Perfection is attained by slow degrees; it requires the hand of time. -- Voltaire
I had my first swimming lesson on Monday. Paraphrased conversation with the coach before the lesson:
Coach: What are you hoping to get out of lessons?
Me: I want to swim faster.
Coach: So you can swim?
Me: Yeah.
Coach: OK, how do you swim?
Me: Slowly...
Coach: No, I mean - is this for fitness, triathlons, what?
Me: Oh, triathlons
(He didn't tell me this until later in the lesson, but apparently he did an IM last year where he was among the first guys out of the water in his age group - holey moley!)
Coach: OK, what have you been doing?
Me: I've been going to Masters - I thought I'd get faster, but I'm not.
Coach: Oh, you've been swimming with Karen?
Me: Yeah.
Coach: You should be getting faster then.
Me: That's what I thought. It's not working.
Coach: Hmmm. Well, we can fix that.
I get in the water and swim a warm-up while he watches. He stops me at the end of the first 100m.
Coach: Do you know how many strokes you took per length?
Me: Yeah - 28. That's what I always take.
Coach: Yeah. That's not going to work for you. Basically you gotta slow down to speed up.
So we swim and talk and drill and talk and swim some more. Apparently I am 1) short stroking, 2) not gliding, and 3) breathing too infrequently. Basically I'm doggie-paddling under water? Who knew?
Doing some of the drills, I managed to get to 17 strokes per length!
At the end of the lesson, he had me do another 300, timed. He told me to go for speed but try to use good technique. I swam the 300 in a minute less than I did a few weeks ago at the time trial (the one that spurred me to need swim lessons)...which is awesome. And I did the first 100 in 2:00 - which is really all I'm shooting for. I don't need to be a speed demon. I just want to be able to average 2:00/100m over a long distance. And during that 100, I was at about 21-22 strokes. The last 200 of the time trial, however, I swam 2:15 and 2:17...and by the last 100, my stroke count was over 30. Yikes.
Stroking less and gliding more feels like I'm swimming so slowly - but the evidence is clearly to the contrary. Weird.
I have a lot of work to do. I went last night and practiced - just swimming slowly, gliding, etc. I never got back down to sub-20 strokes per length, but I was in the very low 20s. I'm not sure about the breathing more often thing - it doesn't feel natural - but I'm willing to give it a shot if he says it will help.
My new swimming mantra - swim slowly, be fast...swim slowly, be fast...swim slowly, be fast...
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Sunday, May 12, 2013
In Which I Rock the Century Ride
Nothing builds self-esteem and self-confidence like accomplishment. -- Thomas Carlyle
I did it! I rode a full 100 miles on my bike - and I even did it by myself. Yeah, it was a supported ride and there were feed stations every 12-15 miles, but I rode without company...a whole 7+ hours on my own. This century taught me an awful lot - most importantly 1) the 56 miles for the HIM is, without question, doable, and 2) I can get into my head and exert myself for a long time -- I can mentally do the HIM. This was an awesome experience for me and I'm so glad I chose to do the whole century.
Here's the start of the century. For the first mile or two we had a police escort out of town, which was pretty neat - it was like riding in a peloton, all crowded and stuff. Things did spread out after that, but for the first half of the ride, I was near folks, even though I rode alone. The course was beautiful, riding through battlefield parks and along a road that passed a number of plantations.
My plan was to go out strong for the first half (the turn around was at 52 miles) but leave enough in the tank so I could get back. The wind was at my back for a lot of the way out, but I didn't realize how much until I was on the way back. At the feed zones, they had powerade and water, as well as pretzels, granola bars, and other snack food. I was also carrying a lunchable that I ate at mile 25 (second breakfast - I am a hobbit you know) and some pretzels of my own. At the turnaround, they also had turkey & cheese roll ups.
You can't see my watch really well, but I was at 3:17:57 at 52.58 miles at halfway. Yeah me! Averaged about 16 mph on the way out, time on bike -- I stopped my watch at feed zones so I could get my riding speeds. Unfortunately, this was a problem, because after I finished my lunch and started back on the route home, I forgot to start it again for about 3.5-4 miles. Damnit.
The route back was less interesting - it was still pretty, through some tree-covered areas, but some of it was through farm areas...fields on both sides, flat as can be, and hot with sun. But not too hot, because the wind was coming straight on at me - sometimes the gusts almost blew me backwards. It was crazy. The wind definitely slowed me down on the way back and I believe the route back had more elevation changes than the way out. It was mentally hard, but I wasn't going to stop 30 miles from home. I just kept riding from feed zone to feed zone and all of a sudden, I was only 15 miles from the end. I was so jazzed I picked it up again and did well til the end.
