Run around the block

Not a whole lot new to report today. I went for a run around noon and figured I'd just run around the neighborhood for a little while. After all, the weather has been perfect the past few days. I ended up going for almost 45 minutes before my knee was starting to hurt a bit, so I stopped and walked the rest of the way home. I certainly don't want to aggravate it right before the Turkey Tri next weekend.

All in all, it was a nice little run, though.

Total distance: 4 miles running

Calorie burner on bike

Final result before calling it quits

I went for a nice bike "ride" at the rec center today. I pushed it pretty hard for 45 minutes and was sweating profusely. I've increased my resistance on the bike up to level 10 now, so I'm really starting to burn calories whenever I use it. Today, I thought about shooting for 700 calories, which I could probably pull off in an hour, but Jen was waiting for me to get home quickly, so I cut it short at about 550 calories and went home. Bleh.

Total distance: 13.5 miles cycling

Wedding anniversary triathlon

I didn't have the intention of doing anything special today, but when I got to the gym, I was feeling ambitious. I started out on the treadmill and went a full 3.1 miles and was feeling OK, so I thought, "What the hell?" and hopped right on the bike. I was still feeling good, so after about 10 minutes I decided to go the distance and complete the full 6.2-mile leg of what the Turkey Tri will be.

I immediately jumped off, started my watch and timed myself as I ran down to the locker room, threw on my suit and dove into the pool. I went through the 300-yards as fast as I could before turning off the timer. Adding it all up, including transitions, I did the full triathlon in 59:33, which is VERY fast by my standards. However, realistically, the actual tri is much more difficult with big hills and such. I finished in about 1:08.00 last year and based off how I ran the run leg of the course yesterday, I can't imagine I'm going to crush my time. Hopefully, I'll be able to knock a few minutes off, though. Getting under 1:05.00 would be an accomplishment for me.

It's been a good day, other than upsetting Jen for taking longer than expected at the gym. Today is our third wedding anniversary.

Total distance: 3.1 miles running, 6.2 miles cycling, 300 yards swimming

Slushy run with Kelly

Kelly and I had planned on running the Turkey Tri course today, and based off weather reports, we both knew it was going to be rainy and cold. We dressed warm, though and gutted it out.

If I don't look too pleased with myself, it's because I'm not. Kelly is all smiles, though.

Right after we parked and started stretching I watched someone ticket my car. I don't really care, because I'm not a student, so what are they going to do? Hold my transcripts? I graduated long ago. However, it is really stupid that Weber State doesn't have anywhere for you to park if you are a visitor or a non-student. Sorry, but I'm not going to buy one of your hundred-dollar parking passes so I can park on campus a few times a year.

Anyway, the run was incredibly tough. I tried my best to stay with Kelly the whole way, but I was hurting from the very start. I'm not sure my body was ready to run, considering I'm still sore from last Thursday's hike. Yeah, it's taking that long to heal. My shins were in a great deal of pain before we were even half way done, but any time I tried to stop or slow down, it just hurt worse, so I just trudged forward. My time was a very disappointing 34 minutes, but we did take a slightly longer route. The cold was a bit of a factor and my lungs were burning a bit, but that's to be expected. Hell! It's a triathlon in November! So I have no good excuse there. The rain stopped just before we stopped running anyway, so we did catch a break there.

Next time, I plan to stretch MUCH better and hopefully I can pull off a time closer to my Turkey Tri goal.

P.S.: Why is it already snowing? Ughhhh!!

Total distance: 3.1 miles running

Crappy weather, nice swim

I was hoping to go for a run today, now that my legs have calmed down a little after last Thursday's hike. They were screaming at me for two days before finally healing a bit yesterday. However, the weather outside this morning was stormy and gross so I went to the rec center for a swim and some free weight work instead.

I lifted first, knowing full well my muscles would be tired when I got in the water. But I pushed it hard on my sets anyway.

Warm up
200 free
Core
4 x 300 free/50 breast

I didn't end up cooling down because I ran out of time, but the breaststroke interval on each set cooled me down some already, so I was OK. I haven't exactly been piling up the yards since Bear Lake, but I've at least been getting in once a week, for the most part. I can't fall out of the habit, but I have to be very careful not to overdo it and let my shoulder get some rest in the next few months. I'm walking a fine line.

Total distance: 1,600 yards swimming

Mount Ogden summit success

So we finally made our 2012 attempt to summit Mount Ogden and all went well. Wes and I met at Kelly's place before we went and packed everything away and we were on the Beus Canyon trailhead by 9:30. The two of them brought their dogs Luigi and Leia. My initial goal was to be at the top within five hours. The last time Kelly and I attempted this in 2009 we only make it a bit past halfway in almost five hours. I was fatter then, so what can I say?

