TGIF 14 Aug 09

Bike Miles - 36

Swim - 2,250/70 mins

Today was one of those nice, peaceful bike rides.  Very quiet, mostly clear sky, humid but a nice breeze made it comfortable. 

Gawd, what a boring day at work. Boss was back but didn't say anything but good morning to me!  I guess that's good... The best things about the day:  it's Friday and I took the afternoon off.

The pool was relatively full, but I got my favorite lane. Had to share it but the lady was very nice. Not a splasher. Good old "messy flip turn" showed up but went to another lane (not adjacent, thank God). At first, I felt a little off. After I got into a rhythm, I just went and did quite well. That's why I did 90 laps. My shoulders and arms are very sore, but I think that's partially due to my "upper body blast" session in the weight room at work. 

Hopefully, I didn't fry myself so much that I'm suffering during tomorrow morning's  bike ride and swim.

I'm glad to be home early, so I can spend some time w/the girls. I'll do a little yoga and then feast on pizza crusts for dinner!

Bike Miles - 36

Swim - 1,500/45 min

A prevailing SE wind kept the humidity at bay during my morning ride, which was nice. I have to admit that I'm tired of battling the cobwebs, but soon, I'm be having to adapt to the cold. I'll take this over freezing toes and fingers.  The homeless gent growled/roared at me -- that was the only noteworthy happening of today's ride. 

I had a decent swim. Still working on breathing every fourth stroke and keeping my head down when I breathe. In the lane next to mine, a lady with a very sloppy flip turn kept making these big splashes every time she got to the wall.  I think it's the same lady I saw that one Saturday morning, the one who slopped up the deck so bad I slipped!

12 August 2009

Bike Miles - 36 

Swim - 1,750/50 mins

A nice uneventful bike ride. The dewpoint was only a few degrees lower but it made a huge difference. 

Another completely boring day at work. Some good news, though. A ray of hope, so to speak. I'm praying that it works out and have asked for prayers from those much better than I.

Took the back way home to avoid the metro construction mess. It worked out OK. 

A lot of people at the pool and I wasn't feeling it today. Managed to slog out a swim.  Bought my annual pass, since I had only one swim left on my ticket. So I'm good until next August.

11 August

Bike Miles -36

Swim - 1,750/50 mins

Woke up just before the alarm was to go off, so I rushed to get out on the bike. The skies were pretty clear, despite the predicted chance of rain. It must have rained a bit overnight because there were wet patches on the pavement and the wooden bridges were wet. The only other souls I saw out were the big bald guy and his rottie. It was very steamy---warm and humid. Took it easy because my legs were sore from Monday's strength session.

Another slow day at work. The commute home was hell because they had a lane blocked off on the connector from the Toll Rd. to Rt 66. Right where those two lanes collapse. I might have to get off in McLean and go home the back way. It's just going to get worse as this stupid Metro construction proceeds.

I was so happy to find the pool uncrowded and I got my favorite lane. Really focused on my breathing and I figured out the expelling air at a pretty regular rate allows me to go longer between taking breaths. Before, I was holding my breath and exhaling most of it until right before I turned to breathe. I still have a long way to go. My freestyle technique leaves a lot to be desired. Regardless, I was pleased w/my workout today.

10 August 09

Bike Miles - 36 

Swim - 1500/45 min

It's officially the "hottest weather of the year."  Heat index over 100, temperature high 90s.

Very warm and humid ride. Lots of moths, spiderwebs, and bugs. A bug flew up my nose, which was no surprise. It's interesting encountering noticeable differences in air temperatures, going from temperate into these patches of much warmer air.  Usually happens when I'm further away from the creek.  I was soaked in sweat when I got home.

The pool wasn't crowded, which surprised me since it was so brutally hot and humid. I had a nice, relaxing swim to get rid of all the day's stress.

Sunday 9 Aug 09

Bike Miles - 43

The heatwave has descended. This morning's ride felt very summer-like for this part of the country. Typical. Very warm and very humid.  Not a bad ride, though. Felt fairly good and because it's getting close to the century mark temps-wise later today, saw a lot more folks out getting in the daily run or bike ride. 

Some pictures of the girls and one of Margot with her daddy.

Took a day off from swimming. Didn't want to overdo since I swam six days this week. 

Have been lost in the latest Alice Hoffman book. It's excellent. A good way to spend a hellishly hot and humid day---inside, lost in a book. 

Saturday 8 Aug 09

Bike Miles - 43

Swim - 80 laps/1 hr

I had a pretty good bike ride, although encountered some surprise sprinkles. Not enough to even dampen the pavement but I worried nonetheless because I was on the "sacred Seven."  The bike that shall never be ridden in rain!  Felt pretty strong, despite a very active week and the ride was most pleasantly uneventful. Cloudy skies, not to humid, and not to warm/cool. 

I hit the pool when it opened. The three "regulars," old gents, included me in their conversation and were very friendly to me. Guess that figured that my being there right before opening for three consecutive weeks means that I'm officially part of the Sunrise Saturday crowd.  Got a big slow lane to myself -- by the bulkhead -- and I was very mindful at taking it easy slow. Shoulders, upper back, and arms have been a little sore since Thursday's swim. Focused on my technique.  I'm working on breathing every fourth stroke instead of every stroke.  I'm getting better at it. As I was finishing my last lap, the old guy in the red flowered speedo was standing at the end of my lane, getting ready to ask me if we could split it. Before he could speak, I said, "perfect timing, I'm all finished. The lane is yours."  He got a big smile on his face and continued to gather equipment (fins, swim gloves, kickboard, etc.).  

The girls all enjoyed their walks.  Unlike Fiona, Margot is all business when she walks. We encountered Brian coming back from his run and she would not stop to say hello to her daddy. LOL. Kept marching ahead, leash in mouth.  Such a strutter.  When Fiona and I were walking, we saw the other golden puppy in the neighborhood (I think she must be 6 months). That dog is a deeper butterscotch than Fiona. Anyway, both she and Fiona were walking with their leashes in their mouths. The puppy's dad and I had a good laugh over that one. Typical golden retrievers!

Found a tick on the back of my leg after my shower. Pulled it off. It was small and my tweezers were too big to get a good grip, so I ended it removing it in pieces. Uggh. Now I have another tick bite to monitor.  This tick was much smaller than the tick I found on my chest in June.  

Hope to get in a nap and some yoga between washing/folding loads of laundry.  There's a two or three day heat wave settling down on us, so it will be good to stay indoors.