and so many other things...
and since i am in town for a while i figured i best put some motivation and focus to work
it felt so good to get some distance in the water Monday - it was good to keep that in mind to get me back in the water today
today was a little longer swim as anticipated - just a little longer
i did 13 sets of 4 - actually 3x4 breast stroke, 3x4 regular, 1x4 drills, 2@ 3x4 regular
i think i will feel the 3x4 breast stroke without a doubt tomorrow - wow, i have not swam that stroke that far in a real long time - it will surely catch up with me
but i feel great tonight... and cant wait to do it again friday
tomorrow i am going to try to give blood instead of swim
Showing posts with label Swim. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Swim. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Opposite Story
Interesting to go back and look at all that data and come to the realisation that I have not been working out and running at a pace that would warrant any improvement in running. Surprising to some degree. But not in others.
So it peaked my curiosity as to how I was improving - if at all - with the other aspects of triathlons.
Swimming - my favourite part - shows definite improvement. It is hard to track the pace because of the break time in between different sets of laps. But overall I am glad to witness the progress.
I did a really good job last year at this time to focus on increasing and improving my swimming. And I am on that pace again. I was SO close last year to swimming the distance of a mile. And my longest straight swim got all the way up to 750 yards. So that will continue to be my focus for the remainder of this year.
There is the pattern of big gaping holes in the workout plan that I want to work through and avoid in 2011.
definitely try to make that 11/11/11 a goal this year
So it peaked my curiosity as to how I was improving - if at all - with the other aspects of triathlons.
Swimming - my favourite part - shows definite improvement. It is hard to track the pace because of the break time in between different sets of laps. But overall I am glad to witness the progress.
I did a really good job last year at this time to focus on increasing and improving my swimming. And I am on that pace again. I was SO close last year to swimming the distance of a mile. And my longest straight swim got all the way up to 750 yards. So that will continue to be my focus for the remainder of this year.
There is the pattern of big gaping holes in the workout plan that I want to work through and avoid in 2011.
definitely try to make that 11/11/11 a goal this year
Monday, November 15, 2010
Yards and Meters
I swear I had written about this before but in looking through previous entries that seems to not be the case. The pool at the new gym is not any sort of regulation length. I don't know why. Maybe they ran out of space in the floorplan? Maybe a lifeguard is required at regulation length? Who knows. But it is 20 meters instead of 25 yards. There is 1.09 yards in each meter and hence 21.8 yards in each length of the pool. I have revamped the way I track my swims because of this. And I view them in reps of 4 instead of counting 100s. One rep of 4 in the pool equates to 87.2 yards. Again, definitely off the track of swimming in 100s but doable none the less.
So tonight I did 12 reps of 4.
1 breast stroke for warm up, 1 kick board drills, 1 breathing drills, then 3 sets of 4 of just swimming.
The total distance is 1046.4 yards.
This is the longest I have swam in quite some time. It felt good.
The other thing I like about this new pool is that it is hardly ever crowded. That I can swim drills and not feel guilty about taking space. Or that I have to share a lane - that sucks if you are trying to swim drills.
So I am very happy with this new gym.
My goal is still to swim a mile before the end of the year. The yardage in a mile is 1760 although swimmers mile is shorter. Anyways I need to work up to 20 sets of 4. Just think I am more than half way there this evening. So I think it is acheivable.
Tomorrow there will be no workout - work meeting instead.
And for those of you who claim that swimming "eludes" them.... consider this... I have been training now for these triathlons for a few years now. The first time I got in the water with the intent to swim for the race was a little over 3.5 years ago. And those first few lengths. Those first few swims were miserable. It has taken some time, energy and focus. AND if you put your mind to it, you could do it too. Something to think about.
So tonight I did 12 reps of 4.
1 breast stroke for warm up, 1 kick board drills, 1 breathing drills, then 3 sets of 4 of just swimming.
The total distance is 1046.4 yards.
This is the longest I have swam in quite some time. It felt good.
The other thing I like about this new pool is that it is hardly ever crowded. That I can swim drills and not feel guilty about taking space. Or that I have to share a lane - that sucks if you are trying to swim drills.
So I am very happy with this new gym.
My goal is still to swim a mile before the end of the year. The yardage in a mile is 1760 although swimmers mile is shorter. Anyways I need to work up to 20 sets of 4. Just think I am more than half way there this evening. So I think it is acheivable.
Tomorrow there will be no workout - work meeting instead.
And for those of you who claim that swimming "eludes" them.... consider this... I have been training now for these triathlons for a few years now. The first time I got in the water with the intent to swim for the race was a little over 3.5 years ago. And those first few lengths. Those first few swims were miserable. It has taken some time, energy and focus. AND if you put your mind to it, you could do it too. Something to think about.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Snake in the pool
So Friday night's attempt to train did not happen. I did manage to wash the dishes that were building up in the kitchen. One of the downfalls of making lots of food from scratch when home for a week. All tasty stuff however. Scrubbed some countertops. And vacuumed up an equivalent of a whole other pug from the house. I have gotten somewhat obsessed with what other type of flooring I can put down that will minimize the work of collecting the pug hair. Decided tile in the back room, hardwoods elsewhere. A girl casn dream :) So that was the friday workout.
