The FAF AFAP Digest

Good job, though maybe you should have done the "mellow aerobic set" before the harder set? Just a thought.

Your body will eventually adapt to the weights, it will just take time. And when you stop you'll feel that much better.

Sorry for the news about your appeal, though I'm glad you are taking it well -- looking forward to seeing even faster times in the future.

I thought about doing it first. If I had, I could have worked that first set more. But then the sprinters always suggest sprinting first .... I haven't had the best luck with that. It seems to take awhile for me to shift into high gear. This is also why I'd rather not have my best event first at a meet.

I dunno about the weights. I wish I had the more typical guy attachment to them.

On the recovery point, I was just in Whole Foods and found the product LBJ recommended. It's a "Function" sport drink. The recovery drink is called Shock Sports.

Holy crap, between you and Chris, I realize how truly slow I am. :-)
I had a bad car week this past weekend and this week, so my 5 workouts a week have dwindled to just Master's practices three times per week. But hopefully Saturday morning will get me back in the swing of things!
I still like the picture of Chris' dog!

TJ,

You did note that I had fins on for the timed swims. Hadn't done my RC exercises in 5 days and that always has bad consequences ... You'll get there. You're still a newbie.

I'm personally still wondering how my kicking is as fast as my swimming.

Chris's dog does have a very thoughtful look on his face as if he's puzzling something out or skeptical about something.

Chris's dog is thinking: I can smell one part per billion molecules, and I think that part is food. Now where is it, and what do I have to do to get it?

Regarding recovery and weights: in a totally subjective fashion, I have also observed that it is taking me longer to recover from harder sets/workouts, though the level of effort I'm expending is not as consistent as yours. Particularly with weights, if I do several sets where I'm pushing it, I'm pretty much toast for a couple of days. Is this the inevitable maturity factor? My day job has become a strain.

On the upside, I think its totally cool to push ourselves to the limit. As long as we're not getting injured, there has to be a substantial training benefit. And your recent times-even if not officially recognized- show that you're getting very fast!

I'm not one to look to a specific supplement or micro-nutrient as magic. For my two cents, food is healthier than supplements (see my Michael Pollan influence). I am going to be posting about chocolate in the near future. My current thoughts about recovery is that we need sufficient carbs on the caloric side, as well as sufficient rest to avoid burnout and injury. How much rest is required is obviously up to each of us to figure out.

Kicking fast: I can only sense you have awesome core strength.

I don't have a cute avatar, but I am sure enjoying the puppy faces as well.

Thanks, Tom. Yes, most docs I know are not huge fans of supplements. Perhaps I just need to be more careful about having something with protein after working out. And there's a fine line between training hard and over-training. I'm sure some of our recovery issues have to do with age.

Others will disagree, but I've never found recovery drinks to work for me. The only thing I will use is something like gatorade on long (40 miles and longer) bike rides, instead of water. But that is during the ride, not after. Occasionally I'll have a chocolate milk after a long swim workout. And since chocolate milk is supposed to be good, I figure that chocolate ice cream is even better for post-workout recovery.

As far as the dog goes, I'm sure he is just wondering if he can get away with biting the camera lens.

Ah, the proven benefits of chocolate protein! Yeah, I can't say I've noticed much benefit from recovery drinks either. But I guess, to the extent they have protein in them, they must help some for muscle recovery.

The best thing that works for me for recovery after workouts (except running) is this locally-produced milk from Shamrock Farms, "Rockin' Refuel." Basically a chocolate milk drink (I had been getting those anyway) with some extra whey protein added, and it is only $1, less if you find it on sale. After running, my stomach gets topsy-turvy and milk just won't work; water, gatorade, and Balance bars are ok.

I've started to re-adjust to weights after my what 2-week stunt at the gym so far. The soreness is going down, although I still get some when I do something different or add weight, but not that all-over feeling. Now I just feel very tired, just made myself a double-strength tea, poured over ice...

What's the, "typical guy attachment," with weights? If you've seen some of the women I've seen squatting/benching/etc at my gym...well I sure don't want to piss them off I've more noticed a rift between free weight users and machine users, while I tend to do some of both.

I'll check out the choco milk drink, Tim.

I had added some different weights and core work, so that could have contributed to the soreness.

Yes, there are some studly chicks at my gym too. Don't mean to fall into cliched stereotypes ... just seems like the guys I know love weights. I'll love them more if I swim fast in Feb. I also do both free weights and machines.

sorry your appeal was denied
you're training well
get strong
swim fast