Alcatraz Sharkfest Swim 2009!

For some, it helps to have a challenge for a goal. I have a hard time with a goal defined as simply 'losing ten pounds.' That is what a doctor will always tell you. Ten pounds never seems out of reach when you start. I propose a new term for this, such as 'destination training,' 'target training' 'event training.'

So Amy and I found a new method. Pick a hard event, and train for it. Swimming was the sport that got me through high school and college, and Amy was a lifeguard. I did the Sharkfest swim in 2002, 2003, and 2004. This will be Amy's first time.

The swim is 1.5 miles. The 800 participants ride the Blue and Gold ferry to Alcatraz, and then jump off and swim back. It is a gut check when you stand on the edge of the ferry door, look down at the blue-green (ok, usually green-brown) water of the bay, and jump.

The Alcatraz Swim will be August 15, 2009. For more info, go to www.envirosports.com.

Here's my workout for the past two swimming days:
2/22/09:

1. 300 S
2. 300 K
3. 300 P
4. 3 x 400; (#1,3: Free; #2: IM)
5. 4 x 150; (Odd: Pull Even: Kick)
6. 6 x 50 @ 100%!

2/24/09
1. 1650 swim, laps 50, 55, 60, 65, 66 at 90-100%
2. 10 x 100; (#1,3,7: Pull #2,4,8,10 Descending to 90% #5,6,9 Kick)
3. 6 x 50 @100% Freestyle

On 2/24, after swimming, I hit the Cable Cross machine at the San Leandro 24 Hour Fitness for a tough dry land strength training routine: Single arm alternating lat pulls in a squatted position, standing bicep curls, pull downs with the machine arms at the highest position, squats while holding the cables above shoulders with elbows at 90 degrees, and tricep bends.