Fusion My Ass Cross Training - Days 18 to 24

Photo by Philadelphia based photographer Jason Smith. Check out his website jasonsmith.com


Exercising and following my training program kept me sane this week admidst chaos. While under stress, my favorite thing to do is to surf the internet reading about marathon races. I signed up for two marathons this week.

Wednesday July 25 (Day 18) - Stationary bike hill climb 20 mins; bi / shoulders / tri
Thursday July 26 (Day 19) - Fins swim 1000 yards only (board meeting)
Friday July 27 (Day 20) - Legs; abs
Saturday July 28 (Day 21) - off
Sunday July 29 (Day 22) - ran 12 miles mostly in light rain
Monday July 30 (Day 23) - chest
Tuesday July 31 (Day 24) - Fins swim (not quite 1500 yards)

Obama, Clinton exchange fresh blows

Hilary Clinton is an uptight bitch who gets off on power. Obama is Hilary in a different gender and race. Seeing them running all over themselves is one of the best entertainment I've had this summer. I'm going to vote for the biggest bitch who can outwit, outplay, and outlast other bitches.

Fusion My Ass Cross Training - Days 11 to 17

Bathroom Series
Originally uploaded by reflexblue

I ran well the past week but my weight training workouts have suffered. My ass still looks great!

Wednesday July 18 (Day 11) - ran 7 miles on treadmill; shoulders / biceps
Thursday July 19 (Day 12) - off to the GLBT film festival
Friday July 20 (Day 13) - Chest / Tri
Saturday July 21 (Day 14) - ran 10 mile from city to river. Fast during last 3 miles.
Sunday July 22 (Day 15) - swam 1 mile with the Fins long-course pool; biked 15 miles on Philly Tri course; ran 4 miles to Penn's Landing.
Monday July 23 (Day 16) - ran 5 mile on treadmill at average of 8 min/mile pace; feeling assy gassy fever / chill afterward; only did a few light chest workout with Chris.
Tuesday July 24 (Day 17) - miraculously recovered from last night's illness. I should be cannonized as a saint for curing myself! Light workout with the Fins; only swam about 1,000 yards.

Philadelphia Gay and Lesbian Film Festival Trailer 2007

Attending the gay film festival is one of my favorite things to do in Philadelphia during the summer. I went to five screenings this year.

Shelter is a garden variety coming out movie. It's a sweet story, but I'm sick of coming out movies.

Four Letter Word is a well made urban gay romantic comedy.

Itsy Bitsy Titty Committee - I slept through most of this movie about angry young lesbians.

Hairspray is the most entertaining movie I've seen this year. I was tapping my toes and cheering at the end.

To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julia Newar --- This is one of my favorite campy gay films of the 90's. I came to the free outdoors screening too late so I only caught the last 10 minutes.

Gay Bed and Breakfast of Horror is one the worst movies ever. It's neither funny or scary. It's campy which is good in a skid but this feature film is 90 minutes too long.

Struggling Toward the Marine Corps Marathon

Self Portrait
Originally uploaded by reflexblue

I have been struggling as a long distance runner to match my personal record I set last year. While it's true that I ran faster this year in 5k, 10k, and 10 mile races, my marathon times have once again went over four hours. The most difficult fact for me to accept is that my pace fell apart the last six miles as various parts of my body gave in.

Thus, I'm trying out a new approach for my next marathon, the Marine Corps Marathon in October. I'm giving myself training program that focuses less on mileage and more on cross training. I still do the traditional build-up long runs. However, I plan to break my long runs into a number of consecutive 5k races and intend to hold or exceed my pace.

This is what I call the "Fusion My Ass Cross Training Program. This 3-month program will set me not just for the marathon but also a 150-mile bike ride as well as an open water ocean swim.

My Most Viewed Flickr Photos

One year ago, these photos were tops. Now, thanks to my three-month complimentary pro Flickr account status, I can see my overall most viewed. The current top 10 are:

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Boys of Summer 2007

This is the biggest, gayest summer party in Philadelphia! I'll walk around in my race swimsuit selling raffle tickets to benefit the Philadelphia Fins Aquatics Club.

Fusion My Ass Cross Training - Days 1 to 10

Locker Room Confidential
Originally uploaded by reflexblue

New 12-week Fusion My Ass Cross Training Program!

Sunday July 8 (Day 1) - Kelly Pool (1.5k swim); 15 mile bike
Monday July 9 (Day 2) - Chest / 4-mile run to Penn's Landing
Tuesday July 10 (Day 3) - Friends Select (1.5k swim); Legs; Abs
Wednesday July 11 (Day 4) - 3-mile treadmill run; Arms / Shoulders
Thursday July 12 (Day 5) - Friends Select (1.5k swim); Chest
Friday July 13 (Day 6) - Abs; Legs
Saturday July 14 (Day 7) - off
Sunday July 15 (Day 8) - Kelly Pool (1.0k swim); Arms
Monday July 16 (Day 9) - 3.5 mile treadmill; chest
Tuesday July 17 (Day 10) - Friends Select (1.5k swim); Legs; Abs

Oscar Pistorius

Oscar Pistorius
Originally uploaded by quik boy

Inspiration!

Confessions of a Lane Six Swimmer, Part 5

My feet don't sink as much anymore, so now Coach Jen is focusing on my arms. My elbows drop when my hands enter the water. I bought my own training paddles and fins yesterday to get myself through these sessions, especially during the 50-meter course at Kelly Pool on Sundays.

Jason Smith dot com

anh3-2
Originally uploaded by jasonsmith

Another shoot with Philadelphia based photographer Jason Smith (jasonsmith.com)

Rehoboth Beach Soccer

Rehoboth Soccer
Originally uploaded by reflexblue

I got a black toe nail, several bruises, and a lifetime of memories at another year at the Rehoboth Beach Classic. This is my favorite gay soccer tournament. I come for the beach, the sun, and the friendships of my fellow gays and lesbians. I didn't see fireworks this year, but I found time to play golf at a par 3 course. The boys and girls of the Falcons this year added a fundraiser to the list of many fun activities off field. Rehoboth is where everone scores!