A vision for my life - Because what we focus on expands

Friday, July 20, 2007

07/20/07: Random Thoughts

First off, best of luck to Kellie at IM Lake Placid this weekend, which is supposedly one of the most challenging courses, due to all of the climbing on the bike. Not quite sure how you trained for all of the hill climbing you're about to do, but would like to find out when you get back!! Have a great race and remember: Swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, run 26.2 miles, BRAG FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. It's mind over matter, if you don't mind, it doesn't matter.

Next, thanks to Coach Carrie for all of the form work in the pool last night. Ahhh...the benefits of having a coach who really understands swimming form and efficiency.

I can describe in great detail the proper swimming stroke; I just can't do it to save my life...yet. Just because I know how to swim properly, and think I'm actually swimming somewhat efficiently and with good form, doesn't mean I really am, as proven by my split times. That's where good coaching comes in. A good coach can see what should be happening versus what's actually happening and close the gap between the two.

Although we worked on a lot of things last night, the one that seemed to make the most difference was my hand entering the water index finger first. That set up the correct catch and pull, so that I was maximizing (or at least improving) the propulsion. She also recommended that I get a set of Zoomer fins to refine my kick a bit and work on ankle flexibility, which I ordered this morning.

Even with all of the form work, I still got in 2900 yds (Episcopal has a swim meet this weekend, so they changed the pool to short course; therefore, yds instead of meters):

WU: 300 swim, 100 kick, 200 pull (was supposed to be 200 swim, 200 kick, 200 pull - I cheated, thus the need for a better kick and getting some fins)

10x100 decreasing stoke count by one each 25 - VERY cool drill

8x50 im (I substituted freestyle for butterfly)

100 kick, 200 pull, 300 swim, 200 pull, 100 kick

Awesome workout! Thanks Carrie!!

Too bad she's only willing to coach once per week :(

This afternoon is a 30 minute zone 1 recovery ride to stretch out my legs before this weekend's 2 hour run, 3.5 hour ride and 2500m continuous swim.

Live with purpose....Enjoy the adventure.

4 comments:

Tea said...

Such great progress on your swim! One day, it'll all come together, and you'll be mistaken for some kind of sea creature at IM.

todd said...

Nice work Andrew. You do pretty darn well for a "bad" swimmer.

Spokane Al said...

I know the feeling of knowing the proper way of swimming vs. implimenting it.

And good luck on the Zoomer fins - they tore up me feet so bad every time I put them on I ended up giving them to Goodwill.

The Stretch Doc said...

dude your crankn that swimming!! Nice job..


rockon`