I'm hitting a wall...
I don't know how to get over it/go around it/get through it.
The swimming feels good and I'm more than capable of a good hard bike after, but I haven't done the running I told myself I'd do and I haven't chosen my next event to enter. I haven't done weights in about a month.
Time to set more goals.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Loosening up after a day on the hill
Warm up - 4x150 RIMO swim 5x150 IMO kick
4x 100E/200kk/300pull
16x 25 E started at a breath every 4 strokes and added a stroke each 25 -held the last 3 at no breaths since I only take 16 strokes/25
200 T
200 T kk
100 easy
4500m
4x 100E/200kk/300pull
16x 25 E started at a breath every 4 strokes and added a stroke each 25 -held the last 3 at no breaths since I only take 16 strokes/25
200 T
200 T kk
100 easy
4500m
Thursday, January 26, 2006
a short dip
The international cooking dinner was held tonight at Colare, so I only had time for a short swim before pigging out on Gyoza!!
Warm up: 150x4 RIMO 100x4IMO kk
a bit of kick
a bit of sculling
a good chat with Lee.....
nothing to add up today.
Warm up: 150x4 RIMO 100x4IMO kk
a bit of kick
a bit of sculling
a good chat with Lee.....
nothing to add up today.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
sleepy
I like that I can control my pace, that I'm aware of how fast I'm going.
My turns still suck.
Warm up 150x4 RIM swim 150x4IMOK
15x100 pull on 2:00 descend by 5s -last 100 under 1:30
300 T
200 scull
3200m
GYM: stretch, bike for 30 @60, stretch
My turns still suck.
Warm up 150x4 RIM swim 150x4IMOK
15x100 pull on 2:00 descend by 5s -last 100 under 1:30
300 T
200 scull
3200m
GYM: stretch, bike for 30 @60, stretch
Monday, January 23, 2006
sore shoulders
I had a couple of good wipe outs on Sunday on the hill. Landed hard on my shoulder. I felt it today in the pool
Warm up - 150x4 RIM swim 150x4 IMO kick
1500 E pull
100 warm down
nice and easy
2800m
Warm up - 150x4 RIM swim 150x4 IMO kick
1500 E pull
100 warm down
nice and easy
2800m
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Cute boys
Ok, ok, although Tuesdays are hell at the pool, Thursdays always seem to make up for it some how. Last Thursday it was the YYK soccer team, this time it was just some cute Japanese boy in a blue speedo. We didn't chat, but he was a nice distraction -and well, what can I say, cute boys are good motivation! I'll be the first to admit it -I always swim better when I have someone to 'show off' to.
Warm-up 4x150 RIM swim 4x150 IM kick
4x 200E pull @ 4:00 (hold 3:00)
100 IM @ 3:00 (hold 1:45)
8x50 IMO -first 4 50s last 25Y, second 4 50s first 25Y
400 kick alt E and T by 25
300 warm down
Total 3500m
Warm-up 4x150 RIM swim 4x150 IM kick
4x 200E pull @ 4:00 (hold 3:00)
100 IM @ 3:00 (hold 1:45)
8x50 IMO -first 4 50s last 25Y, second 4 50s first 25Y
400 kick alt E and T by 25
300 warm down
Total 3500m
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
I hate Tuesdays at the pool...
Tuesdays, for some strange reason are the busiest days at the pool. And the concept of 'fast lanes' and 'slow lanes' doesn't seem to exist. People just get in where ever they please - and since when has swimming been a social sport! Get your face in the water and swim people!! Quit standing IN THE MIDDLE of the lane talking to your neighbors!!!
It's not bad when K and I are together, we usually are intimidating enough to scare people off - but yesterday K got out earlier than I did and when I came off the wall from a flip turn I literally swam right over top of a woman who had pushed off the wall when I was coming in to do a turn. She's lucky, I didn't actually hit her, I just streamlined right up over her legs then stopped short, spitting and sputtering. She was oblivious!!
Another woman stood at the end of the lane, directly on the blue line - like a deer caught in the headlights, not moving whenever I'd come in to do a turn. I actually yelled underwater as a did my turn, I wonder if she heard me...
anyway, I still managed 4000m
Warm up 4x150 RIM swim 4x150 IM kk
2x3x200 SKP E on 30 sec rest
3x200 SscullP T on 30 sec rest
8x25 E sprint @ 1:00
16x25 E pull - each 25 increase the # of strokes before taking a breath by one starting from 4
400 cool down alt E andT drill
GYM: 30min stretching 30min on the bike (10@60/5@80/5@90/5@70/5@40)
It's not bad when K and I are together, we usually are intimidating enough to scare people off - but yesterday K got out earlier than I did and when I came off the wall from a flip turn I literally swam right over top of a woman who had pushed off the wall when I was coming in to do a turn. She's lucky, I didn't actually hit her, I just streamlined right up over her legs then stopped short, spitting and sputtering. She was oblivious!!
