February Swims

[Veronica]

2100 yards for me today.

Warm up was a 200 swim, 200 kick, 200 pull.

Then I swam a 400, then 4 x 100, 300, then 3 x 100. The long intervals were an easy swim. I averaged around 1:50 per 100 on the long intervals. The 100s were all at about 80% effort. The fastest of these was a 1:35. The slowest a 1:38. I am extremely consistent I guess. :D I wasn't sure how much rest to take between 100s. I started off with 45 seconds and that wasn't enough :rolleyes:, so I upped it to a minute.

My cool down was just a leisurely 100 yards.

Veronica

[Selkie]

Yesterday, the pool opened a little late because the manager's car got stuck in the snow---the crowd waiting out at the door was getting ugly by the time he arrived (it was about 19 degrees outside and some were wearing deck slides w/out socks!!).

This put me about ten minutes behind schedule, so I did my best to swim faster. Unfortunately, it was crowded enough that I ended up circle swimming w/two people who were actually slower than I, a first! I managed to get in my usual 2,000 yards but still ended up arriving at work a bit later than usual.

[Susan Otcenas]

I ended January with 17,100 yards. I'm amazed at how quickly it adds up.

2700 yards for me today - my longest swim workout yet! :)

Warmup - 500 (5x100 easy)
Mainset:
1 x 400
2 x 200 0:30 RI
4 x 100 0:20 RI
2 x 200 0:30 RI
1 x 400
Cooldown - 200 easy

I'm stoked that my 2nd 400 was only 1 sec/100 slower than my first 400! I was starting to feel tired by the end of that pull, but I managed to gut it out.


Lap Distance Time Rest min/100 free
Warmup 500 0:11:17 0:01:21 0:02:15 (5x100)
Lap1 400 0:08:08 0:01:01 0:02:02
Lap2 200 0:03:58 0:00:28 0:01:59
Lap3 200 0:04:01 0:00:48 0:02:00
Lap4 100 0:01:54 0:00:19 0:01:54
Lap5 100 0:01:58 0:00:20 0:01:58
Lap6 100 0:01:58 0:00:24 0:01:58
Lap7 100 0:01:58 0:00:42 0:01:58
Lap8 200 0:04:01 0:00:34 0:02:00
Lap9 200 0:04:04 0:01:48 0:02:02
Lap10 400 0:08:13 0:01:45 0:02:03
Cooldown 200 0:04:53 0:00:00 0:02:27
Total 2700 0:56:23 0:09:30
Elapsed 1:05:53


I really need to learn how to kick. My tri swim coach spent essentially no time on kicking. In fact, he kinda discouraged it, with the idea that our legs will get plenty of workout on the bike and run, so we should concentrate on simply keeping our legs up and not dragging. So maybe what I really need is to figure out how to drag them along more efficiently! :D

[GLC1968]

Had my third lesson last night. Not bad - again, she came with some new drills which were helpful, but when we asked questions, she really had no answers. Eh.

Anyway, the pool was crawling with kids, so we opted to not try and swim laps after our class. My total meters for the class was about 550 (in 30 minutes). I had on my watch to count/time laps, but with all the discussion/teaching between each lap or each 100, I kept forgetting to start/stop it. I do know what we did for drills and the few extra laps I snuck in before they pulled down the lane markers for water aerobics, so that's how I got the total.

I was also a sneazy, snotty mess again. I think the problem is that since this pool is primarily focused on children, they chlorine the hell out of it. The lap pool at 24-hour fitness was chlorine too, but it was MUCH milder and it didn't bother me at all - even after accidentally snorting in a ton of it up my nose at one point! :o

[Urlea]

Still battling the head cold, ugh! I'm trying not to overdo it so I've been taking more rest days. It's been close to 2wks of being sick now and I'm ready to be healthy.

Not the strongest swim today, but it was a swim! :) My body was pretty fatigued overall especially coming off of the bike & recovery run. I'm relearning to accept that not every part of my tri-brick is going to be great each time, but to celebrate the parts that are.

Susan- Wow that is a lot of yards for January!! Fantastic.

[roadie gal]

I went Tuesday for my second swim of the year. I did a workout that my coach gave me: 200 warm up, 500 various drills, 5 X 100 fast, 200 cool down. That 5 X 100 was tough at this early stage, but I surprised myself by forcing myself to relax and stretch out on the last one and actually went 5 seconds faster than the previous 100. Huh! I guess that was the point, right?

