Training Log Archive: vmeyerIn the 7 days ending Jan 17, 2017:
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Tuesday Jan 17, 2017 #
4 PM
Walking 31:05 [1] 2.0 mi (15:32 / mi)
ahr:99 max:134 weight:194lbs
Walk around the loop at work on a misty but comfortable afternoon. Just a little something to get the blood moving after a long day of sitting.
Monday Jan 16, 2017 #
9 AM
Orienteering race 2:44:33 [3] *** 6.73 mi (24:27 / mi) +258m 21:51 / mi
ahr:121 max:178
After a decent night’s sleep, and breakfast at the hotel, and a great big Aleve, I decided that I would be able to toe the line for the Mal Harding Extreme-O. It was the event I look forward to the most when I come to Georgia, so I wasn’t going to miss it, if I could help it.
Tracks
My map pieces got soaked when I got wet, so I don’t have them to post.
Valerie, Dave, and Paul – ready to go.
A chill start – Trysons, Frosts, and Dave
As mentioned elsewhere, I realized that I had forgotten my compass on the way to #1, so I settled into the role of team photographer.
S-1 4:13 - 473: Footbridge – map snippet
1-2 3:39 - 474: Ditch junction – xxx meters on x azimuth?
At #2, we were fortunate enough to pick up Red Mal to carry with us to the next control.
2-3 9:30 - 475: Hilltop – plot on 1:24,000 map?
On the way to #3, we all randomly noticed this tree and no one knew what it was. The first of its kind I saw all weekend…
We dropped off Red Mal so that he could hitch a ride on the next team through.
3-4 4:31 - 476: Footbridge
Team Red Bull caught and passed us between 4 and 5 – just a blur:
4-5 9:52 - 477: Man-made structure
5-6 6:10 - 478: Depression /clearing – E side
Two controls later, here comes TRB again:
And, the junior team from OCIN:
6-7 7:25 - 450: Between boulders
Paul and Dave nailed this one, getting us there just ahead of the junior team.
7-8 12:57 - 487: Trail – NE end
I guess this was the King of the Mountain leg of sorts. Long, long, long. Team Red Bull took the trail and were out of sight quickly.
We climbed steadily to the road.
And, then the control.
Overlook
8-9 3:05 - 485: ET has a problem here
Had to decipher some written Morse code which said to Follow Power Line North.
9-10 2:29 - 457: Building – N side
We were issued a raw egg which was to be carried to the end. I initially thought it was to be carried to the next control only.
After first loudly declaring that "I was in charge of the egg", I quickly tripped. I decided that it would be safer in the side pocket of Dave's pack instead.
Paul with his back to the power line leg.
10-11 4:44 - 458: power line - bend
11-12 5:36 - 459: Rootstock
Team Yellow Pants
Maksim Popov/Bulat Sagdullin running down the hill towards the pool.
12-13 3:55 - 604: The _____ Pool
13-14 7:29 - 489: Ditch junction
14-15 4:59 - 483: Culvert
15-16 4:20 - 484: Spur
Picked up Green Mal for the next stage of his journey.
16-17 4:18 - 460: Pit
Dropped off Green Mal in the pit.
17-18 4:28 - 461: Culvert
Blue Mal joined our team for a climb to the next control
18-19 11:56 – 462: Hilltop
Reconvened with Team Red Bull
Blue Mal was left to be one with the control.
19-20 4:34 – 463: Spur
20-21 6:47 – 464: Hilltop
Dave and Paul powering up the hill
21-22 2:56 – 465: Dirt bank
Bob T directing the rope climb.
Dave
Paul
Valerie
23-23 9:40 – 466: Lake – NE side
For this control, we had to use photos to piece together the route. I, retrospect, we should have just bombed down to the lake, but where was the fun in that?!
Dave looking over the photos.
Chuck welcoming our team to the lake.
23-24 2:08 – 467: Copse – N side
We had to row (paddle) the boat to the little island. The boat was tethered, and the boat would reach the island in a thorny area, or just reach, but someone had to get out of the boat and hold it. Besides being in front, I was also the one who wanted to get wet, and the timing was good since we were near the end of the race. So, out I went, taking one for the team.
Yes, Paul, you might want to sit down.
24-25 8:43 – 497: Building – N side
Then, we had to head back off of the island via the ropes.
Dave
Paul
And, Valerie, deciding that more adventure was called for, and after being egged on by the massive crowds, screaming, Do it! Do it! Do it!
