January Swims

[Susan Otcenas]

First swim of the new year!
____
swim = tempo 2100 yards
warmup: 300 choice then 200 kick (alt between 25 yards dolphin/25 free)
main set:
10 x 100 as:
first 5 100's = negative split. (:20 RI)
second 5 100's do as a TT (:20 RI).
then:
400 FR as (25 sprint/50 tempo/25 recovery) do continuous.

Cooldown 200 yards kick set with TYR fins.
____

So said my coach. I've never done a dolphin kick before, so I had to watch some youtube videos. I couldn't seem to get the hand of it on my warmup. So after my main sets, I tried it on the cooldown with my fins and it was much easier to get the hang of. But, every time I came up for air, I came to a dead stop. Couldn't seem to keep the undulation going while breathing.


second 5 100's do as a TT (:20 RI). was really TOUGH! I held my times fairly well, but man are my shoulders tired.

[Selkie]

Did you dolfin underwater for a distance? I haven't tried it yet but it's on my list of many skills to master or at least attempt.

[Bike Chick]

01/04 (Monday)
Got to pool late and only got 400m in before swim team showed up and took over lanes I wasn't a happy camper. I won't be able to swim tonight because of another commitment. Doesn't look like a good week for swimming.

[Urlea]

Bikechick You aren't the only one having a poor week for swimming. But at least you got 400m in! Such a bummer about the swim team taking over though & it's hard to give them the "evil eye" when you are wearing goggles.

I was supposed to start my HIM training plan this week. Hasn't really happened other than the running. Between car repairs (one car household) & another blizzard today I just haven't been able to make it to the gym.

Tomorrow is a run + Brazilian Jiu-jitsu day, so here's hoping that Friday will be the ticket!

[kacie tri-ing]

My IM training started this week, and right now I am just doing some base endurance training, so I just got in the pool and swam for 45 minutes. No counting, no drills yet, just remembering how it feels to be in the water, since I have been avoiding it for some time It actually felt nice to be back in it!

[GLC1968]

Swam for about 40 minutes last night. NO IDEA how many laps because for whatever reason, I am completely deficient at keeping track. Seriously, I'm thinking of bringing in a laminated card and a grease pencil in the future. Overall, the swim was good. I discovered that I MUCH prefer the stretch of the pool that is over the deep part (the lanes cross into the diving area where it gets super deep) - it's much more peaceful out there and easier for me to avoid distractions. I'm easily distracted and that screws up my tenuous grasp on breathing rhythm!

I also ran into another co-worker. He came in just as I was finishing up. Apparently, he swims the same time frame but hasn't been doing so the past month or so (when I have been there!). Funny. I tried to watch him swim a bit as I was leaving and he makes it look effortless. I aspire to be like that someday.

[Susan Otcenas]

. NO IDEA how many laps because for whatever reason, I am completely deficient at keeping track.

Do you have a watch with a lap timer? You could hit it at the end of each lap.

[Susan Otcenas]

Did you dolfin underwater for a distance? I haven't tried it yet but it's on my list of many skills to master or at least attempt.

I did. I could make it about halfway across the pool before surfacing for air. It would be kinda cool to get good enough at it/fit enough to make it all the way across, without drowning....

A friend who is an *amazing* swimmer recommended doing it on my back, on the surface, arms at my side. (some of the videos showed that method)
Builds beautiful abs! There was also a video showing an even harder version of that, which is holding your arms up out of the water, perpendicular ot the water. Apparently you have to work really hard to keep your head above water, and its an amazing core workout.

[GLC1968]

Do you have a watch with a lap timer? You could hit it at the end of each lap.

That's a good idea. I think my old polar has one...I'll have to check. Thanks!

[fatbottomedgurl]

Our pool has been closed for three weeks getting replastered. I saw them filling it today. Yay, it will be open on Monday! But the benefit is I have been hitting the treadmill and the weight room. I started weight training 6 weeks ago. We'll see how swimming responds to my 'new" arms. I still dread the running, indoors or out. But I must admit it is getting...easier. I guess.

[Selkie]

Susan - You are "Woman from Atlantis!" That's great!!!!!! I have seen one of the Olympians at the pool doing exactly what you described (on his back, underwater dolphin the entire length).

I've decided to up my weekday swims to 2000m.

Local swim teams and swim clubs take over our pools, too. It's annoying because on Saturday mornings, the HS swim team is allowed to take over two slow lanes at 7:30am. This leaves only one or two slow lanes, which are down in the diving tank area. Usually, I'm finishing up by that time, but still (I do my marathon swim Saturday mornings). The week before Xmas, they took over four lanes, even though they are supposed to only get two.

Swim team season ends the last week of February, I think (hope). It'll get even nicer once the outdoor pools open in May.

Have many of you seen an influx of New Year's resolution types?

[kacie tri-ing]

There was also a video showing an even harder version of that, which is holding your arms up out of the water, perpendicular ot the water. Apparently you have to work really hard to keep your head above water, and its an amazing core workout.

I can barely even imagine this!

[Susan Otcenas]

1950 yards this morning.

The last 200 I did dolphin kick, arms at my sides, on my back. What a GREAT workout. I could feel it throughout my entire core, front and back. And even though it wasn't only 200, it was really tiring. I'm going to try to incorporate this into all my workouts for a few laps.

I've always wanted nice abs.

[Susan Otcenas]

I can barely even imagine this!

Here's the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA3wI...eature=related

[GLC1968]

I've always wanted nice abs.

Ahem - you already have nice abs, woman!

But that dolpin kick thing on your back sounds like fun, I might give it a try tonight. If I don't check in tomorrow, I probably drowned!