I go to the municipal pool again today and meet the coach on Friday.

[artifactos]

I just started swimming yesterday (hoping to compete in my first sprint tri in late April). My boyfriend is (luckily) a very competitive swimmer, so he worked with me a little bit on my stroke. Right now, I just need to get comfortable in the water.. so I'm going to go make an attempt at swimming again today. Ugh, I'm afraid I'll never get better!

[Urlea]

Artifactos- Given practice you will most definitely get better! And you're fortunate enough to have someone to help instruct you, which is great. When I started training for my first sprint tri I couldn't swim an entire lap without having to stop, the year after that I swam across a lake & back (2miles). Just keep at it & you'll get more comfortable and things will come together. It's crazy how much confidence you have in the water effects your performance.

[Susan Otcenas]

so I'm going to go make an attempt at swimming again today. Ugh, I'm afraid I'll never get better!

You will! Time and practice. Be patient with yourself. You *will* get there! Really. :)

---

Coach gave a 2200 yard endurance workout this morning.
warmup: 5 x 100
mainset: 3 x 500 1:00 RI
cooldown: 200 easy

No surprise, my best 500 was the first. I kinda lost my mojo on the 2nd. The 3rd was alright.

I used my "cooldown" time to work on the dolphin kick on my back with fins. It's hardly a cooldown. :o But I like to visualize the pretty abs that are just waiting to develop....

[GLC1968]

I think I turned a corner last night. Normally when we swim, my first 2 to 4 laps are HARD for me - I can't get my breathing into a rhythm. I know it takes me awhile to warm up my heart when cycling too (god forbid I have a big climb less than 30 minutes from the start or I'll struggle more than usual)...so I'm sure this is part of it.

Last night was different though. I was craving a good swim because I'd had a very frantic day at work and for whatever reason, when I got in the water, everything clicked. First 100 warm-up was almost zen-like. Each effort after that was ok when we were doing unusual drills, but when there was a lull in instruction, I cranked out extra 50 freestyle laps and each one seemed almost effortless. I managed to get times on two of them. One was my first one after the warmup and one was my very last one - both were at 1:08 exactly, so I'm learning my pace.

We were also 'taught' dolphin kick. I already knew how to do it so I did a couple of laps while she tried to help the others learn it. When I got back to the wall, I suggested they try it 100% underwater without the kickboard because it's easier that way and that was the trick for the girls. My husband never quite mastered it. I don't think he'd be capable of belly dancing either. ;)

I really, really wanted to stay late and swim after the class, but we had errands to run. Bummer.

[artifactos]

Well, I managed 800 yards today over about 30 minutes.. alternating freestyle and breaststroke (helps even out my heartrate and breathing) every 25 yards (short pool) and taking short breaks every time my heart rate got a little too high. I really feel like I have no idea what I'm doing.. heh. I suppose I'll eventually learn. :)

[Selkie]

It's been a weird week at the pool. Monday, late opening because the manager got stuck in the snow; Tuesday was more crowded than usual; Wednesday the pool was closed because of snow; and today, another late start because the manager was a no show. Regardless, I did a longer swim today--2,250 yards---which took me an hour. I savored every minute in the water.

Everyone is doing great with their swimming! Susan, check out GoSwim's featured Technique videos for this week and last http://www.goswim.tv/ When I saw these, I thought of you. What is the secret to doing the dolphin kick?

[Selkie]

By the way, check out this pull buoy! http://www.swimoutlet.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=18905

Looks kinda cool. They come in "junior sized" for smaller legs.

[Susan Otcenas]

Susan, check out GoSwim's featured Technique videos for this week and last http://www.goswim.tv/ When I saw these, I thought of you. What is the secret to doing the dolphin kick?

I just watched it (without sound, since I'm at work). I'll watch it again later and listen to the instruction.

One thing I noticed is that they never show her come up for air when she's facing down. MY biggest problem doing it facedown was that whenever I came up for air I came to a dead stop. And it was hard to get going again. :o

On my back I can move continuously and breathe. Also, I only do it with fins. I don't have the strength in my core to do it without them yet. Today I started doing it with my arms extended (instead of at my side) and I found it easier to stay afloat. With arms at my side I felt like I was sinking too much.

