From the two images provided, I can offer the following observations about your physical appearance, comparing the "5 years ago" image (the one with the lighter t-shirt and shorts in a room with white doors) to the "today" image (the one with the dark tank top and shorts in a gym with a mirror):

5 Years Ago (Image 1 – lighter t-shirt):

* You appear to have a solid build, with visible arm musculature.

* Your hair is a lighter, possibly bleached or very light blonde, color.

* You are wearing a t-shirt that obscures some of your upper body definition.

* The overall impression is that of someone who is active and in good shape.

Today (Image 2 – dark tank top in gym):

* You exhibit significantly increased muscle mass and definition, particularly in your arms, shoulders, and legs. Your deltoids and biceps appear more developed.

* Your hair is a natural-looking grey/white.

* The tank top allows for a clearer view of your upper body musculature, highlighting your physique.

* Your legs also appear more muscular and defined.

* The setting (a gym) reinforces the impression of regular strength training.

Comparison:

Based on these observations, it appears you have made significant gains in muscle mass and overall physical definition over the past five years. You look more muscular and sculpted today than you did five years ago. Your hair color has also changed, transitioning from a lighter, possibly dyed, shade to a natural grey/white.

 

 

I got a better sleep than what my scores are telling. I drank less White Claw last night but still it took me a bit to fall asleep. Them about 2:30am I woke up to pee and couldn’t get back to bed. It did take me a while to get to sleep and I think I pee’d twice before falling asleep. Water, water and more water. Started back on creatine and I drank 2 x my regular water intake. My biggest take on creatine is that it makes me grind my teeth more and it makes me thirsty.

 

Besides going back in creatine I’ve added in the supplements BPC-157 and MK-677. I’m guessing they both will take a few days before I feel any difference.

 

What is MK-677? According to Gemini AI – MK-677, also known as Ibutamoren, is a non-peptide growth hormone secretagogue. This means it's a substance that stimulates the body's natural production of human growth hormone (hGH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). It does this by mimicking the action of ghrelin, a hormone that plays a role in regulating appetite and growth hormone release. It is also explicitly banned in most competitive sports by organizations like the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

 

What is BPC-157? According to Gemini AI – BPC-157, or Body Protection Compound-157, is a synthetic peptide composed of 15 amino acids. It's derived from a naturally occurring protein found in human gastric juice, which is involved in protecting and repairing the gut lining and other tissues. It is also banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and other professional anti-doping organizations due to its unapproved status and potential for performance enhancement.

 

What does that all mean? Maybe nothing or maybe something. Only time will tell. I’m hoping at the very least I get a better recovery.

 

My swim was meh. Or at least it felt very middle although my splits weren’t bad. My 400 Free SCM I was holding 1:30’s and my second 100 Fly was about a 1:27. So not bad for a Monday. This Wednesday will be LCM Free Workout with the Triathletes and we will have a 1,500 for time. Yikes!

 

OURA SLEEP SCORE– 69

6 hours and 40 minutes

GARMIN SLEEP SCORE – 54

4 hours and 29 minutes

 

Today’s Readiness Score is lower than your recent average, likely reflecting shorter, inconsistent sleep and an ongoing busy pace. You may notice lower energy or focus. If a big day feels daunting, prioritizing just one important task or taking a brief walking break might be more manageable than aiming for high output overall. If slowing down feels tough, even pausing to step outside or adjust your schedule slightly can help you recover. Small adjustments today support your balance without demanding perfection. If you need deeper recovery, making tonight’s wind-down a priority is a powerful step. You can return anytime for tailored support.

 

WARM UP: (500)

300 Free

150 Back

50 Fly

SET ONE: (1000/1500)

2 x 150’s Free 90%, 80% and 90% by 50’s with 20 sec rest (300)

3 x 100’s Back Decending stroke count by 60’s on 2 mins (300/600)

2 x 200’s IM Short Axis Fast / Long Axis Cruise with 20 sec rest (300/1000)

SET TWO: (1100/2600)

400 Free on 7:15

300 Back on 6:15

200 Breast on 4:15

2 x 100’a Fly on 2:30

SET THREE: (400/3000)

3 x 100’s Choice Pulling – 15 sec rest

100 Cool Down

 

3,000 SCM Swim

 

The workout was a bit tough. I wasn’t feeling it. The first set there was two of us but for the second set there were four of us. Made me push myself. Can’t let the young Whippersnapperbest me. Of course everyone beat me in breaststroke but that was about it. Having the others pushed me which is what I needed.

