Monday

I did not do anything athletic all weekend except a .74 mile "test loop" during Earth Hour, which proved to me that nobody around us even cares about saving the planet! That's another good reason why we need to move!

Monday's Fuel:

7:20 - chocolate banana protein smoothie
10:30 - organic granola bar
12:00 - Roasted Chicken Pitas(2)
12:45 - 2 bite sized candy bars
4:00 - cup of chex mix
7:00 - chicken burritos and a beer(Harp)
8:00 - some bite sized candy bars
11:30 - yogurt and strawberries

MRI Thursday

I had my MRI today. It took about 30 minutes involving short time frames that i had to be perfectly still. My doctor requested that i get a copy of it on CD. So Matty and I reviewed it and it was fascinating. I was pretty sure in one of the images of my ankle I saw an embryo developing, which might be my problem.........I guess I will leave the diagnosis up to the doctor which I should get next week.

I had a terrible swim practice today. I had such an awful headache to start with that anytime i exerted myself or held my breath longer than 2 strokes it just became unbearable. So I really only made it through the warm-up and then a little bit here and there, about 1000yards in total.

Fuel:

7:20 - granola bar
9:00 - bowl of cereal
12:30 - 2 wraps(tortilla, pepper jack cheese, cucumber and spinach)
6:00 - black cherry almond CLIFF bar
10:00 - tilapia and green beans
10:15 - yogurt and fresh strawberries and 2 shortbread girl scout cookies

Wednesday

I got outside today for a 45 minute bike. It was the first ride of the year that I could wear shorts for and it felt great to be outside. No real pain other than my normal aching in the ankle.


Fuel:

7:20 - banana
9:00 - bowl of raisin bran with soy milk
12:30 - 2 wraps (red pepper humus, cucumber, pepper, pepper jack cheese and spinach in a tortilla)
2:30 - granola bar
4:00 - Endurox R4 and 2 girl scout cookies(shortbread)
7:00 - Chicken Cutlets with Grape Shallot Sauce and Roasted Brussel Sprouts
7:45 - a little bit of chocolate(bless my wife for her gift of treats!)
9:00 - strawberries and yogurt
10:30 - 1 Miller Lite(just looked good in the fridge)

Tuesday

I had my last PT today until further notice, ie. test results from my upcoming MRI on Thursday.

Fuel for the day:
7:20 - banana
10:30 - granola bar
12:30 - chicken salad on croissant, chips and a root beer
4:30 - some grapes
5:30 - a Mountain Dew
6:30 - some grapes
9:30 - potato, shallot and feta omelet
10:15 - banana, strawberries and yogurt

Swim Practice:

500 swim
--------------
5x150 on 2:30
kick, 3/6/3, swim by the 50
--------------
3x50 on 1:00
4x50 on :45
3x50 on :40

repeat
--------------
20 x 25 on :30
odds hard/easy
evens easy/hard
every 4th is fly
--------------
100 free

total yardage: 2850

Monday

I had a bad eating day today.....I spent most of the day in the Shop and time just kinda disappeared on me. No workouts to post.

8:30 - banana
11:30 - raisin bran and soy milk
3:00 - bar
7:30 - lots of quick spinach and tomato pasta
9:00 - piece of pie

Thursday

Fuel:
7:20 - chocolate banana peanut butter smoothie
9:45 - 1/2 bar
12:30 - potstickers/pan fried onion roll with pork/dan dan noodles(a little of each)
4:45 - steak in a pita
6:00 - 1/2 bar
9:45 - some pizza and some Fat Tire and a bit of coffee cake


Swim Practice:

200 swim
200 kick
200 pull
-------------
25/50/75/100/75/50/25
drill-catch-up w/ 6 kick and breathing to both sides--20 sec rest
-------------
25/50/75/100/200/300/200/100/75/50/25
free 15 sec rest interval
-------------
12x25 on :30
free/fly
-------------
100 easy

Total Yardage:2400

Peroneal Tendonosis?

