Hair today, gone tomorrow

As certain as the summer humidity, I decided to go more aerodynamic with my noggin. Ever since making this career jump, a number of things have changed in my life...all for the better.

• No more suits and ties. I have worn a button up shirt 2-3 times in the past 8 months. Weddings and funerals, that's about it.
  
• Living in workout attire. 90% of the time I am in shorts, pajamas or something in between.
  
• No shaving. I am lucky to shave once a week right now. I even took the holiday time to grow out facial hair for the first time in my life.
  
• No haircuts. I had exactly ONE haircut from September to May.
  

Now, I really enjoy these liberties. I enjoy being on my own schedule. I enjoy rolling out of bed with complete bed head and coaching a workout (my hair received a number of jokes). Laundry is a lot simpler. In fact, I have a basket of dry cleaning that hasn't moved in 8 months. It is more likely to be donated than pressed at this point.

While I enjoy each of these, I knew the end was coming. As soon as the heat and humidity arrived, it was time to shave it back. I just couldn't take the messy look any longer. So I grabbed the clippers and gots my hair did.

This has become an annual tradition for more. It is something that I actually look forward too. But this time it was different. I was cutting off months and months of hair. Not just shaving it back a little more. I also took the time to completely shave my face. Voila. Instantly, I am younger.

I must say, given the race conditions of the past few weeks. I am very thankful that I didn't wait an extra day.

Before:





















After:

Swimming Progress

I dare say that I am still swimming. And I continue to see improvements. April was a BIG swim month for me. I put in over 35,000 yards. That left me a workout short of a new monthly total. While not 100% convenient, the current swim schedule fits my schedule pretty well. I am still finding that I am a bit more motivated in this new time slot.

I did retest my 1000 time trial. And to make this even more interesting (and true), I did it when the pool was long course meters. For those who don't understand the metric system, 1000m=1093 yards. So that is nearly an extra 100 on my test.

1/15/08 TT 1000y 18.01 (1.48 pace)
2/24/08 TT 1000y 16.44 (1.40 pace)
4/10/10 TT 1000y 15:22 (1.32 pace)
2/14/11 TT 1000y 15.24 (1.32 pace)
4/25/11 TT 1000m 16:19 (1.29 pace) (14:52 equivalent)

I felt really good after doing the 1000m. I knew I was pushing it but it was far from going all out. Needless to say, I am pleased with the progress. Best of all, I still took nearly 4 months off from swimming and have broken through to a new pr in only a few months.

I guess my next goal is to get that t-pace down to 1:25 range.

April Totals

Really solid month of training. I had no major set backs. In fact, I moved forward quite well. Even had time for a recovery week at the end of the month.

Previously stated goals


1. More balance, less sporadic volume spikes--DONE
2. Consistent long rides AND runs--DONE
3. Build FTP higher--Probably DONE
4. Hard bricks--Half Done

For my volume, here are my goals
Bike: 500 miles (125 a week)--474 Actual. I will take a 94.8%
Run: 100 miles (25 a week)--89.3 Actual. Not bad for me.
Swim: 40,000 (10k a week)--35800 Actual. Really good for me.

Overall, I am very pleased. I felt really dialed in and a few flats, rainy days and busy schedule were the only thing to prevent me from hitting the totals.