Another woman stood at the end of the lane, directly on the blue line - like a deer caught in the headlights, not moving whenever I'd come in to do a turn. I actually yelled underwater as a did my turn, I wonder if she heard me...
anyway, I still managed 4000m
Warm up 4x150 RIM swim 4x150 IM kk
2x3x200 SKP E on 30 sec rest
3x200 SscullP T on 30 sec rest
8x25 E sprint @ 1:00
16x25 E pull - each 25 increase the # of strokes before taking a breath by one starting from 4
400 cool down alt E andT drill
GYM: 30min stretching 30min on the bike (10@60/5@80/5@90/5@70/5@40)
Monday, January 16, 2006
Natsukashi
I started going to the gym in Kurobe about 5 months ago - I really enjoy being back in that atmosphere and this particular gym reminds me a lot of the GPRC facilities for some reason.
The gym is my 'alone' time. I really get focused riding the bike and even in the weight room amongst all the chatter and flexing...haha. As with most gyms there are regulars - I wouldn't call myself that quite yet, but I'd really like to be. I've gotten more familiar with some of the other patrons and as my Japanese progresses, I find that I'm enjoying each visit more and more.
But probably the best part of the Kurobe gym is the staff. They are a great group- very friendly and helpful. The made me feel welcome right away and always make an effort to at least say hi whenever I go. There is one staff member in particular who I am happy to say has become a friend of mine. Her name is Yuki and from the first time I met her, I knew that we'd be friends. She is outgoing, outspoken, and FUN! We have similar backgrounds in that we have both been lifeguards and swim teachers. She was a discus thower in university and has worked in the recreation/sports industry for the ten years.
But on to the real reason I'm posting...
On Sunday I went for lunch with Yuki and afterwards, she had planned to introduce me to one of the prefecture's top swim coaches, a guy she used to work with at a pool years ago. He coaches in Toyama city and so we drove in to Toyama to meet him. Toyama city has some really nice swimming facitities, including a 50m pool which is part of a huge recreation centre. The moment I stepped on the deck and saw the swimmers in the water and the coaches on deck, stop watches in hand....
SO, now I have another reason to learn Japanese - I'd love to be back on deck!!!!!! I miss it so much. It was my life for 12 years and I'd really love the opportunity to do something here. There is a small club in Kurobe, but it's only developmental swimmers. Maybe I could start there and convince these guys in Toyama to let me come on deck once or twice a month.
There were actaully two coaches on deck and both of them had gone to Syndey for the Olympics. The swimmers in the water that day were high school and university/college students all of whom were pretty high level athletes. The coaches were totally willing to show me their workout and let me talk to the swimmers during practice.
AGH!! I really want to be back on deck!
Just one more thing to add to my plate!
The gym is my 'alone' time. I really get focused riding the bike and even in the weight room amongst all the chatter and flexing...haha. As with most gyms there are regulars - I wouldn't call myself that quite yet, but I'd really like to be. I've gotten more familiar with some of the other patrons and as my Japanese progresses, I find that I'm enjoying each visit more and more.
But probably the best part of the Kurobe gym is the staff. They are a great group- very friendly and helpful. The made me feel welcome right away and always make an effort to at least say hi whenever I go. There is one staff member in particular who I am happy to say has become a friend of mine. Her name is Yuki and from the first time I met her, I knew that we'd be friends. She is outgoing, outspoken, and FUN! We have similar backgrounds in that we have both been lifeguards and swim teachers. She was a discus thower in university and has worked in the recreation/sports industry for the ten years.
But on to the real reason I'm posting...
On Sunday I went for lunch with Yuki and afterwards, she had planned to introduce me to one of the prefecture's top swim coaches, a guy she used to work with at a pool years ago. He coaches in Toyama city and so we drove in to Toyama to meet him. Toyama city has some really nice swimming facitities, including a 50m pool which is part of a huge recreation centre. The moment I stepped on the deck and saw the swimmers in the water and the coaches on deck, stop watches in hand....
SO, now I have another reason to learn Japanese - I'd love to be back on deck!!!!!! I miss it so much. It was my life for 12 years and I'd really love the opportunity to do something here. There is a small club in Kurobe, but it's only developmental swimmers. Maybe I could start there and convince these guys in Toyama to let me come on deck once or twice a month.
