Huh, swim different....

So, first swim last night since August. I slacked off with the whole City of Toronto strike, and then started focusing more on my running for all the road races I was doing. Given that my first triathlon of the season kicks off in 5 months I figured it was time to get in the water again! The pool at the Swansea community centre (which is attached to the Swansea public school if that gives you any insight on size and quality here) was actually reasonably empty. The fast lane had 4-5 people in it, which was completely acceptable for me, we were all about the same sort of pace also which helped. The slow lane emptied out early and apparently I was the only one who noticed, so got an entire lane to myself for the last 15 minutes of the swim. It would appear that anyone who made a New Year's resolution to swim wasn't there last night, or has given up on their resolution already - the lifeguards looked very bored - one of them took to singing while watching us all swim back and forth... What I did notice on this swim though was that with the changes in my body composition swimming is different. The obvious change is a lack of buoyancy - my legs were falling... what's this, I have to kick?! You're kidding right!? I'm noticing my strength in my pull as well though, so I suppose it all evens out in the end! Either way it was still a good swim, but I still don't find swimming to be a high cardio exercise for me - even on the 50m sprints I threw in at the end of the swim my heart rate was only getting up to about 70% of it's peak. It's good to know though, as it should mean I'm potentially a bit fresher getting out of the water for the bike on a race... theoretically... we'll see!

I had my personal training session this morning also - lots of work on dead lifts... so every muscle in my body has given up working for the rest of the day now! I do have a brag though - our gym runs a challenge of the week and posts the results for everyone. I did this week's challenge right at the end of my session - yes, after all those dead lifts, and a whole routine of boxing drills. The challenge was a standing jump for height (then calculated out based on your height and body weight), then followed by a 500m row for time. My jump was ok - we all know I don't do up in any way shape or form, but here's the brag - I smacked the 500m row! My session is right at the end of the week, so pretty much everyone else has gone before me - the best time so far this week was 1:58 - I did 1:53. Pretty damn pleased with that - I don't think I've ever won a weekly challenge... too bad there's no prize!

Busy Busy!

So, first, update on the fitness test from last Friday - body composition is good, strength is less than good... The 12 minute run improved marginally, but I know last time I did it I was dying at the end, and this time felt a bit better - so I'm calling that an accomplishment, oh, and I ran further of course! My training program is focusing a lot more on strength now so I'm not so worried about the strength numbers being a bit sucky this go round, however, on the body composition yet more body fat lost - so much so that I'm now at 25% body fat. Yes, 25% - something about me is finally in the "normal" range! Considering it started this time last year at "obese", we meandered through "overweight", and finally here we are "normal". Stunning!

I've pretty much given up on finding a masters club to swim with - I'm going to have to set a calendar reminder to do this search all over again in August when apparently all clubs start up, and then they stay full for the entire year! So, back I go to the tiny pool around the corner... tonight in fact... their lane swim is thankfully quite late at night, which works well for me after dinner.

Last weekend we spent our time up at Touchstone Resort on Muskoka lake. If you're looking for somewhere quite luxurious to get away for a weekend I'd highly recommend it. Nice staff, has a spa, good gym onsite, good upscale restaurant onsite, some gorgeous views, and the actual accommodations are phenomenal. Full kitchens in each suite, including espresso makers, and half of their units are dog friendly.

Tomorrow is Fitness Test Day!

This time last year I was just starting at the gym, and one of the first thing we did was a fitness test... 12 minute run, push-ups, plank, weight limits etc.... Also included is weight, measurements and body fat composition though. Always a fun event! Of course they happen quarterly, but this is the one that'll show what I've managed to accomplish in a year. Results tomorrow!


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So much for that...

Apparently it's too hard to put on a website that your Masters swim club only accepts new members in August, oh, and your club is currently full, oh and there's already a waiting list... great... thanks for that... next...

Least the running intervals were good today!

Oooh, that's a full summer...

I've just done all my registrations for my summer races... after a hit to the credit card, this is what's on the list.

April 3 - Harry's Spring Run Off - 8K

May 2 - Sporting Life - 10K

June 26 - Welland Triathlon - 750m, 30K, 7.5K

July 31 - Ottawa Sprint Triathlon - 500m, 20K, 5K

August 14 - Toronto Island Try-a-Tri - 450m, 10K, 2.5K

September 11 - Wasaga Olympic Triathlon - 1500m, 40K, 10K

September 26 - Scotiabank Waterfront 1/2 Marathon

I know I'm definitely pushing myself here, but that's what it's all about isn't it - no point in taking the easy route! Although, 4 tri's in a summer - really ought to think a bit more about this whole new bike thing... oh, poor old credit card... No one warned me being fit could be so expensive!

I may have finally found a masters swim club close by that swims at decent times of the day - with any luck I should be in the pool this evening - I'm prepared for it to be painful, it's been a good 15 years or so since I had a coach pushing me with a swim... Oh, and it's interval running day today... short but painful!

Resolution Run & Resolutions

I've updated the Sugoi Brand Champion blog today with my Resolution Run 5K results, and my resolution/goals for the upcoming year. You can read it here - All that was, and all that will be

Happy New Year to all of you, and good luck with attaining your resolutions and goals for the year!