Day 127: Look Up!

Calli- Jose was feeling bad so he had to take it easy today. I, however, really pushed it in the pool! I wanted to
make sure that there was no water sliding through my fingers. I pulled
everything as strong as I could. I have never been weaker in my arms. I am glad
that I worked so hard because I know that I need to continue to push it like
that. Just because I have good form doesn’t mean I am a great racer. I need to
continue to reach for the next step in becoming elite, and then means reaching
with everything I have. Push it people!

“Don’t fear moving slowly forward…fear standing still.” -Kathleen Harris at KUTS 2003

Day 124: What the Fish See

Calli- Today was Jose’s rest day, and I went to the pool for a very nice swim. Just as before I was focusing on the same techniques. A steady 3 beat kick with a strong pull that allows for a long glide time. I will start timing myself to see where I am with stroke per distance. I am not a sprinter, so I am not trying to move as fast as can, but instead I am trying to focus my energy into a long, elegant, and strong form. This weekend we are going to bike for the first time with our new shoes! I am so eager to try them out! Have fun out there everyone!

“Experience is what allows us to repeat our mistakes, only with more finesse.” -Derwood Fincher

Day 93: City Running

Calli- I got to experience running in the streets. It’s very different from the treadmill because it is not an even flat surface with the same surroundings. I really enjoy the variety of scenery and hills that outdoor running can offer. We ran for the prescribed 30 minutes for about 3 km. I was in Zone 4 the whole time because that’s where my heart is when I run no matter what. If I want it to be lower I pretty much have to walk. It’s sad for now, but I will improve sooner or later. Happy fun time everyone!

Jose- Going out with Calli was some sort of a scary experience for me. Running here in Costa Rica is an art. People who have run out there at least one time know very well what I’m talking about. Drivers tend to think that they don’t have to respect anybody. Not everyone of course, but you get to see a lot of crazy people driving without caring about people exercising out. Besides that, the run was fine. I stayed next to Calli most of the time in low zone 2 and then I had to accelerate a little bit because my heart rate started going even lower. It’s good however that we will now have the chance to go for a run outside the gym from time to time.

“The race is not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running.” -Author unknown
Quote from  Abundance Blog

Day 56: The Light of Accomplishment

Calli- The end of a training session and the result of accomplishment. It feels so good. The next step is to keep going, but not with out the proper rest. My swim was 15 minutes 35 seconds, my bike was 44 minutes and my run was around 35 minutes. I felt surprisingly good when it was all over, and I was only a bit sore for pushing it hard at the end of the run. I think I can push myself just a wee bit more with this training because now I feel more healthy and my joints are used to the stress. In the end of it all, I have more energy from day to day. I can also find the determination to get things done during the day. Training for a triathlon has also trained me in the matter of life and how to live it. Sometimes acting with out thinking, but always knowing where you want to end up. Thanks for reading along. Jose and I are going to take a week rest, and then we will continue with some light training. We will start a new training schedule in January 2012. Merry Christmas all!

Jose- Two months ago I couldn’t even imagine finishing a sprint triathlon because of the swimming portion. Today I know I’m capable of doing it even though it takes me almost double the time than a regular triathlete. I’m proud of my time. Not because it’s great, but because it makes me realize how close I am from my goal. I still need to reduce five minutes on the bike, another five minutes on the run and probably around 8 minutes on the swim, but I still have like 9 months to be able to do it. I really trust in what I can do. I know it will take more time, dedication and effort, but I love what I’m doing and I’m committed to it. For now, we will recover and rest a little bit, but I have a huge challenge mainly at the pool and I will work as hard as it is necessary to achieve my goal… But for now: Time to rest!!

“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.” – Jim Rohn

Day 55: Persevere in the Pool

Calli- It was a Zone 4 swimming day and all went well over here! Jose and I both did the same workout, and I got to give him a few tips. It was a 200 warm-up, 100 Freestyle with paddles, 100 pull with out paddles, 100 streamline kick on back with fins, 100 streamline kick on back with out fins, and a 200 cool down. This was a no rest workout in order to keep the heart rate up. Intervals would have been a perfect idea, but we decided to take it just a little bit easy the day before the race. Jose is progressing rapidly in endurance there is still work to be done with technique. Looks like our week of Recovery will be booked at the pool! Perfect!

Jose- We have new videos for month 2. You can check them out on our Progress bar above. It takes more time and dedication than I ever thought for a proper swimming technique. Looking at my videos made me realize that even though my endurance has become a lot better, my technique is still weak and that is probably what is making me go slow. There is a lot of drag because of my body alignment and my arm extension is far from being effective yet. One of the most important things you can use to measure your technique is video footage. With this, you can very quickly see what you are doing good and what needs to be improved. The video that we are posting is a great example of great technique. Of course Calli can show you how to do it right after so many years of being an amazing swim coach around the state of Nevada. I hope you enjoy it and learn a lot like I did…

PERSEVERANCE
To persist in or remain constant to a purpose, idea, or task in the face of obstacles or discouragement.     -http://www.thefreedictionary.com/persevere