relatively light, so I decided to do it again on Monday night.  Put in around 3.5 miles.  Definitely felt it after that.  But both were good runs.

Tuesday got up and hit the pool at the Y before the appointment.  Swam a total of 950M, 3x 250M free and 2x100M breast.  Felt good.

Had the Dr’s appt and he couldn’t find anything in any tendons, muscles, ligaments, etc.  X-rayed my knee and hip and both looked good.  The only thing he could find was some reaction to physical manipulation around my meniscus.  So based on when the injury began, he thinks I have a slight tear in my cartilage.  Told me to take 3 weeks of no weight-bearing exercise along with 2 weeks of a strong anti-inflammatory.  He was of the impression that I would still be able to run OKC on 3 weeks training if I kept my aerobic conditioning up.  I don’t think that is a good idea, if even possible.  A long bike ride, even at a taxing pace is no substitute for the strain and exertion from a run of equal time.  So I’m taking off running for the 3 weeks, while keeping up the swimming and biking.  We’ll see how the legs feel after that, but I should be good for the 1/2 at OKC.

Followed up by swimming Wed and this morning, and riding the stationary bike Thurs.  All good workouts.  Wed I broke 1KM swimming for the 1st time ever, putting in 1050M.  Followed up with and even 1K this morning.  Really digging the pool, and feeling a lot more at ease.  Still need to get some ear plugs and work on breathing every 3rd stroke, though.  The bike ride was good, constant effort of 95RPM for 30 min for a total of 8.9 miles.

Next week I’ve vowed to make it to the 5:45 spin class at least twice.

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6 Months

March 11th, 2008

Woohoo! We’ve made it a whole half year. Can’t believe how fast it has flown by. I think that is what the sleep deprivation is good for. I can barely (but still able) to remember those early weeks and months of little to no sleep. The folks at the office have recently said they didn’t think I’d make it, as tired as I looked every day.

We’ve definitely hit our stride in parenting, and while every now and then something throws us for a loop, Mommy and I seem to have some form of a grasp on you two. And we love every bit of it.

This month was very busy (I think I’m beginning to see a pattern). We have really stepped up the solid foods. You both now eat 2 solid food meals every day. Your palates now know peas (George’s favorite and still not liked by Abs), squash, sweet potatoes (Ab’s personal fav), and oatmeal. We have dropped rice cereal from the menu, since once you two tasted oatmeal, there was no going back to rice. You both have recently taken to really liking your oatmeal with prune juice mixed in, and like it pretty thick.

You both are great eaters, however G is by far the most anxious to eat. G began growling at Mommy and I between bites when we are taking too long. You can’t wait for that next bite, and you have a voracious appetite, eating around 6 ounces of solid food per feeding. A is very patient and enjoys each bite, taking a small break in between.

G you have really gotten stronger over the last 3 weeks of PT and home exercises. You are now holding your head up very well, and standing with our help quite a bit. You have also really begun to enjoy tummy and back time and are getting quite adept at rolling from side to side and even from your tummy onto your back. This month you also discovered that you have feet, and they are so much fun to grab and pull. Whenever we put you in a chair or on your back, you immediately kick your legs up in the air and start reaching for your toes. You’ve even pulled your socks off a couple of times.

A you have continued your remarkable strength. You very rarely stay on your back, even when you sleep. You almost instantly roll to your tummy and start looking side to side, pushing your entire chest off the ground. You have scooted backward a few times and have really started turning sideways. We don’t think it’ll be long before you figure out how to propel yourself forward.

We got another trip in this month that was very special for us all. We went down to Austin to visit Grammy and Grandpa, and all our Austin friends. Daddy ran the 1/2 marathon while A&D ran the full. You 2 got to witness the finishing sprint of A&D. You also got to meet my Granny, your Oma for the first time. She was just tickled to meet you 2 and had to show you off to her friends down at the dinner hall. You were both very well behaved, and G of course gave some great snuggles to Oma. You also got to meet Aunt Amy and Uncle Drew and all of Mommy’s co-workers. Finally we spent the night and had a great evening with the Bailies and got to meet Belle for the very first time. The Bailies also hosted Hannah, Cameron and Presley for dinner. We had a great time catching up with them as well.

That’s it for this month. Keep growing.

love,

Daddy-Doo

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Tues B-Ball, Thurs bike/swim

March 6th, 2008

Made it out to B-Ball on Tues night.  Had 3 good games, lots of running, sprinting, etc.  Only problem was that my right thigh and knee began aching shortly afterward.  By Wed. morning it was very sore, and has been ever since.  Don’t know what is going on, so I’m looking to kind an orthopedist to take a look.

