I'm getting old... math question

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okay, my July 30 tri has a 1/4 mile swim = 1320 feet = 440 yards = 17.6 lengths in a Jr. Olympic sized pool... right????

They have opened up the lodge pool and I figured I'd better get started building my endurance... but I keep thinking I'm missing something as far as how many laps will equal the event distance...

I'm such a nerd! My plan is to work up to 1 1/2 - 2 times the event length as preparation. I haven't done any serious swimming in decades... ugh. The good thing though is that the place that rents the wetsuits will let me have it for 30 days so I will have an opportunity to actually get into the ocean a time or two before the event. I've only had a wetsuit on to dive... much different, I'm guessing!

Anyway, would someone please confirm that I've got my distances right ... I would feel oh so much better!

Thanks!

Tracy

[Lise]

Hi Tracy,

I don't know how long a Jr. Olympic pool is! My first tri this year is a pool swim, .26 mi or 450 yd. That's 16 lengths in a 25m pool, or 20 lengths in a 20m pool. I did the math, because I train in a 20m pool, but race in a 25m pool.

Yours will be an ocean swim? Out and back, or parallel to the shore, or what? I always find it helpful to see the distance I'll be swimming, and walk it out along the shore if it's still too cold to get in the water.

You've got until July, and you will definitely be well enough trained for that distance if you start swimming now. If you get comfortable swimming 1.5 times the race distance, you'll cruise on race day.

Good luck, Lise

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Thanks Lise,

Your math matches mine... I was so tired last night that I kept thinking I was missing something! It is an open water swim. I mapped out where the cove is last night so I'll definately go check it out beforehand (not to mention doing some swimming there when the wetsuit is available!). I believe it is out and back (U-shaped course) and 1/4 mile.

Again, thanks for your help! I figured I'd better start training now as I don't want to be stressed about it later - I will be happy to finish this one so I'm not feeling the need to beat myself up w/training but at the same time, I want to be thoroughly prepared.... now, if I could just talk myself into doing some jogging !!!

Have a GREAT day!!

Tracy

[Lise]

Yeah, jogging would help

This morning I went for a run. I'm sore from my 16 miles in the saddle yesterday, in which I pretended I'd been riding all winter, which I have not! So the first mile of my run sucked. Heavy, slow. Me thinking, "I hate running. Why do I do this?" Answer: "Because you have to do it to finish a triathlon". By mile 1.25, I was fine, and didn't hate running so much any more. I think that's part of why I love triathlon. I swim and run so I can do the bike in between!

Note to self: Swim. If Tracy can jog, I can swim! Keep up the good work! L.

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Lise,

you are too funny and make me smile! I swam 22 lengths of the pool this morning and boy do I have a LONG way to go to get to the 17 laps without stopping! I did a length and stopped at each end but worked on my form and just getting used to being back in the pool again and the breathing. I'm going to try to get there 2 days a week until I get up to the distance... we'll see!

I'm definately with you on the whole bike thing - that will be the easy leg. I did a wicked hilly (for me, anyway) 42 mile ride Friday and I am SO proud of myself. I have told everyone who will listen where I rode - of course, they're probably rolling their eyes because their great grandma raced up that hill last week or something! I used to jog when I was younger but its just so hard on the body these days. The tri is only 3 miles (flat) though so I'm just going to start walk/jogging my 6 mile walk until I can jog it all or at least 3/4 of it - that'll just half to be enough!

Thanks for letting me blab! I finally told DH that I actually signed up for a tri - initially I just said I was gonna do one (he was probably thinking, uh huh, okay honey...) and he was actually supportive!

Gotta go get rid of the chlorine! Have a great day!!!

Tracy

[Lise]

Tracy,

You only have to do 17 lengths, right, not 17 laps (which would be 34 lengths). So if you did 22 lengths yesterday, and are going to keep swimming 2 days a week, you will be in great shape for the tri in July. It helps me to remember how the energy of the race itself carries me along. I'm excited, every one around me is excited, and we're all doing our best. My challenge in my first tri in May will be to slow down on the swim (not that I'm normally fast, mind you). Last year I felt I should be keeping up with everyone in the other lanes, and I nearly puked from over doing it. Fortunately it's only about 12 minutes of intense activity, and I will be better trained this year. This time I will also work on finding and keeping my own pace. Don't worry about speed. Go steady, and be strong for the bike and run. It will be interesting how much faster I do the ride, with my new bike!

I'm not surprised that your DH was supportive. People who love us are glad to see us happy! Take care, Lise