S: Odd week. Tuesday morning I was so preoccupied by my lengthier than normal work “to do” list I hopped out 500 meters in. Even freaked the life guard out. Can’t remember the last time I did that. I’m doing some guest coaching during the high school “super season” so that a group of junior varsity swimmers can extend their season. Thursday I got to practice at Evergreen early so I could finally get a swim work out in (still trying to figure out what the dude wearing sweats in the sauna was all about, did not look like a wrestler, and was swigging water every 30 seconds). By the time I got in I only had 35 minutes. I don’t know what came over me, but I decided to do a continuous 2k. Actually, I think I may have been feeling guilty for skipping the Y’s “Monster Mile” or 1650. Instead of going 1650 hard, I decided to cruise 2k. Turned out I was fresh from not really having swam all week and so I did a slow build. One daughter was embarrassed I was coaching in jammers and t-shirt while the other, who recently lowered the family 500 record again to 6:13 this time, wanted to race. I kept blowing her off until finally relenting and saying, “Okay, at the end of practice.” So that’s how I found myself on the middle block between the two co-captains, ‘dra and A. “My” junior varsity swimmers were watching so my credibility was at stake. I toyed with the co-caps for the first fifty just sitting on them wondering when they were going to accelerate. Then at the 75 yard mark my turbo boosters fired and I rocketed ahead. When coach said, “1:04, 1:05, 1:07” A to the L to the Dizzle was the champion. Good thing my gal pal wasn’t there to see my Phelps-like victory celebration. I said to A, “Interesting three body lengths is one second.”

C: Sunday was beautiful and I should have rode, but instead I shoveled dirt to help with the overseeding project. Interestingly, after only ten months, I’m at all time yearly swimming and cycling totals. Just as I had planned for 09, my running totals are off about 20%. I’ve taken from running to add to swimming and cycling. Will probably do the same in 2010

R: Once again, no speed work. And standard runs were at slightly slower paces than normal. Maybe the backing off a bit was why I was able to push the pace near the end of Saturday’s group run. Total time doesn’t reflect my best “Meb in Central Park” impersonation over the last two-plus miles.