 

- 24th Annual Gainesville Senior Games

500 Free

100 Back

100 Fly

50 Fly

100 IM

- 2025 ROB CURRY PANCAKE PENTATHLON

Sept 21st

100 Fly

100 Back

100 Breast

100 Free

200 IM

–3rd Annual SWAGtoberfest Meet October 12th

TBD

- T.V. Senior Games April 18 & 19, 2026

TBD

 

THE LIFT AHEAD:

TUE - CHEST + TEACH 30 min Indoor Cycle

WED - SWIM w/ Team (Triathletes)

THU- COMBO + TEACH 30 min Indoor Cycle

FRI - SWIM w/ Team (Masters)

SAT - CHESTIE + PELOTON WALK+RUN

SUN- COMBO + TEACH BODYPUMP

MON - SWIM w/ Team (Masters)

 

STRENGTH - July 12th – August 23rd

ENDURANCE -August 26th – August 30th

TAPER - September 2nd – September 20th

 

Wine & Dine 10K – OCT 25th

WDW 5K – JAN 8th

PRINCESS HALF – MARCH 1st

Springtime Surprise – APRIL 17-19th (Not Running)

 

 

It sounds like you had a challenging but ultimately productive start to your week, both in and out of the pool! Let's break down your workout and related experiences.

Sleep and Supplements: A Complex Picture

It's interesting how your perceived sleep quality diverged from your Oura and Garmin scores. This often happens, as these devices measure physiological markers (heart rate variability, movement, breathing) which don't always perfectly align with subjective feeling.

Your observations about creatine are pretty common:

* Thirst: Creatine increases water retention within muscle cells, which can definitely make you feel thirstier as your body tries to balance fluid levels. This increased water intake is good, but as you noticed, it can lead to more bathroom breaks, especially at night.

* Teeth Grinding (Bruxism): While less commonly reported than thirst, some individuals do report bruxism or jaw clenching with creatine supplementation. The exact mechanism isn't fully understood, but it could be related to changes in neurotransmitter activity or general nervous system stimulation. If it continues to be a significant issue, it's worth discussing with a healthcare professional.

Your introduction of BPC-157 and MK-677 adds another layer of complexity. You've correctly cited Gemini's descriptions of what they are and why they're unapproved and banned in competitive sports. Your statement, "Maybe nothing or maybe something. Only time will tell. I’m hoping at the very least I get a better recovery," is a very candid and realistic perspective.

What does it all mean for your sleep and overall feeling?

* Hydration: Your increased water intake due to creatine is undoubtedly contributing to those nighttime bathroom trips, disrupting your sleep architecture.

* New Supplements: While you stated they might take a few days to feel a difference, the body's initial response to new compounds can sometimes manifest in subtle ways, including sleep disturbances, especially if they impact hormones or the nervous system. MK-677, by elevating growth hormone, can sometimes affect sleep patterns, though for some, it improves sleep quality. BPC-157 is less directly associated with sleep disruption, but any new substance can have individual effects.

* Stress/Anticipation: The mental aspect of introducing new supplements and anticipating their effects, combined with the upcoming 1500m swim, can also subtly impact sleep.

It's crucial to continue monitoring your body's response closely and remain aware that using unapproved substances carries inherent risks.

Your Monday Masters Swim: "Meh" But Effective!

Workout Rating: 4/5 (Good, pushed through, and met goals)

Here's why:

* Objective vs. Subjective: You felt "meh" and like it was "very middle," but your splits (1:30s for 400 Free SCM, 1:27 for 100 Fly) are solid for a Monday and indicate good pacing. This is a common disconnect – sometimes the effort feels harder than the actual performance suggests.

* Hitting the Distance: You crushed 3,000 SCM! That's a substantial endurance workout, especially when not feeling your best.

* Endurance Pacing Theme: The workout design with 90/80/90 splits and timed sets aligns perfectly with the "Endurance Pacing" theme. You were challenged to maintain specific efforts, which is excellent for race preparation.

* The Power of Peer Pressure (Positive!): The arrival of the "young Whippersnappers" and the increased group size was clearly a motivator. This highlights the value of training with others – they can pull you along even when your personal drive is low. This social aspect is a huge benefit of Masters swimming.

* Targeted Weakness (Breaststroke): Acknowledging that breaststroke is where others beat you provides a clear area for future focus if you choose. However, given your other strong strokes, it's not necessarily a problem for your primary swim goals.

* Upcoming Challenge Awareness: You're already mentally preparing for the 1500m LCM on Wednesday, which is a great sign of an athlete.

Areas for Reflection/Optimization (Minor):

* Hydration Timing: Given your night-time peeing, consider if you can front-load more of your water intake earlier in the day and taper off significantly in the few hours before bed, while still maintaining overall hydration for creatine.

* Listen to Your Body (Within Reason): While you pushed through, which is great, continue to monitor how these new supplements affect your energy levels and recovery in the coming days. The Oura AI Advisor's note about prioritizing recovery is apt.

Keep up the strong work, especially on those days when you're not feeling 100%. Pushing through those "meh" workouts often builds the most mental and physical resilience. Good luck with the 1500m LCM on Wednesday!