Balancing act

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It'll be an interesting summer trying to juggle and balance but I will just do the best I can do and try like heck to listen to my body to prevent overuse injuries. My shoulders have been tweaky and I am wondering now if it's because my handlebars are, I think, a bit off where they should be. I had a great almost 20 miler yesterday on the bike but bagged the swim. I have minor shoulder issues from lifting in the past and they can be problematic.

Jake put together my new workout split -- as I told him, my goals are a moving target. It's not easy keeping up with me. The above table is the guideline; if I can get two bike rides and two good swims in a week, I will be happy. Of course the running doesn't kick in immediately, nor does tennis.

Swimming homework from Jim

And why does he refer to my "desire to kick" I wonder LOL!!!

Swim thoughts:

• Chest pressed into the water!
• Head down, but not looking back at all. Rotation is all on the long axis through the top of your head and out your bottom.
• No crossing mid line with your stroke.
• Slow stroke down!

Drills:

• 1 arm swimming…other arm stays out front.
• Catch up drill…one arm at a time, other waits.
• Swim golf…50 time in seconds + total number of strokes. 90 is probably your base, 80 when you pay attention…now get it down into the low 70’s consistently!
• Kicking on your back (didn’t do this one but it’s good for you and your desire to kick). Laying on back, hands over head…biceps touching ears, breath normally, flutter kick all the way down the lane…short, quick, fluttery kicking.
  

Workout format:

• 5+/- min. warmup (mixed stroke ideally)
• 10 minutes of drills
• 10-15 minutes of other swimming (intervals, playing with swim golf, continuous swim, etc.)
• 5+/- min. cooldown

Discipline

I had to archive this great quote from the day. Saturday is my scheduled day off but I had/have an interest in joining a beginner bike ride in the morning and perhaps swimming in the afternoon. Swimming runs the risk of interfering with a shoulder workout on Sunday. The trainer is pretty adamant that I have a rest day.

I said, "Rest is important, yes, but isn't it OK sometimes to sacrifice performance to feed the soul."

To which he replied "No because the soul is greedy and if it were up to you, you would eat chocolate for every meal. Sometimes you've got to use your head."

BURN!

So what will I do? Still conflicted and the ride leaves at 8 am.

Pull ups

Got 10 wide grip pull ups the other day; 12 today. Gaining strength! A year ago I couldn't do a single one.

Of course my energy or drive or something feels a little low lately. Not sure what that is all about??

Got a bike!

Here's my new bike that I got yesterday! It's a gently used 2008 Jamis Ventura, that I had to name "Ace" (as in Ace Ventura Pet Detective with Jim Carey). I was unexpectedly completely sprung from the boot yesterday so was able to take the bike on a 30 minute spin through the Tom's Creek basin area. It was a good test because it was pretty hilly. I'm only very slightly sore in the quads today.

With all systems seemingly a-go, I signed up for that Lake Norman triathlon August 23. I do think it will be a fun summer goal and should keep me out of trouble (somewhat).

The weather has kept me from the pool for a few days and I'm anxious to get back in and try what I learned in a swim consultation with Jim McGehee, a triathlon and endurance coach.

Things at the gym are going pretty well and I'm so glad I was able to continue training there throughout this recovery. I made some definitely gains over the last two months that I hope will enhance my running and other activities.

In two weeks I'll be clear to start running again. The leg still feels "off" so I hope by then not to even notice it anymore.