For the first time in two weeks I ran outside this morning and it felt wonderful. Yes, there was a light rain, but it did not deter me. I had a very easy run for 35 minutes staying in zone two. I was surprised I was able to keep my average heart rate at 134 while I ran the familiar hills in my neighborhood. I took it easy and saved my legs, tomorrow is my longest long run in my training. Regardless of pace or weather, I enjoyed every step and every single minute – to the core. To breath the fresh air and hear my feet hitting the pavement as well as the sounds of nature trumps the drone of a treadmill any day.
Finished with my run, I loaded my car up with my dogs and my gym bag. An odd combination, I know. The dogs had an appointment with the groomer which is down the street from my gym, so I dropped the pups off to be pampered and then headed to the pool. I met a friend of mine to swim and specifically work on my butterfly technique. He is ranked 14th nationally in his age group in the butterfly, so I figure he knows a thing or two. The swim workout totaled 2,000 meters. I enjoy doing sets of 100 meters and 200 meters with another swimmer. We send off at the same time. It is pushing me harder than I would swim if I were just swimming on my own. When we did 3 x 100 I was able to swim them 2:00, 1:58, and 1:57. On my own I have been closer to 2:04. Mixed in we did two sets of 100 meters in IM. Getting the kick down for both the butterfly and backstroke is my weakness. I sink. For practice we also did three sets of 50 kick – butterfly kick. Wow, that is hard. Backstroke I also have to work on kicking enough to keep my lower end from sinking. Unlike freestyle, I can’t lower my chest in the water to raise my hips. Unless I want to swim backstroke with my face under water…
My friend told me the key to both butterfly and backstroke is a strong core. How convenient – I am working on my core quite a bit now-a-days. Running, swimming, cycling too – all improve with a stronger core. It is not the first thing I would think of – stronger legs and arms makes more sense. But as the song tells us – it is all connected. And for a reason too. Every part is essential. Of course this is true in more than fitness. More than the physical body too. Our friends and family make being a part of a “community” all the more special as we encourage each other. In training, in relationships, in life.
After I spent the morning exercising and running a few errands, I picked up my pups. Yes, also a very special core part of my life. And oh how adorable they do look.

They are…absolutely adorable!
Awe, thank you! Their personalities are a hoot too!
Those little guys are worth running in a light rain for!
Thank you! They are a joy.
They’re so tiny! OMG… You should have seen my two (now passed), their names were Bear (black lab)…and Moose (grt. Dane mutt).
Don’t let Priscilla fool you. She is all Great Dane inside!
The little nippers usually are!
The CUTEST puppies ever! Love the bows.
Thank you Jill! I have to agree. 😉