Rode the trainer during the Simpsons tonight. Kept it on the middle in the front and on #2 in the rear during most of it. Went down to #3 a couple times but dropped my cadence and really didn't feel like pushing it. We went to our local YMCA tonight to get some laps in and I was really excited because Brynn and I were going to time each other [no wrist-grabbing during laps! yay!] but when I went to go tell her to start without me because I had to take a poop she was waiting for me and pointed to a sign on the entrance to the pool that said "Pool closed temporarily, sorry!" so I said "what gives?" and we went in and talked to the lifeguards. They said that they added chlorine at 4:00 and [at 5:30] it was still just sitting on top of the water. It was in big chunks like if someone sprinkled flour or corn starch on the water. The lifeguard said "You can go check it out and see what you think" so I assumed that meant "if you think you can stand it, go ahead and get in" so we went back and I said "We've been in heavily chlorinated water before, so if it's okay with you we'd like to give it a go" and she said "Our pool director told us not to let anyone swim in it". Huh? Way to give off mixed signals, lady. So we spent about 10 minutes in the hot tub [yeah, our Y has a hot tub. Cool!] and then went home. The whole ride home I was just feeling like I could fall asleep, that hot tub was very relaxing. I could get used to that... ;-)

Wanted to take it easy today, being my first day back running in like two weeks and all. Apparently 9:40 miles are "easy" to me now. All I did was go out to Mopac since it's the only trail Lincoln decided needed mile markers within a 10-mile radius of our house. I clicked on my watch when I passed the first mile marker thing right at the beginning of the trail and just focused on not over-striding and heel-striking, keeping my breathing on a 3-step cadence, and keeping my head and eyes up. When I hit 9:33 for the first mile [which is mostly uphill] I didn't know what to think. I mean it was "comfortably hard" if there ever were such a thing, so I dunno. On my long runs during marathon training my pace for this kind of day would be like 10:30 or higher. I guess I'll just go with it for now!

What a wonderful way to cap off this month's swimming challenge! I simply can't believe those first-set numbers. I'd like to know how I would have done if I didn't have to switch lanes. Something was just... I dunno, different after I changed lanes. Didn't really feel like I was in a rhythm or anything. The first set though, what a joy. I think that's what the guy on EndurancePlanet was talking about with simply getting lost in enjoying the activity [and I heard that AFTER the workout]. Well that's it. 10 miles in October! I'm glad that's over.

Boy I like to see more of those 52's! I was feeling really good the whole time! What a good workout.