Happy to make it safely! Well, maybe just happy to be wet up to my neck. Goal achieved!
I preferred my method to this one by the juniors who followed…because, I would have probably fallen in anyway, and hey, getting wet was my main race goal, after finishing in one piece.
The juniors made it over with a cracked egg, but it stayed intact to the end, whereas our egg was soundly smashed when Dave threw his pack into the boat.
25-26 2:50 – 472: Bridge
Since I was already wet, I got to do the rest of the tasks, while the guys stayed dry. They weren’t complaining, and neither was I.
26-27 1:37 – 470: Stream junction
Down the wash, step by step, to the stream.
27-28 3:20 – 490: Man-made cave
Yes, it is in there.
28-29 1:07 – 486: To Amazing finish
10 controls in the maze. Thanks to Janet for taking the pictures.
29-F 6:03 – Total time was 2:44, with about 25 minutes of stoppage time. I measured about 8.7km on the straight line. Advertised as 9-10km with 250 m of climb, which was just 8 less than the climb the garmin recorded.
When Dave asked me if I wanted to go out with them, I told him that I was concerned that I would hold them up. He said they would probably jog some in the beginning, and then get slower from there. I thought, good, I’ll try to keep up, and then I usually get stronger, so I should be ok. By the end of the race, our team name could have changed to “What?! We’re really going to run again?!”, and it wasn’t me saying it. Good fun with these guys, who at some point stopped trying to correct me when I called them the wrong name. Thank you, Dave and Paul! Let's do it again sometime!
Many thanks to Joey Ciza of VOC, and all of his volunteers from VOC, QOC and GAOC. This was a fun event, with just the right amount of difficulty, especially for the fourth event of the weekend, and with needing to travel home the same day. I plan to add the GNC/Extreme-O weekend back on my schedule, if health and fitness allows.
P.S. Teams Red Bull and Yellow Pants both finished ahead of us. Oh, and it wasn’t me who had to pee during the race…likely, a new record.
Tracks
My map pieces got soaked when I got wet, so I don’t have them to post.
Valerie, Dave, and Paul – ready to go.
A chill start – Trysons, Frosts, and Dave
As mentioned elsewhere, I realized that I had forgotten my compass on the way to #1, so I settled into the role of team photographer.
S-1 4:13 - 473: Footbridge – map snippet
1-2 3:39 - 474: Ditch junction – xxx meters on x azimuth?
At #2, we were fortunate enough to pick up Red Mal to carry with us to the next control.
2-3 9:30 - 475: Hilltop – plot on 1:24,000 map?
On the way to #3, we all randomly noticed this tree and no one knew what it was. The first of its kind I saw all weekend…
We dropped off Red Mal so that he could hitch a ride on the next team through.
3-4 4:31 - 476: Footbridge
Team Red Bull caught and passed us between 4 and 5 – just a blur:
4-5 9:52 - 477: Man-made structure
5-6 6:10 - 478: Depression /clearing – E side
Two controls later, here comes TRB again:
And, the junior team from OCIN:
6-7 7:25 - 450: Between boulders
Paul and Dave nailed this one, getting us there just ahead of the junior team.
7-8 12:57 - 487: Trail – NE end
I guess this was the King of the Mountain leg of sorts. Long, long, long. Team Red Bull took the trail and were out of sight quickly.
We climbed steadily to the road.
And, then the control.
Overlook
8-9 3:05 - 485: ET has a problem here
Had to decipher some written Morse code which said to Follow Power Line North.
9-10 2:29 - 457: Building – N side
We were issued a raw egg which was to be carried to the end. I initially thought it was to be carried to the next control only.
After first loudly declaring that "I was in charge of the egg", I quickly tripped. I decided that it would be safer in the side pocket of Dave's pack instead.
Paul with his back to the power line leg.
10-11 4:44 - 458: power line - bend
11-12 5:36 - 459: Rootstock
Team Yellow Pants
Maksim Popov/Bulat Sagdullin running down the hill towards the pool.
12-13 3:55 - 604: The _____ Pool
13-14 7:29 - 489: Ditch junction
14-15 4:59 - 483: Culvert
15-16 4:20 - 484: Spur
Picked up Green Mal for the next stage of his journey.
16-17 4:18 - 460: Pit
Dropped off Green Mal in the pit.
