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Apr 24/02 — Ken: Sore legs
4/22/02 Apr 8: Off
Apr 9: Weights 40 minutes; Swim 65 minutes (3150 meters)
Apr 10: Off
Apr 11: Run 42 minutes (4 miles); weights 25 minutes
Apr 12: Off
Apr 13: Off
Apr 14: Run 2:02:02 (12 miles)Apr 15: Off (Tri Club meeting)
Apr 16: Off (Business dinner)
Apr 17: Bike Trainer 55 minutes (14.2 miles)
Apr 18: Bike (outside!) 55 minutes (13.3 miles)
Apr 19: Run 1:06 (6 miles)
Apr 20: Off
Apr 21: Off*********************************************
Note to self: no more squats and lunges. This first week I started a "Get Back in Shape" weight program. It's a nine-phase program, with phase one lasting 8 weeks, using just body weight and dumbbells. The leg work included squats, lunges, and one leg deadlifts -- all of which tore up my hamstrings. The next morning I hurt as bad as I did after the marathon. I think my leg muscles get enough stress from running and biking. Weights are too hard on me. So now the program is just going to be upper body and ab work.
Of course after the weight workout I went swimming, because the college pool reopened for the Spring Quarter. I did a bit under 2 miles, including two 400 meter intervals. I'm sure that didn't do my legs any favors either. But despite the soreness, Thursday I went out and ran 4 miles. It hit the mid-70s here in Chicago, and there was just no way to stay inside. Many others had the same idea -- after running in the cold alone over the last few months, now everyone is out and about. My hamstrings didn't complain too much. I tried to toss in a couple of sprints, but just couldn't do it.
I think this aging body is starting to question what the hell it is that I'm doing. April 14 I did my 12 mile long run without much problem, but Monday I awoke with a real pain in my right quad. Particularly when I stood up. Luckily Monday and Tuesday were out for training, with a Triathlon club meeting and business dinner. Wednesday and Thursday I did the bike, including the first time outside on my new bike in the 80 degree temperatures, racing the darkness and approaching thunderstorms. That was fun, but also not gentle on those quads. The local bike trail has a few small hills, but they seemed like mountains to me.
Finally, last Friday night I did my scheduled 6 mile long run. The legs were dull starting off, but I did manage to do a negative split for the last mile. But Saturday I really felt it, with just overall sore legs for all day and into Sunday. Sunday the weather was bad -- raining and upper 30s (what happened to those three consecutive days of upper 80s???). So I decided to bag working out, rest, and start again on Monday.
On the related front, I've joined a new Clydesdale group here in Chicago that is just starting out. They'll have clinics, workouts, and a special gear check at races, including the Chicago Marathon. And I get a singlet, and boy, ain't I sexy with that
undershirt look. Kind of like Stanley Kowalski (Marlon Brando -- at his current weight) yelling at Stella.-30-
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