I'm Back...

So my posts have become fewer and further between lately, for which I apologize. I had a good week of training last week, with two five mile runs, two weightlifting sessions, and a spin bike workout. Yesterday I did a hard five mile run outside. Despite running the first mile in a way-too-leisurely 7:40ish, I averaged 7:18 pace for the entire workout, which I was pretty pleased with. I also lifted weights (chest and triceps), but kept it pretty light because I was still really sore from my last chest workout on Thursday. Today I rode an exercise bike for 40 minutes, with my heart rate consistently in the 150 beats/minute range. I am traveling tomorrow for work, so no workouts planned -- which is good because after five days in a row, my body can use a break...

Five Mile Run

I started my training week yesterday with a chest and tricep workout at the gym. I did not feel particularly strong on the flat bench -- I struggled to put up 205 lbs. five times and then barely got up 225 once. The only thing I thought at the time was that my body was not completely awake (it was like 8:00 A.M. in the morning). I think it may be time to shift to free weights anyway as my serious training period starts to get a bit closer (and my weight drops -- I am now just a hair under 180 lbs).

Today I ran five miles on the treadmill. I ran the first three miles at 7:13/mile pace, then scaled back to 7:30, and then gradually increased the speed until I was running 6:53 pace at the very end. I ended up average 7:12 pace, and although I was sweating buckets afterwards, I did not feel all that winded. Soon I will hit the pool again -- given the way the last four months have gone, if I can just manage to drag my lazy butt to the pool on a consistent basis, it is going to be a pretty good (i.e., fast) season.