17-18 4:28 - 461: Culvert
Blue Mal joined our team for a climb to the next control
18-19 11:56 – 462: Hilltop
Reconvened with Team Red Bull
Blue Mal was left to be one with the control.
19-20 4:34 – 463: Spur
20-21 6:47 – 464: Hilltop
Dave and Paul powering up the hill
21-22 2:56 – 465: Dirt bank
Bob T directing the rope climb.
Dave
Paul
Valerie
23-23 9:40 – 466: Lake – NE side
For this control, we had to use photos to piece together the route. I, retrospect, we should have just bombed down to the lake, but where was the fun in that?!
Dave looking over the photos.
Chuck welcoming our team to the lake.
23-24 2:08 – 467: Copse – N side
We had to row (paddle) the boat to the little island. The boat was tethered, and the boat would reach the island in a thorny area, or just reach, but someone had to get out of the boat and hold it. Besides being in front, I was also the one who wanted to get wet, and the timing was good since we were near the end of the race. So, out I went, taking one for the team.
Yes, Paul, you might want to sit down.
24-25 8:43 – 497: Building – N side
Then, we had to head back off of the island via the ropes.
Dave
Paul
And, Valerie, deciding that more adventure was called for, and after being egged on by the massive crowds, screaming, Do it! Do it! Do it!
Happy to make it safely! Well, maybe just happy to be wet up to my neck. Goal achieved!
I preferred my method to this one by the juniors who followed…because, I would have probably fallen in anyway, and hey, getting wet was my main race goal, after finishing in one piece.
The juniors made it over with a cracked egg, but it stayed intact to the end, whereas our egg was soundly smashed when Dave threw his pack into the boat.
25-26 2:50 – 472: Bridge
Since I was already wet, I got to do the rest of the tasks, while the guys stayed dry. They weren’t complaining, and neither was I.
26-27 1:37 – 470: Stream junction
Down the wash, step by step, to the stream.
27-28 3:20 – 490: Man-made cave
Yes, it is in there.
28-29 1:07 – 486: To Amazing finish
10 controls in the maze. Thanks to Janet for taking the pictures.
29-F 6:03 – Total time was 2:44, with about 25 minutes of stoppage time. I measured about 8.7km on the straight line. Advertised as 9-10km with 250 m of climb, which was just 8 less than the climb the garmin recorded.
When Dave asked me if I wanted to go out with them, I told him that I was concerned that I would hold them up. He said they would probably jog some in the beginning, and then get slower from there. I thought, good, I’ll try to keep up, and then I usually get stronger, so I should be ok. By the end of the race, our team name could have changed to “What?! We’re really going to run again?!”, and it wasn’t me saying it. Good fun with these guys, who at some point stopped trying to correct me when I called them the wrong name. Thank you, Dave and Paul! Let's do it again sometime!
Many thanks to Joey Ciza of VOC, and all of his volunteers from VOC, QOC and GAOC. This was a fun event, with just the right amount of difficulty, especially for the fourth event of the weekend, and with needing to travel home the same day. I plan to add the GNC/Extreme-O weekend back on my schedule, if health and fitness allows.
P.S. Teams Red Bull and Yellow Pants both finished ahead of us. Oh, and it wasn’t me who had to pee during the race…likely, a new record.
Sunday Jan 15, 2017 #
10 AM
Walking 10:00 [1] 0.44 mi (22:44 / mi) +67m 15:25 / mi
ahr:110 max:129
Walk to start.
Arrived bright and early (6:45 am) to assist with results setup with the hopes of getting a start before 9 am, instead of my assigned start of 11:21. Well, a change had been made at the end of the day yesterday which prevented the two laptops from communicating with each other. By the time that was resolved it was too late to start early, so I took my time getting to the start. Sat with Martha a while, “helping”, and then took the 10:55 start slot.
Arrived bright and early (6:45 am) to assist with results setup with the hopes of getting a start before 9 am, instead of my assigned start of 11:21. Well, a change had been made at the end of the day yesterday which prevented the two laptops from communicating with each other. By the time that was resolved it was too late to start early, so I took my time getting to the start. Sat with Martha a while, “helping”, and then took the 10:55 start slot.
