Catch a wave...Or the swimming thread

[kelownagirl]

I get to try another wetsuit tomorrow. It's a size bigger than the last one so cross your fingers. It's an Orca Speedsuit - something like this? It's only 2 1/2 years old and in good shape but she wants $250 for it. If it fits, I might offer $200. We'll see.

[kelownagirl]

Help - tomorrow I have to do 5 X 200m, all negative splits. Does that mean each 200m set should be a little faster than the last?

[jesvetmed]

Definition of a Negative Split: In a workout application, this usually refers to any workout where the last half of a interval or entire workout is slightly faster than the first.

KG: Got that off beginner triathlete. Hope it helps. It wouldn't show me the rest of the article (I'm not a Paying Member!).

I swam yesterday for the second time this week -- that is my goal now -- minimum 2 a week, maybe 3 on a week I don't work much.

300 wu
300 drill sets
4x100 at moderate to fast pace (ok.. for me it's all go faster, or relax!)
6x50 Fartleks (fast crawl down 25 down, slow recovery breast on way back)
200 cool down.
so.... 1500m total?

I ALWAYS get a headache after being in the pool for more than a few minutes. Don't know if it is just the chlorine, the way I hold my head, the tight cap, or mental .... I really don't enjoy the swimming! Anyone else have this problem?
Jes

[kelownagirl]

Thanks JVM - I figured that was it. Easier said than done though. I can do it if it's only 2-3 sets but faster for 5 sets in a row? I dunno how to pace myself.

Dh was picking me up so I didn't have to time to do the last set but here are my times (after 400m warmup). Ah well, lots to learn.

200m 4:53
200m 5:00
200m 5:10
200m 4:37 - OK this one I really tried going faster and since it was my last set I was able to. It'll take some practice to be able to decrease gradually though.

I wore my watch this time and hit the timer when I did each set so at least I was able to get a more accurate time. And I don't usually lose count when it's only 200m

I really like my new Tyr goggles - they don't leak at all - but they seem to fog up after 300-400m and then fog up every 200m after that. They are supposed to be anti-fog. Should I buy some of that spray anyway? Does it work?

[jesvetmed]

KG: I've never tried the spray -- if you do, let us know what you think. I have some Speedo goggles, and so far haven't had trouble with any fogging.

I have a question to you swimmers.
Every time I swim, I get a pounding headache quickly -- my warm up laps aren't even finished and it's throbbing. I notice it the most between laps when I am resting. I have no idea WHY? Anyone else have this trouble?
I figure it could be one of the following things: the chlorine fumes, the pressure of the cap/goggles, the way I hold my head / shoulders... other? maybe the GASPING for air?

Would love to hear if anyone else has / had this problem, and if you figured it out.
Jes

[alpinerabbit]

Re: fogging, do you lick your goggles before putting on? Alternatively, rub the inside w/dishwashing liquid (just don't do both )

The licking did not help with the OW swim in my first tri though.

The headache - goggles too tight or digging into your eyesockets, or putting undue pressure somewhere?

[Kimmyt]

I've always noticed I get headaches when I put my goggles on too tight. I tend to do this whenever we do block starts in class because I can never seem to hit the water right to keep my goggles on. My aquasphere ones are a bit harder to crank down and the soft plastic on the outside doesn't hurt my eye socket as much. I used to get headaches allthe time with my old speedo goggles that had hard plastic rims and thin straps.

I had a breakthrough session last night. Coach had us doing IMs all class, which usually I hate.

wu: 200 swim, 100 pull, 100 kick
sets: 4x100 IM w/fins
1x50 kick choice no fins
3x100 IM w/fins
2x50 kick choice no fins
2x100 IM w/fins
3x50 kick choice no fins
1 x 100 IM w/fins
4x50 kick choice no fins
(all of these with ~ 20 RI)
then we had Cinco de Mayo relay games.

Basically, I want to get a pair of zoomers. I used the big old doofy fins that they had in the closet. I did the first 4x100 IM and felt FAST. Of course, since I had fins. But my ankles also got sore because of the pressure the long fins put on them. So I took them off. The rest of class, my form was just beautiful. I wasn't feeling winded even after butterfly. I could FEEL my stroke so much more in the water. Just 400 with fins helped me feel my positioning so much better. A friend even commented on it, saying that I really looked like I was stretching out in the water reen:. Also, once I took them off I felt like I still had them on, I could feel my ankles and my feet flexing like mini fins, and propelling me through the water. It was really awesome. So they're on my list of things to get. I don't want to use them alot, because I don't want to injure myself or use them as a crutch, but I think they'd be useful once in a while to work on my form.