100 Laps!!!

Rich Bryant | August 8, 2010

Last year I managed on one day to get in an 80-lap day. After that accomplishment I felt pretty good, however the feeling of exhilaration extended into my sleep that night, and I got a sense that I had really overdone it. So, in the days that followed I throttled back to more typical daily lap counts of 40-60.

At the beginning if this summer, however, that little devil that sits on my shoulder started whispering in my ear that I was up to doing a 100-lap day.

Same Pony – New Tricks!

Rich Bryant | April 17, 2010

I’ve been ramping up my swimming workout a little gradually this season, and have made some nice changes as well.

Back to the Pool – Finally

Rich Bryant | March 30, 2010

Yesterday I was finally able to return to the pool and started off with an easy 20 laps and a little fin time.

Back in the Saddle

Rich Bryant | January 31, 2010

I’ve been remiss in my blogging of late. Attributable to a mix of economic considerations and a little self-doubt.
Update on the Fitness Program: Over these past several weeks while the water in the pool has been too cold for swimming I have managed to take up weight lifting at our local rec center. [...]

More Changes, Including the End of “Zen Meditation”

Rich Bryant | September 6, 2009

Recently I had started to notice that my once-joyful trips to the pool had begun to feel more like work and less like joy. With a little thought I have come to the conclusion that I’m a victim of my own success, and that as my health has improved I’ve started to push myself in a way that more resembles preparation for an athletic competition than a long-term lifestyle change.

The Demon out at 80!

Rich Bryant | July 6, 2009

Friday and Sunday were both maximum, 60-lap days in the pool. Friday I ended with a sense of exhiliration, but Sunday was more of a “forced march”.

I Get High (with a Little Help from my Fins!)

Rich Bryant | June 26, 2009

Finally this week I received the pair of ScubaPro Jetfins that I purchased via eBay. It turns out that these fins are bulky enough that reasonably-priced shipping takes forever … so I’ve had to be uncharacteristically patient. I was motivated to get these fins because, in the past, I’ve had clear evidence of poor leg circulation, and it occurred to me that if any exercise on the planet would help with that it would be the working of my legs in the pool with the resistance offered by fins.

Starting from Zero

Rich Bryant | June 23, 2009

One rainy evening around five years ago my three teen-aged boys and I decided to play a simple video game – ‘Mario Tennis’ – on our family gaming console. In those days my physical conditioning was horrible. Years of mis-diagnosed bronchitis and a sedentary job had resulted in tremendous weight gain and corresponding loss of muscle development.