Here I am back at my car after the ride. I'm not usually into taking selfies, but I was pretty damn proud of myself at the moment and figured it was worth documenting. Besides, check out my pretty jersey. You would think I was vain based on how much I care for the appearance of my athletic equipment. It doesn't actually carry over into real life though...I called my family and my brother to brag about how awesome I am and then I went and got the food they provided at the finish. BBQ, beans, brownies, and beer. I guess the lunch was brought to us by the letter "B" and the number "100." :-)
Final data - 97.13 miles over 6:22:34 ride time (average 15.2 mph) - plus the 3.5 miles or so I missed, probably at the same pace, so we'll call it 100.4 miles ridden. Counting the time for feed zones and lunch at the turnaround, I went under 7:30. I was hoping to get in before they packed up the food at 4pm and I was already done eating by 3pm, so I definitely exceeded my goal. Self-esteem and self-confidence...HECK YEAH!
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Flood Stage
We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear. -- Martin Luther King Jr.
The flood of fear or the fear of floods? Unfortunately, after a moderately successful (for me) OWS experience last Friday, it looks like I'm going to have to wait a while until my next jump in the river. The river is at dangerous levels and the OWS tomorrow night is gonna be cancelled. You can look here if you want to see what the National Weather Service says. Pretty, huh? The river - not so pretty.
Unfortunately, I was just building up those dikes of courage to hold back my fears. I had negotiated with hubby to go to this Friday's swim (he gets kid driving duty) because I wanted to scaffold last week's success to another and hopefully make some real progress. It's easier to get back on the horse if you didn't actually fall off last time, right?
Mother Nature, on the other hand, has some other ideas about it. And so I'm in the pool until at least May 17th (that's Syttende Mai for all you Norske out there - Happy Norwegian Constitution Day). Hopefully I'll be celebrating with a successful swim in the river.
The flood of fear or the fear of floods? Unfortunately, after a moderately successful (for me) OWS experience last Friday, it looks like I'm going to have to wait a while until my next jump in the river. The river is at dangerous levels and the OWS tomorrow night is gonna be cancelled. You can look here if you want to see what the National Weather Service says. Pretty, huh? The river - not so pretty.
Unfortunately, I was just building up those dikes of courage to hold back my fears. I had negotiated with hubby to go to this Friday's swim (he gets kid driving duty) because I wanted to scaffold last week's success to another and hopefully make some real progress. It's easier to get back on the horse if you didn't actually fall off last time, right?
Mother Nature, on the other hand, has some other ideas about it. And so I'm in the pool until at least May 17th (that's Syttende Mai for all you Norske out there - Happy Norwegian Constitution Day). Hopefully I'll be celebrating with a successful swim in the river.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
4 months and counting...plus my two girlfriends
Falling in love and having a relationship are two different things. -- Keanu Reeves
Four months from today I will be toeing the starting line at the Patriots Half Triathlon. I will complete the swim before the cutoff time. I will enjoy the bike, take in enough food and liquid to keep myself fueled without getting sick, and I will pass some people who are fast swimmers but slow bikers. I will be thrilled when I get to the run. Fast or slow, I know the run is mine. I will finish the race before the cutoff, I will have barbecue and pizza. I'll go out for dinner and eat even more food. Four months from today.
But first things first, my two girlfriends. I am in love with my tri bike Freyja - truly madly in love. But it's like junior high love. She's pretty and fast (not like that!) and she makes me look cooler than I am. Unfortunately, the love is still superficial. I'm still a little nervous to hang out with her because she might ditch me. I know once we get to know each other better we'll move into a more stable relationship, but we're not there yet.
On the other hand, I am also in love with my roadie Baby - truly madly in love. Like two old people love. Like Carl, the old man in "UP." She knows me and I know her. She's slowing down a little but I can trust her completely. She and I are so comfortable together, but it's not a flashy love. She'll be there no matter what and I'll always know what to expect with her.
Today I went for a ride on Baby. My plan called for a hilly ride, plus I was afraid I might get stuck out in the rain and didn't want Freyja to get soaked (and didn't trust myself to ride her in the rain). Also, I wanted to make sure that she is ready for this weekend's adventure. Although the ride on Freyja on Sunday went well (or better, at least), I felt so at ease today on Baby. I guess, when it comes to bikes, it's not a bad thing to have two girlfriends.
Four months from today I will be toeing the starting line at the Patriots Half Triathlon. I will complete the swim before the cutoff time. I will enjoy the bike, take in enough food and liquid to keep myself fueled without getting sick, and I will pass some people who are fast swimmers but slow bikers. I will be thrilled when I get to the run. Fast or slow, I know the run is mine. I will finish the race before the cutoff, I will have barbecue and pizza. I'll go out for dinner and eat even more food. Four months from today.
