February Swims

[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!

[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!

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. 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. 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!

[Veronica]

And having fun is really what it is all about.

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

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!"

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.

[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!