Orienteering race (Brown) 1:24:10 [3] *** 4.1 km (20:32 / km) +155m 17:16 / km
ahr:126 max:162
FR = 3.87 miles with 201 m climb
Map
A little flustered at the start because the obvious route choice was back through the start, or at least climbing the short steep embankment out of the start to the road. I hate doing stuff in front of people, but I sucked it up, rolled my eyes at Sam, and then I went to the road. Clean from S-1-2-3, and while I didn’t nail 4, I knew where I was when I made the choice to go left. I felt like I was in between, and it was a toss-up which direction the reentrant was in. In retrospect, I was right on line. About 4 minutes lost.
Motoring along well from 5-6, and then the first 2/3 of 6-7, when I lost concentration and 20 minutes. Gathered myself once I was able to relocate from the rocks on the hill next to the trail, and finally found 7. Clean the rest of the way in. I think if I could ever have one control back, it would be this one. Likely a case of this disappointment being fresher in my mind than past disappointments…
Tracks
Second to Barb in F55 for the second day, and overall, and 22/55 on Brown for Day 2, and overall 20/60. I’ll take it, and anything really is a win after the last few difficult years, but my competitive side wishes I was a wee bit higher up the list.
Dinner was carry out from Pizza Villa, where I asked for light on the sauce, and it was perfect! Cookies at the hotel for desert. Yum!
Day 3 of 4 in the bank, except a little more broken...blister on the bottom of the right heel and right big toe. Black shoes worked better, but the socks I wore were too loose. I has pulled something below my right ankle when I stepped into a hole. Also, a side branch poked me in the left shim, and I have a nice hematoma and bruising. Debating whether to go out tomorrow or not.
I was invited to join with Dave Webber ofUNO HVO, and Paul Regan of UNO, formerly of HVO, for the Extreme-O tomorrow. I think they are afraid to let me go out by myself. :) For whatever reason they took pity on me, I appreciate it, because going with someone should be more fun than going solo. I don't want to hold them up though, which I would feel like I would do even if I wasn't a bit beat up. I guess I'll see how I feel in the morning.
Map
A little flustered at the start because the obvious route choice was back through the start, or at least climbing the short steep embankment out of the start to the road. I hate doing stuff in front of people, but I sucked it up, rolled my eyes at Sam, and then I went to the road. Clean from S-1-2-3, and while I didn’t nail 4, I knew where I was when I made the choice to go left. I felt like I was in between, and it was a toss-up which direction the reentrant was in. In retrospect, I was right on line. About 4 minutes lost.
Motoring along well from 5-6, and then the first 2/3 of 6-7, when I lost concentration and 20 minutes. Gathered myself once I was able to relocate from the rocks on the hill next to the trail, and finally found 7. Clean the rest of the way in. I think if I could ever have one control back, it would be this one. Likely a case of this disappointment being fresher in my mind than past disappointments…
Tracks
Second to Barb in F55 for the second day, and overall, and 22/55 on Brown for Day 2, and overall 20/60. I’ll take it, and anything really is a win after the last few difficult years, but my competitive side wishes I was a wee bit higher up the list.
Dinner was carry out from Pizza Villa, where I asked for light on the sauce, and it was perfect! Cookies at the hotel for desert. Yum!
Day 3 of 4 in the bank, except a little more broken...blister on the bottom of the right heel and right big toe. Black shoes worked better, but the socks I wore were too loose. I has pulled something below my right ankle when I stepped into a hole. Also, a side branch poked me in the left shim, and I have a nice hematoma and bruising. Debating whether to go out tomorrow or not.
I was invited to join with Dave Webber of
Saturday Jan 14, 2017 #
11 AM
Orienteering race (GNC - Brown) 1:30:07 [3] *** 4.7 km (19:10 / km) +145m 16:37 / km
ahr:136 max:179
FR = 4.05 miles with 240.3 m climb
Map
Tracks
I helped out with getting the results displays sorted, so I started about 40 minutes late. So warm – around 70 again, but I had been careful to drink plenty before I went out, so it didn’t bother me.
Today wasn't a good day to try to bond with a new compass. After losing about 8 minutes on each of the two long legs (2-3 and 3-4), I switched back to my old compass and did much better. On the really long leg from 6-7, I had the 13th best split, despite another loopy part near the end of the leg, after being 39 & 41 on the aforementioned legs. The last few legs were much better, likely because they were shorted.
Managed to finish 2nd in my class and 21/58 on the course. Felt pretty good throughout, except for the shooting pain into the side of my left inner foot the last 20 minutes or so. It disappeared as soon as I got out of my shoes. I shouldn't have worn the purple shoes. Back to the black shoes tomorrow, when I hope to claw back some time on the front of the pack.
