12 weeks out

Things on the Bagel Fight front haven't been going so well. I have 12 weeks until the 1/2 Ironman, which I am certainly not ready for at this moment. I have however decided to only do the aquabike (swim/bike). So from that standpoint I am not intimidated at all by the distances. The good news is that while i have been barely working out, my ankle does feel quite rested and good. The Moots should be arriving in about 2 weeks(frame is supposed to be done tomorrow) and they have all my parts out there and will build it up and ship it out hopefully next week. This no doubt will jump start my riding again, since right now the only bikes I have that work are a MTB and a cruiser. I have swim practice tonight and will report on that later.

116 days until the Chicago triathlon.....I'm not sure still what my plans are for that. Do I stay with the olympic distance or just try to do better than last year in the sprint??? I'm going to let my ankle decide what to do on that one. Decisions to come in a few weeks.

The future of Bagel Fight???? I think I have a lot of biking coming up in my future!

Return to the pool

I could tell I had been out of the water for a while! My arms felt sluggish and weak, as if I was swimming with a bag of bricks around my waist.

300 swim
200 kick
300 pull
---------------
200 drill
---------------
2x200 free on 3:00
4x50 free on :50
50 easy
2x100 free on 1:30
3x50 free on :45
50 easy
2x50 free on :45
2x50 free on :40
50 easy
----------------
50 pull
100 kick
100 swim
----------------
200 easy

Total yardage: 2750

Recap

Saturday we had a rough swim workout. 2x4x50 free all out on 3:00. That set had me feeling sick to my stomach for about 2 hours after the workout. Katy and I also went on a great 2 hour ride on a sunny and 60 degree day. After a long downhill, I was pedaling along at a +1% incline, when Katy came flying by me at around 22 mph! I got dropped as this attack was unexpected, so I got up behind her and enjoyed her draft for a mile or two while she just cranked. All that secret bike training at 5am she has been doing is paying off. This ride was also my final ride on the Felt,as it is time to dismantle and prepare the parts for the Moots.

NO MORE CHEESE (starting next week!!)

Blood tests came back and showed an even higher level on my LDL(167 now from 153). So the doc said: "Stay away from the cheese(we discussed my problem/addiction to it) and start taking Fish Oil suppliments" I have to get retested in 3 months after these dietary changes to see if i need to think about medication.

Fuel for the day:

7:20 - smoothie
10:30 - granola bar and a banana
1:30 - 2 chicken pitas
4:30 - Brat
5:00 - 2 pieces of candy
9:15 - Endurox R4
9:30 - PIZZA(Jewel T&C)
10:00 - 2 pieces of candy


Swim Practice:

400 swim
200 RevIM
-------------
10x50 kick on 1:00
-------------
12x100 free on 1:40 descending by 4
1:08
1:08
1:06
1:03
-----
1:13
1:10
1:08
1:03
-----
1:15
1:12
1:09
1:01
-------------
10x50 bk/brst on 1:00
-------------
200 good technique

Total Yardage: 3000

MRI results

I had a Dr's appointment this morning to have another blood sample taken(for cholesterol I have a borderline LDL reading from last time ). He did however look up the MRI results for me and they came back showing NOTHING. Which is great news, nothing looked inflamed or torn. So now Katy is convinced that this is proof that I am a hypochondriac(not far from the truth), but there is certainly something wrong! The Lodine is working well and i am pretty pain free, I am about 1/2 way through the course. My Sports Med Doctor is back in tomorrow so i am guessing I will get more info from her....hopefully

I got out on Katy's 3spd Schwinn Racer today for a few quick rides between shop activities. It was a great day out and nice to just get out and cruise for a bit.

I also got news that the Moots is coming along nicely and will be ready in about 19 days(yes, I am counting), so long to wait!!

Fuel:

after fasting for 12 hours for the blood test
10:00 - bar and chocolate banana protein smoothie
1:30 - 2 chicken pita's
2:00 - 2 small pieces of candy
4:30 - a little more smoothie(just so good!)
8:30- 2 Brat's from the earth hour party, still just like they were off the grill
9:45 - yogurt and strawberries

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