August 6, 2009 - 198 pullups, 5 mile run, and another race to add to the schedule.

“Really great people make you feel that you, too, can become great.” - Mark Twain

My good friend Adriana is one of the really great people out there. She's getting her PhD out at Stanford, has a big heart and really pushes herself in everything she does. The other day Adriana informed me that she was doing the National 1/2 Marathon...a 13.1 mile race that is on the same day of the 26.2 race next March. She asked me if I'd like to join her and without reservation I said I'd love to! It's fun to take on a challenge with a friend so I was excited. Plus, the race is 13 weeks before the Ironman race (June 27, 2010) and would be a great day for training.

Then my beautiful west coast friend threw a curveball at me. She informed me that we...yes, we (not just her, but 'we') are going to do the full 26.2 mile race. I had no say in the matter! But, such is life.

So another goal has been added to my list. I will try to complete this marathon in 3:15:00. It's a fairly flat course so I think this time is very attainable. My training will not change much for now, though as I approach the new year I will start adding in a weekly 10-15 mile run. I'm not worried about the distance of the race, but mildly concerned if 13 weeks is enough time to recover. I gave it a lot of thought and am certain that I will have sufficient time.

So once again, muchas gracias bella :)

In other news, I've hired an ex-olympic swimming coach for a few sessions to help me improve my stroke and effeciency in the water. My first lesson is this Sunday at her home in Virginia. I am anxious to see if I can really learn to swim correctly!

Today's workout from Crossfit.com:
Three rounds for time of:
21 L-Pull-ups
15 ft. L-rope climb, 3 ascents

I don't have a rope to climb, so I have to substitute 3 sets of 45 repetitions of towel pullups. So, those 135 pullups, plus the 63 "L-Pull-ups" brings me to 198. My hands are destroyed and my body feels like I just pulled myself up Mt. Everest. After finishing the pullups I took the huskies for a nice 5 mile run (time: 36:10)...the 70 degree day was perfect to push them and myself a bit harder.