Clearly, I don't know the secret yet either!! ;)

Susan

[GLC1968]

I love dolphin kick! As a kid, we used to pretend we were mermaids and we'd tie our legs together at the ankles and that's how we'd play in the pool for hours. Doing dolphin kick totally reminds me of that! :o

Susan - if you read the text under the video screen, it says what the announcer is staying on the recording. Makes it easier to follow when at work. ;)

When you do it on your back, are you underwater except when breathing? Or does your face stay up the whole time? I tried to do it with my face up and I kept getting water up my nose, so I must be doing something wrong.

[GLC1968]

By the way, check out this pull buoy! http://www.swimoutlet.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=18905

Looks kinda cool. They come in "junior sized" for smaller legs.

Those things look like my worst nightmare! I would bet money that they don't make them big enough to fit on my thighs. :o

[sgf726]

I need to try that Dolphin Kick - looks like fun!

Susan's post made me go add up my yardage for January - 14,100 yards better than I thought since I was traveling 2 weeks of the month and was only able to swim once/week on those weeks.

I am at week 4 of the program I have a mix of drills and intervals, ~1500 yds each 3x per week. I can really feel some improvement in my stroke, but I still don't feel like my legs are synched up. My stroke count for a length is almost the same for straight swim and using the pull bouy. I haven't been timing my laps as just been focusing on form. Once I get the form down then need to work on speed. The 1500 yds takes about 40 minutes which includes short breaks between intervals.

Sharon

[roadie gal]

I am really enjoying my new coach. I met with him for the second time today. Like last week, he got in the water with me and paced and watched my form. He had me work a lot on my kick today, not as a means of propulsion as much as a way to balance my body better. And I got it! I found out (probably a DUH to you fish) that a small, fluttery kick is so much better than a big thrash. I could actually FEEL the improvement in my balance. Wow. Then he paced me 5 X 50 yds, with 30 seconds rest, at a pace that's 5 seconds quicker than my normal 100 yard pace. I forced it through the first 2, then discovered that if I relaxed and paced myself I could go the same speed without killing myself. Another epiphany. Seriously. I've been fighting the water to try to go faster. I learned today that if I relaxed and stretched out my stroke I went faster and easier. We did that 5 X 50 again and I was still able to hold the pace. We finished with a 200 yd cool down that almost killed me. I couldn't believe I was so gassed after only about 1200 yds. But it was a great lesson!

[tribogota]

The main set today was 15 x 100, my coach gave me a break, usually 20, so I tried to do my best, did the first 15 on the 2 minutes exactly, each of them in 1:38 with 22 seconds rest, then for the last 5 couldn't keep it up, and did it in 1:45 with 15 seconds rest. Funny how mentally doing 5 x 100 less changed how I did the 15. When I do the 20 I usually stop and take rests and dawdle.

[Selkie]

Anticipating the Big Snow, I went in for early bird swim yesterday. Swam 3,500 yards with 100 kick. Got out of the pool with pleasantly sore shoulders/back :) A good thing I worked out hard because the pool will be closed through Sunday (at least) due to the snow storm.

[GLC1968]

Had a good swim yesterday.

I did 1100 yards in about 50 minutes or so. I was doing my best to cut down on rest time at the walls. I just recorded my times from my watch, and I had 10 laps where I rested only 30 seconds between them. My goal is to eliminate those rests, of course, but I'm damn pleased with the progress I've made. My overall 50m avg time is about 1:10, so I do think I've found a comfortable pace for me (for now).

The downside to yesterday's swim? It was the last straw for my husband. He's decided to withdraw from the tri. :(

[Jones]

I swam in my first swim meet yesterday and it was a lot of fun once I got over being nervous. My first event was the 100IM and I did really awful. First we had a false start so that was a weird adrenalin rush, calm back down start again, weird. On the real start I dove too deep didn't dolphin kick enough so did more butterfly then usual. My back stroke is not my strongest stroke 'cause I swim crooked lines but it went as well as I could expect. I was really bummed when I made a bad Back Stroke to Breast Stroke turn and completely missed my pull down, which is my favorite part of Breast Stroke. I think a 100 IM is a really hard race to be a first swim meet ever race. Anyway time for my IM was 1:38 which I was thrilled with I wanted to go under 2:00.
The 100 free was much better. I swam my own swim instead of getting too caught up in the racing and did a 1:20 my goal was faster than 1:28 which was my fastest 100 ever in practice. My next event was a 50 free and it seems like you are hardly in the water and the race is over any way I didn't have a goal for this event but my time was :35.
Adults at adult swim meets are much friendlier than adults at kids swim meets. A lot of people knew each other but were still warm and welcoming, everyone cheered and had fun. I would do it again.