I have decided to not run on it for a while and see what happens, and what a doc says.  So I went to the Y this morning to ride the bike and swim.  Spent 30 minutes on the bike at an easy pace, got 8.75 miles none-the-less.  Hit the pool and loved it.  Everything felt nice and smooth, with the possible exception of attempting to breathe every 3rd stroke.  Then I felt like I was about to drown.  Need to work on that.  But torso rotation was going well and my hand entry was not messy.  Swam 2X200M free with 2X100M breast after each set.

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Saturday Run, Sunday Paddle

March 3rd, 2008

Saturday was supposed to be a long run.  We had horrible wind yet again.  Slept in so missed the nice temps, but managed to get out around 4pm.  Took the babies in the jog stroller/wind blocker.  Struggled in the winds which were still very strong (20+ mph with stronger gusts).  Made it 8.5 miles prior to hearing A waking up and beginning to speak her mind.  They did great on the run though, slept for almost all of the 1:22:and some change.  I was beat when I finished and my right leg again very sore.  Had planned on getting up to do another 8.5 miles Sunday am, but I kicked the humidifier Saturday night while getting G&A up for feeding and was feeling pain throughout my left foot.

I think I need to spread my mileage out throughout the week, as the long runs are really working havoc on my right thigh, and seem to not give enough time for healing.  I seem to do well until around 5 miles and then the pain starts.  So this week I’m thinking 3-4 days of 4-ish miles and a long run instead of 2 long speed workouts and a long run.

Sunday had another great time at the roll session.  Not nearly so sore this week.  Paddling=fun.  But I did miss 2 rolls this week.  Was tired and tried to “muscle it” instead of using my core and hip snap.

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Great run and swim

February 29th, 2008

Took a rest day on Wednesday.  Was thinking I’d hit spin class, but I was still sore from Mon/Tues, and was out late playing laser-tag with the guys from our Sunday school class.  Quite a good time.

Thurs, I had to drive to a courthouse 3 hours from Norman to be a lawyer in a courtroom for only my second time since graduating law school.  Hearing was at 10 am, so I had to be out of the house too early for a workout.  Took my running clothes thinking I’d run over lunch when I got back to town.  Got to the Lake Hefner trail and got out to change when I was hit by the wind.  There were sustained winds in the 30 mph range, and I was having to lean into them to move forward.  Decided to skip the run then and try later, even if it had to be in the Y.

After work, got home, and talked Carrie into heading to the Y.  The wind had died down so I decided to run to meet her there.  Took the dog for nearly 2 miles around the ‘hood to warm up, dropped him off in the back yard and hoofed it to the Y.  Did 3 miles at 8:10ish/mi. and finished with .8mi at cool-down pace.  It was a fantastic run.  Great temps and no wind.  Finished by stretching, sitting in the whirlpool and then 200M free and 100M breast.

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Run and Swim

February 26th, 2008

Was planning to get back on track w/ RLRF today.  Was being the key there.  We had some vicious winds blow in yesterday, and they stuck around for today as well.  At 6:15 it was 30F with sustained winds around 20mph, gusting higher.  Not exactly the weather to get out for a track workout.  Maybe I’m turning into a pansy, but I decided to switch the schedule and do a tempo run inside on the dreadmill.  Then I forgot my training log, and had no idea how far I was supposed to go.  Things were not looking good for a successful run.

But I pushed onward and got on the ‘mill, turned up some tunes and took off.  Warmed up for .75 miles and pushed it to 8:20/mile for a mile.  Was not feeling a good vibe at all.  Couldn’t get into a rhythm with my stride, so I dropped the next mile down to 8:40/mile.  Still not feeling it,  and my right leg began to give me some weird twinges.  Decided to cool down for .25 and call it a run with 3 total miles.

Stretched and headed to the pool.  The swim felt great.  I concentrated on relaxing and breathing (out under water and in out of water) and on getting my arms out and into a bent position smoothly.  Swam 2 X 200M free with 2X 100M breast between.  My arms are definitely sore now.  Still feeling those paddling muscles.

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Paddle and Spin

February 25th, 2008

Finally got back in the boat yesterday. Went up the the Red Dirt Chapter’s Sunday roll session for a little paddle. It felt great to be back in the water. Attempted and hit at least 10 rolls-didn’t miss a single one. Not too shabby for not paddling it at least 7 months. Played around for about 15 minutes, gave some newer paddlers some pointers on rolling, and then played boatball for about 30 minutes. Today, I’m feeling muscles in my back that I haven’t felt in quite some time.

Also finally made it out the door early enough to get to spin class (5:45am) at the Y. It was only 45 minutes, but it was intense. My legs now feel like wet noodles, but that’s a good thing. Plus made it in to the office quite early.

I think I’m going to get back on the RLRF plan tomorrow. The legs are feeling better, so we’ll see how they take the running.

Oh yeah-weighed in Saturday and this morning and down to 205.4 at home and 205 even at the Y.

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