It's not going to be as interesting as Ande's but I realized when I was powerlifting 10 years ago that this is the best way for me to track and evaluate my progress so here it is.
Sometimes I wonder but the simple fact that I feel better now that I ever did when I was powerlifting makes me realize that I must be doing something right.
Also, I have realized (and so have a lot of folks I interact with on a daily basis) that I am much calmer and easier to deal with now than I was just 6 months ago. I find myself slower to anger and when I do get angry, it is a very brief thing and I can move on a lot better than I used to.
I can understand the lazy angle and I think that you have earned the right to be lazy whenever you want :thhbbb:. For me, I just can not afford to be lazy. I invest money for my retirement, it would be a critical failure on my part not to invest time and effort in myself to be able to be physically fit and ENJOY my retirement. I learned a long time ago (and unfortunately seem to forget this for periods of time), I LOVE to move and enjoy being active so, at least with regards to swimming, this is an activity that I will continue for the rest of my life.
As for enjoying this, I would say that I am enjoying the results but certain stages of the journey have been difficult. But I love being in the water. One of my major faults (and one that has unfortunately been passed to my daughter) is that I am VERY hard on myself with regards to physical performance. I have to learn to let it go and that is also one of the reasons why I have set up this training log. So I can express how I'm feeling at the time, get it out and move on.
I appreciate you (actually everyone) taking the time to read this. All feedback is appreciated.
case in point, you asking 'wondering do you really like what you are doing' has made me stop and really think about it and realize, hell yes, I am enjoying this. As in all things some parts are less enjoyable than others but that's what makes up an 'experience'
Salut
Paul
Not so stupid, Goerge, if we don't periodically stop to THINK about why we do something, then eventually it will just be a never ending series of mindlessly going thru the motion sessions. And this applies to everything in life (god, I'm getting more Zen every day) family, job, relationships, etc.
As for dedication, I only WISH I had been HALF as dedicated 25 years ago as I am now.
Paul
Paul I have been reading your blog for sometime now.
Not being sarcastic but wondering do you really like what you are doing. I would have given up long ago. I am lazy and could not do it.
6 Jan 08
9am SCM with team
300 swim, 150 kick, 200 pull w/u
x2
1st - 125's Free descend on 1:50, 75's *** stretch out on 1:30, 25's Free EZ, sprint, EZ, sprint
2nd - 125's IM - 50 Free, 75's Free descend on 1:15, 25's EZ
150 EZ pull
That was practice, I stayed around and did a little more
4x25 Fly on :35
R 1:00
4x25 Free Sprint no breath with Fins on 1:00, :14, :13, :12, :12
100 EZ
2900m
Paul
As for enjoying this, I would say that I am enjoying the results but certain stages of the journey have been difficult. But I love being in the water. One of my major faults (and one that has unfortunately been passed to my daughter) is that I am VERY hard on myself with regards to physical performance. I have to learn to let it go and that is also one of the reasons why I have set up this training log. So I can express how I'm feeling at the time, get it out and move on.
Don't worry. This sounds a bit like me when I started. It was physically grinding at first because I was injured out of the box. Plus, I was hard on myself. Not so much now after 2+ years. I train and race the best I can, but don't beat myself up over mistakes. My last meet was one mistake after another, but I tried to focus on the positive. After all, we're not professionals. We're just striving to do the best we can.
I have so far not worked out Monday morning, not swam Tuesday morning, not worked out Wednesday morning.
Usually, I get the best sleep when I'm working out on a regular basis. I almost always fall asleep within 5 minutes after I lay down, and usually sleep until my alarm goes off during the week (sometimes a pee break in the night). I swam yesterday morning, ran last night, and think I fell asleep as soon as I laid down.
If you do need some help, I've found Tylenol PM (or its generic) handy to have. I used it on a transatlantic flight in Dec and got a good 5+ hours of sleep. Not saying I woke up 100% refreshed in Europe, but I was able to make the most of the day from 11am onward.
On the rare occasion I have trouble sleeping at home, I've found a glass of milk with Kahula helps too.
OK, so I took my frustration and channeled it into a decent workout.
9 Jan 2008
6:45pm - gym session
Treadmill 10min, .78 miles (4)
Squat - 45x10(3),115x10(6),115x10(7)
Seated Leg Curl - 95x10(3), 110x10(4)
Seated Calf Raise - 70x12(7),70x12(7)
Incline BB Press - 45x10(2), 95x10(4), 105x10(6)
DB Flyes - 10x10(3), 15x10(6)
Straight Leg Raise - 20(7),20(8)
Cable Crunch - 150x20(5), 170x20(7), 190x20(8)
Done in 45 minutes.
The numbers in the parens indicate level of effort on a 1-10 scale.
Paul
Sleep is becoming a real issue. Getting to sleep, staying asleep for more than an hour, waking up not feeling like death on toast. I have so far not worked out Monday morning, not swam Tuesday morning, not worked out Wednesday morning.
This is really starting to seriously bug me and might actually start a descending cycle.
I NEED SLEEP!!!!
Paul
