STEPH SPRINT FULL Let's do this thing! StephSprint group FULL! (Page 13)

So, I had a bit of break through on swimming.  I finally learned to do a flip turn, well sorta. I had the pool to myself the other morning and decided to give it a go.  It took a few times to get the flip and at first was ending perpendicular to the lane.  finally got a few in a row and tried a couple of laps.  It was very different when trying to time the flip with my breath.  I tried it again today and it is getting easier.  I was only trying it in the deep end and still doing an open turn on the shallow side.  I found I am holding my breath during the turn and not breathing out, so I will have to work on that and to make the flip quicker.

 I decided to learn flip turns since I tend to grab the wall and get an extra breath when doing an open turn. I have tried to not grab the wall, but I just don't have enough momentum to make the turn with grabbing the wall. I figured the flip turn would prevent me from doing both.  

On another note:  what does everyone eat before a race?  I saw Lovely's comment about switching to a protein shake, which got me thinking would a change in my pre-race diet help me perform better.  I typically eat a banana and a couple of eggs and sometimes with some bacon and other fruit.  Depends on how early I am up and how much time I have. 

Isn't it AWFUL!?!? well, I have to admit it's good for napping, but I need to get ready for work. Blah! I have yet to use my new foot pod. Where do you live? I'm in the Brickell area, pardon me if I already asked you... you are south, yes?
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"There are no shortcuts to any place worth going."
Beverly Sills

I am in the Cutler Bay Area right across the street for the Larry and Penny Thompson park. I  am so close to the Start of the Miami man course that is why i ride it so much.

Well they just posted the offical results to the race I just ran in.  I was wrong.  I thought the clock said 44:01 when I crossed the finish line, but they have me listed as 44:24...must of been the lack of oxygen lol.  Anyways I placed 180th over all and 9th in my age group.  Again my place doesnt matter...I had two goals and I accomplished them...first was to finish, second was to do it in 50 minutes.  Im glad my first race was such a success...can't wait for more.

I tried to go paperless, too. I just couldn't do it. My system seems a bit archaic these days, but it works for me! Sounds like it would work for you...I love color-coding, too (two type A peas in a pod?).

I have my first tri (mini-sprint) coming up this weekend, Ragnar Chicago June 9-10 (or somewhere around then) and Marine Corps Marathon in October. That's it. Maybe an OD tri if I can find one in my area this year and probably will throw in some local 5-10k's since I miss them. Didn't do many last year because of my schedule b/t Jan 2011 to Jan 2012 (3 fulls, 3 halfs, 1 Ragnar).

As for logging, my coach uses TrainingPeaks to assign workouts and I log results there for him and on DailyMile for my personal record. Love them both! 

stephsprint - 2012-05-01 1:06 PM 
Not to be a downer, but flip turns aren't really the best thing for tri-swimming. You swim less and there are no walls in the open water to push off of. A flip turn is cool though. I usually eat half a Power Bar and some coffee. (coffee helps assure poopage) Sometimes I'll have a gel 5 mins before the start.

That is one reason I held off from trying them for so long.  I need to know that extra breath I get when I do an open turn is not helping me catch my breath.  I have found at times when I get more tired I naturally pause during the turn.  I figured I would give it a go for a bit and can always go back.

--Marcus

LOL .. poopage at the wrong time is one of my fears.  I hate to admit it, but came close on a long run one day and had to cut it short.  The whole rest of the way looking for a spot in case I couldn't make it, running through scenarios if I was caught dropping trow.  Even contemplated knocking on the door of a random house.. feared the rejection would stop from making it home.  I did make it.. barely.

--Marcus

otisbrown - 2012-05-01 4:25 PM

stephsprint - 2012-05-01 1:06 PM 
Not to be a downer, but flip turns aren't really the best thing for tri-swimming. You swim less and there are no walls in the open water to push off of. A flip turn is cool though. I usually eat half a Power Bar and some coffee. (coffee helps assure poopage) Sometimes I'll have a gel 5 mins before the start.

That is one reason I held off from trying them for so long.  I need to know that extra breath I get when I do an open turn is not helping me catch my breath.  I have found at times when I get more tired I naturally pause during the turn.  I figured I would give it a go for a bit and can always go back.

--Marcus

The only time I tried flip turns my googles came off.

1.5K straight through in the pool today!!! So when I get to the end of the lane I used to touch the deck and turn around. Now I get to the end, tread water as I turn around, and lightly touch the wall with my feet with the least amount of push off. Also went 40 mins on the stationary bike today.  

Anyone else get "competitive" against unsuspecting users of the pool/track/road? Such as other runners, walkers, bike riders, and swimmers in the lane next to you. For examples: A few weeks ago I was doing a 10mi LSD run at the park. Our local highschool baseball team was warming up for a game and one of the kids decides to run a fast mile on the track. He starts in about 100yds ahead of me on mile 8. I chased him down and was on his heels by the time he pulled off---Today I was into  1200 yards in the pool when some kid starts doing fast laps in the lane next to me. I stayed with him for two laps until he paused to talk to his GF. These moments always seem to break away from the intended workout of the day, but I try to think of them as race practice. But the other people never have any clue that I want to race them. I also like chasing down and passing old ladies walking their dogs. Makes me feel fast  

Nicely done on the swim.

Yes, I race any and everyone, little kids, dogs old ladies with walkers... its on!

 Sadly, I seldom win in the pool.. usually end up with .. there she goes passing me again.. is she doing a back stroke?? damm she is like 80..  

Some of the runs I do is in a loop. When I pass someone head on  I try to make sure I cover more than 1/2 before I see them again. 

--Marcus

Does anyone have any recommendations on where to buy tri-shorts online?

Thanks

Marcus

I also like chasing down and passing old ladies walking their dogs. Makes me feel fast  

Yes, I race any and everyone old ladies with walkers... its on!

 Sadly, I seldom win in the pool.. usually end up with .. there she goes passing me again.. is she doing a back stroke?? damm she is like 80..