3 x 50 x 100

I can finally say I'm glad the 50 x 100's are over. After doing it three times this week I am being saved from a fourth run by the fact that there are no more opportunities to do it. Thank goodness. Because I would. And my neck would hurt...more. I figure I turned my head to the left about 3,000 times over 600 laps within 3 hours and 45 minutes this week. That is a lot of left-breathing, even if it was spaced over three separate days. MASSAGE PLEASE!

I'll tell you what kept me going through all the 50x swims. It was the knowledge that this was the "short one" and the 75 and 100 x 100's are coming.

Killer Quad Etiquette

Today some of us did the 50 x 100's for the second time this week and it was goooood. However, both swims did prompt me to do a special post about etiquette. I love you all, and it's all in good fun, but sometimes, I mean, seriously?

Here are some signs, just the real obvious ones really, that you should mayyyyyybe shift down to a higher numbered lane for repeat 100's:

1. You are incapable of leading 5 x 100's at the interval selected by the lane, so you never do lead. Instead you continue to hang at the back.
2. You need fins to keep up.
3. There are about 25 yards between you and the person in front of you by the end of the 100.
4. You get lapped within the 100 yards. 

Okay, again, no offense. :)

Thanks Coming

I love Thanksgiving, and not just because it's my birthday. (A lot because it's my birthday, but not all.) I love talking about what we are thankful for (which I try to do all week with the kids), and volunteering for those not as fortunate (coming up later this week), and of course eating all the appropriate foods, and some not so appropriate foods such as multi-tiered and candy-decorated birthday cakes. This, in short, is the time of year that I am thankful for swimming. Because without it, I might very well weigh 300 pounds. *warmup: 400 free, 400 alternating free and drill fly (this is too much fly for a warmup, and right away I'm worried about upcoming sets) *100 drill free, 4x50's free, 100 drill fly, 8x25's fly *100 drill free, 3x50's free, 100 drill fly, 6x25's fly *100 drill free, 2x50's free, 100 drill fly, 4x25's fly (yes, I was right to be worried) *100 breast arms, flutter/fly kick *3x50's free with 4 fly strokes *100 breast arms, flutter/fly kick

Why I Will Probably Never Move

Really, enough said. This is November, people. The weather is just insanely great. But of course, my reluctance to leaving this area isn't just because of the weather. It is because this is my home - where my family and best friends are - and also where my pool is. Kathleen and I were recently in Tahoe doing a step aerobics class circa 1989 (don't ask) on a 68 degree day of perfection, and talking about how tempting it is to think about picking up and moving to Pittsburgh or Savannah or anywhere really where we could afford to slow down and own an acre of land. Then we got into talking about simply moving to the East Bay, where I grew up, and where a house just like mine here in Menlo Park sells for way under a million bucks and is considered "expensive". "I mean," I said, "we don't need to leave the state, just the Peninsula." "Hell," Kathleen said, "we just need to move a few towns over, really." Then we looked at each other for a moment, and recognized the truth. Kathleen said it first: "I can't move farther than 5 miles from the pool." "Me either," I said. "And just to be clear, we're talking about THE pool, not any pool. I realize there are masters programs around, but that won't do." "Agreed," she said. The other women we were with looked uncomfortable. "Really?" one said. "Really," we said. "It's that important to us - best part of our day." Sorry Mom et all. I love being near you but the truth is I'm never leaving you at least in large part because of my pool. Today's workout Warmup: 400 free, 2 x 100's free with stroke last 25, 2 x 50's fast Main set: 5 x 100's on a tight interval REPEAT 5 times (25 x 100's) Last set: 100 kick, 75 drill, 50 kick, 25 drill repeat 1.5 times

High and Shirtless

I was in the city yesterday (see photo) at Delores Park and it was HOT, as it will be today. I made the mistake of wearing a short sleeved sweater and I was definitely the only one in one of those (also probably the only one who wasn't under 30, high or either shirtless or about to take off my shirt). Aside from the Hell of parking (took an hour) within a mile of the park, it was great to visit the other side of suburbia and see what the young people are doing. Good thing I didn't bring my kids. So, you noon swimmers are in for a massive treat today. 82 degrees in November. Now THAT'S why I'll never live anywhere but California. That and I couldn't bear to move away from this particular pool. Great workout today thank you Tim! warmup: 2 x 250, 2 x 125, last 50 stroke add pull gear for: 50 scull, 100 drill, 200 strong 50 scull, 100 drill, 400 strong 50 scull, 100 drill, 600 strong remove pull gear for: 3 x 25s drill, 3 x 75s strong repeat 2x

Killer Quad 2012

It's 5:12AM on Halloween and I'm off to start this year's Killer Quad wearing my two year old KQ suit. Whooohoooo! In about an hour I will be done, armed with coffee, and ready to weather a lot of kid costume parades (though not close to brave enough to attempt the Giants victory parade in the city), a night of chili and trick or treating, and maybe my own special treat for the night: an massive apple fritter. Happy Halloween!

Mental Toughness

Sometimes I show up in the morning and I just need a pummeling. With the Giants World Series Win giving me an excuse to sit around and drink red wine and eat chocolate last night, this was one of those mornings. Okay fine. I always want a pummeling. Seriously? If I'm going to pry myself out of a warm bed and jump in a cold pool in the dark before the rest of the town has even thought of getting up, I had better get a good goddamn workout. That's just me. Last week we had a 2 x 1000 set "for mental toughness". I know, I know, most of you think it's boring to go back and forth forty times and keep count of the laps. But not me. Long back and forth action is just what my mental state calls "perfect". Call me simple and escapist but I don't really want to daydream or think about real life. I want to move strain and count. But 25's easy with breathing and body positioning exercises? For me this is a Hell requiring extreme mental toughness to just stay...in...the...pool. And this morning, I couldn't do it. I needed yards. So, I boosted out of the cold water and did repeat 1000's in the warm pool. I'm sorry Rick. You're great but this morning's workout was too far out of the pain zone for me.