On Saturday, Sarah and I got to ride with a really nice group of friends.  There were 10-12 of us, and it was a great change of pace for us.  It was a pretty leisurely ride, but we rode up to the lake and came close to the Michigan state line before turning around.  There were some great hills along the way, and I think that everyone had a great time – I know that WE did.    We got in about 63 miles in 3.5 hours, and my legs felt great afterwards. 

This morning we took the kids to Ohio Street Beach and each got in a nice open water swim.  It was my first time in a wetsuit and my first time swimming in open water.  I had heard so many stories about people struggling with open water swimming and even having panic attacks in races.  I didn’t think any of that would be an issue for me b/c I’ve gotten so comfortable in the pool.  Wow – was I ever mistaken! 

The wetsuit was so tight, and the water was so cold that I felt like I couldn’t breathe.  I was really surprised to feel so uncomfortable.  Additionally, it was disorienting to swim without lines.  Every time I looked up, I was swimming in a different direction.    I will definitely need to practice this several more times before my first race.  It got a little bit more natural toward the end of my 30 minute swim, but I hope to be MUCH more comfortable before the Valpo Triathlon in July….

Jim

PS ~ Happy Memorial Day to everyone!

Dr. Jim Arnold

Northwest Indiana Cosmetic, Family, Invisalign, and Sedation Dentistry

Smiles By Arnold & Associates

www.SmilesByArnold.com

219-926-5445 (Chesterton)

219-531-8914 (Valparaiso)

Naperville Cosmetic, Family, and Invisalign Dentistry

Smiles By Dr. Gibson & Associates

www.SmilesByDrGibson.com

630-357-3333 (Naperville)

Today was a very positive training day for me.    After a week of pain associated with both my Achilles and hamstring, I was able to do the longest run I’ve done in 3.5 months, and I doubled the length of my lifetime longest continuous swim.  Yea! 

I got in an easy 50 minute run this morning, had lunch with my family, and took my daughters to see “How to Train Your Dragon” in 3D – great movie, by the way if you have kids!    Afterwards, we ran some errands, and I hit the Y pool for a 3000 meter continuous swim.  I felt good, so I tacked on an additional 1000 for a total of 4000 meters.  I felt great – except for some foot cramps.   

Hopefully, I can maintain this positive momentum and train injury-free for the next few months!

Jim

This Achilles tendon tear is really starting to irk me.  After seven months, you would think that it would be completely healed.  I’ve done everything imaginable to help it heal, and it continues to be troublesome.    I’m running again, but I’m favoring the Achilles, which has now created a minor hamstring issue.  I’m putting off two speed workouts until next week in hopes that both the Achilles and hamstring will be feeling better. 

On a positive note, however, I am getting new wheels for my bike tomorrow.  Sarah’s bike is amazing – it’s kind of like swapping a Chevette for a Ferrari.  My bike isn’t quite a Ferrari, but it’s pretty darn nice, too.  Hopefully, my new wheels will make me just a LITTLE bit faster. 

Jim

Sarah and Jim Ready to Ride

Well…. it was COLD this afternoon – about 45 degrees with heavy wind, but we got it done.  Sarah and I joined Ken Hyde for a great ride this afternoon.  We headed out east well into LaPorte County and did a nice, flat loop at a comfortable pace.

My hands, ears, and feet were completely numb 30 minutes into a 2 1/2 hour ride, but the company was great, the sun was shining, and that made it a lot of fun. 

What a great way to end the weekend and look forward to another great week of work and training!

Jim

Wow!  I am beyond thrilled that I was able to run 45 minutes along the lakefront this morning with very little Achilles tendon pain.  That seems like a minor miracle at this point.  Yea!!!

Now, I am in Naperville for the day to get some work done, do some training with the team, and participate in an interview and photoshoot for New Beauty Magazine.  We are being featured in the July edition, so we are all very excited.  If you’ve never seen this magazine, check it out at Barnes and Noble, Borders, or any other major bookstore.

Later today, I have a 60 min bike ride and 60 min strength workout with my trainer.  Big day!  It is REALLY hard to squeeze 13 hours of training into my week.  It’s hard to believe that my coach, Adam Zucco trains about 30 hours/week!  I have no idea how he does it….

Have a fantastic day!!!

Jim Arnold

SmilesByArnold & Associates

Northwest Indiana Cosmetic and Family Dentistry

www.SmilesByArnold.com

219-926-5445

SmilesByDrGibson & Associates

Naperville Cosmetic & Family Dentistry

www.SmileByDrGibson.com

630-357-3333

For those of you who passed along well-wishes for our workouts yesterday, it went very well.  Sarah and I got to take our bikes out on the road together for the first time in six months, and we had great ride.  After 2 hours, 38 minutes riding around Northwest Indiana, I got off the bike and ran for 25 minutes, and I felt great.  Achilles continues to be a bit sore, but SOOO much better than a few months ago.  There is still hope! 

Dr. Jim Arnold

SmilesByArnold & Associates

Cosmetic and Family Dentistry

www.SmilesByArnold.com

219-926-5445