In the afternoon, the award ceremony was held for the Sprint race.
Later, I joined maprunner, Spike, and Sandy for dinner at the Brickhouse in Lagrange. Congrats to Mary for getting carded! Thanks for inviting me, and sorry about the TMI!
Day 2 of 4 in the books.
Map
Tracks
I helped out with getting the results displays sorted, so I started about 40 minutes late. So warm – around 70 again, but I had been careful to drink plenty before I went out, so it didn’t bother me.
Today wasn't a good day to try to bond with a new compass. After losing about 8 minutes on each of the two long legs (2-3 and 3-4), I switched back to my old compass and did much better. On the really long leg from 6-7, I had the 13th best split, despite another loopy part near the end of the leg, after being 39 & 41 on the aforementioned legs. The last few legs were much better, likely because they were shorted.
Managed to finish 2nd in my class and 21/58 on the course. Felt pretty good throughout, except for the shooting pain into the side of my left inner foot the last 20 minutes or so. It disappeared as soon as I got out of my shoes. I shouldn't have worn the purple shoes. Back to the black shoes tomorrow, when I hope to claw back some time on the front of the pack.
In the afternoon, the award ceremony was held for the Sprint race.
Later, I joined maprunner, Spike, and Sandy for dinner at the Brickhouse in Lagrange. Congrats to Mary for getting carded! Thanks for inviting me, and sorry about the TMI!
Day 2 of 4 in the books.
Friday Jan 13, 2017 #
12 PM
Note
It has been several years since I have attended the George Navigator Club (GNC), which is traditionally held over the MLK holiday weekend. As I was rounding into shape in the fall, I put this even ton the schedule, especially after seeing that there was a Friday Sprint added…four event long weekend, what could be better?! Well, that and not having to load up my van with a ton of results display supplies…
Flew into Atlanta, Georgia this morning, and then drove to Whitesburg area, to the McIntosh Reserve, the Sprint location.
Paid the $5 park entrance fee and documented the transaction...
…and onto the meet pavilion.
Go figure, the first people I see but the ladies from the Aleksieva family – Petya, Nicole (F10), and Diana (F18), from QOC. Always nice to see familiar faces...
The next person was McIntosh himself…well, maybe not.
Someone I see less often is Martha Carr, who was the Start line call up volunteer for Friday-Sunday’s events.
Back to business…
And then one more photo. Now go away.
With a couple of hours until my start, I scoped out the Sart…
And then the Finish.
Paying attention to what I could see from viewing area was helpful later on.
Flew into Atlanta, Georgia this morning, and then drove to Whitesburg area, to the McIntosh Reserve, the Sprint location.
Paid the $5 park entrance fee and documented the transaction...
…and onto the meet pavilion.
Go figure, the first people I see but the ladies from the Aleksieva family – Petya, Nicole (F10), and Diana (F18), from QOC. Always nice to see familiar faces...
The next person was McIntosh himself…well, maybe not.
Someone I see less often is Martha Carr, who was the Start line call up volunteer for Friday-Sunday’s events.
Back to business…
And then one more photo. Now go away.
With a couple of hours until my start, I scoped out the Sart…
And then the Finish.
Paying attention to what I could see from viewing area was helpful later on.
2 PM
Orienteering race (Sprint - Brown) 24:07 [3] *** 2.4 km (10:03 / km) +30m 9:27 / km
ahr:142 max:161
FR = 1.52 miles with 27.6 m climb
Won a course split!!!
Map
Tracks
Made sure I taped and greased my feet, wore rainbow strip socks and purple shoes. It clouded over a bit later in the day, so temps were actually about the same at 2:40 as they were when I got there at 11:30, around 70 F. Still warmer than I would have liked, but I hoped to be finished in under 30 minutes. Started at my assigned start time. Pretty straight forward sprint, once I accepted that some woods navigation was required. Embraced the woods and won the split from 9-10.
I was very pleased with this effort, finishing just over 10 minutes per k, 1st of four in F55, and 4th of 25 on Brown. QOC members Diana A and Francis H were 2nd & 3rd overall on Brown. We held the top three spots until the very end, when Jim B snuck into 1st by 8 seconds over Diana. No feet issues or other injuries.
