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I've been the same weight since I started college in 1999. In the last few months I've gained 8lbs. I've exercised regularly and recently added running into the typical mix of swimming daily, lifting and dryland workouts. I know I'm slightly stronger than a few months ago. After talking to a few swimmers, all of them think it's probably muscle weight. It just seems unlikely to me that I've actually gained 8 lbs of muscle without noticing. I'm going to do some research on the topic.

Surprisingly I haven't been in the pool since Thursday. I took friday off to rest for the race. The pool was closed all weekend and Monday was crazy busy. I've made time each day to do either weights or dryland workouts. I've resurrected an old college drill that involves laying flat on your back and raising your legs in different directions and speed variations. Doing waay too many sets have left my lower abs in shambles. I know that building more core strength will help me maintain good body position in my races.

I'm happy to say I completed my first 5k without being passed by any strollers! The course was much different this year with far more hills. I was disappointed with my time at a 27:28 but from talking to other runners it seemed like everybody was slower than last year. I averaged a 8:51 mile. I'll be interested to compare the times from last year to this year and see if my theory is true about it being a more difficult course.

I'm almost to the starting point at Maple Beach. Its an awesome morning, perfect weather. I see a ton of people warming up. I wish I had gotten here earllier but I'm on time. Wish me luck!

Last year I took 5th in my age group, out of... you guessed it... 5 people. I ran the 5k race in a 26:58 which is an 8:41 pace. After checking the start time of the race online, I just learned that the course has changed. It's still a 5k race, but since it's a different terrain, I won't be able to directly compare my times to the last few years. Oh well, should be a good time anyway.

I've done the bare minimum athletically today, work has kept me busy. 5k Race is in the morning!

I did about 2,000 meters today with quite a few fast kicking mini sets in preparation for my upcoming masters meet. I also did some dryland workouts emphasizing vertical jumps. I did a quick 100 back with fins on and clocked a low 56. I know I'll get much faster at this benchmarking set because I enjoy it and I have a goal to reach.

Because I have my 5k Run on Saturday I chose not to run for very long, I did a single lap at 6:36. It was a decent time but moderately painful, probably due to all the other activities I've been doing lately.

I'm excited for my 5k Race!

I did about 2.4 miles on Tuesday. Three laps instead of two. It was at a slower pace than normal, a 7:36, 8:24, and 8:15. I'm happy that I got closer to the 3.1 miles I'll do on Saturday. I'll run one more time before Saturday. I also swam 3,200 Long Course Meters and did some dryland training.

On Wednesday I swam 3,100 Long Course Meters, and did dryland training along with weights. Afterward, I ran back to my car about a half mile. I like working in small athletic feats throughout my work days.

So after my 3,000 meter workout I decided to see what I could go in a 100 Back with some fins on. The first try didn't go to well, my fins fell off at the turn (more on that later). I tried again from a push and hit the wall at a 56 seconds. I just wanted to see how it felt like to go the fastest 100 backstroke in my life. It was a silly drill, but I feel like it might be beneficial to experience the speed a swimmer might achieve in a meet. I'll do it again for sure. My goal is to break the (no fins) 100 Back LCM World Record of 52.54 with fins on.