First Day Adapting

No run day #1.

Got into the pool for the first time in a long time.  I managed 3 sets of 500 yards:

Set 1: 10 laps freestyle pulling a buoy.  I don't normally start by taking my legs out of the equation, but even the flutter kick was bugging my calf a little, so I figured I'd warm up first with the buoy.  I worked mainly on lengthening my stroke, consistently taking 20 strokes each length.  Finished in 8:20 or thereabout.

Set 2: 10 laps freestyle without the buoy.  My stroke count per length dropped to 16 with the kick and, as expected, the added tax on the large leg muscles pushed my breathing upward.  I tried to stick with a breath every 3 strokes, alternating sides, but eventually had to resort to once every 2 strokes.  Surprisingly, even though I felt like I was working harder and going faster, my time over that 500 yards was only 10 seconds quicker.

Set 3: 10 x 50yd intervals.  No stroke counting now.  I pushed at the top of the minute and completed each lap in 40 seconds or less, taking 20 seconds to recover as much as I could before pushing off again.  9:40 to complete (obviously), but much more tiring and demanding since I was sprinting.

I felt pretty pumped when done.  The whole workout was only 30 minutes.  If I'm going to seriously add swimming more often to my weekly routine, I need to work up to 60 minutes.

I left the gym and went back to work, returning later after lunch to work the elliptical, also hoping to get a few reps on the weights in.  I chose the interval program on the Precor machine and went 30 minutes, alternating between resistance = 14 : crossramp =20 and resistance = 8 : crossramp = 4.  I got a good burn on the thighs during the heavy resistance intervals.  It wasn't running, but it'll serve as an adequate substitute until I decide to test the calf again.  I ran out of time and abandoned the strength training. 

I don't know what I'll do tomorrow.  Sunday is Comic-Con again so that'll probably be a rest day.  I have to figure out how to get a good cardio session in tomorrow that doesn't involve the calf.  If only I could weasel myself into LA Fitness.  We'll see about that.

(I do have to cut the grass, trim Slim Shady (tree) and clean out the side yard.  I could stand to put down mulch and maybe prepare Bailey's planting bed finally.  That might not be aerobic, but it could serve as a good workout.)