But first things first, my two girlfriends. I am in love with my tri bike Freyja - truly madly in love. But it's like junior high love. She's pretty and fast (not like that!) and she makes me look cooler than I am. Unfortunately, the love is still superficial. I'm still a little nervous to hang out with her because she might ditch me. I know once we get to know each other better we'll move into a more stable relationship, but we're not there yet.
On the other hand, I am also in love with my roadie Baby - truly madly in love. Like two old people love. Like Carl, the old man in "UP." She knows me and I know her. She's slowing down a little but I can trust her completely. She and I are so comfortable together, but it's not a flashy love. She'll be there no matter what and I'll always know what to expect with her.
Today I went for a ride on Baby. My plan called for a hilly ride, plus I was afraid I might get stuck out in the rain and didn't want Freyja to get soaked (and didn't trust myself to ride her in the rain). Also, I wanted to make sure that she is ready for this weekend's adventure. Although the ride on Freyja on Sunday went well (or better, at least), I felt so at ease today on Baby. I guess, when it comes to bikes, it's not a bad thing to have two girlfriends.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Training 4/28 - 5/4...and conceding defeat...
Defeat should never be a source of discouragement, but rather a fresh stimulus. -- Bishop Robert South
Sunday 4/28 - 4 mile run
Monday 4/29 - 55 minute cycle on Freyja
Tuesday 4/30 - 20 minute swim, 2.26 mile run
Wednesday 5/1 - masters swim, 5.37 mile run
Thursday 5/2 - REST
Friday 5/3 - 3.74 mile run, 20m OWS swim training
Saturday 5/4 - 86 minute cycle (RABA (Richmond Area Bicycling Assocation) new riders' ride- 20 miles), 15 minute swim (time trial/coaching)
It is time to throw in the towel. Not the whole towel, just the towel that assumed that I could improve my swimming sufficiently by going to masters and following plans. I am not getting better fast enough and I am not getting faster fast enough. The time trial on Saturday was just plain embarrassing - 7:36 over 300 meters, or 2:32 per 100 meters. I need to swim better than that - ideally in the 2:00/100 meter range. Hubby and I think it's time to to get some private coaching to get my form to where it needs to be - ASAP. Doing some research today to figure out my options and which will fit into our budget. Of course, I need to look at this as a long time investment - once I learn how to swim properly, I should be able to keep it up through personal practice and I will make improvements just by working masters swim, etc. But continuing to swim poorly, even if I up my volume, is not going to cut it. Thus - defeat becomes a fresh stimulus.
Otherwise, I'm pretty happy with last week's training (except for that mental thing on Tuesday). The RABA ride was a little slow, but part of that was my forgetting to turn off my watch while we were stopped. It stops when I stop, but it started up again when I went to use the ladies' room etc., adding a few minutes here and there unnecessarily. I had a much better ride yesterday - but that's for next week's training update.
Sunday 4/28 - 4 mile run
Monday 4/29 - 55 minute cycle on Freyja
Tuesday 4/30 - 20 minute swim, 2.26 mile run
Wednesday 5/1 - masters swim, 5.37 mile run
Thursday 5/2 - REST
Friday 5/3 - 3.74 mile run, 20m OWS swim training
Saturday 5/4 - 86 minute cycle (RABA (Richmond Area Bicycling Assocation) new riders' ride- 20 miles), 15 minute swim (time trial/coaching)
It is time to throw in the towel. Not the whole towel, just the towel that assumed that I could improve my swimming sufficiently by going to masters and following plans. I am not getting better fast enough and I am not getting faster fast enough. The time trial on Saturday was just plain embarrassing - 7:36 over 300 meters, or 2:32 per 100 meters. I need to swim better than that - ideally in the 2:00/100 meter range. Hubby and I think it's time to to get some private coaching to get my form to where it needs to be - ASAP. Doing some research today to figure out my options and which will fit into our budget. Of course, I need to look at this as a long time investment - once I learn how to swim properly, I should be able to keep it up through personal practice and I will make improvements just by working masters swim, etc. But continuing to swim poorly, even if I up my volume, is not going to cut it. Thus - defeat becomes a fresh stimulus.
Otherwise, I'm pretty happy with last week's training (except for that mental thing on Tuesday). The RABA ride was a little slow, but part of that was my forgetting to turn off my watch while we were stopped. It stops when I stop, but it started up again when I went to use the ladies' room etc., adding a few minutes here and there unnecessarily. I had a much better ride yesterday - but that's for next week's training update.
