running update

I have been training now for 4 1/2 months. Some weeks are better than others, but the goal has always been 3 days a week to become more fit and more healthy. I have begun to realise that I can't beat myself up if I miss a day or two - or even a week for that matter. The objective is to be healthy for the future by training now.
So here is what I have been doing for the past few months... Mondays I jog/walk with my running group. We have a loop that we follow 4 times around which makes 4 miles. According to my Garmin, we started off averaging 16 min/mile - NOW we average 14 min/mile. YAY!! That is jogging 1 min then walking 1 min. I am ready to increase that to 1:30 jog and 1:00 walk, but my running buddies don't seem to think they can handle that. I am slowly convincing them that we are ready!
Thursdays my running group does stair training. We go to a building that is 24 floors up and navigate our way up and down. We go up 6 flights, then rest, another 6 then rest, etc... Many people in the group actually RUN up and down. I, on the other hand, only walk. Although last Thursday I actually jogged a few steps here and there! :-) I started in January with 1 time up and down. Last week I made 3 1/2 times up and down! My calves were hurting on Saturday, so maybe that last 1/2 was too much... I will say, that it is a very demanding workout. It's one of those kinds that you dread doing, but feel really good about accomplishing when you are finished!
On Saturdays or Sundays I run on my own. I've been trying to keep my heartrate in my aerobic zone, but I get very frustrated doing that.... too much walking! So I think my max heartrate is higher than other people my age. At least that is what I am telling myself. But I am listening to my "coach", knowing that he has been doing this longer than I have, and trusting him to keep me headed in the right direction - that is to be a fit and healthy person! :-)
My short term goal is to take part in a 5k on April 18. My two running buddies are up for it too, so we will do our 1 min jog/1 min walk for the 5k. My competitiveness may take over and I will start RUNNING! We shall see....
So that's it for the training update - I am quite proud of myself for sticking to it! :-)

End of the swim season

I always end the swim season with a team banquet - or in this case a potluck. The parents and swimmers come together for a meal and then a recap of the season. We also honor our Seniors. I really enjoyed the 6 Seniors this year. They were a pretty good group. They have good leadership skills - and each one took some responsibility for the team at one time or another. Ususally, at the meets they would lead the team cheers or the team prayer. I make them all give speeches at the banquet - something they want the younger swimmers to remember.... some words of wisdom. Those are always filled with good memories. :-)




One really nice thing that happened this year - our principal, Mr Valadie, came to one of our meets!! I was in shock!! I don't think I have ever had a principal come watch a meet before. The kids were VERY EXCITED!!!!!!! So, of course, we had to take a picture....


I had a really great time this season! The kids worked hard, swam some great times, and they are starting to be a "team". They enjoy hanging out with each other.

I'm trying to start a new tradition for this team - an annual canoe trip. We had one last year, but only 5 girls came. I'm hoping this year that will increase to at least 10! One of the dad's came to cook for us last year and he has already committed to cooking again!!! YUM!!!! The date is set for the last weekend in April and we will be going to the Spring River in Arkansas.... Pray for sunshine!!!! :-)