April 25: Many things happened

On March 5th, I injured my finger (cut my left thumb almost in half!) so I couldn't swim for a whole month.
On March 11th, due to Japan disaster, most of the pool has closed for a whole month due to electricity outage and saving electricity.
On April 19th, I had an operation for cataract and have been told not to swim for 3 months.

So from one to another, hardship came to me as if it was trying me to give up the triathlon. Although the harder it is, I usually increase the motivation. On April 3rd and 16th, the neighbourhood pool opened so went there to swim and confirmed that I can swim 800m continuously.

I already have plane ticket so I'll need to prepare bicycle, clothing, wet suits. Also it'll be difficult to train right beforehand (i.e. open water experience with wet suits), so I'll be doing it on the day, and I hope it will be a good experience. It still remains as my task to increase stamina and muscles.

My son now can swim over 1km so he is also taking part, hence there will be 2 people participating from Japan. The photo link for the Sterke Peer Triathlon is here:

http://www.wezelopdefoto.be/p486564210

It looks so much fun!

Mar 3: Swim - 50m pool, 6:15-6:45pm

It's freezing cold today and I should've brought my gloves. I ended up swimming very fast in the beginning but still it took 2 minutes to swim 100m. After slowing the pace, I was able to swim 1km without stopping. First 100m took 2'20'' so 1km would be in 23 minutes. Afterwards, I focused on paddling with my arms in a slower pace, and the time said 100m in 2 minutes. I noticed that my swimming form was getting rusty so going to start improving it. On the way home, the cold breeze felt really nice. The relieving atmosphere surrounded me with my tired body and release from the body movement.

Result: 1km, 100m, 100m, total 1.2km.

Feb 27: The knee pain

My nephew is taking part in the Tokyo Marathon on Feb 27th so I'm going to support him. I met him the day before for registration. I walked about 5 hours that day and felt something in my knees but it wasn't painful. Actually I wasn't really walking too much in terms of distance since I've been stopping and checking some exhibitions. Although the following day I can't bend my knees due to the pain. So I forced to bend it (by tolerating the pain) and stretched the muscles then I'm able to walk for a while but ending is the same. I cooled my knees and did some stretch and manage to finish the day, which ended up 7 hours of walking and standing. I suppose the total distance is about 10km.

Feb 25: Swim - 50m pool, 3:30-5pm

I took a day off today to get my eyes checked at the hospital. I wanted to get it checked because my eye sight has dropped down. Initially I thought it'll only take half day, but it was very crowded and every single check ups took time so in the end it took 6.5 hours. Apparently I have cataract and will need to have an operation. So I had to cancel Saturday's airline health check appointment. Therefore I probably won't be able to fly for a while, but want to be ready to fly by August.

It's my first time to go to the pool on the weekday daytime, and it's pretty empty therefore it feels good. There are only about 3 people in a lane. And this is in 50m pool, so it feels like only single person is there for 25m pool. I started swimming slowly and somehow managed to swim 750m without stopping. I wasn't expecting this so it felt weird. It's a shame I didn't measure my time! Then I swam 100m and it was 2 minutes so noticed that I have been swimming pretty slowly. I think it was like 2'20 pace. I should measure it next time. I feel so good that I was able to swim 750m.

Result: 750, 100, 200, 500, Total: 1.5km

Feb 20: Swim - 50m pool, 7:50-8:15pm

Today I swam in the pool in the 'hood. There wasn't much time and and it was freezing when I got into the water so I swam pretty fast. Around 200m point I slowed my pace and swam 500m. I feel it's easier than swimming in the 50m pool. It's probably the breathing and kicking during turn makes it easier.

Took the break for 10 minutes and swam another 500m. After that, I swam 25m each reviewing 14-stroke-front-style.

Result: 500m, 500m, 25m x6, 100m  Total: 1.25km

Feb 20: Run - 1km, 3-3:10pm

Normally I don't feel any pain around my knee area, but when I run, I feel it. Today I ran pretty slow pace but from the mid point both of my knees started to hurt (it has been only my right knee before). I tried to soften the shock and ran 1km. Afterwards, the pain was still there and I'm not sure if I should continue running. I shall put some support and will see how that goes.

Feb 11: Swim - 25m pool, 6:10-7:35pm

I went to the close by pool today. It's snowing but hasn't settled, therefore I thought the pool won't be busy as usual. I ended up going slightly earlier just in case but around 6pm was pretty busy having 3 people in a single lane. But from around 7pm there were less people so it was easier to swim.

In the next lane there's a 9-year-old-ish girl swimming, but she is SO fast. I'm jealous that she seem to be able to swim in many ways but even her breastroke is faster than my front crawl. Is it because she is fast? Or because I am slow? ...Persuaded myself thinking it's probably both.

Result: 500m, 300m, 300m, 500m, Total: 1.6km