Upon the advice of my much more experienced partner, I took it easy today. Warm up 3 minutes at 4mph, ran 1 mile at 10 minute pace, cooled down walking 3.4 mph for a couple of minutes. Nothing tomorrow, short 1/2 mile or so Friday then hitting the race hard Friday evening (5pm start).
G8r80 and GT2003: onward!
- Thread starter g8r80
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I'm having a hard time with this tapering thing. I'm taking today off and it's driving me nuts. However, it didn't bother me to take days off earlier in the week. Maybe it's just because I "have" to take it off now. Anyway, I officially don't like tapering! Do you guys have trouble with this too? Maybe it won't be a big deal when the event is more substantial than a 5k. I didn't feel like I did anything running the 1 mile yesterday and i don't even think I'll be warmed up when I run a 1/2 mile tomorrow. But, I can hit it hard next week. That's the one thing I am craving! Enough ranting, I'm outta here!
Greg, you can do other stuff, just not run hard or long. You can pound weights, do a little cycling, swim... But, yeah, tapering is hard for a lot of folks; that's why I don't do it
Life sucks sometimes! I got a call from a tenant that there was a water leak. The leak was in the wall. I spent 5 hours working on that mofo soldering trying to replace the leaking part and everything went to he11. Complete waste of time! Plumber is coming out tomorrow. I rarely have to call in an expert, but I should have done that from the start with this mofo as it looked like trouble from the get go.
Afterwards, I was gonna do a 10k run, but my daughter has her 9th grade biology final exam tomorrow and wanted me to review for her. (I have a BS and MS in biology). So, that took 3 hours and prevented my run but that is a sacrifice for a good cause.
My younger son received his acceptance letter to Louisiana State University today. Geaux Tigers! He has now been accepted to the University of South Florida, University of Central Florida, LSU and is awaiting word from the University of Florida which is his top pick.
Afterwards, I was gonna do a 10k run, but my daughter has her 9th grade biology final exam tomorrow and wanted me to review for her. (I have a BS and MS in biology). So, that took 3 hours and prevented my run but that is a sacrifice for a good cause.
My younger son received his acceptance letter to Louisiana State University today. Geaux Tigers! He has now been accepted to the University of South Florida, University of Central Florida, LSU and is awaiting word from the University of Florida which is his top pick.
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Plumber came today and fixed the problem. I did save $100 by reconnecting the hot water heater myself.
Spin class: 50:00 followed by 25 pushups. The others did weenie 1/2 pushups, but I do real ones - nose touches ground, chest is 3" off ground, and upper arms are parallel to ground.
chinups: 9 (a new pb)
pullups: 4, 3
standing cable pec flies: 10x3
dumbbell bench press: 50#x10
tricep cable pulldowns: 10x2
The great disparity between my chinups and pullups indicate that my biceps have improved substantially. My previous best last year was 5 or 6. Now, I want to improve my pullups which will work my forearms and back more.
5k in 29:00
Spin class: 50:00 followed by 25 pushups. The others did weenie 1/2 pushups, but I do real ones - nose touches ground, chest is 3" off ground, and upper arms are parallel to ground.
chinups: 9 (a new pb)
pullups: 4, 3
standing cable pec flies: 10x3
dumbbell bench press: 50#x10
tricep cable pulldowns: 10x2
The great disparity between my chinups and pullups indicate that my biceps have improved substantially. My previous best last year was 5 or 6. Now, I want to improve my pullups which will work my forearms and back more.
5k in 29:00
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Painted, painted, painted some more. Put in new cable jacks. Changes out old, tan colored electric outlets and light switches with new bright white ones. Vacuumed, did laundry, loaded the dishwasher etc.
Anyway, after all that crap I'm ready for my run tomorrow. My back is a little sore right now but that 800 milligram Ibuprofen should take care of that. I'm off to bed so I can run my 5K tomorrow afternoon (5pm CST). Take care all. I'll let you know how I do!
Anyway, after all that crap I'm ready for my run tomorrow. My back is a little sore right now but that 800 milligram Ibuprofen should take care of that. I'm off to bed so I can run my 5K tomorrow afternoon (5pm CST). Take care all. I'll let you know how I do!
Good luck this evening, Greg! Try not to get caught up in the excitement during the first mile and hold back a little. Then, you can find your legs in the second mile and pick up your pace in the second and third miles and then go hard the last mile and sprint the last 1/4 mile. If you collapse 2 steps over the finish line, you timed it right!
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S
sparrow
Guest
I super duper hate tapering too. You must've missed my sig. line while i was tapering. It said "Webster's defines 'taper' as a gradual narrowing in breadth. I define it as a time to feel like you're getting fat and to legitimately lose your mind."
Gym work:
bench press: 135#x5, 185#, 195#, failed at 205# (rats). Good news: no shoulder pain
pullups (palms facing forward): 5
parallel bar pullups: 5
dumbbell bicep curls: 40#x10x3. I am reluctant to go up in weights as curls have caused tennis elbow in the past, but I had been at 35# for a few weeks.
skullcrushers: 60# dumbbell held with both hands 10x2
swim: 700 yards @ 2:00 / 100 yds pace in wetsuit, minimal kickoff, no flip turns. I cut it short because arms and shoulders were aching from the gym workout, I have stuff to do and have a big ocean swim planned for tomorrow.
bench press: 135#x5, 185#, 195#, failed at 205# (rats). Good news: no shoulder pain
pullups (palms facing forward): 5
parallel bar pullups: 5
dumbbell bicep curls: 40#x10x3. I am reluctant to go up in weights as curls have caused tennis elbow in the past, but I had been at 35# for a few weeks.
skullcrushers: 60# dumbbell held with both hands 10x2
swim: 700 yards @ 2:00 / 100 yds pace in wetsuit, minimal kickoff, no flip turns. I cut it short because arms and shoulders were aching from the gym workout, I have stuff to do and have a big ocean swim planned for tomorrow.
