I don't know what it is about swimming, one day you can have the worst and slowest swim, then a week later it can be effortless and fast. Today was one of those effortless and fast swims. Which is surprising. I haven't swam since last Wednesday and during that swim, I got tired and slower near the end.
I think today's 400 meters of drills before the main sets helped condition me to reach and twist my body more than normal.
The entire swim I got stronger as the session went on. I even added an extra 500 meters at the end for good measure. I did 4 x 350 meters and for each of the four sets I averaged: 1:40/100m, 1:38/100 m, 1:38/100 m and the final was 1:36/100m. Then I did 4 x 50's at :45, :43, :43, and :42.
It was an unbelievable swim. Especially since I haven't been putting in lots of pool time. Although, I can't get cocky. The one thing about swimming is, "It's here today and gone tomorrow". I sure hope it stays with me, at least until after Sundays race.
Tonight I pulled the trigger and registered for the "HSBC Welland Half Ironman" on Sunday. I'm looking forward to it and I'm not. I'm a little worried about my calf cramping during the swim. It was bothering me ever so slightly in the pool today. I think the cold water triggers it.
I'm also a little nervous. I haven't done a half since Clearwater last November. My legs are so beat up and flat right now I'm not sure how they'll perform. My final concern is my stomach and getting the "Sh*ts" during or after the run. I'm thinking of trying an all liquid and gel energy plan. I don't think I'm going to go for the egg McMuffin this time around. I only break out the McDonald's food for full Ironmans or long training sessions.
It was a well balanced day of training. I swam in the morning and did a biking speed work session after dinner. I loved it, especially going as hard as I could into the wind. On the way back, with the wind at my back, I was holding 52-58 kph for decent periods of time. It felt awesome. A couple times I worried about my handlebar pads shearing off when I hit a bump. It happened to me last year when I was going fast and hit a bump. It was scary and luckily I didn't take a major spill.
Tonight I also ordered some PFG Triathlon Club merchandise which included a sleeveless shirt, a beer stein, a wall clock and a label. I'll post pictures when I get them.
On the gift side, I got a Caricature a friend did for me. He's planning to start a Caricature business. I think it looks awesome and want to do something with it. Maybe a label or shirt. If anyone has any cool ideas of how I could display it, please let me know.
Speed swim - 1:18:38 / 3500 meters
Speed bike - 57:25 / 30.29 km / 31.6 kph
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7 comments:
good effort on the swim! You are so right about the randomness in wich we have good or bad days in the pool. Hope it stays OK and good luck on Sunday!, you'll kill it.
Swimming... its honestly like someone messing with you.
One day it can be your best friend, there to pick you up and encourage you and praise you, and the next it can be beating the living daylights out of you and making a point to make your life a living hell. That is the way I see it at least, maybe you and swimming have a different relationship?
Your bike work is disgusting. I am lucky to get half your speed WITH the wind. Solid performance man.
So where do you put all your race hardware?! Do you even keep half of them anymore haha! Another HIM medal to toss in the box!
Be careful with all liquid. I have had issues in the past with that during runs, you have to piss a lot and sometimes it makes it out the other opening... all liquid (McDonalds would at least allow an onion or two to come out).
You should get the caricature air brushed on Reid's wetsuit for his first ever tri.
PS I love the new PFG logos haha. I will be ordering some merch soon. Still recovering from the HIM registration for the two of us and the hotel room. Apparently its not a smart idea to wait til 1 month out to book your room?! We have a hefty drive race day... sigh.
Good luck on the Half, that's short notice! For swimming, I've found when I relax it feels the easiest, irregardless of the effort.
Good luck on the half, you will nail it I am sure! Now, do yourself a favour, stop over thinking the damn thing! will I sh%t, will I cramp, will I go fast, am I tired, am I fat.........It is not your A race, you are doing it as part of your training, so go and train and enjoy the birds and flowers along the road! You will learn a lot for IMLP from it and have a great race like you did at your last 1/2IM distance. Keep on going you mad man!
the caricature could become part ot the Training Payne logo Tri race shirt?! I should be able to wear my pFG shirt in about 2.5 weeks...need to get back on that training horse!~
-D
Good luck on the half - you are going to rock it. I hope your GI issues don't bother you (a nice way of saying I hope you don't sh#t yourself).
NO McD's! Till after. Then have McD's and Coors.
AMAZING swimming. Can I borrow your motor sometime? I envy that bike speed! You rock.
That caricature? Awesome. You could make it one of those temp tattoos? T Shirt? I like Matty O's idea.
V, thanks, aprechiate it.
M, Thanks. I totally agree on the swim comment. It's bipolar. Hey, hey, hey, I have all the race hardware, other than 2 ironman medals that my daughter lost in the sand box when she was 3 years old. haha. I keep them nicely thrown in my top dresser drawer and all the ribbons are tangled together. I love the wetsuit idea. haha. I hear you on the $$$ side. Tri's aren't cheap. To bad about not getting a cheap and close room.
K, thanks for the tip.
J, Thnaks. Hey, I'm a girl deep down, I always have to over think. haha. Thanks again.
D, I like the idea. Getty up on that horse. haha. Don't sweat it, we've all been there.
M, Thanks. GI sounds so nice and clean. haha. I love the temp tattoo idea.
B
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