Shortly after making it through Beus Canyon. Note the colors everywhere. Beautiful.

We made our way through the 2.5 miles of Beus Canyon and it was pretty cold outside. There was still frost on the leaves, which provided a scenic climb through the fern fields. Autumn really is the perfect time to make this hike.

After that, we crossed the creek and went up the south side of the canyon before turning into the next canyon, which I don't know the name of on the other side. We worked through the mountainside 2.7 more miles before cutting back west to go up the traverse to the saddle to Mount Ogden, before finally hitting the saddle itself. Once the towers and helicopter pad at the peak were in sight it made things a little more frustrating because it was deceivingly far away.

Wes in the canyon south of Beus.

Eventually, we hit the road that comes up from the east side at Snowbasin. That road was a bitch. It was easily the hardest part of our ascent. We were all sucking wind the whole way. It was worth it though, because out of nowhere we saw a line of about five mountain goats a few dozen yards ahead of us, seemingly making the exact same climb we were. That was pretty cool.

Mountain goat sighting. Unfortunately, no Goat Man sightings.

Finally, after three hours and 45 minutes we made it to the top. We ate lunch and just relaxed for about 45 minutes before heading back down at 2 p.m sharp. It took us a little longer than I had hoped to get back down, trudging into the parking lot on 46th Street at 4:30 and we were dog tired. Even the actual dogs were dog tired.

I don't know if this road has a name, but it should be dubbed Hell's Climb.

All in all, it was a successful hike. Round trip, including the 45 minutes we took to stop, it took us seven hours from start to finish. Not bad. Novice climbers are expected to take eight to nine hours and we dicked around on the helipad for a while, too. We started at 5,000 feet and finished at the top at 9,500 feet making a total ascent of 4,500 feet. I'm sure I burned a crap-ton of calories.

We made it. Almost four hours later.

Total distance: 13 miles hiking (round trip)

Our route, excluding the crappy climb up the final road.

More photos from the hike ...

Cold weather in the morning. Mid 30s.

Traversing the saddle. Mount Ogden about two mile further on the left.

Texting Jen to tell her we made it up safely. Dunno what Kelly's doing.

The view of Weber and Davis counties from the top. We had a perfect 360 degree view as far as we could see.

The road to Snowbasin and the tram on the left.

Ben Lomond peak off to the north.

It's not what it looks like. Well, maybe it is.

Gangster poses with Morgan County behind us.

Rare swim day

I haven't been in the pool for over two weeks. I was nervous to even give it a shot today, but I can't keep neglecting the water. It's an itch I desperately need to scratch. I rode the stationary bike first for 30 minutes and got a good sweat on, so swimming after was much more inviting.

When I walked on to the pool deck, Anita said I looked like I've lost more weight, calling me "skinny." I know I haven't lost more, although I've maintained it well for the past three months by not gaining, but her kind words still boosted my ego a bit. I started slow, because I did some weightlifting first, but after a few short sets I felt good and did some speed work for about 20 minutes. Good overall workout today.

Tomorrow's the long-awaited Mount Ogden Summit. I'm so excited!

Total distance: 1,400 yards swimming, 8.5 miles cycling

Back indoors, at least for today

I hit the Roy Rec Center today for the first time in about two weeks. Since I hadn't swam and the weather has been so wonderful, I haven't had a reason to pay to work out there. Today, however, I needed to get some work in on the stationary bike. I'll need to use their machine until Jen's boss lets me borrow his road bike a few weeks before the Turkey Tri. The cycling leg is a 10k, so I set out for that mark and pushed it hard. I ended up cranking that out, plus a little extra in about 22 minutes. The actual bike leg of the triathlon will be a little tougher and likely take me a couple of minutes longer to complete, but that was a good start.

I found another one of these waiting for me at the rec center. It's my fourth one to date, and likely my last for a while.

I followed that up with a fast 1-mile run on the treadmill, before rounding out the day with some push-ups. All-in all, it was a good little workout where I really focused on upping the intensity, rather than the distance. I'll have to improve on that when training for the running leg, because there is brutal 1-mile stretch that goes up a big hill. Tomorrow will be sort of an off day, with just swimming and weights, but Thursday will be a good distance cardio day. Kelly and I are going to finally attempt the Mt. Ogden summit. It will likely take us all day.

Total distance: 6.5 miles cycling, 1 mile running

Locked out of house = Long run

So, I'm a dumb ass.

Yesterday, I was supposed to meet Kelly so we could run the Turkey Tri course for the first time this year. I was running late and was in a hurry to get out of the house, so the second I closed the front door when I left, I realized I didn't have my keys or phone on me. I had nothing but my wallet and iPod on me. I was in my running clothes, so I walked up to the gas station near my house, called Jen and lefter her a message, asking her to tell Kelly I wasn't going to make it, because I'm a screw up and locked myself out.