[Veronica]

That sounds like so much fun Jones. Where was the meet?

Veronica

[artifactos]

I managed another 800 yards or so today, after purchasing goggles. And they made a big difference in my comfort in the water! Unfortunately, they're pink AND mirrored, but they fit the best of all of the models at ****'s. Sigh.

Also got into a solid running groove for a mile and a half following the swim, so I at least have a solid place to start from for the sprint I'm aiming for in April. It's only a 400 yd swim, so I think I can handle it. :) First Olympic distance will hopefully be at the end of June, otherwise I'll be aiming for mid-July.

The stars are apparently for the name of a big chain sporting goods store.. silly filters.

[Susan Otcenas]

The downside to yesterday's swim? It was the last straw for my husband. He's decided to withdraw from the tri. :(

Oh no!! Really? That's really really too bad. I think Nathan's class would have helped him alot. Nathan's taught many adults how to swim pretty much from the ground up.

Well, let him know that if he pulls out, we'll draft him to be our course photographer and tailgate party chef. :)

Susan

[Susan Otcenas]

The main set today was 15 x 100, my coach gave me a break, usually 20, so I tried to do my best, did the first 15 on the 2 minutes exactly, each of them in 1:38 with 22 seconds rest, then for the last 5 couldn't keep it up, and did it in 1:45 with 15 seconds rest. Funny how mentally doing 5 x 100 less changed how I did the 15. When I do the 20 I usually stop and take rests and dawdle.

This was my mainset today too. 15x100. But if you looked at my times, you'd have thought I was swimming a pyramid. :o They went up over the first 7-8 and then slowly came back down, with the last being the same as the first. I think I got kinda "lazy" in the middle. Once I started paying more attention to my form (especially extending my reach) my times came down - 10 seconds between the middle 100 and the last.

Inspired by the dolphin video, I also gave the dolphin kick another try, face down. I think if I work on it a little more, it will start to feel a little more natural. Today was better than the last time I tried it that way, at any rate.

2200 yards total today.

[roadie gal]

The main set of my workout today called for 5X50yds, 50 second lap with a 10 second rest. I had to do that twice. I was able to *just* make it on the first set, but had to extend the rest to 15 seconds on the last 2 laps of the second. When I was with my coach, at the pool in Carson City, elevation 4500 feet, I did the laps in 47 seconds. Here, at 6000 feet, it was all I could do to hit 50. It's just amazing how much the altitude affects swimming.

[Jones]

Veronica,
The swim meet was in Palm Desert http://www.desertseniorgames.org/, although this was not a USA Masters meet I have been told that USAMS have meets all over the USA. You have to join USAMS to compete but you do not have to work out with a masters team.
It's a good week for events in the desert. The Desert Senior Games had a 5k and a 10k on Sat 2/6 then the swim meet on Sun 2/7 and in Palm Springs the Tour de Palm Springs is on Sat 2/13 and the Palm Springs Half Marathon is on 2/14. Sadly I have to work so I can't participate in the Palm Springs events so am currently shopping for another half marathon.

[Wahine]

Oh no!! Really? That's really really too bad. I think Nathan's class would have helped him alot. Nathan's taught many adults how to swim pretty much from the ground up.

Well, let him know that if he pulls out, we'll draft him to be our course photographer and tailgate party chef. :)

Susan

I've been out of the loop. Which race are you talking about?

[Susan Otcenas]

I've been out of the loop. Which race are you talking about?

I suckered (erm, uh, convinced...) GLC and her husband to do the Canby Gator Grinder Sprint Triathlon in May. Most of my staff does it every year. Over the years, we've drafted in friends and family. This year, at least 10% of the participants (maybe more if I go back and add it up) are TE staff, friends or family! WOW!

We have a tailgate party between the time we finish and the time awards are given out. It's a ton of fun. And, it's a great, low-stress season opener too. I've done Canby 4 or 5 times now, and I've never had a more fun, friendly experience. The organizers and volunteers are amazing.