C'mon, Greg, you posted that you loaded the dishwasher on your fitness forum?
Keepin it real G8R, keepin it real!
5K, wow! Temps started off in the 50's yesterday morning and gradually dropped to below 30 for the race at 4:45pm. I had never run in that temp before but was going to do it no matter what. I had on some tights underneath some windpants and the tights really seemed to impede my stride. I felt like I couldn't pick my leg up "freely", it was almost work to raise my legs. Needless to say I doubt I'll wear the tights again. I'll opt for the compression shorts instead of the full length tights. Anyway, the run was tough to say the least. I just couldn't get myself going. But, I did complete it, no walking, in a time of 31:29. A little less than a 10 minute mile but not under 30 minutes like I had wanted. More training, a little better choice of clothing and I'll break 30 minutes. I feel pretty good today. The plan is to finish work about 2:30 or so, finish up stuff at the house and then ride the bike for 30-45 minutes to stay in the swing of things. Take care and thanks for all the well wishes. I will break 30 minutes soon!
5K, wow! Temps started off in the 50's yesterday morning and gradually dropped to below 30 for the race at 4:45pm. I had never run in that temp before but was going to do it no matter what. I had on some tights underneath some windpants and the tights really seemed to impede my stride. I felt like I couldn't pick my leg up "freely", it was almost work to raise my legs. Needless to say I doubt I'll wear the tights again. I'll opt for the compression shorts instead of the full length tights. Anyway, the run was tough to say the least. I just couldn't get myself going. But, I did complete it, no walking, in a time of 31:29. A little less than a 10 minute mile but not under 30 minutes like I had wanted. More training, a little better choice of clothing and I'll break 30 minutes. I feel pretty good today. The plan is to finish work about 2:30 or so, finish up stuff at the house and then ride the bike for 30-45 minutes to stay in the swing of things. Take care and thanks for all the well wishes. I will break 30 minutes soon!
Well done, Greg! As you know, events do not always (actually rarely do) go as planned. You were dealt a huge helping of whoop @$$ with freezing temps. To tell you the truth, for a 5K, I would have been very tempted to write that bad boy off. But you didn't and I commend you for it. I think you did very well for the circumstances. There are lots of times I don't break 32:00 and none were below 30F.
Today: Another open water ocean swim in 65F in full wetsuit. This time, I swam into a stiff breezy head sea for the first 700 yards. Water splashing over my head, me bobbing like a cork, my face pounding the water on every fall - a real blast. And, the open ocean was to my right which meant navigating was a major PITA because I am a right-side breather. My only reference point was the sun, so I ended up zigging and zagging the whole 700 yards. I considered bailing after the first 100 yards, but decided to gut it out and am very glad I did. On the return, I was warmed up, had a tail sea, I could see landmarks and I wasn't inhaling water - much better and faster return. I think after a few more of these open sea adventures in my full wet suit, I will be more than ready for my first Half Ironman in April. Total distance: 3/4 mile.
At night, ran 9 miles in 86:00, 9:55 pace. I kept my breathing in control the whole time and was able to go reasonably comfortably. I considered going the whole 13.1 miles but since this was my new pb for distance (besting my 7 mile pb set in late '07), I didn't want to risk injury so held up at 9.
At night, ran 9 miles in 86:00, 9:55 pace. I kept my breathing in control the whole time and was able to go reasonably comfortably. I considered going the whole 13.1 miles but since this was my new pb for distance (besting my 7 mile pb set in late '07), I didn't want to risk injury so held up at 9.
Thanks NBS. When I first started swimming properly a year ago, I started with bilateral breathing and it seemed natural. But, I wasn't able to go far without running out of air, so I dropped it and went to every-stroke breathing and the right side seemed natural. Now, I am trying to go back to bilateral or at least pick up left-side breathing and it is more difficult now. That is something I have to practice in the pool - not in the ocean.
Thanks Greg. If I lived in OK, I would be in Florida right now (although it is a bit too chilly to go to the beach). Maybe Cozumel would be better...
today:
bench press: 135#x5, 155#x5, 165#x5x2
pullups: 5, 5
parallel bar pullups: 5
pullups are way more difficult for me than chinups, but I want to start working those lat muscles with pullups.
swim: 1.2 miles in wetsuit in pool (80F) in 47:00. Shaved another minute off my previous pb. I am confident I will go 1.2 miles in under 45:00 by April.
bench press: 135#x5, 155#x5, 165#x5x2
pullups: 5, 5
parallel bar pullups: 5
pullups are way more difficult for me than chinups, but I want to start working those lat muscles with pullups.
swim: 1.2 miles in wetsuit in pool (80F) in 47:00. Shaved another minute off my previous pb. I am confident I will go 1.2 miles in under 45:00 by April.