Swim Lesson with Hap Gentry

Good Morning

Most of this week has been spent on the trainer after the kids go to bed. Have I mentioned how much I dislike riding on the trainer? If not, please let me reinforce it here. Compared to outside, the trainer is tough to ride on. It is more difficulte to follow a workout plan, get the heart rate up etc... It just isn't the same as outside however it is the best alternative.

I got a call yesterday from Hap Gentry, my swim coach, who taught me to swim. He took me not being able to swim 50 yards to being able to swim 3+ miles. He was approached by the St. Louis Business Jornal to profile a business owner / athlete and Hap put her in touch with me. All in the same conversation (and while I had him on the phone) I asked if we could meet this morning for a swim lesson.

It has been 6 months since I met with him and of course, in less than an hour he gave me several things to work on and of course had me swimming faster than I have ever been able to swim and the kicker is......at less effort..... Funny how that works... Swimming harder increases drag and decreases speed. Just to put it in perspective, I was able to shave 4 seconds off of my fastest all out 100 yard swim. 4 seconds doesn't seem like a lot but when I could reduce my time at less effort, over an hour plus 2.4 mile swim that is a big deal. He is truly and amazing swim coach.

So, now that my swim is out of the way this morning, I have a 1 hour run later today. Each year on the kids birthdays we let them pick where they want to go for their birthday dinner. Typically it is McDonalds or Pizza Hut because we just don't eat a lot of fast food. However, this year when we asked my son who turned 7 this week his answer....... "I want to go to the Cooking Pot" the cooking pot to him is translated into the Melting Pot. He has expensive taste. I am starting to think the gift certificate that was given to us (that introduced him to the "Cooking Pot" may very well be the most expensive "free" meal we have ever had. Oh well, Birthdays only come once a year right?

Sunday is my "Big Day" as written about before. I am trying to prepare for it just like I would a race. I am actually getting a little nervous about it just because it is a race simulation and will be the biggest indicator if finishing is in the cards and then, if my power and pace goals are anywhere close.

We shall see......

Tracy Butler

Some time for reflection

This is the end of my last "base" week designed to give me baseline endurance before I start to build for my race. Last evening I had an 1:45 minute swim and a 1.5 hour bike ride. In the 1:45 I was able to swim 6000 yards which is now the new farthest I have ever swam. It is hard to believe that two years ago I couldn't swim down and back in a 25 yard pool. My point is not to be boastful but just the opposite. Anyone can due this, it just take focus, desire and to be as consistent as possible. I hear from many people "I could never do that" and that is what they say but what they really mean is that "I don't want to do that". Anyone is capable.

Anyway, I have a long brick work out tomorrow that will be a 4.5 hour ride immediately followed by a 1 hour run. Again, when I started I struggled to run 10 minutes. Neither one will be fast but I will get them done and anyone considering getting into shape or setting a goal to run a 5k or whatever, I would be happy to help in anyway that I can. This journey has really changed my life for the better.

Sorry for the weird post this time but on this beautiful Saturday morning a little reflection never hurts anyone.

All for now
Tracy

Happy Birthday to me!

Okay, kind of lame but today I turn 40 and I can say with certainty this is the best b-day yet. Things are going well. We are on the verge of a very big announcement at work (which I am excited about)and generally I am doing well. I can't say that I am the luckiest guy on the planet but I feel as if I am near the top.

I am getting over my strep throat, the anitbiotics are doing their job and I am feeling really good. I will be able to get all of my workouts in this week (more on that in a minute), work is great but busy busy busy but all is good.

Nathan started pee-wee football this week. He had his first practice, got his pads and had a ball. He "sacked the quarteback" in a drill that they played twice then self proclaimed he is the fasted kid on the team. I am sure he will be humbled when "biggest" kid on the team knocks him on his but. Funny how life does that to you. They all look like bobble heads in their helmets... too funny. Rene had a meeting and I texted her how much fun it looked like he was having. She responded with "will we ever see soccer again" my reply was "I am not thinking so" she was bummed.

Now, for the workouts. I can tell following my recovery and testing week my training has changed. I have never seen workouts like I have seen this week. Some are similar but just to give you some idea I had an 1:15 minute bike ride yesterday (not a big deal) but then I had an 80.... yes 80... minute swim. The longest I had ever been scheduled before was 45. I really thought it was a type-o but it wasn't. So, I did it right after work with no major issues other than soreness today. In the 1:20 minutes I was able to swim about 2.6 miles. I was pretty psyched.

Today I had a 10 mile run this morning followed by a 45 minute swim. This swim was easier not just because it was shorter, but because some of that time was drills and cool down. Actual swimming was only about 20 minutes and it was good for my sore shoulders to loosen up a bit. It was actually a pretty cool morning as the sun rose up. The first one of those in a long time.

Tomorrow I have a full day. I have a presentation at church tomorrow along with a group lunch. The kicker is that I have an 80 mile bike ride I HAVE TO get in. Again, the longest ride to date that I have had scheduled. So, my plan is, up at 3:30am, on the bike on the trainer from 4:00am to 5:30ish, then I will pull my bike off the trainer and finish my ride outside. Home at 8:00 - 8:15, shower, church, presentation, lunch, home, swim, then birthday dinner with the family, home, get ready for the week, bed..... Weekend over......

Much much much different than any other birthday that I have had maybe with the exception of my 39th. I only wish it hadn't taken me so long to realize without your health nothing else matters.... Nothing..... Again, shame on me for taking things for granted.... All I can do is work hard, lift my head every once in awhile to look around and if I don't like where I am going change direction...and smell a few roses... KGB and NBB, one day when you read this, please don't take as long as your dad has to figure out what is important... if you do it sooner, your life will be soo much better for it and you will add so much more joy to others lives if you are truly happy. You and those around you will be better for it.

Now if you would have read the above paragraph and this was my 60th birthday post you could dismiss it as confusion or delusion, I am not sure how you take it on a 40th? Enough with my 40 year old pontification....... Have a great day/weekend/week all.

More to come....

Tracy