Beth and Yanti's 2010 Manatees--Closed (Page 15)

Resources for swim workouts:

i thought it might be helpful to mention a couple of resources that i know of for swim workouts

BT of course is a great resource - here are some links to beginner plans from BT
http://beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=755
http://beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=777
http://beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=801




i also really like swimplan.com - you register and then enter some basic information, reason for swimming, skill level, strokes, etc - you then have access to free swim programs - the site creates programs for you based on the information you provided

- i print them off and put them in a gallon size baggie to keep them dry at the pool - generally i do end up tweaking them some, but that's just me

oh, and the site is free

another resource is   Workouts in a Binder:  Swim workotus for Triathletes - Gale Bernhardt

it's a great book of workouts and it's waterproof so you can set it up right on the edge of the pool - i would say these workouts are geared toward a somewhat experienced swimmer for the most part - jmho

hope this is helpful

Counting laps has been a source of frustration for me as well, going on 3 years now! I do think having a structured workout on paper has helped me. I, too, print them out from swimplan.com or other sources and then put them in a ziplock bag and put it by the side of the pool. It will break it into  50s, 100s, etc. which are much easier to count.

Other methods, I only count the 50's and 100's, not the 25s. Another BT friend recommends saying loudly in your head 100, 200, etc. and only doing flipturns on the 00s, if you're into flipturns. Another method is using the alphabet to count each lap. So I'd swim down the 25 and back to complete a 50 and that would be A, then in my head on the next down and back I'd say words that begin with the letter "A" then I'd move on to "B" and so forth. That might be a little Sesame Street for you, I don't know. Another method is the pebbles or pennies method. Everytime you come to the side, you slip your hand up on the deck and move a penny. Again I would only count the 50s.

Then there are the rings that count laps and the counters you put on the side of the pool and punch/push. If you have a watch that does laps and is waterproof, you could push the lap button at each lap. There you have it, my ideas, fwiw.

Mia, here are some ways to get bikes besides buying a new one:
- Ask friends, neighbors, and coworkers. Lots of people have bikes they don't use and have forgotten about. This is how I got mine, actually.
- Craigslist. Look under "For Sale" and there's a whole section for bikes. There's also the "Free" section... http://asheville.craigslist.org/ 
- The Classifieds section of your local newspaper.  
- Freecycle. Just go to http://www.freecycle.org/ and put your zip code or your city and state in the box. Then you can find all the people in your area who want to give away perfectly good stuff for free!

Thank you Rebecca.

My husband bought his bike from Craigslist for a great price ($600 I think) so I'll be looking there too.

I actually got off the couch yesterday and went to the pool. I swam and practised breathing for about 45 min. Breathing is hard, so much harder then I thought.

Well, I've decided to start the original 13 week sprint traning plan next week. So I'll have more things to say here.

I'm thinking of buying a wetsuit from xterra, $149 is a really good price I think.

Anyone have any thoughts about them?

I'm thinking of buying new shoes as well at one point. The ones I have now are getting old, but they will proberly do for 3-6 months still.

/Mia

Uh... not sure really.

Thanks for the head pat Melyssa :) Actually, I think of you sometimes -- it is AMAZING to me that you're doing this while studying, working, and raising 3 kids!

You are right -- one day at a time, wherever possible.

Oh, and we call them general practitioners here in the US too.

Edited by Silver Bullet 2010-01-27 8:02 PM

missyNZ - 2010-01-28 12:55 AM

Triathlynne - 2010-01-25 8:20 AM

Melyssa, can I come visit you?  It looks beautiful where you live! I have friends that are in NZ just now and also one old friend that lives there

Of course you can!  If you don't mind semi-tamed children...  And it IS beautiful, especially in the South Island where I live

Ha. I work as a nanny for 11 year old twin boys and their 7 year old sister. LOL

So can anyone advise me on cleaning my bike chain?

tinkerbeth - 2010-01-29 8:52 AM Hi Manatees

Just wanted to let you know I'll be gone for the next few days, i'm headed to St Louis to visit my parents

have a great weekend everyone - i'll get caught up when i'm back in town

Glad I just happened to stop by - BE GOOD, TINKY!!!  And be safe!