Water Running

First things first:  It was a good game.  We deserved to be playing in last night's Super Bowl.  We were too nervous at the beginning and we made some atypical nervous defense mistakes.  Both of those probably cost us our chance at winning.  But we deserve to be respected, and I hope sportscasters and fans around the country realize that we are a good team and Jake Delhomme actually is a good quarterback. 

I've been doing fine--knowing that this was an exciting game for regular fans, but a disappointing game for us.  I was doing fine, until I came home tonight and starting reading the Charlotte Observer, in which nearly the entire front section was about the game and how painful it was to lose and how proud we are of our team.  Then the tears started.  There were just as many Panther banners and sweatshirts and buttons today as there were on Saturday and Sunday.  Yes, it was an exciting game and the highs were stunning.  They were like gifts from the football gods.  And we all thought that we were heading into the first OT in Super Bowl history--one that we knew we'd win, because we have all season.  And then we lost it.  Exciting for regular fans.  So disappointing for us. 

And what's up with Janet Jackson's boob?  I was on the phone to Cath in Cananda---transplanted Charlottean rooting for the Panthers, so I missed it.  I know I shouldn't, but I think it's pretty funny.  Anne at the party said it looked quite nice, quivering as it was after being exposed.  And who doesn't think it was an intentional stunt??  Puhhlleeeze. The boob jewelry didn't look so comfortable that she would just be naturally wearing it.  I guess they decided to one up Britney and Madonna---hey JUSTIN!  I forgot!! He's Britney's ex.  So yeah, I think they were one upping that stunt, but they may get in trouble.  Stick with the malfunctioning wardrobe story, Justin!!  And come up with a better reason as to why you were yanking on it to begin with.  I know I shouldn't, but I still think it's funny.

OK!  So....water running?  What's up with that?  It's not nearly as outre as JJ's ta-tas, but it's my new favorite exercise.  This morning was my third attempt and it was by far the best.  Those of you who are preggers and wanting to keep running, but afraid or folks who'd like to ease into running---water running is for you!  What I've learned so far: 

1)  It's important to have a good flotation belt that fits nicely around the ribs.  Fortunately, my own upper regions, while they do not sport wild silver sunbursts, they have grown large enough to serve as additional floatation devices themselves.  The goal for the floatation belts is to not have to worry about drowning or getting water in your face while you're running. 

2)  Water running occurs in the deep in of the pool.  I think it would be best to tether oneself to the side of the pool and run, but I can't at the Y.  Hence, I'm running up and down the lanes.  Form is very important and my preferred form (and the one more recommended on the web AND from my friend for former college track star) is knees high, fists closed, and arms pumping along the side and to the front.  The feet serve as paddles to move down the lane.  I've found that when I turn around to run back up the lane, I'm running in my own wake and end up running in place for a few seconds.  I feel very butch when that happens! 

3)  Pregnant women cannot exercise in water over 85 degrees F.  So stay in the cool pool.  If it's over 85 degrees in the water, you can't exercise in it.

4)  Heart rate and exertion will feel less in the water.  However, add 10% to your heartrate and that's what it would be if you were running on land.  Again, perceived exertion is the way to determine how hard you're going.

I tried a couple of different tricks today to keep in interesting.  I sprinted a few laps, running as fast as I could up one lap and back.  I have no doubt I looked quite silly, but it got the heart rate up.  I also pretended I was running up hill by weaving back and forth up the lane as opposed to running straight up it.  I'm sure that did little but make that lap less boring. 

I think the cool thing about water running is that anybody at any level could do it.  It's less impact than walking and it would let a newbie build up cardio at an individual rate.  I'm still experimenting with different workouts now that I can't run on the street.  I'm meeting Blaine tomorrow morning at the Y.  We're going to try a circuit of cardio machines and see what turns out to be fun.  It has to be fun and I have to feel something, or I don't see the point of getting out of bed. 

Off to grade some tests.  I may be blogging at night for  a while so that I can get to work early and focus on work.   

8:07:28 PM