Sunday, December 27, 2009

Palm Desert California

Been a while since I last had a post; I've been training on alternate days. I have just been running so I need to rest some between sessions. I've been without internet access. Just arrived in Palm Desert for a couple of days. It is unusually cold this time of year, only 60 for a high today but mostly sunny. Good to run in. I read a great article on Mark Allen's website to guide my aerobic base training. Conveniently I just acquired a HR monitor.

Training summary: Dec. 18. run 8 mi. Brentwood, San Vincente, to S.M. pier loop, 2 hrs; Dec. 20, run 7 mi. Brentwood, Margarita, S.M. pier, San Vincente loop, 1:40; Dec. 23. 5 mi. Brentwood, Margarita, Ocean, Wilshire, San Vincente loop, 1:15; Christmas Day Dec. 25. 5 mi Brentwood, Margarita, Ocean, Idaho, San Vincente loop 1:20; Dec. 27. 4.25 mi, Chaparral CC loop 2x, 1:15; 20 minute swim.

Should be able to run again Tuesday, then Wednesday back to Santa Monica. Should be making the trip home to Washington by Saturday. Till then, a hui hou, see you on the road.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Training in L.A.

Following a few days on the road Washington to Southern California I finally was able to get some training in. It was cold, snow in Oregon and Northern California, and here in L.A. it was still pretty cold, 40's. Today it started to warm up a bit, nearly 70 for today's high.

Sunday I took the Santa Monica loop from Brentwood to Ocean Ave. down San Vincente, about 4 miles plus for an hour. Rested Monday and Tuesday. Today, Wednesday, I made the loop again down San Vincente to Ocean, to the Santa Monica Pier, and then back to Brentwood. It's a little more than 7 miles in two hours. It was T-shirt running with lots of people out on the Palisades trails. Great view of the pier and the beach areas. When the sun is out I love Southern California. More to come. A hui hou, see you on the road.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

It's winter

It's winter. Winter nights are long and cold and I wake in the dark. Rooting around the house and kitchen waiting on the day. I sit comfortably, coffee in hand, and watch. The orange cat, usually aloof, sits patiently warmly purring in my lap. My picture is made up of glass doors and narrow windows, enough to break up the scene. I crane my neck in search of better angles of viewing. Sipping, the cat and I wait. I like this time of day, the picture unfolding minute by minute. Soon the sun lightens the sky. It's cold today, eighteen I think, and the sky lights up. Sunshine peering through the trees, glistening over mountains and valley. The ground glowing with ice crystals reflects light everywhere, I squint. Sun is higher, clearly visible, nearly at its peak for the day. Though only in sight for a little while it will travel low in the winter sky. Mountains are blue and grey, confederates in a yankee sky. A light mist in the foothills, a blanket over waking Monroe and Frylands. A robin flies by, then a hummingbird, where have they been. Rivers in the valley move slowly if at all, sluggish and frozen. Smoke rises in the distance from homes starting their day. The air is still, and so am I, reveling, reflecting, incarnating. It's winter and all seems well. The day is bright, shadows long, strong over the frozen ground. At last the sun, shining full on my face makes me close my eyes. The cat and I sit in the warmth of the moment. He goes to eat and I to get another coffee. It's winter.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Birthday training: mini-tri

For my birthday today I decided to complete a mini-tri workout indoors. It was fun. 1 mile swim, 10 mile bike, 3 mile run; all finished in 2:05. In a field of one, I finished first overall and in my age group. Watch out IM.

Prior: Sunday bike 22 miles, 2:00 hours; Monday 2 mile swim, 1 hour; Tuesday rest. Nothing scheduled for tomorrow, road trip to So. Cal.

A hui hou, see you on the road.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Seahawks win on field goal with 4 seconds to go.

So busy this week running around trying to get organized for the Christmas season. This is the time where you busily stress about what to give to relatives and friends far and near, and how to get them where they need to be. Also have to get organized for a quick road trip to southern Cal. And I still have a miserable cold.

Managed to finish training this week although time and distance was limited compared to last week, and will probably be less coming when on the road. Friday training: bike trainer 2 hrs. 27 mi.; Saturday: run 60 min. 3.25 mi.; Sunday bike trainer 2 hrs. 22 mi. The weather will be at or below freezing all next week so I'm staying indoors. A hui hou; see you on the road.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

It's December

Start of the month. Start off with a miserable cold. So sad, energy is sapped. And yet, I manage to train. Tuesday: swim 35 min. 1 mile. Wednesday: huge workout 3 hours, warm up C2 rower 2 miles 25 min., weight training circuit 25 min., bike 60 min. 12 miles, run 60 min. 3.25 miles. Thursday: swim 2 hours 3.2 miles. Friday I should be on the bike.

After each session I pretty much collapse at home, eat a bit, cough and hack through the night and then show up again the next day. To that end I hope I am getting better (the cold). A hui hou, see you on the road.