Easing back into it with a light swim

It's been a while! For the last 2 weeks I have had calf strains and a bad head cold, which was threatening to hit my chest. Because I have asthma, I didn't want to risk it with my chest so I took the time off training. It's still early days and I didn't want to make things worse.

Today I went to the pool and swam 700m. I did 2 sets of 100m, followed by 6x75m and then finished off with a 50m. Two weeks actually makes a difference to endurance and the rhythm of swimming. Hopefully I won't have to have a break of so long again over the next four months.

Ia m going to try and get out for a light run tomorrow to see how the calf muscles are. Fingers crossed that they are ok!

Also hoping to pick up a bike tomorrow from a relative and start cycling next week - Ouch!!

No runs next week

This calf strain that I've had for a week or so is still giving me trouble. Every now and then I get cramp-like pains from it. It's tender and there's also a bit of bruising. So I'm giving the running a break for the next week and will do some cross-trainer instead to keep the lungs active. And of course the swimming will still be there too!

Hopefully a bit of rest will put things right.

A little swimming milestone

Today I swam 750 metres in 10 sets of 75m. Nearly half a mile. Next week I start to work to the half mile in sets of 100m. By the end of the month I will be there. Today was the last session made up entirely of 75m sets. It might not sound like much of a milestone but those are the little things that keep me going.

My calf muscles are still tender and every now and then seem to cramp up. I have looked it up on the web and with my medical knowledge(!) I reckon I have a grade 2 calf strain. So I don't think I will run tomorrow but instead give it a another few days rest. Hopefully by Tuesday things will have settled a bit.

Over a minute improvement

Just back from a 3 mile run and I shaved 1 minute 11 seconds off last week's time. Today I did it in 23:53. Not mind blowingly fast, but a step in the right direction. I think my best time ever was around 21 minutes, a couple of years ago. So still room for more improvement.

This is going to sound a bit too run-geeky, but I read up on running technique and put a few pointers into practice today - and they obviously have worked. Some of the tips included: leaning forward more while running, shorter and quicker stride, not landing on my heel but rather on the mid foot.

Ah it's only Tuesday and I've already a swim and a run complete. Feels good to have them out of the way!!

And so the week begins...

...with a swim. Managed to squeeze out 700m today and felt nicely tired afterwards, if that makes sense. I did 9x75m sets and then an extra length to get down to the right end again!!

Nothing much else to say except it bugs the life out of me when people get in the pool right where you are swimming and just start swimming across your lane! Three women clambered in today and started having a swimming lesson right in the lane I had been swimming up and down for the previous 15 minutes. Even though there were two free lanes beside us...grrrr!

(Rant over)

End of week run

I was a bit tentative this morning heading out as my calf still wasn't 100%, but it was a long, slow 50 minute run and I didn't have to push too much. I covered just under 5 miles and my calves both were quite strained for the first 10 minutes or so. But thankfully they have come through fine.

I'm going to try to get for a swim tomorrow and get the week started off early as I don't like bunching things up at the end of the week i.e. like today running on a Sunday.

Thanks for reading!

For the stat geeks:
Average hr = 153
Max hr = 171
Calories = 897
1 minute recovery = from 149 to 124

Another good swim

Just back from the pool and without tempting fate, it was another good session. I did 600m and felt really good after it. Shoulders were tired but not too bad. So it looks like the endurance is starting to build and it's now becoming enjoyable. I'm looking forward to getting up to the half mile mark (800m), as that will be the first big milestone.

My calf is still very sore from yesterday's run. So not sure if I'll get out for a run tomorrow, perhaps Sunday.

Running in the Rain

Went for a 3 mile run today - in the rain. Although it is better than in the snow, and actually better than in the sun. And better than in the wind. Better than in the dry??? Mmmm - not sure. In a strange way I don't feel so thirsty when it's raining so perhaps rainy runs really are my favourite.

I felt my right calf strain a little not far into the run, and it has tightened up a bit since I've got back. Will have to apply a cold patch.

I tried something out today with my stride length - shortened and quicker strides. Just to see if my legs felt fresher. And they did, but my time was 10 seconds slower than last week. So perhaps not much point in it. But I remember trying it out when I did a couple of half marathons in 2008 and it definitely made a difference. I might give it another go.

Swim tomorrow and then a run on Saturday or Sunday.
Well, thanks for reading.
Look after yourself.

Thirsty swim!

Back from the pool. Must have swallowed half the pool today! Funny thing is how chlorinated water gives me serious wind, up the way. Anyone else find that??? :)

Anyway, today I swam 550m and I managed to finish it ok although it was tough enough near the end. There was another man swimming next to me and he was much faster than me, but I think subconsciously I was doing my best to keep up with him. Needless to say, I didn't. But some day...

My back is still niggling me. I have tingles down my left leg and if I've been sitting for a while it takes me a few steps before I can walk properly. But it is improving so that is the main thing. I am not taking any more anti-inflammatories either.

Run tomorrow at some stage if I can fit it in, as tomorrow is a busy day.

Thanks for reading!