The intent was to do a mini-tri simulation this morning. And it wa accomplished.
It is nice to get in the water in an outside pool at 730am... Kind of peaceful. We opted to snake the pool. This similar to the way the race will be run. You go up one lane and back down the next. The best approach is to plan the switch back as soon as yo push off the wall. Hence you swim somewhat diagnally down the lane. And when you get to the end you push off diagnally into the other lane. This has proved to be a major time saver in a crowded pool. A lot of swimmers touch the wall - go under the ropes and then push off again. This way you ensure better placement next to the ropes and easier push off bypassing those huddled at the wall. We did this 3 times at 250 yards each. That's the most either of us have swam in quite some time. I will admit it has taken its toll.
So there was no real snake in the pool - but there was a frog. Just as an FYI.
From there we hopped on our bikes and did 30 minutes around the neighborhood. The one hill in the neighborhood runs pretty close to parallel to the road/hill that I ride when I do my Pine Oak loop. Last year this hill used to give me so much trouble. Glad to say this year - not as much. HOWEVER the hill that runs parallel to the HT loop I have yet to attempt is killing me. I could hear myself starting to hyperventilate - well I think that's what it was. It was rather unnerving for me. And then I think that exasperates even more... I start thinking about race day etc etc. I really think it has more to do with pre-training prep than anything else. But I left the bike there to tackle it some more over the next week.
Then we did a loop around the neighborhood on foot. Not a great showing in a run but OK for the whole scheme of things.
Now my one ear and sinus are acting up. Spent a good amount of time on the couch this afternoon - trying to figure out how best to get it to drain. LOVELY I know. Change of seasons and all. Gonna give the sudafed a try...
Off to make some homemade hummus. All in an effort to not go to Five Guys and eat an unreasonable burger.
The intent was to do a mini-tri simulation this morning. And it wa accomplished.
It is nice to get in the water in an outside pool at 730am... Kind of peaceful. We opted to snake the pool. This similar to the way the race will be run. You go up one lane and back down the next. The best approach is to plan the switch back as soon as yo push off the wall. Hence you swim somewhat diagnally down the lane. And when you get to the end you push off diagnally into the other lane. This has proved to be a major time saver in a crowded pool. A lot of swimmers touch the wall - go under the ropes and then push off again. This way you ensure better placement next to the ropes and easier push off bypassing those huddled at the wall. We did this 3 times at 250 yards each. That's the most either of us have swam in quite some time. I will admit it has taken its toll.
So there was no real snake in the pool - but there was a frog. Just as an FYI.
From there we hopped on our bikes and did 30 minutes around the neighborhood. The one hill in the neighborhood runs pretty close to parallel to the road/hill that I ride when I do my Pine Oak loop. Last year this hill used to give me so much trouble. Glad to say this year - not as much. HOWEVER the hill that runs parallel to the HT loop I have yet to attempt is killing me. I could hear myself starting to hyperventilate - well I think that's what it was. It was rather unnerving for me. And then I think that exasperates even more... I start thinking about race day etc etc. I really think it has more to do with pre-training prep than anything else. But I left the bike there to tackle it some more over the next week.
Then we did a loop around the neighborhood on foot. Not a great showing in a run but OK for the whole scheme of things.
Now my one ear and sinus are acting up. Spent a good amount of time on the couch this afternoon - trying to figure out how best to get it to drain. LOVELY I know. Change of seasons and all. Gonna give the sudafed a try...
Off to make some homemade hummus. All in an effort to not go to Five Guys and eat an unreasonable burger.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
ABRA$ION?!?!?
That sounds painful. And so technical. Like I need to get out my first aid book or something.
Perhaps an injury - such as road rash - that one would get from cycling.
But hopefully no abrasions from swimming.
ALTHOUGH - I must admit when swimming in the pool in my friends neighborhood and the one at the hotel in KY - the shallow end does lend to scrape the knee every once in a while. Not something that happens at the Y pool, that's for sure. Oh and the one on race day - depending on seeding - could end up being the really deep pool. The one they use for diving. The one I convince myself is deep enough to hold a really large dangerous fish. There's no chance of abrasions there...
BUT they all have that cement siding that just messes up the suit.
Perhaps I should just resort to sitting peacefully on deck and watching others - NAAAH....
well this evening I did opt to not swim.... probably not the smartest decision... but it was nice to have dinner with a friend and not rush through swimming.... and drying off....
swim tomorrow for sure - somehow
Perhaps an injury - such as road rash - that one would get from cycling.
But hopefully no abrasions from swimming.
