Speed in the snow

2003. A pic from the snowy run at Canadian Nationals in Chilliwak, BC.

Relay team 'Tex-Mex'

2003. Another photo from Nationals. This is our relay team 'Tex Mex'. Mickey Kelly and a member of the team from Mexico were my relay partners. It worked out well except for the horsejumping jumping event...helps to be the same height since you don't have time to change the stirrup length during the hand off. We did well though...came in fourth place.

Pentathlon pic

2003. My Sister, Stephanie, took this photo for a class project. Turned out pretty great.

Sean Shooting

2003. A photo from Nationals. I just lucked out and was on the end of the line.

11 minute mile

Today I had my first 'run-two-days-in-a-row' day. Up to now I'd been running every other day to give my legs a bit of a rest. I'm up to 3 miles each run now and I clocked in at an 11:00 minute mile this morning. I had an 11:30 minute mile yesterday so hopefully my times will keep improving this quickly. I used to run a 7:00 minute mile for slow runs back during the peak of my pentathlon training days and a 5:30 mile or better in competitions.

In other news, I've been paddling outrigger canoe with Wakinikona for several months now so that is helping my cardio a lot. I've now paddled in the two seat doing sprint turns and have been the caller for switches so am getting more and more into it. Hopefully I'll have a chance to practice in the Blue Heron with Mike Evans to prepare for Tribal Journey too.

A little more run

Did another run this evening, this time for 20 minutes. I'm starting off small and slow to give my legs and cardio a chance to build back up slowly. Overall, the run felt great. It's still no fun running so slow as part of the Maffetone Method, but in the long run, it will pay off. For now I'll keep running out and back along 64th in my Ballard neighborhood which is a pretty level course. That's perfect for now but down the road, when I get back in to cross country I'll find a more variable course. Next run will be a full 30 minutes so hopefully I'll hold up OK.

Back on track

Last night I did my first run in almost three months. It was a short run, only 20 minutes, but a run nonetheless and it is the first small step back on the track of training for and competing in pentathlons once again. It's been five years since I last considered myself 'in training' for pentathlon...or anything for that matter. I've had some runs, swims, and rowing machine days along the way, but nothing that I'd consider part of any formal training. So last nights short run felt especially good since it wasn't just for running's sake or for getting out of the house, it was the first run of many that will get me back on the path of pentathlon training, as well as other athletic endeavors.

I'll be doing most of my runs using the Maffetone Method so will be pretty slow on times for the next few months. But in the big picture, it will help me build a better cardio base and help me become more efficient in all my athletic endeavors.