There were actaully two coaches on deck and both of them had gone to Syndey for the Olympics. The swimmers in the water that day were high school and university/college students all of whom were pretty high level athletes. The coaches were totally willing to show me their workout and let me talk to the swimmers during practice.
AGH!! I really want to be back on deck!
Just one more thing to add to my plate!
Friday, January 13, 2006
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Warm up - I mananged to get 300 meters in before being sidetracked by 3 boys from the YKK soccer team.
After 30 minutes of stretching at the wall and giving pointers, I managed to put in:
4x200 E holding 3:10 on 3:30 (pull)
16x25 fly on 1:00 -streamline 12.5m long and strong
300 cool down
GYM: 20 minutes stretchin
50 minutes on the bike
After 30 minutes of stretching at the wall and giving pointers, I managed to put in:
4x200 E holding 3:10 on 3:30 (pull)
16x25 fly on 1:00 -streamline 12.5m long and strong
300 cool down
GYM: 20 minutes stretchin
50 minutes on the bike
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Thursday, January 5, 2006
Warm up: 4x150 RIM Swim 4x100 IM kick
15x100 pull - 5@2:00 5@1:55 5@1:50 (the last 5 were not fun!!!)
300 T (long and strong - turns and underwater pullouts)
2x 200 kick - alt T&E / 200 alt scull & E
400 cool down
Total: 4000m
Gym: stretch, bike-30 min, weights...a poor attempt at squats and curls, then more stretching. -blech.
15x100 pull - 5@2:00 5@1:55 5@1:50 (the last 5 were not fun!!!)
300 T (long and strong - turns and underwater pullouts)
2x 200 kick - alt T&E / 200 alt scull & E
400 cool down
Total: 4000m
Gym: stretch, bike-30 min, weights...a poor attempt at squats and curls, then more stretching. -blech.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
New Year - Same Resolutions
My resolutions never seem to change. It makes me wonder what I actually accomplish every year...if anything.
Here's a look at the past year:
January - I learned a new sport! SNOWBOARDING!!!! I went 6 times my first season.
May -Kurobe Road Race (10km)
September - I climbed Tsurugi Dake 2998 m
October - Toyama Relay Marathon
(2kmx4laps)
November - Two events this month! The Kurobe community swim meet.
The Nyuzen Marathon.
(10km)
Here's a look at the past year:
January - I learned a new sport! SNOWBOARDING!!!! I went 6 times my first season.
May -Kurobe Road Race (10km)
September - I climbed Tsurugi Dake 2998 m
October - Toyama Relay Marathon
(2kmx4laps)
November - Two events this month! The Kurobe community swim meet.
The Nyuzen Marathon.
(10km)
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
busy busy busy
It's been a busy couple of weeks and the rest of this week looks bleak for swimming...so much for looking good for Thailand.
Warm up: 800 RIM swim, 400IM kk
8x100 25fly/75free (rotating the fly - 1st 25, 2nd 25...) @ 2:30
I could tell I'd been out for a while -couldn't get my HR down quickly.
100 T
400 pull
4x10 25fly/75breast - same as above
400 pull
8x25 kick @ 100 (hold 30...pathetic, I know)
8x25 pull -no breath
200 cool down
GYM - 1 hour on the bike -increase resistance by 5 every 5 min (up to 90). This seemed relatively easy, even after the long swim - need to look into how to train on a bike....
My back (my left hip) has been bothering me this week - a lot.
Warm up: 800 RIM swim, 400IM kk
8x100 25fly/75free (rotating the fly - 1st 25, 2nd 25...) @ 2:30
I could tell I'd been out for a while -couldn't get my HR down quickly.
100 T
400 pull
4x10 25fly/75breast - same as above
400 pull
8x25 kick @ 100 (hold 30...pathetic, I know)
8x25 pull -no breath
200 cool down
GYM - 1 hour on the bike -increase resistance by 5 every 5 min (up to 90). This seemed relatively easy, even after the long swim - need to look into how to train on a bike....
My back (my left hip) has been bothering me this week - a lot.
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Back in the water
warm up -the usual 800m GAWD it felt good!!
1500 pull long and strong -had a dimwit in my lane and ended up doing about 5 or 6 mid lane flip turns just to avoid him at the walls, then this other guy got in wearing hand paddles and I was seriously concerned I was going to loose a finger -or a hand for that matter.
4x50 T long and strong
4x50 scull/E
8x25 Y on a minute
4x50 T
cool down
GYM:
lots o' stretching
no bike, just weights today.
