Swimming

I have been swimming twice a week, for what I figured has been six weeks. I think I have the perfect schedule - every Wednesday and Friday morning. This way, I don't have to worry about getting up at 5:45 a.m. right after a weekend, but by the time the mid-week rolls around, I don't have too much motivation left on evenings to work out, so getting it done in the morning is great. It took me 2-3 weeks to get back into swimming, so during that time I was mostly just swimming laps without any real thought to it. I've been able to improve my stroke and speed in that short time at least enough to dictate my pace, so I started doing sets, or what a humble beginner might call a set. 300's with 3x25 3 normal; 3x25, 1 fast, 2 normal; 3x25, 2 fast, 1 normal; 3x25, 3 fast. Then ladder down with the same sets in the opposite direction. I'm not that fast, so I can usually do the entire 600 set, a 10 minute warm up, 5 minute cool down, and 10-15 minutes of targeted stuff in 45 minutes. I did do another 300 set and part of a 4th this morning. The 3rd and 4th were with a floatie, which makes it so much fun. My goal is to do 4 sets, so 2 full ladders, or 1200m. Then I can learn a new set and mix it up.

There are some seriously fast and strong swimmers at the South Boulder Rec Center. I try to eyeball them underwater and pick up some tips.

I've been trying to run 2-3 times a week, and ski 1-2 times a week. I'd like to start cycling during the day, if anything just a 30 minute hill climb. It would be nice to be in shape to do some Xterras this summer...

If I am Going to Get Ice Cream Headache, I at Least Want to Eat Ice Cream

I've been trying very hard to be consistent in my workouts/training, so last night, Steve and I layered up, covered our ears and extremities, and went for a run. We didn't get out the door until almost 7 p.m., because we literally could not put down our iPhones. I had just talked to Chaat about new applications, and was busy downloading them. Steve was busy taking pictures of himself with a furled brow.

It could not have been more than 5 degrees out. It had snowed lightly all day, but there was no ice as the temps did not rise high enough to melt the snow. Our minimum run time is always 30 minutes, which usually ends up conveniently being our maximum on nights and in cold weather. We braved the cold to run up the street, down the high school and back to our house - 30 minutes of fast running, an ice cream headache and frozen chin for me, and frozen beard and eyelashes for Steve. It was worth it, and made our ancho-roasted chicken that patiently roasted at home while we ran, all the more worth it. Consistency is key - exercise and food!

Another chilly day today, -2 as I write. The chickens are hopefully warm enough, their light is on and it seems to be warm enough in their house to keep the water somewhat thawed. I fed them cornmeal muffins, apples, chives and spinach this morning, as a thank you to them for continuing to pop out eggs in sub-zero temps. Woop woop chickens!

Finally Putting That Fish Tattoo to Good Use

When I lived in California, I used to swim 2-3 times a week. This was in preparation for the imaginary triathlon in my head, which I for the most part never got around to doing. The best possible gym I could find in Fremont was the 24-Hour Fitness (what does this tell you about Fremont - awesome Afghani food, borderline terrible quality of life). Swimming was a quasi-contact sport at the Fremont, CA 24HF, as I would generally refuse to share my lane with more than 2 people (what?! 3 people is A LOT for a shoddy 10 yard pool), and then get yelled at by a random 60 year old Middle Eastern man treading water in the shallow end for being "stupid" and a woman that rhymes with "itch." Basically I would get screamed at by some asshole trying to dictate pool operations. I didn't really like that part. I still got in a good workout, but dropped swimming as soon as I moved back to Boulder. Isn't it usually the other way around? Anyway! I started up again! Liza and I celebrated MLK Jr. Day with a littel dorsal fin action - it felt so good and I could literally feel my muscles stretch out. The South Boulder Rec Center has a 25 yard indoor pool. I'm very happy to add this workout to my imaginary triathlon training regimen. I'm hoping to get over there at least twice a week.

Exercise

I didn't really make a new year's resolution, nor do I intend to treat this as one, but I've really been trying to exercise more during the day. I never have trouble exercising on the weekends, since Steve and I spend our free time doing something outside that incidentally includes exercise. But on weekdays, especially in the winter, it's usually difficult to get exercise in, which makes me upset that I don't make more of an effort. By the time 5 p.m. comes, it's dark out, cold, windy and/or snowy, and time to hang out, do homework and/or make dinner. I can't seem to get myself out of my stupid chair during the day to go running or biking at lunch. Scott said that he focused on 8-10 mile bike rides during the day, which got me on to this idea, but I haven't been on my road bike since the Fall. I don't know why. I also don't know why I don't take a lunch break. Some weird psychological issue associated with needing to be by the phone or something. Especially since I'm alone all day. It's not the actual resistance to exercise, because I have a hard time going to the grocery store during the day, too. It's just a challenge to get out of the door! I'm working on it.

Anyway, so who cares what I'm doing wrong, but I'm trying to do something right. I don't care about my weight, I mostly want to stay strong, be able to destress, and do something healthy on days when I would otherwise just stay at home. So, I want to get in at least 30 minutes of exercise on workdays. Liza and I go to the gym sometimes, which helps, but sidewalk running at night is also an option. As is just doing it during the day, but it's more fun with Steve. We went for 35 minute runs on Monday and on Wednesday. I just loved it. Just need to watch for the ice.

I also got free running pants and shoes from Salomon, so I better use them. I would never have paid $120 for them. Someone was thinking!
Salomon XT Wings