Dinner at an Italian place in Lagrange. Bread was great, pasta swimming in sauce, so not good, and service was lacking, but it was better than McD’s.
Day 1 of 4 in the books.
Won a course split!!!
Map
Tracks
Made sure I taped and greased my feet, wore rainbow strip socks and purple shoes. It clouded over a bit later in the day, so temps were actually about the same at 2:40 as they were when I got there at 11:30, around 70 F. Still warmer than I would have liked, but I hoped to be finished in under 30 minutes. Started at my assigned start time. Pretty straight forward sprint, once I accepted that some woods navigation was required. Embraced the woods and won the split from 9-10.
I was very pleased with this effort, finishing just over 10 minutes per k, 1st of four in F55, and 4th of 25 on Brown. QOC members Diana A and Francis H were 2nd & 3rd overall on Brown. We held the top three spots until the very end, when Jim B snuck into 1st by 8 seconds over Diana. No feet issues or other injuries.
Dinner at an Italian place in Lagrange. Bread was great, pasta swimming in sauce, so not good, and service was lacking, but it was better than McD’s.
Day 1 of 4 in the books.
Thursday Jan 12, 2017 #
Swimming 31:30 [1] 0.85 mi (37:03 / mi)
weight:191lbs
An easy 1500 yards.
Wednesday Jan 11, 2017 #
2 PM
Biking 1:09:01 [1] 13.08 mi (5:17 / mi) +38m 5:14 / mi
Temps were 55 with 8 mph wind - nice. Debated doing this tomorrow, but it is supposed to be 65 with 16 mph wind, and less wind is better for me. So, pool tomorrow, which is better anyway to leave my legs a bit fresher.
3 PM
Note
weight:193lbs
Some 2016 numbers...not sure where I am going here, but they have been running around in my head this week.
Exercise hours = 260. The highest by ~10 since I started on AP in 2002 after excluding 2006, which included 141 hours of boot camp, which wasn't really good for me in the long run.
The 260 hours were spread out nicely between orienteering, cycling, swimming, and running and walking.
Biking 78:27
Swimming 57:54
Orienteering 55:16
Running/Walking 55:00
Other ~14:00
I exercised 237/366 days for an average of 1:06 per exercise day, or :45 per day. I averaged 2.5 days off per week.
Days exercised by month
January 21/31
February 21/29
March 24/31
April 19/30
May 27/31
June 14/30
July 23/31
August 12/31
September 30/30
October 8/31
November 13/30
December 24/31
Yup, I had some big chunks of down time. For 2017, I would like to limit the consecutive days off to 1-2, unless there is a physical reason I can't do anything. Even a jeans walk for 30 minutes counts. [I am going to ignore the three in a row I took off last week. :)]
I will try to swim twice a week, bike twice a week, run once per week, and get into the terrain once a week (can be orienteering or trail running).
On the food and drink front, I am cutting down on diet cokes - from 6-8 per day to two today, and one tomorrow. Testing the theory that the artificial sweetener is causing the bloat. Sweets still call my name, but at least I have stopped the massive Skittles consumption, and my gums and teeth thank me for that.
Exercise hours = 260. The highest by ~10 since I started on AP in 2002 after excluding 2006, which included 141 hours of boot camp, which wasn't really good for me in the long run.
The 260 hours were spread out nicely between orienteering, cycling, swimming, and running and walking.
Biking 78:27
Swimming 57:54
Orienteering 55:16
Running/Walking 55:00
Other ~14:00
I exercised 237/366 days for an average of 1:06 per exercise day, or :45 per day. I averaged 2.5 days off per week.
Days exercised by month
January 21/31
February 21/29
March 24/31
April 19/30
May 27/31
June 14/30
July 23/31
August 12/31
September 30/30
October 8/31
November 13/30
December 24/31
Yup, I had some big chunks of down time. For 2017, I would like to limit the consecutive days off to 1-2, unless there is a physical reason I can't do anything. Even a jeans walk for 30 minutes counts. [I am going to ignore the three in a row I took off last week. :)]
I will try to swim twice a week, bike twice a week, run once per week, and get into the terrain once a week (can be orienteering or trail running).
On the food and drink front, I am cutting down on diet cokes - from 6-8 per day to two today, and one tomorrow. Testing the theory that the artificial sweetener is causing the bloat. Sweets still call my name, but at least I have stopped the massive Skittles consumption, and my gums and teeth thank me for that.