Testing the Waters

After the Seal Beach 10K I realized I wanted (and needed) to increase my lung capacity.  When I wrote the recap and mentioned that, you guys gave me some great feedback!  LOG THE MILES!  I plan on increasing my mileage, especially with San Francisco approaching.  In addition to your very helpful advice, I called my friend who is an avid runner to ask her what she thought too.  She told me she swims!  In addition to running, she swims on a team 2x a week.  Now, I’m not going to run out and join a swim team (although I was on one for a few years back in the day, and maybe in the future if I keep swimming on my own I will join a team), but I decided why not try it.  So I pulled out my old swim team suit, which still fit albeit a little tighter in the chest, bought a new swim cap and goggles, and headed to the pool.
I jumped in and after a couple laps I needed to take a short breather!  I forgot how tiring swimming is!  I knew it would be a great complement to running for me.  I ended up swimming 100m freestyle, 100m breast stroke, and another 100m freestyle.  Afterwards I felt great and I decided to incorporate swimming into my training plan once a week as cross training.

The great thing about swimming is that it works your whole body.  It engages all muscle groups from your arms to your legs, your back to your core.  It improves cardiovascular conditioning, muscle strength, endurance, posture, and flexibility all at the same time.  I’m super excited to incorporate this into my weekly running activities.  Oh, and later I did buy a new swim suit…a PINK one of course :)

And I will continue logging the miles!
Training for the San Francisco half begins next week!  Where has this year gone?  I can’t believe May is already here.  This weekend I’m going to Napa and my boyfriend and I have some short fun runs planned for the wine country!

Keep running happy!!!
xoxo