UI Track

Attended the workout at the UI track last night. Decided to run 400 m laps and 3:30 min rests. Again, I ran pretty fast about 8 intervals. Of course, it helps to be running next to excellent athletes like Curtis. The RunningWild crew had gatorade for us, and it was deliciously cold.

I swam about 8 laps in the Wellness Center in the morning. I concentrated in my kick.  I cannpt understand why I am so slow when I kick only.  I see these other swimmers working on their kick and they are f-a-s-t!

Get Moving for Healthy Kids

Second 5K race of the week this morning under the rain. Course was more tough than yesterday's. I was still happy with my time. I couldn't believe I was leading the race by Farewell. I wanted somebody to pass me!  They did at the Mormon Trek Hill. I came in ninth place overall and second in my age group. The race was very well organized. I was surprised this time, they had chips for timing and they also gave lots of medals!

Found some very interesting videos of Leo Manzano. He is such a talented runner. He is fast!
 

Rascal Run

Ran a 5K this morning that benefits the Good Shepherd Center (Day Care) in Iowa City. This race was organized by Jen F.  It was attended by about 100 runners. I came in third place overall. A young guy came in first place, his name was James. He told me he just movedinto the area. He is a new grad student in physics. These are the paces for each mile: 6:30, 6:50 and 7:12.

Viernes

Went to the CRWC and got there at six am. Had to share a lane for swimming, but it worked out alright.  I swam 14 laps.  The girl swimming in my lane did more than that!  Swimming class starts on Monday. 

I am reading Paula by Isabel Allende, and I am enjoying it. I like the way she tells stories.  Sweet! That will be the nextbook to discuss in our next Spanish Book Club reunion.
I am looking forward to a 5K race tomorrow morning. Rascal Run. It will be a very flat course. An excellent opportunity to get a new PR.

Jueves

I went to the UI track last night. Phil and John led the running group. I ran 800 mts intervals with jogging breaks.  It was tougher than previously.  I hope these workouts help me this weekend.  Let's see if I can break my previous 5K PR. Hopefully, weather might help. Saturday's race is flat!

Martes

Got up and warmed up doing some stretching. Then, went outside and ran the first mile with Karen.  She was doing almost 12 MM, so I decided to go solo and faster. I talked to my neighbor this morning. One of her daughters is the same age than Sophia. Maybe they can get together and play.

Today will be a busy day.  Teaching my first graduate class of the semester, and then chairing the Latino Council meeting at noon. We are reading Paula from Isabel Allende for the Spanish Book Club.

Running Wild South Route

Planning to run 10-12 miles, but ended up running almost 16. Ran with Ryan, Jen, and Josh. The south route is flat an easy, and it's very nice because it goes along the Iowa River. There were more than twenty runners this morning. Some of them are probably training for the Chicago marathon.
Went to the CRWC and found that they only let you swim in one half (not both). I started swimming and sharing a lane with a guy. But pretty soon, he left. The lengths seem to be shorter than the C'ville Rec Center (maybe they are the same length). I used a floatie in between my legs to help me float. It seems like swimming with the floatie was easier. I swam 12 laps. Most of them free style, but a few back stroke.

Saturday Morning Run

Ran easy with Karen. I talked to her into doing the extra mile to finish with five miles. She said we should run a Healthy Kids 5K race as a family. We saw a couple of workers fixing the pavement on the trail. The grass on the Ashton X-country field has been recently mowed. It looks very nice. Fall is track and field season.

CRWC

Again, swimming at the olympic pool. Tried to swim the whole length doing front crawl, probably two laps.  The rest of them, I did half front crawl, and then when I start drowning, I truned around and do back stroke.  When will I be able to swim a few laps without getting so tired?  I finished a lap, and I felt excaltly like when I run 400 mts intervals!  almost dead! My new swimming class starts on Monday.  I hope it helps me improve my swimming endurance.

I discovered Lori Bradley's blog. She is such a good writer, and she is so deep in her thoughts. I am getting to know her better through her blog!

