Last night I stopped at the pool on the way home from work to swim some laps. I knocked out a 1000 meters breast stroke, took a short break, then worked on my freestyle. I managed almost a 100 meters freestyle before I wore myself out, a new record. Then I did another 200 meters of slow deliberate freestyle, trying to really concentrate on the right form. I needed several breaks, but I’m getting there. I really need a freestyle course so I can learn this right, I expend entirely too much energy due to the bad form and poor breathing techinques. But I am determined to transform myself into one of the fish that I see at the swimming pool all the time.
Run Report
Saturday morning is my next long run, 28K/17M. As I need to help my wife get the house in order for guests over the holiday I want to try to hit the trail by 5:30 a.m. I’m a bit concerned about the trails freezing as it is raining this morning and they are predicting colder temperatures for tomorrow. We’ll see.
More Diet Talk
I have been talking a lot about my diet lately. What I didn’t say is that I set a mini-goal for myself this year that I would maintain my weight the last week before Christmas. Historically I gain at least 4-5 pounds before Christmas and another 5-10 during and after Christmas. This was the first year that I did not pig-out and gain weight before Christmas. Let me say that again, this is the FIRST year that I have accomplished this in my lifetime, period!
Now I’m not a Scrooge, Christmas will be celebrated with great enthusiasm, and in Germany they celebrate for two days the 25th and the 26th, so I will definitely be eating in overabundance. But come Tuesday its back to the diet with a vengeance. As of this morning I am 9 pounds away from my ultimate weight goal of 150 lbs. I am going to try really hard to get rid of those 9 lbs (and whatever I gain over Christmas) before my marathon in March.

DATE: 10:39 PM
Great job on the diet during this insanely food oriented time of year!! I wish I could say I have been as diligent!Merry Christmas! (Frohliche Weihnachten!) I KNOW I tragicly misspelled that, but I'm sure you get my drift!
DATE: 4:22 AM
Hey, I just wanted to say you totally rock for losing the poundage you want to. That is very exciting and a hard-earned victory.Happy holidays to you!!!
DATE: 5:51 PM
Merry Christmas! I, too, am pretty pleased I've held my weight through the pre-Christmas season...Good luck, and thanks for showing me that fitness can be done...
DATE: 3:51 PM
Good for you on the diet. I climbed on the scale this morning myself. I may not lose big, but holding my ground is a victory too!