[channlluv]

I swam 18x50 (I think that's the right way to phrase it - 18 there-and-back laps x 25 yards?) today in 32 minutes. Not my best time, but I'm rehabbing a knee and foot and had to drag my left leg a lot, or just swim side stroke almost the whole time.

It was a gorgeous afternoon here in San Diego. It felt like 70 degrees to me, although the news has it cooler than that, but it was warm, clear, and sunny and the pool was nearly empty, so I had my own lane the whole time.

After I swam, I did 25 minutes in the sauna, then took a shower, and by the time I got outside, winter had descended - our version, at least - and rain and snow were on the way. I'm glad I had a jacket in the car.

Roxy

[GLC1968]

Oh no!! Really? That's really really too bad. I think Nathan's class would have helped him alot. Nathan's taught many adults how to swim pretty much from the ground up.

Well, let him know that if he pulls out, we'll draft him to be our course photographer and tailgate party chef. :)

Yeah, he didn't want to commit to the long drive every week (he's still not convinced that I'll do it!). He actually became a much happier person as soon as he made the decision to pull out. I don't think he enjoys swimming at all and the whole thing was REALLY stressing him out.

He did commit to cheering me on and with my new birthday present in hand, he'll probably get some great photos for us all! :D

[Susan Otcenas]

Yeah, he didn't want to commit to the long drive every week (he's still not convinced that I'll do it!). He actually became a much happier person as soon as he made the decision to pull out. I don't think he enjoys swimming at all and the whole thing was REALLY stressing him out.

He did commit to cheering me on and with my new birthday present in hand, he'll probably get some great photos for us all! :D

Lee (Jill's husband) is taking the class too. Maybe that would help him consider going - he'll know someone there other than you.

But if he's made up his mind, there's probably no changing it, eh?

Ah well, he'll have a good time as a spectator too. The cool thing about the way they do this tri is that it's in 9 waves and our skills vary widely, so he'll always have someone to cheer for.

Which night are you taking the class? I've considered taking it again (to reinforce what I learned last year).

[GLC1968]

I'm signed up for Thursdays. I figured that if I have to miss out on sleep, better it be with only one day left until the weekend. ;)

Rick has already given up his spot in the tri - so there's really no talking him out of it now. In a way, it's better for me like this - I can focus on my training and not have to worry about 'us'. ;)

[Selkie]

I'm living vicariously through all of you.

The pool has been closed since last Friday at noon due to the blizzards. One of the county pools might re-open tomorrow for mid-day swim---hopefully, it will be the one within walking distance of my house.

[Susan Otcenas]

Skipped my swim for the first time since November. :( I'm coming down with a cold. Rest will be the best thing I can do for my body for the next few days. And lots of Ricola.

[Veronica]

Hope you feel better!

Although I must say, I'm kind of glad to see you are human. :D I'm always somewhat envious of how you always manage to get in all your workouts.

Veronica

[GLC1968]

I'm always somewhat envious of how you always manage to get in all your workouts.



Seriously, me too! I hope you feel better soon, Susan. :)


I had another 'lesson' last night. My instructor discovered that I'm stroking too deep with my arms. She had me trying to do it shallower. I'm not sure which is better? Shallow feels very weird, but I'm sure that's just because I'm not used to it. It's certainly a lot easier - but it also makes me a lot slower. I guess that's a good thing for endurance swimming?

After the class, I swam some laps on my own. I tried my first 100...without stopping. I got to 75 and had to rest for about 10 seconds before finishing the last length. It was also near the end of my swimming, so I was tired. I'm looking forward to trying this some more on Saturday. I haven't pulled the data off my watch yet, so I don't know how many laps I did overall. I basically just swam until my wrinkly fingers were just too annoying!

[Susan Otcenas]

Although I must say, I'm kind of glad to see you are human. :D I'm always somewhat envious of how you always manage to get in all your workouts.




What, you didn't know I"d been assimilated by the Borg??

The truth is - my life had gotten way out of whack a few years ago. I was unhealthy mentally and physically. Then I decided to make ME a priority and life is a whole lot better because of it. I'm a better person, my personal relationships are smoother, and my business runs better. Oh, and I'm having WAY MORE FUN! :D

[Veronica]

And having fun is really what it is all about.