I had over two hours until Jen would be home from work, so I said screw it and just went for a run around the neighborhood. I took a completely random route, simply trying to kill time, while still getting a decent run in. I swear I ran all over Roy city before I finally made my way back to that same gas station about 45 minutes later. I called Jen from their phone again and this time, she answered, saying she'd be there in a few minutes to pick me up and take my dumb ass to Home Depot so we can make a copy of the house key.

I'm shamed to say, this is the second time of done this, not including the few times she had to rescue me when I locked my keys in my car while in college. I'm glad she has so much patience with my scattered brain. In the end, though, I got a good sweat and sucked down a cold drink at that gas station after, because after all, I did still have my wallet. Haha!

Total distance: 4.2 miles running (after looking up my run online)

Market fresh every day: Runnin' to Smith's

I slept in today, but it didn't keep me from working out. The cool weather is making it possible to run outside even in the middle of the afternoon without getting too hot. I ran from my house all the way to Smith's in Sunset before turning back. I had to stop at a handful of stop lights, which slowed me down a bit, but I just ran in place while I waited.

Just finished my run and Jen captured the moment.

I made it back in 43 minutes and MapMyFitness says I ran almost exactly four miles. That Smith's all the way up there is a nice benchmark for a four-mile run, I guess. Anyway, right when I got back, Jen was waiting outside for me so we could run over to Costco to grab a few things. She snapped a quick picture of me in all my sweaty glory and we left. I enjoyed a tasty hot dog and washed it down with a Diet Coke as a reward.

My knee feels great and hasn't been bothering me, although my hamstring has been giving me a little bit of trouble. My confidence heading into the Turkey Tri is growing every workout. I just need to get some more bike, and hopefully pool time, too.

Total distance: 4 miles running

My blogaversary and a super fast 5k

I didn't realize it when writing my blog on Wednesday, but it marked the one-year anniversary since I started this blog. I can't believe it's been that long already. I'm so glad I started it and hopefully as the years go by, I will have amassed quite a few posts.

Happy blogaversary to "Swimming Upstream"

Anyway, today Kelly and I did a run. Fall is here, which to me, is my favorite time of year to be outside. It's still sunny, but the air is cool enough to work out in without worrying about dropping from the heat. I went for another three-mile run and I was shocked as to how quickly I ran it. Kelly was in front of me the whole way, which was perfect, because he set a fast pace that really forced me to push it. I ended up finishing in 28:40, which is over two minutes faster than Wednesday's run, and honestly, might be among the fastest I've ever ran that distance. I'd have to go through my logs from last summer, but it's pretty dang close, so I'm very encouraged. After that, I did a quick ladder stairs set at Roy High's stadium bleachers.

My hamstring is a bit sore, so I'm going to stretch the crap out of it tonight with the foam roller. I think my next workout will be an extensive session on the stationary bike. Then I'll try putting the two together in preparation for the Turkey Tri.

Total distance: About 3.25 miles running

Turkey Tri training

I went for a run at the Roy High track today. The Turkey Tri is only a little over a month away, and I really want to beat last year's time. I'm all registered, so there is no backing out now. However, I haven't been working out quite like I was at this time last year, even though I do think my overall fitness level has improved since then, but I need to kick it into full gear for the next few weeks

Just before starting my run at the Roy High track.

It's a 5k run, 10k bike and 300-yard swim. I finished in 1:08.46 last time and I hope to see at least a three to four minute improvement on Nov. 10. These were my official split times in the 2011 triathlon.

Run: 32:13
Transition: 1:26
Bike: 26.49
Transition: :59

The run is where I want to improve the most. Today I ran three miles in 30:50, which is just shy of a 5k and considering I haven't ran that far in many weeks, I was encouraged. Hopefully, with the right training, I can get that to about 29 minutes. The course is changing this year, too. In 2012 it was a very "hilly" route, which I thought was more difficult. Maybe it will be flatter this time around, which could help with my time. I also was a bit confused during the transitions, giving it was my first triathlon, so I will surely knock off a minute overall between the two of those.

On a side note, I took my nephew, Carter to his swim lessons over the weekend. It was at Layton Surf N Swim, which was where I swam during my high school swim team days. Sort of a blast from the past considering I haven't been in there in almost 10 years. It looked the exact same. Haha! I really do miss the pool, but my shoulder is still screwed, limiting me to no more than one swim per week right now, and short swims at that. Yuck.

I couldn't tell you how many hundreds of hours I spent swimming
up and down that bitch in high school, or how many gallons I puked in the water.

Total distance: 3 miles running