Good run, better fencing and a new junior

I didn't do my long run on Friday because my knees were still a little tweaked from my ride on Thursday...being the first full ride since I was back from Nebraska and all. So, today was my first run in a while. It was a hot day, but I felt pretty good and had a good time, taking about a minute off my last Portage Bay run time (but my last time was REALLY slow). I did my sit-ups before hand too so didn't have any weird stomach cramping this time either. Went home, took a quick nap, then it was off to fencing.

The nap left me more sluggish than I expected, but I did make it to fencing. I think it was the afternoon heat more than anything that made me move a little slower. At fencing, I was debating on whether to fence at all right up until I tied my last shoelace. But once my shoes were on I was all ready to go. Fenced a new fencer and did really well against some others, so I was pleased. It was really hot, so under all my fencing uniform I once again was soaked, but it actually felt good, like I had a real workout.

Had another chat with Laszlo Beres of the US Modern Pentathlon today as well. No San Antonio pentathlon this weekend as the team is pretty much set to go. We talked a little about Sydney arrangements and pistols as well.

Over the weekend I went down to watch Laura teach some of her Pony Club students on a cross country course. Got a chance to meet Josh, one of the juniors interested in starting the pentathlon. He's been doing tetrathlon's for a while and is pretty interested in adding the fencing to make it a full pentathlon. With Sam, we now have two juniors interested in pentathlon. NW pentathletes are on their way.

Rough run and boxing: round 2.

Went and got some new running shoes...New Balance. I was pretty excited to get out there and try them out so went for a run as soon as I got home. I could tell that it had been a long time since I ran last because, for the first ten minutes, I felt like I was running through molasses. The whole run was much more like a jog than a run. The last 20-15 minutes felt really good though. I have a long way to go to get back on track, but at least I'm running again.

I also spoke to Laszlo Beres, one of the coaches at the US Modern Pentathlon Association. He gave me some suggestions for beginning workouts, as well as advise on sponsorship and such. I'll be keeping in touch as I get farther along in my training. One thing was clear, more training! The pentathletes are doing each event 3 or more times a week...I do each 2 or so. Laszlo also made it clear that speed endurance was the name of the game in pentathlon.

Had my second boxing class tonight...we did the usual footwork section, learned the left hook, did our station workouts and ended with footwork again. I'm sure I lost a gallon of water again and my hook technique was pretty awkward at first, but I survived round 2 of the lessons. I really enjoy the boxing and Laszlo agreed that it is great cross-training for my epee work, I just have to make sure the the tight/close boxing arm positions don't interfere with my epee. Shouldn't be a problem though, if anything it will make me notice more when I'm being too tight in epee.