Friday, February 29, 2008

Happy Leap Day

This morning I decided it was time to do something that I haven't done in a very long time. It involved searching for my bathing suit bottoms, a swim cap, and goggles. Yes folks, I actually SWAM today.

I devised a simple short workout to reacquaint myself with the pool:

100 warm-up
200 drills
400 moderate/easy pace - timed
200 breast up, crawl back
100 warm-down.

Amazingly, my 400 in the middle came in at 8:53 which is not too far off where I was in the midst of my peak swim training last year. Not bad. And I hereby declare Fridays to be swim day on my training schedule.

I could have done nothing else and still would have been pleased with myself. But it actually gets better. You see, today has been an absolutely beautiful day - mid-sixties, sunny, no wind.

I decided to take advantage of the spring-like day and get my 6 mile run in this afternoon rather than wait until the weekend.

My plan was to go fairly easy (think half-mary pace), take walk/fuel breaks every mile, and cover my target distance of 6.0-6.5 miles.

Here's how it played out for 6.24 miles. Please note that the first mile was all run, I didn't start my first walk break until I hit the 1 mile mark. Every other mile includes a 1-2minute walk break. The last quarter mile is all run also, I didn't stop to walk when I hit mile six, I kept running until I reached my driveway.

10:47 (all run)
11:32
11:56
12:02
12:43
12:29
10:24 (0.24 miles all run)

I'm happy with my overall average pace of 11:53, but as you can tell, I'm still not very good at pacing myself. But since pacing myself wasn't part of the plan, I'd call this run a success. I feel like I'm back on track for the half-mary in April.

And since it's a leap year, both the swim and the run get counted into my Feb totals (which I will tally up and post at some future time). For me, it has been a very happy and productive leap day. :)

Edit: I'm sore this morning, but in a good way. I also pulled the trigger and signed up Husband & I for the half-marathon. WoooooHooooo!!!

12 comments:

  1. Most excellent use of your extra day. Good work!!

    Glad you got back in the pool. Sounds like you haven't lost much at all. YAY.

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  2. Nice swim, chica! I'm sorry, but half mary pace sounds too much like work :-)

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  3. Nice job in the pool!! Looks great!

    I have so much trouble with pacing myself but I am working on it. :>)

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  4. Congratulations on an EXCELLENT Leap Year day you ball of energy you!

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  5. Nice Leap Day for you, Lisa!!

    I was supposed to be born on Leap Day, so actually I'm only 10 years old ;)

    You are back in the training groove. Wasn't the weather beautiful yesterday...and today is even better :)

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  6. What an energy leap!! Fabulous You!
    Congratulations. Good to hear you are feeling great.

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  7. Sounds like a great LEAP DAY Lisa.... Happy stuff... and congrats on the race entry - did you tell your hubby before or after you did it! ;O)

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  8. That good soreness is a great feeling.

    Nice job getting back in the water and way to go on the 6 mile run!

    I look forward to reading more about your training!

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  9. Thanks for visiting my blog! Good luck with your half, and enjoy the Big Island! Get some runs in while you're there :-)

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  10. Nice! You will rock that 1/2!
    Take Care!

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  11. Most excellent. Great day for a 2-fer and you did it well.
    Go you and hubby on the half marathon. giddy up.

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