Where's that picture of Jeri Ryan? You do kinda look like her. :D

Veronica

[Selkie]

Back in the water! FINALLY. It was a little crowded and my body was a bit tired/sore from all that snow shoveling, but I managed to grind out 2,300 yards. Took a little while to get into my rhythm. Tomorrow is my long swim, so I cut it off when an older gent wanted to circle swim w/me and my lane partner. Figured it was best to reserve something, since I'll be going to the early bird swim (6am).

The pool didn't open until 11:30, so I couldn't do my usual early bird today. One bad thing about missing early bird and having to swim later is the Kid factor. They aren't allowed in the lap lanes (thank goodness), but it kind of freaks me out seeing 7 or 8 year old boys in the ladies locker room.... Our pool has "family changing rooms" that have showers, toilets, etc., which makes it tougher for me to understand why these moms don't opt for those facilities instead. Oh well. I guess they see worse on TV!!

[tribogota]

New workout for Saturdays. 100 m kick board, lateral kick, one direction, otherside coming back, 100 m arms only, kickboard between legs. 10 blocks of those, makes 2000m.

[Wahine]

I haven't been in the pool much in the last 4 months. Life has been CRAAAAAAAAY-ZEEEEEEEEE. Since swimming is my lowest priority workout, it's fallen to the wayside. I've tried in the last couple of months to get up for masters swimming but I have to be up at 5:20 to make it to the workouts and I just haven't been able to do it. Every morning I'd wake up, assess how I felt and promptly go back to sleep. That is until yesterday when I woke up and actually thought, "Hey, I think I'll go swimming!":D:D

So what was my re-introduction like...
1200 warm-up
Main set:
5 x 50 with second half at a sprint
4 x 100 second half sprint
3 x 150 second half sprint
2 x 200 you get the idea
Then the cool down.

What a way to come back. Ouch.:eek::eek:

[Selkie]

Yesterday, I discovered the relationship between kick and streamlining in the water. What a difference! Had a really good swim--85 minutes, 3,250 yards (got kicked out of the water because of a kids swim meet was taking over the pool). I think I've recovered from all that snow shoveling because I felt very strong. :):):):):)

[GLC1968]

I had no swim mojo yesterday. :(

I started with my half hour lesson. I was the only one who showed up, so I got a private one. We did a bunch of kick drills and other drills to 'speed up' my stroke (which I tried to argue against seeing as how I'm going for distance here, not speed, but whatever...). I also got some much needed instruction on flip turns which I finally got down. I'll definitely need more practice to get the timing/rythm right, but at least I now know how they are supposed to feel when I do it right.

Then I swam on my own, or tried to. The place was deserted (even the gym was empty - are the resolutionists done already??), so I had a lane to myself and as much as I wanted to enjoy it, I couldn't. I could NOT get into a rhythm at all. Every lap was a struggle so I quit after 20 minutes. I did manage about 1000 m all said (including class).

After I pulled the times off my watch, I found something interesting. I always average out all the laps where I am just swimming (as opposed to kicking or whatever) just to see my overall time for 50m. I am getting progressively faster even though I'm not really trying to....I am a full 20 seconds per 50m faster than I was when I first got my watch! Of course, part of that improvement is not resting at the walls between lengths anymore, but still, I'll take it! :)

[rocknrollgirl]

Our pool is finally opening up again during the week, the swim season is over for the high school and I get a wicked sore throat...figures! No pool for me for a few days at least.:mad:

[roadie gal]

The main set yesterday, after a warm up and drills, was 7x50 yds, leaving on the minute followed by 100yd slow, then repeat the 7x50. I was supposed to try to get in the 50s in 47-48 seconds. I know that's slow for a lot of you, but it's a stretch for me. I managed to do it for all but the last rep in each set. I'm jazzed.

[Pika]

today's workout was all about doing a timed 100 at the end, seems every month the coach is timing something... first a 1500, then a 400 now a 100. I think this was in prep for the fun swim meet on the weekend. unfortunately we are going away so I can't participate in the meet.
my time for the 100 was 1:22 I was happy with that :)
now off to do a little run before work:)

[GLC1968]

Damn flip turns. I'm in hell today. My sinuses are freaking out - have been for about 24 hours now and because of it, I only got about 3 hours of sleep last night. My nose is running, clogged and my head hurts. I also have a burning in the back of my throat (I assume from post-nasal-drip) and I'm so tired I can barely keep my eyes open. Oh the joys of learning to swim! :p

Last night was my last regular swim class. We worked with the paddles and they helped me correct a few things with my stroke, which was nice. Afterward I did some laps on my own - I haven't pulled the info off my watch, so I have no idea how far I went yet.

