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.

Yakima polo

After a three year polo hiatus I finally found myself back on a polo field. My buddy Jason invited me over to Yakima for an informal polo weekend. I rode Jason's horse Elton for the first chucker and did pretty well. I was able to stay with the action and even made a few good hits and plays. I was off the next chucker then jumped on one of Big R's horses, Hector. Hector used to be a roping horse and that came through loud and clear on the field. Hector would stop or turn on a dime. We had a tough time getting to know each other so I wasn't able to get into the game much. Lesson in all this...it's time to get my own horse.

Long run, holiday style

I did my long run for the week on today, Christmas Day. This is always a leisurely day anyway, so the run fit in well. I basically did a tour around Steilacoom, my home town. My favorite part was running through old Ft. Steilacoom. It used to be the farm and orchard for Western State Hospital (a mental institution) but now is a public park. There are lots of tall slender alder trees along the trails and the hillside looks like a scene from Tuscany. Little lake Wahop is a nice little run, about 3/4 of a mile long. My shins did fatigue a little at first, but I loosened my laces and took a little stretch break about half way through my run and all was well. I also wonder if this happens when I'm not hydrated well, because it seems to be pretty random. I'll start keeping an eye on this.

Low key 5K

After sleeping in until almost 10:00am, I had a little breakfast, watched TV for about an hour and then went for a run on the 5K course I ran back in October for the Roman Meal Glove Run. I didn't feel like timing myself, so just had a nice low key run at around a 7 minute mile pace. It was nice running through Steilacoom again, the sites and smells familiar from my youth.

Armory with Allen and sport shopping

I took my weapons in to Salle for Allen to check out. I now have three weapons which makes me feel much more like an official fencer. Allen approved of my choices and show me how to get the correct bend in my blade. Afterward, I popped over to the Athletic Supply Co. store for a little shopping. I checked out the Adidas warmups that we may get for our NW pentathlon group and then picked up a wrist brace and a cold/hot compress.

Weapon repair and yoga leftovers

With my new epees having arrived on Thursday, I wanted to get them all set up and running ASAP. Two arrived all ready to go, but the 3rd I would have to put together as the blade had broken on my original weapon and just needed to be replaced. I went out and bought some PVC pipes to cover the bladed of the epees and also picked up a little snap box to carry around small parts and tools, as well as a mini screwdriver set.

At the Salle workbench, it took me quite a while to get it all put together correctly as it was my first attempt at doing this, but I did finally get it in working order...just in time to catch the last half hour of yoga. After yoga, it was margarita night with some of the foilists...good holiday cheer.