Miami Marathon

Miami Marathon
Originally uploaded by reflexblue

What a thrill it was to run my 17th marathon in South Florida. Miami and Miami Beach are both beautiful. Great mild weather. Flat course. Well organized event.

I was able to hold a 8:30 pace for the first 20 miles, and 9:00 pace for the rest of the race. I'm happy with my 3:44 time which placed me in the top 20 percent.

I collected two big blood blisters and a loose toenail, but I feel fine. I'm back in the pool and back in the gym.

Stroke Count

@ Friends
Originally uploaded by reflexblue

Here's another confession: I have excessively high stroke count during freestyle. For every 25 yards, people in Lane 1 take about 11 strokes. I need 27. When I focus on my glide and reach, I can reduce my stroke count to 22. My count goes back to the high 20's as I lose focus during 50's or 100's. I want to bring my count consistently down to the low 20's by year's end.

Butterfly kicks

My legs were able to stay tight together. My hips were moving rhythmically. Suddenly I was doing the dolphin kicks from one end of the pool to another. It was only the 12th St Gym pool, but it was a good start after a one-on-one lesson from Coach Jen. I always wanted to swim butterfly. I think I'm on my way.

Muscle Milk

Muscle Milk
Originally uploaded by reflexblue

Three weeks into my Brilliant 2008 Diet Project, I haven't gained a pound. I take weight gainer shakes and eat super high protein meals five times a day. I change up my weightlifting routines to make time for back and legs.
Perhaps my four-times-a-week swim practices and marathon training runs suck up all the calories. I do feel leaner and stronger, so I'll stick with this diet for another month.

Confessions of a Lane Six Swimmer

Glow
Originally uploaded by reflexblue

I have been going practically every swim practice. I'm caught up with all the Lane Six regulars during 50's and 100's freestyle. I'm still the Lane Six breast stroke queen. Bill is best on his back. Brad pulling.