Captain's Workout 11/28/09 Bike Ride

The plan today was a 35 mile rolling hills bike ride. Seems simple enough. I thought I would add on some extra miles by riding to and from the meeting point. The meeting point was 7+ miles away. I woke at 7:30 and planned to be on the road by just after 8:00. I looked out our bedroom window when I woke and saw the trees blowing hard.

I had a quick breakfast of whole wheat bagels and coffee. Ahhh, the Breakfast of Champions!!!!

On the road by shortly after 8:00 to meet everybody at the starting point by 8:45, roll by 9:00.

I was riding down Camino Tassajara, battling the wind, when I heard behind me, the crackling and falling of a rather large tree branch. I slowed to make sure no one was under it and after confirming all is well, I continued my ride thinking to myself, this is going to be interesting..

I got to the center of Danville, where I wanted to check my directions. I pulled them out of my back pocket and proceeded in dropping them. A quick stop and turn around to get the directions, otherwise I know I will get lost. As my friend Brian would say, " Chris can get lost in an out and back" No use in taking any chances, grab the directions!!

After checking the directions, I pushed off, clipped in, and slipped on some wet leaves...THUD!!!
On the pavement. No harm, No foul, just a bruised ego. As I got on my bike and pedaled away, I was praying not too many people saw that. Not my most graceful moment!

I arrived at the start at 8:40 without further incident. About 20 of my fellow riders were already there. We rolled at just after 9:00 and began our ride.

We were riding out Diablo to do a quick loop of Collier Canyon. Nate, Phil and I were out at a pretty good clip. Most of the start is protected from the wind. When we got on to Highland, the protection ended. The wind was blowing across and into us. Slow going and blowing us over does not make for a comfortable ride.

I made the rest of the ride with out incident and felt fairly strong. The biking was slow and I couldn't eat or drink much while riding because the wind was blowing us over, but I made it back.

I actually decided to cut it off early and just ride home as opposed to back to the start and home like I had planned. I still rode 35 miles of rolling hills in a stiff wind and came out of it with only a slightly bruised ego.

Not a bad way to start the day.....

Friday 11/27

Today was a swim followed by a run. I got to the pool about 9:30 to do the workout. A quick warm-up followed by drills, drills and more drills. Again my swimming feels like it is improving, but oh so slowly. I can't seem to slow my stroke down enough to a speed that I can maintain over a period of time. I am exhausted after 50 yards. I can't seem to relax much. Still having problems with my breathing. Can't relax, can't breath, problem!
I finished up the swim and got ready to go for a run. I am not sure what the workout was supposed to be, but I ran for 60 minutes. 8 minutes running followed by 2 minutes walking. I was able to complete the run but I felt tired during it. I think I was slower than a 9 minute per mile pace. I didn't eat anything this morning. That didn't help my day and I was feeling a little sluggish. A few too many beers last night and too much turkey. No wait that is silly, Is it possible too have too much turkey or too much beer?
I don't think so........

Thanksgiving 11/26

Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Supposed to do Strength today, but I am taking the day off.
Enjoy the holiday.....

Workout 11/25

Today was supposed to be a run workout, bur I was off to the pool again this AM. I had a 7:00 AM meeting at work, so I had to be in the pool extra early. Up at 4:40 AM and at the pool by 5:00. Coach Mike was coming at 5:15, so I wanted to get all warmed up before he arrived. The workout went well. Lots of drills again. body balance rolls, catch up and distance per stroke. I feel my swimming improving, but I am feeling apprehensive about whether I can make it. I have a long way to go, but a lot of time to train.
Until the next time......

Workout 11/24 Swim

Today was another swim workout. I did not follow the coach's schedule, because I wanted to continue to work on my body balance drills. I got to the gym a little later than planned, but I was still in the water by 5:30 AM. I started with the warm-up and felt exhausted really quick. My new form is smoother and faster but it wears me out quickly. I know it is because I am not relaxed in the water. I was once a fish up at The Needham Pool and Racquet Club. Now, ummm... not so much!!!