"Degenerative tears (tendonosis) are usually due to overuse and occur over long periods of time—often years. In degenerative tears, the tendon is like taffy that has been overstretched until it becomes thin and eventually frays."

Well, the sports medicine doctor i saw today is theorizing that i have a problem with my Peroneus Tendon.(Damn Deformity!!??!?!) I have an MRI scheduled for next week which should hopefully show if and where any problems might lie. The problem lies in the prognosis........There is a chance I may need surgery(odds are not, thankfully) but this type of problem can take a YEAR OR MORE to heal! Ughhhh.

So as of right now, I have been banned from running(except for right before the MRI) and this may lead to ending my running(ie triathlons) for the year. Not a total loss, since I will have the Moots to play with soon, but disheartening none the less. I guess it may be time to focus on the 25K open water swim in Indiana this summer now instead!

So it will be probably 2 weeks before I know anything, stay tuned.....

Wednesday

7:20 - chocolate peanut butter banana smoothie
9:30 - bar
11:30 - steak pita
3:00 - small smoothie(same as above)
6:30 - fish tacos and a piece of mint chocolate pie
9:00 - small fruit salad
No exercise today.......

Tuesday

I had a PT session this morning. I am scheduling an appointment with a sports injury doctor for Thursday hopefully since things are not progressing as planned.......

I also got 40 minutes on the bike trainer today(raining out today) at about 16mph which felt pretty comfortable with no pain. Thankfully I can ride without any problems.

Fuel:

8:15 - chocolate peanut butter banana smoothie
9:45 - 1/2 bar
11:30 - steak tacos
1:30 - 1/2 bar
3:00 - steak in a pita
6:00 - pineapple
9:20 - grilled cheese and tomato red pepper soup
10:20 - piece of pie

Swim Practice:

200 free
400 kick/pull
200 free
-----------
10x50 on 1:05/1:00
free
----------
300 pull
200 finger drag
4x50 breast drill 1p1k,1p2k,1p3k
100 easy
----------
12x25 IM order on :30
----------
100 easy

Total Yardage: 2500

St Pat's Day

7:45 - chocolate peanut butter banana smoothie and a bar
9:30 - coffee
1:00 - 2 Guinness and a grilled cheese
4:45 - 3 steak tacos
5:30 - small piece of pie
9:45 - chocolate peanut butter cup

I didn't do any workouts other than a round of PT exercises.....

Saturday Morning

Swim Practice:

200swim
200kick
200pull
200drill
--------------
8x50's IM order(fly/bk,br/fr) on 1:00
--------------
10 x 100 free on 1:30
1:06
1:06
1:07
1:07
1:07
1:08
1:07
1:07
1:07
1:01
------------
12x25 IM order on :30
------------
200 free

Total Yardage: 2700

I rode fixed for about 40 minutes right after practice, pretty casual but worked some good hills...

Friday

9:00 - raisin bran
11:00 - PB&J
1:30 - gross Turkey and cheese sandwich(losing interest in lunch meats again)
3:30 - apple and granola bar
5:00+ Pizza and Miller Lites and a few handfuls of GORP and a piece of pie

Not a great eating day but the pizza and beer sure tasted good! Rest Day for all other activities.

Thursday

7:40 - raisin bran and soy milk
9:30 - apple
11:30 - cliff bar (kids)
3:00 - turkey and cheese sandwich
6:00+ cheese pizza and a Miller Lite

I got in 1:30 on the bike today, pretty casual but nice to get some quality saddle time in. Fermi Lab is a great place to ride with very unusual scenery! I did not attend swim practice either, got some much needed Shop time in instead.

Wednesday

Today was a run day and I did not run. Things aren't working that well in the run department and I just don't want to risk an injury that would keep me off the bike. Decisions need to be made..............


7:30 - Chocolate banana protein shake
9:00 - apple
11:30 - cliff bar(kids)
2:00 - leftover fennel and chicken flatbread
4:15 - cliff bar(kids)
8:00 - 1 Miller lite Chill(not the best)
8:15 - Black Bean smothered sweet potatoes
9:15 - piece of Sara Lee Chocolate Dream Pie(thanks Kline!)

