Random Thoughts

This week started on a low point.  First off my leg hurt like hell.  I cannot imagine what I did to it.  My first thought and the scariest scenario is that I have a stress fracture.  Stress fractures do not heal overnight.  They take about two months to heal,,, Two months is exactly what I have left to prepare for CDA.  Sucks,,

I read up on stress fractures.  There are some exercises to help strengthen the muscles.  In addition, I am now taking calcium and vitamin D.  That should help the healing process.  If it is not a stress fracture then the calcium will help me develop kidney stones.  I love getting old.  I have an appointment with Dr. Spears next week.  In the meantime, I am not going to do any stress exercises like running. 

Second low point was that I am on the road all week, this means,, lot’s of temptations for bad diet and making time to train.  This is the first week in a three-week build period.  We will be ramping up the mileage over the next three weeks and it is important for me to make all the training hours.  The hotel has a pool.. a “baby Olympic” which means it is 20 yards long. A sign on the wall states “1 Mile = 44 laps”.  I swam twice while I was there, each time for an hour.  Therefore, I estimate I swam a total of 4 miles which means 176 laps…I probably spent more time turning than I did swimming.

Fun part of working out at a hotel,,, you see several people come and go,, while you are still working out.  Several times I would start out on the stationary bike or elliptical or when swimming,, several people would come alongside and start working out,,, then leave.  Meanwhile,,, I am still working out… That pretty much tells you who the smart people are.

Well,, other than the leg pain, I did well.  I really watched what I ate.  I stayed with seafood, fruits, vegetables, and an occasional drink.  I did manage to get in all my training.  The weekly goal was 15.5 hours,, I did 15 on the nose.  For the long run (18 miles), I did 2:45 on an elliptical trainer.  2 hours and 45 minutes stuck in a gym,,, it was not all bad but it was 2 hours and 45 minutes.  I could have done more but I needed to get home.  

Bike ride on Saturday was 90 miles from Austin to Johnson City and back.  It was in the hill country.  Lot’s of work getting out there.  Many hills,,, most of them going up and a wind,, mostly in our faces.  On the way back,, it was another story. It was mostly downhill and with the wind in our backs.  I rode with Jen and Maurice.  I was as usual, behind them but they were always within site and I usually caught up with them at the lights or major intersections.  I probably should say that they waited fro me at the lights and major intersections but it sounds better the other way. 

Highlight of the week,, being out of town and really focusing on my training.  I had fun too,, it was not all training and eating right. I went out and “indulged”.  Which,, by the way, I have to say I cannot handle drinking much anymore.  I felt like crap the day after.