Took My New Wetsuit To The Reservoir!

[Alex]

Well... since I've only ever done drills in open water with a wetsuit, I don't know if it's more fun than without a wetsuit!

I did go to the lap pool for over an hour today to work on the two-beat kick. I just wasn't very coordinated at first and couldn't get the concept of kicking the opposite leg from the spearing arm. I read on some swimming message board that fins can help, so I borrowed DH's. After much trial and error and intense concentration, I was able to coordinate the proper arm with the proper leg. That was SO exciting! Seriously! After that, I was able to do it without the fins, too. DH said my kick was too big, but I was able to make it much smaller after he told me that. He also told me to make hip drive a focal point (like I did in my lesson on Thursday) and that helped, too.

By the time I got the 2BK work done, I was too fried to do much work on any breathing exercises, but it was a productive pool session, nonetheless.

Alex

[colby]

I think an odd-numbered beat is easier and messes with your body roll less than an even number. I have a hell of a time getting below 5, 4 feels just wrong, and 3 was too hard for me to count (I started counting arms rather than legs) and it got too close to my race so I went back to 5. I guess at least with the 2 beat kick you move your arms and your legs at the same time, but I breathe every 3rd stroke (or 3-2-3-2 in open water) so it all messes me up.

Who knew counting could be so hard!!

I went OWS for the first time last weekend (well, the first time since I had to do it fo reals, so a couple of weeks). I didn't have on my wetsuit (no way was I putting it on when it was 90 degrees outside), just tri shorts/top, but swimming felt good. No panic, no problems sighting (and no people running into me ). I'm glad I spent so much time being coached this year, I feel so much more like I'm cruising ON the water not IN the water. Now to get faster....

Congrats on the new wetsuit, and your first time taking it out in open water. Exciting.

[HillSlugger]

I have no idea what my kick/stroke count is but I know I do little kicking. Better to save those legs for biking and running!