Tuesday

What a great day out! Sunny and in the high 40's

I biked for only 30 minutes casually because I felt like I needed to make sure my ankle wasn't to over worked. Lacking confidence still...........

Fuel for the day:

7:30 - chocolate banana protein shake
10:00 - apple and a cliff bar
12:00 - PB and J
2:00 - 6 crackers with cheese
3:45 - brownie(GET THESE OUT OF HERE, I HAVE NO SELF CONTROL)
4:30 - apple
9:30 - The Wedge salad and Fennel and Chicken Flatbread
9:45 - 1 Miller Lite


Swim Practice:

300 swim
300 pull
-------------
10x75 on 1:30
odds are 3-6-3
evens are kick(w/ fins)
-------------
10x100 on 1:45
odds are IM
evens are free
-------------
16x25 on :30
IM order
-------------
100 easy

Total Yardage: 2850

Monday

9:00 - small bowl of cereal
9:30 - some coffee
11:00 - cheese sandwich
12:45 - 1/2 sandwich and a cup of soup, chunk of bread
3:45 - brownie
8:30 - Spicy Black Bean Sandwiches w/ Chipotle Mayo and a side of Mexican Cole Slaw
9:45 - a few Gscout cookies

15 minute run

3:00 run
1:30 walk
3:00 run
1:30 walk
1:30 run
4:30 walk

It didn't really feel that great on the run and during the 1:30 run portion I started feeling a little weak in the ankle and decided to stop running and walk the rest of the time. I didn't feel any pain, but I could tell I was pushing my luck to keep running. Not the most encouraging experience................

Sunday Fixed

Katy got me a new Nitto stem and Nitto Bullhorn bars for my Puch fixed gear(42x16) as an xmas present. That bike used to be really uncomfortable with a short stem and tiny drops on it, but now it is a real pleasure! Super comfortable, especially when wearing some nice winter gloves. No brake levers in the way just a sweet open area to put my big mitts. Its proving to be a great winter ride!

My ankle felt a little stiff from yesterdays big day, but i was expecting that. Got about 40 minutes of riding in today outside, sweet!

Saturday Morning Triathlon

Swim Practice:

200 swim
200 kick
200 pull
200 drill
---------------
8x50 on 1:00
odds - fingerdrag
evens- 10 kick switch
----------------
1000 swim(I used paddles)
----------------
12 x 25 IM order on :30
----------------
100 Easy

Total Yardage: 2400

When we got home from swim practice Katy jumped on the bike trainer and I decided to ride outside today even though it was snowing and in the low teen's. I rode for 55 minutes on my fixed gear with 700c x 30 knobbies on it. It was a great bike for the conditions but even in my full winter ninja outfit my toes were still cold.

I transitioned off the bike and went directly into a run for 15 minutes (1 min run/1 min walk) and I am not sure if it was just too cold to tell, but I felt pretty good. No ankle pain and felt pretty comfortable running.

Overall it was a positive day.

Totals:
2400 yard swim
55 minute bike
15 minute run

All before 9am!

The conditions certainly weren't friendly but it was nice to gain some confidence in my ankle today. Now its time to celebrate a couple birthdays! Party Time!

Day Off

7:20 - granola bar
8:00 - bowl of cereal
11:00 - peanut butter and blackberry jam sandwich
2:30 - spanish rice
4:00 - 1 New Castle and 2 pieces of bread dipped in olive oil and parm
7:00 - 2 Margaritas and Steak Tacos
8:15 - 2 Gscout cookies

Cabin Fever!!

I couldn't stand it any longer!

The Sun was out and looking through the windows it sure looked warm out! Almost all of the ice has melted away on the streets. So I decided to take my Felt out (In about 6-8 weeks my "bike stables" are going to be radically different and I just really want to enjoy the time I have left with the bike that really got me back into biking. More on this topic to come!!) for a nice 17 mile ride.

