Day 39 - Mar 8th - No Pain

Today was the first day that I ran outside and had no pain in my left leg from the ski fall over a month ago. I hadn't run outside since the snow day. I have been training on the Alter G which has helped my leg heal. My first mile time was 7:40 today. I expected it to be 8:30 so I was pleased that my speed work on the treadmill is translating to actual increased speeds on the road.

Day 38 - Mar 7th - N0 Workout

I traveled to Helena MT for a lunch meeting today and didn't get an opportunity to work out. First day that has happened.

Day 37 - Mar 5th - Double Workout & Chris Baker

Today I did a double workout. I ran on the Elliptical at the Kroc Center for 30 min at level 15. That is a hard workout for me right now. I burned 450 calories. Then I went back later in the day for another swim lesson from Laurin. There were a few lengths when I didn't feel that I was drowning for air. I think the tip that Gloria gave me about breathing technique was very helpful.

Tonight I met for the first time with my Tri Coach Chris Baker. Among the things he said that stood out were:

1) Strive for swim efficiency
2) Practice transition and cut out all the necessities
3) Set time goals not position goals as you never know who is going to show up on a given day.
4) Focus my workouts on my strengths and weaknesses not on others
5) A triathlon bike won't help you unless you are going more that 20mph and in a tuck most of the time. Buy a good road bike instead.

Day 37 - Mar 4th Third Post - Charles & Janie Cutting

As I was back on the elliptical machine I had a chance to look around and observe what is going on around me. I saw a gentleman in a grey shirt that said "marathon" something on it. I also saw his wife. They were walking around the track. She had a shirt that said "marathon finisher" on it. I thought they looked pretty dedicated for walkers. I decided if they were still there when I finished I would go talk to them. I was sure they wouldn't still be there. But they were and what a fascinating couple they are. I would like to introduce you to Charles & Janie Cutting who have run 203 and 181 marathon's rescpectively and are about to run their next on in LA on March 17th. Can you believe that?  They started at the Orange Grove marathon in November of 2001 and have run in all 50 states.  They signed up for membership at the Kroc center before it opened and come 3 or more times a week. That's incredible. I knew just watching them there was something special in their dedication but never did I expect those accomplishments. 

Here is a picture of their friend Kathy, on the right,  that often walks with them and is pointing them out. She has been a member of the Kroc Center since 2011 and also often comes 3x a week or more.

Later that same day Julienne, Jane, and I took another swim lesson with Laurin. Jane met the goals for the Feb swimming for the Krocman Challenge. I did not. She calculated the number of days left, and how much she had to swim and swam enough to meet that goal. Way to go Jane Graybill. As long as I was already at the Kroc Center I decided to do more on the elliptical and find out where my limits were.  I went 30 minutes at level 12 this time and it didn't phase me so I must have something left. I am pleased when I am working out at a heart rate about 145 and not above that. This was my first double training day and it felt good except for the swimming. I have a lot to learn there.

Day 37 - Mar 4th Second Post - Kris

At the front desk I got to meet Kris.  She runs one of the early morning shifts and seems to know everyone's name. In fact people passing by said the following about Kris:

• She is always here with a smile
• She goes above and beyond expected customer service
• She knows my name
• She is not reading a book and is paying attention when we arrive.  

I guess I already met her son Kip that I blogged about early on. Another wonderful Kroc employee.

Day 37 - Mar 4th - Tom and Mark

One of the purposes of setting a triathlon goal is to keep up with my active kids or at least participate with them.

I can't believe that ever since we moved to Hayden in July of 2012 I have not once trained at the Kroc Center with my son Thomas Dance, DDS of DR. DANCE Dentistry for Kids on Prairie or his friend Mark Wilson who is a doctor at Deaconess. They go to the Kroc center Monday and Wednesday mornings at 6am and do cardio exercises to warm up and then jump in the pool for laps.  Here they are on the elipse. They helped me see that a level 4 was not much as they were on levels 10 and 11 for 30 minutes. But I am learning.

 

While running I heard Maurissa make an announcement at the front desk about a truck with WA plates having their lights on.  I figured there couldn't be that many so I'd better check and sure enough it was me. I went back and was talking about it and lo and behold right behind me on an elipse was Amy Dreps who had been kind enough to report it. Thank you Amy. 

Day 36 - Mar 3rd - Weigh In

On Sunday's I don't train but rest and be with the family and do church service.

Today I weighed in at 171.2 pounds, a steady decline since Day one and 24.6% body fat which is also down.

Good progress, but with the AlterG machine I know what I can do if I lose 25 pounds or more.