I discovered that my goggles no longer keep water out and I think I figured out why...I've finally learned to breathe out my nose underwater and when I do, it breaks the goggle seal and they leak. For the first few months, I was breathing out both my nose and mouth and it was less of an issue. I tried my instructors goggles for a few laps and they worked well, but they hurt my eyes. I'm going to try my husband's next before I buy a new pair.

Today is my first lesson at the tri pool with a real triathlon coach. The class is specifically to help triathletes improve our stroke, so I'm totally looking forward to it. It's a long drive for me, but hopefully it'll be worth it. The coach told me that if I'm not getting enough out of the class to justify the drive, he'll refund my money. Nice! I just wish I wasn't so congested and sleepy today...

[martinkap]

Hi Everyone,

I read the swimming, running and triathlons but never posted here. But want to let you know that you all are great inspirations to me.

I swim 3x a week and generally just going back and forth free style. Sometimes (when I feel like it), I do intervals. I know - there is not much structure in my trainings. With the break times, I do about 1500 yards (30 lengths of a 25y pool) in 45 min. I can do about 500 y comfortably without stopping. If I try to swim longer without a break, my form breaks down. I swim 100y in about 1:40min.

First of all, do any of you have some sort of (maybe old and outdated for you) set of routines I can swim? I am not looking for one or two training sessions but maybe for (an example) a 4 weeks regiment you have done/used which will have about 3 swim sessions a week (one maybe distance, one intervals, one drill? I dont know) and weekly advances to more distance, more drills etc. Would you be willing to share your swim plans with me?

Secondly, for a while I am really curious about how would I do without the constant turning at the pool - so I scheduled 30 min swim session in endless pool. I have never even seen endless pool. Do you have any advice, suggestions, warnings?

Thank you a lot,

Martina (pavlicov at 'gee-male' dot com)

[Selkie]

What kind of goggles were you using, GLC?

I like the Speedo Vanquisher 2.0 plus---excellent seal and give you different size nose pieces (a must for me). Great anti-fogging, too, so long as you take good care of them.

Like like most things, goggle preference is a personal thing.

[GLC1968]

mickchick - the vanquishers are what my instructor had and they sealed really well, but they hurt. What is the difference between all the different versions? Just shape? I might give a pair of them a try on my own and see if maybe she just had the strap too tight for my huge head. ;)

I tried my husbands' last night (Tyr Nest Pro) and they didn't work even a little bit...instant leakage.

Mine are Barracuda Ultimate's - comfy, but they do leak (slowly - so it's not a show stopper...just annoying that after 3 laps I have to empty them).

So last night was my first tri-specific class. I didn't learn anything new really, but I did find out that I'm 'good' in the water. All the bobbing and floating drills that we did were super easy for me the first time (not so for other members of the class). That gives me confidence that at least I'm starting in the right place. We'll see how it goes from here. I did swim 3 50's in a row in less than 1 min each, so I still have hope that I can meet my goal time for the tri.

My sinuses are still super angry and painful - I think my next purchase will be a Neti pot. :)

[uk elephant]

Reading all your postings is great inspiration for a complete beginner....

I've been going to a master's swim class once a week. By far the slowest one of the group, but I'm doing my best to keep up and it's great motivation. Add in a couple of extra swims Thursday and Friday mornings and I actually managed to put in over 3km in the pool this week! And today I felt like I was actually getting a little better, particularly with the bilateral breathing.

[Selkie]

mickchick - the vanquishers are what my instructor had and they sealed really well, but they hurt. What is the difference between all the different versions? Just shape? I might give a pair of them a try on my own and see if maybe she just had the strap too tight for my huge head. ;)



I have the vanquisher 2.0 and 2.0 plus. Speedo seems to have re-designed the latter a smidge because I recently bought a new pair and found the eye pieces slightly smaller than my old pair of 2.0 plus goggles. The "plus" means they are mirrored and polarized. They take a little more attention to seat right on my eyes due to the smaller eye piece but the seal is water tight (even during my Saturday long swims--90+ minutes). I don't have to make the strap very tight, either, so they usually don't get too painful. A good tip is to test the seal before you get in the water and if it isn't tight, press lightly on the goggle to make it "suck" more onto your face. It takes some adjusting when you first get them but once you're dialed in, you're good to go. Excellent peripheral vision, too.

