It was cold and rainy on my birthday yesterday.  I was able to find a window in between the dicey weather to get that quick run in.  However, I primarily took the day to hunker down and get the day job work done so I could play today when the elements were more friendly.  My clients were also hibernating for some reason, and the prospective clients are contemplating various proposals.  More reasons I knew yesterday that today would be a good one to test out a “Two-A-Day”.

A “Two-A-Day” is where I complete two of the three triathlon sports in one day.  It helps begin to train the body to be accustomed to transitioning from one activity to the next in an actual race.  Today I had the time to do try this out.  Additionally, after aging one more year yesterday, there was the nagging challenge to go out and prove father time wrong.  I’m sure my Psychology major wife could add more to that story if given the chance.  Or, even if she wasn’t given the chance.

Achieving this task will require a few hours so off to the gym I went at 4:45am for the swim and some core work.  I have learned that if I get to the gym around 5:00am I can usually get a lane.  On Wednesdays, in particular, like clock work one of the trainers there ends her swim right around 5:00am and I can grab her lane.  This Wednesday was typical and my plan worked perfectly.  She exited the lane as I entered the pool area right on schedule.

I have found that my morning swims have a dual purpose.  One planned and one an additional convenience bonus.  There is this guy that sits near the hot tub waiting for someone else to get in the hot tub.  We will call him Hot Tub Frank.  Once Hot Tub Frank has a visitor in the rolling water, he goes over the morning news with them adding his own very “frank” opinions from his perch near the bubbling bath.  He is very much to the left, and is quite vocal about it.  During my time in the pool, I can conveniently get caught up on the political topics of the day albeit from one perspective.  Interestingly, I have never seen Hot Tub Frank actually get in the hot tub nor have I witnessed him working out in any fashion in the club and his current fitness shape supports that finding.  He simply holds court next to the hot tub reviewing the days political events in his very one sided conversational style peppered with some good humor at least.

At the gym, I do not use a wetsuit so it is a more difficult swim.  I have not been able to attain more than two laps continuously, but I now can complete two laps continuously each time.  Today I floated better, breathed better, and actually got into a little rhythm with my reach and catch.  The small incremental advancements continue while I wait for that moment everyone tells me about where it all comes together.  “Everyone” had better not be lying is all I have to say.

I diligently continued my swim keeping track of my laps with pennies at the end of the pool that I move from one side of a grout line to the other.  After getting my complete download of world events between laps I was done with sport #1 of the day and had put 40 laps behind me.

Not one to waste good gym time when fewer people are there, I dried off, changed into my gym clothes and went to work on some core since I was in the neighborhood.  Two hours, 33 sets, 777 reps, and 35050 total pounds lifted later I was done.  Unlike Hot Tub Frank who had now moved to the locker room to continue educating the gym population on where the direction of our country should be going. He may not have an athletic bone in his body at this point in his life journey, but the man certainly does have stamina.

It was 8:00am by this time and still only 38 degrees outside.  A bit chilly to begin sport #2 on my bicycle, but solid blue skies and an exceptionally bright sun was hinting that the day had more to offer.  I arrived home, fueled myself for the next sport, readied my bike with more on-board fuel, sprayed fresh lube on the chain, and suited up.  By the time I was ready to go at 9:30am the temp had risen to the high 40’s which I can tolerate with an anticipated high of 60 for the day.

My plan was to head for the coast and get some solid cranking on a more flat segment along Pacific Coast Highway through Leucadia and Carlsbad.  This stretch has wide shoulders, mostly flat, a few rolling hills, not a ton of traffic lights, and continual views of the Pacific Ocean.  On the way there, and on the way back, I get enough climbing in to keep my climbing legs in shape for the big weekend workouts.  In total, 45 miles and over 4,600 feet.

Final totals for my first Two-A-Day:  Swim) 40 swim laps – Strength & Core) 33 sets, 777 reps, 35050 total pounds lifted  – Bike) 45 miles, 4,600+ feet climbed.

Yes, afterwards I ate more of this delicious German Chocolate birthday cake my daughter baked me to celebrate another day deferring the wrath of father time and completing my first Two-A-Day.