Really Tired!

OK -- I'm over the whole beard and mustache on the picture thing. It's time to get back to work. Thursday I was back in the pool at 5:55AM. Andreas was sleeping so soundly that I didn't want to wake him when I left. He told me later that after I left, Peter must have climbed into our bed on my side. When the alarm went off at 6AM, Andreas felt a body next to him and jumped up yelling "You're going to be late!" Peter looked at him like he was crazy!

The chlorine pump was on (instead of the salt pump) at the pool, so I couldn't really stay in very long. It's amazing how quickly you get used to saltwater. Plus, I burned my shoulder (with my curling iron!) the day before and I could only take the pain of chlorine in an open wound for so long.

Friday, I met Sherry at her new gym for a lactate threshold test. I had never done this before, but Sherry thought it was a good idea so that we can calculate more accurate heart rate zones for me. After a 15-minute warmup she increased the speed and incline (alternately) on the treadmill every two minutes. You essentially run as long, fast and uphill as you can until you cry "Uncle"! I think I hit the wall (almost literally) 15 minutes into the testing (30 minutes total). I was sweating like crazy and panting like a dog. Sherry estimated that my maximum heart rate is 196 versus the 185 that my age would predict. Apparently that's a good thing -- meaning my heart is young for my age. So, I'll chalk that up as a good day.

Today, I pushed it a bit. While Andreas was still in bed, I hopped on the treadmill and did a 30-minute mountain trail run. I figured that since it was too cold (and snowy!) to do the regular Saturday morning trail run in the park, this would be a good substitute. After some family time, I drove over to the YMCA and got in a swim workout. I focused on technique and -- lo and behold -- I think I FINALLY understood what Sherry has been saying these past few weeks. As Peter would say, "I was swimming like a little fish!" I got my 50-yard time down to 1 minute, 15 seconds and swam a total of 2,700 yards in just uner 90 minutes. Not a bad workout for a beginner!

I hope your weekend is restful!