Friday, May 3, 2013
Weekend plans
Weekends don't count unless you spend them doing something completely pointless. -- Bill Watterson
This coming weekend is the first "restful" weekend we've had in a long time. Between traveling, racing, company, and soccer games, I feel like every weekend has been a race to the finish. I'm not saying this weekend won't also be busy. On the contrary - but there should be some downtime to do something completely pointless - or at least completely fun with the family.
This afternoon after work, I'm going for a little run. Tonight I'm going to another OWS outing...the river isn't too high (5'6") and it hasn't been stormy or raining, so hopefully the current won't be as strong as last time. Tomorrow morning I'm going on a group bike ride with a local bike club - I've never ridden "with" them before, but I have ridden in some of their events. Tomorrow afternoon, there's a swim time trial (not that it is really applicable to me, but hubby wants to go and we should get the girls back in the pool too), plus some swim coaching. And then on Sunday, hubby and I will head out for a long hilly bike ride.
Yeah - it sounds busy - but really, it seems quite manageable. I'm looking forward to most of it...OK, dreading the OWS a little after last time (and last weekend's race), but not so much that I'm not going to do it.
This coming weekend is the first "restful" weekend we've had in a long time. Between traveling, racing, company, and soccer games, I feel like every weekend has been a race to the finish. I'm not saying this weekend won't also be busy. On the contrary - but there should be some downtime to do something completely pointless - or at least completely fun with the family.
This afternoon after work, I'm going for a little run. Tonight I'm going to another OWS outing...the river isn't too high (5'6") and it hasn't been stormy or raining, so hopefully the current won't be as strong as last time. Tomorrow morning I'm going on a group bike ride with a local bike club - I've never ridden "with" them before, but I have ridden in some of their events. Tomorrow afternoon, there's a swim time trial (not that it is really applicable to me, but hubby wants to go and we should get the girls back in the pool too), plus some swim coaching. And then on Sunday, hubby and I will head out for a long hilly bike ride.
Yeah - it sounds busy - but really, it seems quite manageable. I'm looking forward to most of it...OK, dreading the OWS a little after last time (and last weekend's race), but not so much that I'm not going to do it.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Blech.
Fortunately, I was supposed to look confused and disoriented because, God, I felt that way. -- Dick York
I'm not good with changes to my routine, you probably already know that. The last couple days have been thrown off due to an illness in the family we carpool with, meaning I couldn't skip out of work in the afternoon to workout...Monday wasn't so horrible because the plan called for a bike ride and it was raining anyway, so I just put Freyja on the trainer and rode. Yesterday was a short run, short swim. The only time I could go was after dinner. But for many reasons, yesterday I was all discombobulated. I went out for lunch with a bunch of friends and ate way too much. Uh oh. And then I didn't really feel like eating dinner, so I helped cook dinner for the family and went to the Y to run on the treadmill and swim. The run. The whole time I felt really off - like I was not running straight or something. I managed to get most of my run in...I cut it off early so I could get in the pool and swim before picking up my eldest daughter. The swim. Even more of a disaster. I was completely disoriented - couldn't get my body position right, couldn't focus on my stroke, nothing was working. I even grabbed some fins and tried to do the beginner body floats that the Masters coach had me do one night...even that didn't feel right. I'm not sure if it was the change in routine or eating too much for lunch or what, but yesterday was not a good training day. I realize those will happen once in a while, but yesterday sucked.
Of course, if I was Bewitched, I could just wiggle my nose and make everything better!
I'm not good with changes to my routine, you probably already know that. The last couple days have been thrown off due to an illness in the family we carpool with, meaning I couldn't skip out of work in the afternoon to workout...Monday wasn't so horrible because the plan called for a bike ride and it was raining anyway, so I just put Freyja on the trainer and rode. Yesterday was a short run, short swim. The only time I could go was after dinner. But for many reasons, yesterday I was all discombobulated. I went out for lunch with a bunch of friends and ate way too much. Uh oh. And then I didn't really feel like eating dinner, so I helped cook dinner for the family and went to the Y to run on the treadmill and swim. The run. The whole time I felt really off - like I was not running straight or something. I managed to get most of my run in...I cut it off early so I could get in the pool and swim before picking up my eldest daughter. The swim. Even more of a disaster. I was completely disoriented - couldn't get my body position right, couldn't focus on my stroke, nothing was working. I even grabbed some fins and tried to do the beginner body floats that the Masters coach had me do one night...even that didn't feel right. I'm not sure if it was the change in routine or eating too much for lunch or what, but yesterday was not a good training day. I realize those will happen once in a while, but yesterday sucked.
Of course, if I was Bewitched, I could just wiggle my nose and make everything better!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)