Morning Workout

I'm still moving forward with my 1/2 Marathon workout schedule for the run in late August. I think I've pretty much overcome my sore knees and my bruised ribs don't hurt that much while running (I sound like an old man talking about my injuries). I've been trying to exercise at least five days a week, most days doing some kind of cardio (biking or running) combined with lifting a few days a week. In my workouts, I've been focusing a lot more on lean muscle mass and trying to build definition rather than bulk, doing lots of high reps and super-sets, not to mention going to Triad for the 6am workout from Hell at Triad. I've dropped quite a bit of weight. At my heaviest I was at 208. I was still at a 34" waist, but my pants were tight. At my lightest, I'm now at 188.

This morning, I got up early to beat the heat and got my longest run ever at 9.1 miles. I've been averaging between 7 1/2 to 8 minute miles for my shorter runs of 3 or 4 miles, and was surprised that I did my 9 mile run at a 9 minute/mile pace. 9 miles was tough, more mentally than physically. I can see myself doing the half marathon without dying, but I couldn't imagine doing a full marathon. The monotony seems like it would kill you.

I've been reconsidering doing a mini-triathlon, ever since Cathie's Dad spent some time helping me figure out how to swim in a way that I won't drown. I've swam a bit since then found three things:

1. I don't float.
   
2. Form is important
3. Swimming 50 yards is hard. Swimming 1/2 mile will be even tougher.

I'm going to try swimming some at the lake while we're on vacation and see how it goes. My brother-in-law Kevin and I are both training for the same events so it'll be nice to have someone to go running with in the morning.