So, I’ve been swimming. No running, no cycling.
Just me and the pool.
I swam 1800yrds last night. I did this last Friday as well. I am not a strong swimmer. I do not have great technique, but it’s getting better. I am not built for swimming – there’s a reason most elite swimmers are tall.
But when I got in the pool last night I embraced the fact that this water was the only medium in which I could exercise.
I took 5 minutes off my time from last week.
Oh yeah, you read that right.
(of course, the time was still only 41:12 for just over a mile…but I already shaved 5minutes off..that must be good for something).
Last night I went to my home pool, rather than the Nashua Y. (I am currently splitting time between my legal residence and Andy’s place. I had not been in my home pool since early January).
I was fortunate enough to have my own lane, and by the halfway point of my workout I had the entire pool to myself.
Swimming in the pool alone is a much more fulfilling experience for me. I get into a trancelike state when I swim. I don’t think I would ever be a very good competitive swimmer, even if I knew how to swim properly. I love racing on an indoor track, listening to the cheers of the crowd and the splits from my coach, constantly aware of everything that is going on in my race, everything that is going on around me. It’s the same way in a criterium – people cheering, someone announcing the race, everyone sticking out elbows and sprinting for primes and attacking.
When I train for running or cycling, I can recall the ambiance of a typical race and replicate the experience in my mind. I often find myself picking up the pace on training runs or rides if I start imagining a race like situation.
In the pool I have no competitive energy to channel. I am amazed at how being in the water just blocks everything else out. Nothing to see but the line below, nothing to hear but the water rushing by. I have issues with chronic ear infections, so I have to swim with ear plugs. This means that all sound is muted and the water environment takes on an almost cocoon like effect on me. Just me, the water, no sound, not much to see, gliding along through the nothingness. Hit the wall, turn. Repeat.
I do not love swimming and I know that when this period of injury induced rest is over I will gladly jump back on the bike and the track. But in the meantime I am enjoying the process of learning something new, of making little adjustments to my form, of having the ever so infrequent epiphany where I finally get the stroke or the breathing right.
Last night was a thoroughly enjoyable time spent in the pool, and I left feeling an ever so slight endorphin high…not quite like I ran, but like I at least moved my body somewhat.
Hey, I did move it. I moved it an entire mile. That’s something, right?
February 9th, 2008 | 
Hell yeah, that’s good for something. Not sure what yet, but definitely something
Ahh, you are in a state of readiness, Grasshopper! As you noticed, now that you’re not using all your concentration just trying to not to drown, you can start enjoying the subtle variations of stroke mechanics. Feel the pressure of the water against your fingers as you pull the water past your body. Gauge your swimming speed by the sensation of water flowing across your skin. Once you stop fighting the water, you can start playing with it. This will be a lot more fun this summer in open water.
And I’m amazed you can swim at all with those block ankles of yours. Are they getting more flexible?
NO, my ankles still suck. Any advice on how to make the most of my impending period of potential forced rest? I swam 2400yrds today – 4×600 yrds, but I focused on drills today (fingertip drag on the second and third set). I was slower than yesterday but I swam the longest distance and time yet – around 54minutes for the entire workout.
I have lots of swimming advice, but most of it is based on my assumptions and your descriptions of your swimming. First, I assume you’ve been getting some coaching. All of the different drills are powerful tools. Do them until you don’t realize it any more. I often swim at the same time as the masters swimming program, and all the drills they were doing were things I remembered doing 20 years ago, and still do today without thinking. You’ve already described that sublime feeling when you happen upon a particularly efficient stroke variation and suddenly swim both faster and easier.
Second, your feet must be acting as an anchor unless you kick like mad. Try doing significant distance using a pull buoy to rest your legs and keep your heels at the surface – you’ll also be able to do much finer refinements to your upper body mechanics.
Third, remember how much harder it is to get your heart rate up in the water. Something about the buoyancy and cooling effects, no doubt. I don’t worry about doing sprints – I have plenty of hills to run. I only use the swimming for long workouts and short recovery days, and everything is done at a brisk, but not sprinting, pace. You’ll probably want to do some high HR work, and you know what that means. Workouts like 20 x 25 yds all out with 5 breaths rest. That was always a favorite.
Finally, play with the water! It’s fun! (And keep setting specific time/distance goals – the 40 minute mile is an obvious one. How about a 500 yd block in 10 minutes? A minute per lap for 10 laps.)
You’re a swimmer. Heh.
While I’m not the world’s best swimmer, I’ve definitely seen an improvement in Kerry’s form and speed. Quite apart from that improvement, she’s getting more confident in the water and just by doing the fingertip drill alone, her rotation in the water is getting better. She still needs to get her elbows up a little better and work on the angle of entry of her hands, so we’re going to work on that some more today. Drills, drills and more drills are in the cards …
whos taking care of the cat when you are at andys?
The cat moved into Andy’s weeks ago. He’s got another cat roommate now.