I hit the pool Friday for 3250 yards.
300 warm up
12X25 focus on technique-count strokes working to reduce # per 25 (19 in 19 seconds best-and yes my lats still hurt)
10X75 increase on 1-5 sprint 6,8 and 10 slow 7,9 ri 1:00
repeat
850 pull buoy-mod to fast to mod to fast etc (I feel like I can swim forever with the buoy-which is good because it's a little like a wet suit)
200 kick with fins-work breathing
100 warm down
Part way through the first 750 set I began to contemplate how much trouble I was in, thinking I could actually swim in the ocean. I've never swam in the ocean, unless you count an afternoon snorkeling. I stroked along thinking about being eaten by sharks, swept out to sea, drowned by jelly fish, being dragged so horribly off course that the swim becomes a 4 mile nightmare and I don't make the cutoff time. Swimming isn't biking or running. If you bonk in the swim there is no walking. There is no sliding off to the side and resting a bit (ok, you can always grab a kayak) but you get the picture.
I was alone with my thoughts in the pool and they were dragging me down to the black line.
What are you made of Trimama?
Assess.
When I was in 7th grade I went to exactly one day of basketball practice and decided I couldn't play. I felt awkward with the ball, I didn't really know how to dribble, I was out. I really liked basketball, and I had an older sister who had played. Older sisters pretty much exist to set a standard for you to exceed. At least that was my mindset. I got a ball and spent the next year dribbling up and down the 200 yards of driveway. Left hand, right hand, etc. Went out for the team and things worked out just fine.
Back to the pool....
Left arm, right arm. Doubt is good for one thing-so you have someone to prove wrong. Even if it's just yourself.
Each one of those sprints reduces your brain to a screaming pansy-but better to scream now then to cry later. Each one of those sprints makes my arms a little tougher, a little stronger and little more likely to swim the distance on course and on time.
Overcoming doubts by nuturing confidence....priceless.
Today was long spin on the bike day. 2:32-grinding hills through commercials, ramping rpm's during the shows.
13 comments:
Jellyfish don't drown anybody. At least not outside Australia.
In 8th grade basketball I made a basket for the opposing team. I was a little confused. Didn't go out for any team.
Ocean is easier...where did you swim you IM races? Lakes can be choppier and WAY less bouyant. You'll have FUN!
Hi, TriMama, and happy Sunday! Just THINK how much more buoyant we'll be in the saline ocean, like Fe-lady said. Pray for calm seas, too...
Don't worry too much about the ocean...especially not the gulf. It's pretty quiet. One bit of advice I would suggest though is to try and swim in some salt water before the IM swim...I've swam in the ocean all my life yet the first time I tri-ed with an ocean swim, i was rudely surprised by the taste of the salt water...you forget how much water you swallow with so many people splashing around you and I have to say that the taste doesn't go away for much longer than you'd like.
Also, if there are fresh water rinse off showers when you get out, take a minute to get the salt off because it's super sticky and can chafe on the bike and run. My two cents...
And certainly don't worry about the sea life...they're more afraid of the mass of splashing crazy people...
This race is going to be legendary because Trimama was there, and it's days like this that make me sure of exactly that. You're an amazing woman, and truly one of my heros - hang on, we're almost there.
You know, I just read your post again (it was that good), and I think what I admire the most about you is your ability to identify your weaknesses and then overcome them. That said, it didn't seem like you needed much of that "hang on" business, but I find it's nice to know that I'm not alone when I feel this way. You're strong, you're focused, and you're willing to do the work, and because of these things you are going to make some history out there. I feel very privilaged to be in your camp.
Funny--I had to read twice. I first read (quickly I might add), "What are you made of TriMama?" "Assess." I read Asses the first time. I said, "HUH?" Then, I re-read. "Whew?"
But YES, when we stop, assess and reflect we can stop and harness our mental energy on a positive way.
If you can swim 3250yards, you can swim in the ocean, no trouble. You may even be one of those who swims faster in the sea (thanks to better bouyancy).
Don't worry about jellyfish/sea bugs etc, just wear sunblock or petroleum jelly on your arms, face and neck when you do your open water swim. Personally I prefer the former as it is rather uncool to be seen slapping on Vaseline before a race. :)
I have also heard that wearing panty hose on your arms work (this came from an Aussie, so it must be true - they REALLY have jellyfish woes there), but I would rather be stung than to be seen in that. ;)
Have fun!
Thanks for the confidence boost..time to head the pool tonight.
Shark? You don't need anyone to shark for you (certainly not me at this stage of the game!). That's a nice, solid swim especially considering it's only January!
And I'm certainly up for a ride at Julie's or at GW. Have you been going to one or the other on a regular basis?
i read 'asses' the first time too, but, i'm a dawg.
could you ask the folks down at your pool to convert to meters so that we can count the same strokes per 25 and compare?
i could swim forever with a pull-buoy too, in my mind i keep hoping it is the exact same as a wetsuit in the ocean.
spence's words haunt me, i don't want to wait till IM Florida to swim in the ocean, i'm seriously thinking about the Baja 70.3
OOOOHH - I don't want to haunt anyone...I was just trying to prepare you for what was an unexpected discovery for me.
BTW, feeling like you could go forever with a pull buoy is what it feels like when you finally get your horizontal balance in the water. The wet suit will help but pressing in with your chest to better "float" your legs and get absolutely horizontal will help too...give it a try without the buoy and see how it feels...and NICE job on such a long swim practice...totally excellent...
Don't worry about the sharks. You will be fine. Listen to Dory from Finding Nemo: Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.
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