I continued to work on my body balance drills. Today did not go as well. I felt sloppy through most of the drills. I didn't eat anything before the workout and I know that did not help. I was pretty tired pretty quick and felt a struggle through the workout. I was still in the pool for 45+ minutes.

I am meeting Coach Mike again tomorrow.

We shall see how it goes....I know it will be better....

Workout 11/23 Swim

Today was supposed to be a rest day, but I met Mike (one of the coach's) at the San Ramon 24 hour and had a swim workout. He videotaped(if it is digital, is it still considered videotape?) me during my first couple of laps. I was taking 23 strokes to complete one lap. We did a lot of drills over the next hour to improve my form. Lots of body balancing, etc. I do not feel comfortable during the swim. I always have a drowning feeling. I cannot relax my body or my breathing. I feel like I have only one speed which wears me out quickly. But after an hour of drills, Mike videotaped me again and now I was taking only 20 strokes. Pretty good improvement.

Both Mike and Sedonia sent me emails today commenting on my improvement. I was reallly stoked by how it went. I still don't feel comfortable yet, but there is really nowhere to go but up!!!!

We shall see how tomorrow goes.....

Workout 11/16 Swim

I was supposed to swim today......., but I didn't. lnstead I went shopping for swim gear at Sports Basement. I'll do a double tomorrow. Peace out...

Track workout 11/18

Tonight was a track workout or should I say a running workout that we happen to do at the track. We met at 6:45 PM at Dublin High School. There was a group of about 8 doing the workout. Pretty simple today, 10 minute warm up, followed by 5 minutes running and 1 minute walking. Total to be 52 minutes.

We got through the warm up and the first couple of run sections when we got kicked off the well lit track because there was a soccer game in progress. So off we went to the baseball diamonds to run around the fields. The school must have 4 diamonds there with a dirt track around them. It doesn't go in an oval and seeing is a challenge at night but we made it work.

Either way, the run workout went pretty well. I was wearing my new shoes. They feel good so far.

Coached Workout 11/15/09

Today was our first coached workout. Meenu got up at 7:00 with me to get me on my way. We were out a little later than I wanted to be last night but we had a great time. Went to a new Mexican restaurant in Blackhawk called Coa. I was pleasantly surprised by the good food and service. Then we went to see 2012. Worth seeing in the theatre for the visual effects alone. After the movie we went for nightcaps in downtown Danville. After striking out at Tower Grill (average age 22 yrs old), we ended up at Eliott's. We had one more drink and home we went.

I was nervous about the swim as I arrived at 8:00 AM. I saw my buddies Rocky, Phil, and Brian. We went through a quick question and answer period and then we split into groups. Last names that begin with A-L into the pool first. I headed off to the track for a run. We did a quick warm up and then we did a 2 mile marker. Run 2 miles at a faster pace for time. I went out tooo quick (sub 2 minutes for the first 1/4 mile) but then fell into a comfortable 9 minute mile pace thereafter. Much better for my present condition. Finished the 2 mile marker in 18:15. I'll take it for now. Then we did some strength training with David. More delays for my swim. More time to be nervous.

Finally we got to switch and I got into the pool. I moved myself down to the lowest group because it has been so long since I swam. We started out with a warmup swim. I was exhausted after that. Then we did a 200 yard marker. Again I was tired. I ended up doing the last 2 laps with the breast stroke because I was so tired.

My biggest issue in the pool seems to be that I cannot relax there. I feel like I am going to drown, which is weird because as a kid, I was like a fish all summer long up at the Needham Pool and Racquet. You couldn't get me out of the water.

Well I finished the marker(I don't know my time) and then we did some drills. Most of the drills made me feel like an uncoordinated clod. But I will continue to work on them.

So I survived my first coach's workout and my first week of Ironman training.

More to follow.....