Swimoutlet.com has both 2.0 and 2.0 plus for a decent price. I really like the 2.0s in the blue and the plus in the lighter blue (isn't as dark when swimming in an indoor pool).

By the way, I have a large head, too, and cannot wear ladies hats, googles, etc.

[Selkie]

MILESTONES:
**I passed 50 miles for the year (52.07 actually) and earned a free swim cap in the US Master's GTD challenge.
**I also logged my longest swim yet---4,000 yards in about 108 minutes. Was tempted to go longer but my shoulders were starting to burn a little. ;););):):):)

I'm getting ready to take a nice, long nap!

[artifactos]

I've been feeling under the weather recently and skipped 3 of my 5-6 workouts this week. Bleh. I did swim today, though - 600 yards or so, and my freestyle breathing is improving a little bit. Also did some barefoot running in my five fingers afterward, so my calves are screaming at me for that. :)

[HillSlugger]

MILESTONES:
**I passed 50 miles for the year (52.07 actually) and earned a free swim cap in the US Master's GTD challenge.
**I also logged my longest swim yet---4,000 yards in about 108 minutes. Was tempted to go longer but my shoulders were starting to burn a little. ;););):):):)

I'm getting ready to take a nice, long nap!

Wow, that's a lot of swimming! Congrats!

[Susan Otcenas]

I got my swim mojo back!! I'd lost it and was afraid I wouldn't find it again, but it's back! :)

I swam 500 warmup, then
4 x 200 0:30 RI
4 x 100 0:20 RI
4 x 50 0:15 RI
200 cooldown.
2100 total.

I managed to do 11 of the 12 intervals in my main set under 2:00/100yd with two of them at 1:46 & 1:48/100 yd. This is slow for alot of you, I know, but for ME? Those times are awesome for me. :)

I'm a happy girl today!

[Jones]

Nice swim Susan. I'm happy you got your mojo back. I love seeing others sets. I hired a coach one day a week and am so tired after an hour that I don't remember my sets and then one day a week she swims with us so same thing only free and one day a week my friend and I swim and we are always trying to wing it which amounts to a warm-up (1500 yards) maybe a 200 and then a cool down. My always warm up:
300 swim
300 kick with or with out fins or board
300 pull with pull buoy, paddles optional
300 backward body dolphin with fins
6x50 drill swim stroke choice

[Susan Otcenas]

Nice swim Susan. I'm happy you got your mojo back. I love seeing others sets.
Thanks! It must be my week for swimming. This morning I did TWO 500s within 2 seconds of my race times last year. And I wasn't working all that hard. I'm stoked. Next week I'll probably go back to my normal sloth-like swim times, but this week I'm a happy camper.

Mickchick
- WOW!! That's alot of distance. And 4000 yards in one set sounds soooooo amazing. Way to stick with it!

[Selkie]

Thanks but I'm really a slower swimmer without the best technique. I really love being in the water, and challenging myself to go farther and get stronger. Don't really care too much about speed because I'm not training for an event or anything. Just want to enjoy myself. This year's goal is to swim two hours.

The rest of you are motivating!

[Urlea]

1000yds in the pool this morning, it's been a few wks. Overall felt really good, but my right arm started to get tired 500yds in. I noticed I was crossing over too much & that's what was causing it so that was fixable. Took a while for legs to get on board, but I ran 13mi yesterday so to be expected. Love love love, how swimming loosens me up! :D

Have a great weekend ladies!

[artifactos]

1000 yards today. I'm recovering from doing a number on my calves by running in my Five Fingers last week, so I'm trying to get in the water instead of running. Still figuring out my technique though.

My first tri is a week away - it's a dinky little indoor tri, 2 mile run, 6 mile bike, 250 yd swim, and I hope I don't feel the need to take too many breaks during the swim!

[artifactos]

Another 600ish yds today. The pool was full of little humans making tons of waves and the two lanes were occupied. I'm still a newbie and therefore afraid of kicking someone in the face while lane sharing, so once there got to be 3 people in my lane I hopped out to give them more room.

Maybe tomorrow will be less crowded. It would help if the Y would at least add the new lessons to the lap pool schedule..