Sunday, February 15, 2009

Fun Week, Short Post, and oh yeah, I'm a Barge in the Pool

This week was the beginning of week three of the 100 push ups challenge and tomorrow I will be starting week three again. I think getting to 100 in six weeks is a bit ambitious so I'm planning on doing each week twice going forward. Overall I can tell that it is getting easier to increase the sets every other day but on the last couple of days I haven't been able to hit the max on the last set.

Swimming is going well but I when I'm in the pool I feel like this:



Instead of this:



But I really can't expect to get right back to how I felt five months ago when I was swimming three times a week every week. I'm sure with time and yardage I'll get back to a lean mean middle of the pack swimming machine.

I'm still on the trainer for my rides but hope to be outside riding on the weekdays soon. I was able to get in 45 minutes on Tuesday but after going out on Wednesday night I only got up for a quick spin of 15 minutes on Thursday morning (yeah, weak, I know).

Running was great this week. Monday I went for a nice easy recovery run with Jen down along the river. We ran five miles and our average pace came in around 9:30. Wednesday was a GA/Tempo run for me; not quite GA pace, not quite tempo - my average for the six miles was a 7:17. Friday I took off because it was only going to be four easy miles and my left heel was a little sore. Since we were planning on running 11 on Saturday in Forest Park I thought it would be a good choice to take the day off and just rest. On Saturday we headed up to FP for what was to be a goal pace run for Jen (Race for the Roses Half Marathon) and she kicked ass. We ended up with an average pace of 7:51 and the last mile came in at 6:28 which is one of her fastest miles ever. She really worked hard on this run and I think it was a big confidence boost for her.

Saturday evening we had Valentines dinner at home and I baked a cake for us to enjoy for desert. Here are a couple pics of the cake (Chocolate Brownie Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting - all made from scratch):





It turned out great but man was it rich! We each had a small slice then took half the cake over to our friends that live in the building.

Overall it was a great week capped off with a wonderful Valentines Day with a beautiful girl - doesn't get much better than that!

Have a great week - I've got to work tomorrow (Monday) but for those of you that don't I hope you enjoy your day and make the most of it!

Weekly totals - Swim: 4,450 yards -- Bike: 1hr on trainer -- Run: 22 miles -- Push Ups: 291

8 comments:

Emily said...

Awwww, great husbandry on V-Day. The cake looks great and now I wish we lived in your building for the leftovers!

You didn't mention your chauffering services on Thursday night. Thanks again for carting my lush self around Portland. I owe you one big time.

jen said...

:) Thanks for a wonderful Valentines Day especially the making the cake and pacing me on that run!

Too bad you have to work today, there is not a cloud in the sky!

Aron said...

YUM that cake looks delicious!!!!

great job on all the workouts and that 11 mile run! you guys did awesome :)

Anonymous said...

1st of all that cake looks oh so yummy!! nice workouts and what a great run on Saturday!!!

Ange said...

are you doing all those pushups at once?? Wow.
that cake is awesome. I'm impressed. Girls love that stuff.
And, Great running!!! You will get faster in the water with more time. It is easy to lose the "feel" fairly quicly.

Alisa said...

How cute is that cake! Yum-o! Trade you some cake for some trifle, we've got lots of leftovers.

Great runs. You're swims will pick up...like you said, you're just starting back in the pool. I bet even in your "barge-ness" you're faster than me and I've been swimming my whole life!

Sarah said...

I love the comparison of the two swimming pictures. It works for someone as visual as me. I can really tell how you felt. It will get better!

And the cake looks delicious!

Marathon Maritza said...

I think you're doing great and you'll be feeling like a Speedy McSpeedyBoat with purple and yellow swirls in no time! :)

That cake looks yummy! Glad you guys had a good Valentine's day!