Just tooled around for a while and it was GREAT!!! It was of course barely 30 degrees out, but with my full winter ninja suit on I could have cared less!

It felt great to ride no handed for a while.
It felt great to sprint to the stop sign at 59th and Bently.
It felt great to ride outside again!!!


Reevaluation this morning at PT:

I got a few new exercises to do and they are CONVINCED that my injury has healed and that the pain i feel at the end of the day is just a "tired" Achilles tendon. The focus of my recovery is still on trying to achieve muscular balance to take the load off of my Achilles. I don't know what to believe. It certainly is better but still feels like a long way to go before I am at 100%. I have found myself lately thinking about changing my entry in the 1/2 Ironman to purely an aquabike(swim/bike/no run). That would leave me only the Chicago Triathlon's 10K to train for run wise. What if I get re injured to the point that I can't bike???? BagelFight is all about finding out what my body can do! and these wavering thoughts feel very much against that philosophy. I will have to sit on this for a while and see how things progress.

Fuel For the Day:

7:15 - granola bar
8:00 - bowl of cereal
11:00 - coffee
12:00 - peanut butter and blackberry jam sandwich
4:00 - left over spanish rice and 2 Gscout cookies
7:30 - PowerGel
9:20 - Endurox R4
10:15 - Pizza


Swim Practice:

300 swim
200 reverse IM
----------------
5x100 on 2:00
s,k,s,d by 25
---------------
25 fly on :30
25 fly/50 back on 1:20
25 fly/50 back/75 breast on 2:20
25 fly/50 back/75 breast/100free on 3:30
*2 Rounds*
--------------
8x 50 free on :50
4,8 are FAST
--------------
200 focus on technique

Total Yardage is 2600

A return to running

I set out on an EPIC 15 minute run this morning. It felt akward and slow, my heart rate was way up and I was having a hard time keeping it down. I ran for a few minutes, walked a little, and ran for a few more, taking some time to stretch here and there. Surprisingly my ankle seemed some what ok, not great and strong like I could BOUND with every step, but I certainly could jog comfortably with out any pain.

I'm going to keep up this 15 minute run this week and bump it to 20min next week. Hopefully I will be able to progressively add more time with out incident. Fingers Crossed!

Fuel for the day:

7:20 - granola bar
10:00 - some coffee
11:00 - flour tortilla with a piece of cheese and a spoonful of coconut gelato
1:00 - turkey and cheese sandwich
2:30 - a few girl scout cookies
4:30 - small bowl of cereal
7:30 - Spanish Rice, chicken, avocado, cilantro, corn and tomatos w/ corn tortillas
9:30 - some girl scout cookies

Back To Business

It feels good to be back at Masters practice and reestablishing a routine again, even though Hil and Doug were both no shows! The practice on paper seemed much easier than it was in reality. I was able to hold 1:04's for the 100's so that was good. When I got home I felt like I needed to ice my ankle(for about 30 minutes) which i am pretty sure was from me kicking to hard during the 75's.


Fuel for the day:

7:15 - coffee and a granola bar
9:30 - 2 steak tacos(steak,cheese,onion,cilantro and salsa on corn tortilla's)
11:30 - peanut butter and blackberry jam on wheat
1:45 - turkey sandwich
4:30 - small bowl of cereal and a few "jelly beans"
9:15 - endurox r4
9:30 - chopped salad

and about 7 "trefoil" girl scout cookies through out the day

Bike:
30 minutes on trainer in Z2

Swim:

300 swim
300 pull
--------------
10x75 on 1:30
k,d,s
--------------
4x25 on :30
2x50 on :50
2x75 on 1:10
2x100 on 1:30
100 easy

2 rounds
--------------
4x25 on :45
--------------
100 easy

Total Yardage: 2850

Monday

I have returned from about 10 days in Colorado. It was a long week and now I need to try to get back in the game. I have my PT reeval this week Thursday and am going to go on my first run on Wednesday to see how things are going. I'm still not very confident with where my ankle is. While its certainly better, I know it is not fully back to normal.

Time to refocus!