Yes!
Finally, feeling a little positive attitude towards training. Its been a week since my last post (that sounds like I’m at confessional) and I have to say that I’m starting to come out of the doldrums. I’ve done a couple of workouts lately, but am challenged now by assuming another project that is taking up an inordinate amount of time. Still, I’m moving in a positive direction and thats good.
Today I took my first ever (we’re talking lifetime here) swim lesson. I learned a great deal in 30 minutes today. Now, lately I’ve been swimming decent distances for a non-swimmer (1500 meters, 250 sets etc), but I was informed today that I’m doing it all wrong. What I have failed to realize until now is that swimming is 80% technique, 5% relaxation and 15% effort. A little confusing if you think about it. ”If I relax I’ll go faster?”. The coach showed me that moving through the water is not difficult if I understand how to relax, which will impart a certain amount of natural bouyancy. So, I’ve now learned 5 new drills, some easy and some hard. I looked funny doing the “chicken stroke”, which is no more that a drill where your hand is held in your armpit and then your stroke consists of your elbows moving 2x their normal sped to keep you moving. This looks funny but helps to keep your elbow on top. This drill graduates into the wrist drill, then finger drill (just dragging them across the water) and finally the full stroke. The drill I’m going to love to hate, even though it has already taught me so much, is the 3/10 (or 10/10) drill. This is where you swim on your side, one arm down the side and the other out in front of you and you basically just kick and manage your bouancy. After 10 kicks you rotate your shoulders, add 3 strokes, and do the other side. This is a great drill and is teaching me the proper body position and method on how to roll, breath and get a proper stretch (very important) while being efficient.
Enough about my swim lesson for now (I’ll update you guys again after next weeks lesson). I plan on going to the pool a minimum of 5 days per week from here on out, 2 days for drills, 2 days of speed work and one long ass swim. I need to be doing 2000 meters in an hour by 7:30 am May 15th. No excuses. To that end, I’ll be working out 2x per day from here on out. The Tri club is starting up their Wednesday night sessions after March 14th and I’ll be sure to be in those rides.
One final note. Last weekend I attended the ‘See-Me 2010′ expo in Atlanta with my buddy Marcus. Not quite what I expected in terms of an “Expo” but was not disappointing either. I learned of some great events being hosted locally here and will be posting some of them in my blog as I decide whether to participate or not. My favorite local (Atlanta) triathlete store was in the house (all 3 sports) as well as my local Tri club (Tri Peachtree City Triathlon Club). Triathlete.fm was on location as well. These guys (Scott and JD!) seemed to be having the most fun of all, doing interviews with local pro’s, bike shops, triclubs and even speaking with lowely beginner triathletes like myself. I’d highly recommend checking out Scott and JD’s podcasts as they are doing a great job of bringing the sport of Triathlon into the mainstream by providing professionals in the sport a platform to promote and educate.
