Weekend Update

I signed up for a Masters swim program through SCAQ. I signed up online today. I'll go to my first workout on Tuesday morning.
I'm a bit apprehensive about it. Mainly because the only workouts at the SMC pool in the mornings are 5:30 and 6:30AM which is pretty dang early for me. I've been having trouble getting to sleep once I go to bed at night. I often just lay in bed for an hour or more and end up really tired the next day. This happens even if I'm physically exhausted which is very frustrating. Having said that, I think I can push myself through the first few early mornings and hopefully be able to get into a routine of going to bed and getting up early.

This past week was good. I don't feel I had enough training volume but I feel like it's moving in the right direction. I went to workout with my friend who coaches the Brentwood High School swim team on Saturday Morning. After that I went on my Saturday morning bike ride. We did a relatively easy 25mile bike ride along the Ballona Bike path pictured to the right. My legs were a little sore because I ran on Friday night for the first time in a while. My running really needs works. I need to stop avoiding my weaknesses.

Heating Up

That's KB24, 2007 All-Star game MVP. Amazing performance by Kobe. Although that's to be expected. I was most impressed (I'm very sad to say) but Amari Stoudamire, he's amazing. I haven't seen the Suns play much this year but after watching he and The Matrix on Sunday, I'm a little nervous. If it comes down to another Suns/Lakers playoff series, the Lakes are gonna be up against some serious odds. But you gotta have faith, and I do.

Anyways. This weekend was great. I finally started feeling better around Friday so I made it out to the gym for a swim. Just did a short 1000 yard swim and then did some strength. Felt great to get back in the pool. The weather was amazing. It was high 70's and probably low 70's at night when I got out of the pool. I rode my bike to and from the gym. It was a very nice night.

I got up early Saturday morning to have breakfast with my family who was visiting from Arizona. We went to Gladstone's on the beach and watched this woman swim out to some dolphins that had been swimming back and forth. It was pretty cool. Made me want to get back in the ocean for some open-water swimming. I'm getting tired of the pool. Give me the wide-open spaces baby.

After breakfast, I went on a little city ride to pick up some gear from two local bike shops then decided to do Mandeville, my favorite climb. I got an electrolyte powder you add to water. Filled up my water bottle with it then headed out. I went out pretty strong and started to really feel the heat. I ended up drinking 2/3s my bottle before I even got to the start of the climb. Oops.
Once I started the climb I saw a mountain biker a few hundred yards ahead me. He was going pretty fast but I ended up passing him in about 5 minutes. From there I was just flying, constantly trying to drink and just stay at about 13mph. I knew if I could push it up the first part of the climb I would be able to best my avg. speed of 10mph up the whole climb. But when I got about 4 miles into the climb I started to bonk and felt like i was going to throw up.
The last .5 mile is the toughest and my heart-rate was spiking and I was a split-second away from turning around and just calling it when this dude comes up behind me on a really nice road bike and says "come on man, let's do this!" so I get out of the saddle and just give it everything I have to make it to the top.
Once I got to the top the guy disappeared and the more I think about it, the less I'm convinced he was actually there. Maybe just a figment of my toasted imagination.

Still sick

I came down with a serious cold this week completely curbing my training. I'm very bummed, but starting to get really excited about picking it up again this weekend. The weather has been nice. A little rain but mostly very moderate. Can't beat the wather here baby.

Recovery Week

I guess my body is somewhat demanding a recovery week. I wasn't feeling well at all on Monday. I went home early from work and slept for almost 12 hours and woke up feelin great. However, today - Wednesday I woke up with a really weird pain in my ear and a sore throat. So I'm going to take it easy and hope I feel better by tomorrow night when I am playing a show.

I hope to get back on schedule with the training by this weekend. Wildflower baby.