First Day of School

A lot of kids got together at the corner of the street waiting for the school bus. The kids looked happy to get together again and parents were there with their cameras. It rained quite a lot this morning, but it stopped raining by the time we were standing there.
Received an e-mail from Sophia's teacher.  That was nice of her sending e-mails to the parents.

Speed Workout

Ran with the RunningWild group at the UI track.  Did 8 X 400 mts with 3 min rest. Ran with Nathalie and Orlando.  They are two young great runners. Ben and his wife were there too.  There were mor than twenty people!  Kudos for RunningWild!

CRWC Olympic Pool

I thought the diving well would be open this morning. Had to swim in th eolympic pool. I started front crawl, but after 25 m, I change to back stroke, which is easier for me. I am still very intimidated by the length of the olympic pool. I signed up for the intermediate swimming class which starts on Monday 27th. My goal is to better my forms, so I can swim the olympic pool without getting so tired.

RunningWild East Route

Got up early enough to make it to RunningWild. Saw Ryan and Kelly and went running with them. Kelly is running the Chicago Marathon and Ryan the Twin Cities Marathon.  I decided to go for twelve miles. Met Wendy and ran back with her.

Three africans (Uganda, Kenya, and Kenya) got medals in Men's Marathon in London. Meb got a respectful fourth place and Ryan Hall DNF.

Saturday

Got up and went out for a run with Karen. I convinced her to do the five-mile bicycle trail loop. Nice cool morning.

Scott Bradley passes away

Karen's cousin, Scott (around 40 years old) passed away this morning after he went out to play basketball. He came home and said he could not breath. They called an ambulance, but they were not able to help him. I suppose he had some heart issue. I feel very sad for his wife Lori and his seven year old daughter Jaelyn. I will try my kids to stay in touch with Jaelyn and Lori as much as possible.

UI Track

I went swimming in the morning of yesterday. I swam 14 laps at the C'ville Rec Center. I joined the RunningWild group for interval training. I ran 7 X 800 mts and 3 min rest. This time I used my Garmin to record the training.  I was very happy with my times.  I also felt ith good energy because this time, I did not run in the morning.

CRWC Competition Pool

I knew the diving well would be closed and the competition pool open this morning.  I tried to swim there, and I was able to swim only four laps.  I get too tired doing my front crawl. So, I combine it with back stroke.  I felt very tired from all the training this weekend.  I enjoyed going to the hot tub and then the sauna.

RunningWild

Ran with Gene, Bill and Jennifer for almost nine and a half miles this morning. Had a big breakfast at Hy-Vee after. I felt very sleepy after I got home.

American marathoners did not do very well this morning. The podium was for Tiki Gelana (Ethiopia), Prisca Jeptoo (Kenya) and Tatyana Petrova (Rusia). The winner had a chronos of 2:23. Amazing runners. The course looked very tough and it was also raining.

Woodpecker Nature Trail

Ran on the Woodpecker Nature Trails with Ross, Ross, and Kelly. We met at 7 AM. These guys seemed to know every inch of the trails. They were kind enough to slow down for Kelly and me. Running uphills was tough for me. We saw another small group of runners training. I was sweating and my t-shirt was soaked! I had to walk the final hill with the steps. I had fun. I am sure my running will improve if I keep training hard with RW on Wednesdaysand Sundays. I plan to run the Quad-Cities half-marathonn September 23. I hope to PR!

CRWC Diving Well

Swam 550 yds.  I am spending less time between lengths. Trying to do more front crawl. Saw Greg F. swimming.  He says he swims about three times a week. Not sure where I will swim next week.
USA has more olympic medals than China (number two).  Track competions start today in London. Go USA!!!
Got a new pair of Saucony-Kinvara3's!  yeah!

Wednesday Track Training

I started the day by going to the Trojan Field track. Did about ten intervals 0.1 miles with 1 min rest.

In the evening I rode my bike to the UI track. I wanted to see the RunningWild group training. John was very nice and invited me to join them. We started by doing some stretching and then the group was divided in three groups. I joined group B.  We did several 800's. They like to time each lap. Three minute rest in between laps. Next time, I should program my Garmin for 400's and three minute rests.  I goofed around with the Garmin and it did not record my training.