1500 pull long and strong -had a dimwit in my lane and ended up doing about 5 or 6 mid lane flip turns just to avoid him at the walls, then this other guy got in wearing hand paddles and I was seriously concerned I was going to loose a finger -or a hand for that matter.
4x50 T long and strong
4x50 scull/E
8x25 Y on a minute
4x50 T
cool down
GYM:
lots o' stretching
no bike, just weights today.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
it IS adding up!!
I received a little bit of pay of for my efforts in the pool and at the gym in the last month.
Yesterday I ran 10km in the Nyuzen Road Race (I ran it last year after a nasty flu and would rather forget that I participated as I barely made it across the finish line...). This time I was healthy and pretty much ready to run - although I hadn't been training specifically for a road race (I've only run twice since the Toyama Relay Marathon) I knew that I was strong enough to finish with a better time than my last 10km.
My time: 53:21 -I cringe as I post that time as I know it's not fast by any means. But it is a best time for me, which is a minute consolation. As I've said to Kirsten too many times; just think how fast I COULD be if I actually ran regularly! I find it frustrating that I have no problem packing up my swim and gym bags and driving 20 minutes to the pool/gym to spend an evening there, but I can put on a pair of running shoes and sports bra and head down the road for an hour's run.
Each time I run another road race I think to myself, "Ok, after this I'll run once or twice a week, then I'll demolish my time at the next race!" .....and I never do it. It doesn't help that winter is coming and running outside will be impossible for the next 4 or 5 months. There are treadmills and a running track at the gym, but the thought of pounding away like that for 60 minutes instantly puts a snarl on my face.
....so if your still reading this rant you're probably asking "Then why the heck are you doing it??". I'm not sure really. Part of it is probably the social aspect of road races, seeing familiar faces going through the same test as I am. Then there's the feeling of pushing myself -talking myself through each km "Ok, just run to the next set of lights and then worry about what comes next", and the feeling of crossing the finish line, collecting my time card, and the giving and receiving of congratulatory words from my peers. Then comes the jello legs, the post-sweat chill, and the great feeling of taking off my running shoes and slipping my feet into flip flops. And in Japan, the whole experience wraps up with a bowl of nabe (fresh veggie stew with a bit of beef or pork and tofu thrown in). It all adds up, I guess.
Yesterday I ran 10km in the Nyuzen Road Race (I ran it last year after a nasty flu and would rather forget that I participated as I barely made it across the finish line...). This time I was healthy and pretty much ready to run - although I hadn't been training specifically for a road race (I've only run twice since the Toyama Relay Marathon) I knew that I was strong enough to finish with a better time than my last 10km.
My time: 53:21 -I cringe as I post that time as I know it's not fast by any means. But it is a best time for me, which is a minute consolation. As I've said to Kirsten too many times; just think how fast I COULD be if I actually ran regularly! I find it frustrating that I have no problem packing up my swim and gym bags and driving 20 minutes to the pool/gym to spend an evening there, but I can put on a pair of running shoes and sports bra and head down the road for an hour's run.
Each time I run another road race I think to myself, "Ok, after this I'll run once or twice a week, then I'll demolish my time at the next race!" .....and I never do it. It doesn't help that winter is coming and running outside will be impossible for the next 4 or 5 months. There are treadmills and a running track at the gym, but the thought of pounding away like that for 60 minutes instantly puts a snarl on my face.
....so if your still reading this rant you're probably asking "Then why the heck are you doing it??". I'm not sure really. Part of it is probably the social aspect of road races, seeing familiar faces going through the same test as I am. Then there's the feeling of pushing myself -talking myself through each km "Ok, just run to the next set of lights and then worry about what comes next", and the feeling of crossing the finish line, collecting my time card, and the giving and receiving of congratulatory words from my peers. Then comes the jello legs, the post-sweat chill, and the great feeling of taking off my running shoes and slipping my feet into flip flops. And in Japan, the whole experience wraps up with a bowl of nabe (fresh veggie stew with a bit of beef or pork and tofu thrown in). It all adds up, I guess.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Pool's Closed
The pool's closed this week so that means more gym time!
I don't know if I can go a whole week without being in the water...
warmed up on the bike
stretched for 30 min
ran for 30 minutes
biked for 35 minutes
weights
cool down and stretching
The Nyuzen Road Race is only 4 days away!!!
I don't know if I can go a whole week without being in the water...
warmed up on the bike
stretched for 30 min
ran for 30 minutes
biked for 35 minutes
weights
cool down and stretching
The Nyuzen Road Race is only 4 days away!!!
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Saturday, November 12, 2005
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