ALTHOUGH - I must admit when swimming in the pool in my friends neighborhood and the one at the hotel in KY - the shallow end does lend to scrape the knee every once in a while. Not something that happens at the Y pool, that's for sure. Oh and the one on race day - depending on seeding - could end up being the really deep pool. The one they use for diving. The one I convince myself is deep enough to hold a really large dangerous fish. There's no chance of abrasions there...
BUT they all have that cement siding that just messes up the suit.
Perhaps I should just resort to sitting peacefully on deck and watching others - NAAAH....
well this evening I did opt to not swim.... probably not the smartest decision... but it was nice to have dinner with a friend and not rush through swimming.... and drying off....
swim tomorrow for sure - somehow
Monday, August 30, 2010
Fat A$$?
I wasnt really going to get into this topic but I think I discovered the culprit this evening. I have been having issues with my bathing suit bottoms. They keep getting picks in them. But not the snag type of pick. These are like mass quantity picks that ultimately shall we say make the material sheer? Not fun. And all the while I have been thinking to myself... I know I am swimming a whole lot more these days but so much so that I am wearing through bathing suits? And if I were going to wear through the bottom there should be no surprise if I wore through the tops as well. But the tops are fine.
So now I have 2 unmatched tops. I know some of you would love if I went down some bottomless swimming path... But it is really getting on my nerves. I went to my favorite swimsuit web-site last night in hopes to find some bottoms. Plug for the web-site: http://www.swimoutlet.com/ And they did have a few and reasonably priced. HAH! But the size was too big. And that's when it hit me... even with all this working out maybe my a$$ is fatter than I realised. Maybe I am buying the wrong size bottoms... Again all the while I have been obsessed with making sure I buy the right size top. I have been wrong all along. What a miserable thought. So I opted to just stick with what I have for now and look again in a few months.
AHAAAA!!!! moment.... So this evening KP and I went swimming. I havent been in the pool much. So this evening was just going to be a series of 100 yards to just keep moving (yesterday's venture did somewhat take its toll on me). I did 4 sets of 100 and then 1 set of 200. Not the stellar almost to a mile quest but I was OK with it. Swimming in the evening in an outdoor pool that is pretty much vacant is splendid. You can see the ripples your stroke makes in the shadows on the bottom. The water is clear and not murky like overpopulated pools in the midst of summer can be. The sun is still warm on your back. It was all going at a nice pace. And then it hit me.... When I stop a set to check my time and get a breather... My lower back leans up against the cement siding of the pool. I do it in every pool... I am so conscientious to not sit on the side of the pool or the steps. To not pick the suit. And here I am leaning all up against the side as I check my time etc and picking the heck out of it. Again I know this could turn into some ugly banter... But I was so glad to come to the realisation.
Now I just have to get out of that damned leaning habit.
I am also trying to improve my turns as well. I have been reluctant to work on the kick turn. I used to do it as a child but never learned the proper technique. And then when you throw a whole bunch of women in the water sharing lanes and changing lanes I decided it was a skill I did not need to master at this time. However I do beleive I am losing time with my grasping the wall technique. So I am working on that as well.
FOUR WEEKS to go... I really need to get the focus on.
So now I have 2 unmatched tops. I know some of you would love if I went down some bottomless swimming path... But it is really getting on my nerves. I went to my favorite swimsuit web-site last night in hopes to find some bottoms. Plug for the web-site: http://www.swimoutlet.com/ And they did have a few and reasonably priced. HAH! But the size was too big. And that's when it hit me... even with all this working out maybe my a$$ is fatter than I realised. Maybe I am buying the wrong size bottoms... Again all the while I have been obsessed with making sure I buy the right size top. I have been wrong all along. What a miserable thought. So I opted to just stick with what I have for now and look again in a few months.
AHAAAA!!!! moment.... So this evening KP and I went swimming. I havent been in the pool much. So this evening was just going to be a series of 100 yards to just keep moving (yesterday's venture did somewhat take its toll on me). I did 4 sets of 100 and then 1 set of 200. Not the stellar almost to a mile quest but I was OK with it. Swimming in the evening in an outdoor pool that is pretty much vacant is splendid. You can see the ripples your stroke makes in the shadows on the bottom. The water is clear and not murky like overpopulated pools in the midst of summer can be. The sun is still warm on your back. It was all going at a nice pace. And then it hit me.... When I stop a set to check my time and get a breather... My lower back leans up against the cement siding of the pool. I do it in every pool... I am so conscientious to not sit on the side of the pool or the steps. To not pick the suit. And here I am leaning all up against the side as I check my time etc and picking the heck out of it. Again I know this could turn into some ugly banter... But I was so glad to come to the realisation.
Now I just have to get out of that damned leaning habit.
I am also trying to improve my turns as well. I have been reluctant to work on the kick turn. I used to do it as a child but never learned the proper technique. And then when you throw a whole bunch of women in the water sharing lanes and changing lanes I decided it was a skill I did not need to master at this time. However I do beleive I am losing time with my grasping the wall technique. So I am working on that as well.
FOUR WEEKS to go... I really need to get the focus on.
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