Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Getting Better: Took a Swim, Took a Jog

Well, I knew it would happen eventually: I finally made my way back to the pool for a swim today. It’s been so long that I don’t quite remember the last time I actually swam, but I do remember the last time I had intended on swimming.

And, as usual, the most difficult part was getting into the pool. You would think after 27 years I would buck up and jump in one of these days. But I don’t seem to think that.

When I made it in, I swam 2,000 yards, which included:
  • 2 x 500 yards free
  • 5 x 200 yards alt. IM and free

A bit boring, but not bad for a return-from-the-sick swim. In fact, I’m still fighting some never-ending congestion, which didn’t exactly make for a comfortable swim. But running with a runny nose is just a little more dainty than swimming. Enough said.

By the time I came home, the sun was shining and the temperature wasn’t bad. And when I stepped out on my balcony to check the weather, I must have been standing on the unwindy side—when I took a quick 3.21-mile jog around my neighborhood, there was way more into-the-wind running than I had expected.

Neil and I took a walk after dinner and it had gotten far colder than when I had taken my run. At least 10-15 degrees. The wind, however, did not change. Pretty smooth sailing heading south; bitter cold misery heading north. Enough with the moody weather already!

It was a great feeling to be outside again—and there weren’t any immediately noticeable ill effects from the weeks of being track-ridden! The weather also looks like it will be holding up for the foreseeable future (knock on wood), so I might be able to stick to my anti-track stance. Wouldn’t it be swell to run that 13.1 miles from yesterday on some real roads? Ahh, the weekend beckons.

But the end of the semester beckons as well. I have about six projects, papers and presentations due next week for three classes (what’s with that poor timing?), so I will have to do some very precise planning to balance life over the next two weeks.

The best part: I’ll be done with school by April 27 and then I’ll run the Cleveland 10-miler on April 28. Now that’s the way to end a semester.

If only work took a summer break too. :-(

2 comments:

TRI Vortex said...

Its always a good swim when you can get a mile in the pool. And then to add a brick...nnnniiiicccceeee. I call that scheduling conflict in my life my T3 of triathlon training. Something that needs to be worked out, modified, practiced, and mastered. Good luck on that 10 miler. I'd love to be able to run that much.

Joe said...

> But running with a
> runny nose is just a
> little more dainty than
> swimming.

That's what the sleeves on a long-sleeve technical shirt are for...