Yesterday, I went to my third hash.  It was the 7th Annual Super Soaker Hash - which basically meant that once that hash started it was a constant water fight.  I had two medium-sized water guns...and there was a pool at the end of the hash, so everyone went in - and we still were squirting each other.  It was technically a run, but I'm calling it cross training because I was carrying water guns.  Dinner was served after the pool "party" and was delicious.  I got up at 7am today for a 5 miler.  Good start to the weekend!

I did add the backstroke this workout as well - so I did laps with freestyle, sidestroke and backstroke.  Like I said, I felt a lot better - much less winded and was able to complete each 100m portion without stopping every 25m like last time.

I also tried something new on Saturday - hashing.  It has nothing to do with illegal substances, but rather is a social gathering that involves a mixture of drinking and exercising.  Some participants are there more for one reason than the other, but it was a lot of fun.  We biked a course that was set only an hour previously using flour, and the object is to try to figure the course out while completing smaller challenges along the way.  I'm doing a terrible job of explaining it, but it was a lot of fun.  This is a good site that explains it a bit more.  Needless to say, the 10 mile bike ride that included going over the bridge to Clearwater twice kind of wiped me out and I was not feeling up to a 7 mile run the next day.  The hashes are usually runs - this was a special bike hash - so future hashes should fit into my training.  This was also my first non-stationary bike ride in over 7 years, so I'm happy I didn't wipe out.

Oh…my…god.
But, I’ll get to that.  :o)

So,  yesterday I continued my trend of running at the gym after work.   I amped it up (extreme!) to 6.5 mph for 30 minutes and ran almost 3.3 miles.  Very happy with that.  The Voice was on and I had the cardio room to myself, so I watched the first half of that (and finished it once I got home on the DVR).

And now, to discuss taking the Lord’s name in vain earlier. 
 
I found a program similar to “Couch to 5K” but for swimming. The first workout consists of 4 x 100m (with 12 breath breaks in between each 100m), 4 x 50m (with 8 breath breaks) and 4 x 25m (with 4 breath breaks).  I stopped at Sports Authority and bought some Speedo® goggles.  They fit pretty well and I didn’t get water in my eyes at all.  I debated on what swimsuit to wear – thinking the smaller and tighter the better – but I’m glad I went with mid-length trunks, so I didn't stick out too bad.  It is a semi-public pool and I was the only one doing laps.  The rest of the kids were all playing, diving, etc. and had long board shorts hanging off with their underwear visible.  I don’t understand this!  You want your suit to dry off as soon as possible once you’re out of the water. Cotton (boxer) briefs don’t allow that.  But I digress… 

I was unable to complete the Week 1 workout – at least with the freestyle stroke.  I got to my third 100m and had to switch to the sidestroke – I could not get enough air in between strokes and I
started swallowing water.  I think I went out too fast.  In any case, I am sure my arms will be a little weak tomorrow.

According to the workout, which says you can swim a mile after six weeks if you follow the program, I need to swim three times a week.  I should iterate here that this is not my goal.  I am merely using swimming as a cross-training activity so I have some variation – right now it’s just elliptical and stationary bicycling.  As I’ve said before, cross-training is twice a week.

Because of today’s performance, I know I have a long way to go.  It felt eerily similar to when I started running over a year ago – barely able to jog for 3 minutes.  It was definitely eye-opening.  I have a newfound appreciation for swimmers like Ryan Lochte (see above) – meaning, those that compete at any athletic level.  I consider myself a fairly good swimmer, but I have never done laps before today.  We shall see how I develop - skill- and body-wise.