Swimming less = Faster?!?

So I did my typical drop Elena off at her morning before school program and stop by LA Fitness for my swim.  I was messing with my stroke some more and was able to run off some decent times in the middle of a 30 minute swim.  I really haven't started any speed work at all.  I think I'll just put in "base" like running until January then start some speed stuff.  Who knows maybe I can get faster this year on my swimming.  I'll have a chance at keeping up with Orion at the Florida half in May.

My running has been well just there.  Nothing earth shattering with keeping my mileage low and slow.  Again, I'll probably start doing some hill repeats in January and then some tempo sessions in February.  There's a virtual challenge on Slowtwitch to see how fast one can run 1600m.  I haven't tried to push a mile since before heading to Oregon and suffering through a 5:45 on the trail.  A fast mile time would be helpful in my prep for the half.  I'm not sure I have any speed left in my legs though.  I was doing 800 repeats in the summer of 2007 at 2:35ish so I should be able to go under 5 but I'm not sure how far under.  It would be cool to do a 4:40.  Either way it's going to be fun to try over the next season.

The last sport cycling is suffering.  Its been cold and windy lately so I've been ignoring the bike altogether.  I'll do a spin class on Saturday for a little work but I really don't feel like getting on the trainer this winter.  We'll see how the spring shapes up in building to the May race.

Anyone out there interested in poker?  The World Series of Poker happened this past weekend in Vegas and some unknown amateur won.  I DVR'd the final table on ESPN and started watching it.  The first few hands were quite humorous and you could definitely tell that most of the players weren't professionals.  I read a Bill Simmons article that mentioned they should have a pro-only tournament.  I have to agree or something like 5 seats at the final table should be filled from professional only bracket while the 4 others could come from an at large amateur bracket.  Overall it's also funny watching the players appear more sponsored out than NASCAR cars.  I'm amazed that they can actually move in those jackets with all those patches sewn on.  I see a future Halloween costume.

I also watched the first quarter of the Blazer/Heat game last night as Oden made more of an official debut.  He had a dunk and a block.  It was against the Heat's(we have no real center) team.  I looked at the box score and he only had one additional field goal for the rest of his 16 minutes.

I've been extra tired for some reason.  I can't tell if I'm still battling a cold as I seem to blow my nose a bazillion times a day or if my body just likes being under my warm comforter.  The 2nd warmest comforter they sold at Macy's.  I love that thing.  Flannel sheets + comforter equals sleeping warmth without having to heat the condo.  The nightly bathroom visit which is about 2 steps from my bed is major body shock.  If I could get a bed pan, I wouldn't have to leave the warmth of my bed.  Eureka!!

As Black Friday approaches, we inch closer to Xmas.  I'm undecided about Xmas cards this year.  The tradition has been a Elena on Santa's lap since 2001 but I feel little motivation to even bother this year.  I'm already in my Scrooge mood and Xmas hasn't even hit.