JohnnyKay's Group - FULL (Page 2)

I've been using the Total Immersion book and DVD.  It definitely seems to help.  I usually will do 1/3 drills, then 2/3 laps.  I'm scheduled to watch the next section of drills tonight for my swim workout tomorrow.  When I started, I couldn't swim one lap without feeling like I'd explode.  I'm up to doing 100 yard repeats with about 20 second break in between.  I'm trying to swim 2-3 times a week, but with Christmas and the end of the year, that plan is getting shot to heck right about now.

I can't make it to my local masters groups because they all meet at 5:30-7:00, and with family and commute time it's impossible to make it.  Hence, I swim the 20yd pool at the Y during my lunch.  I'm trying to round up a coach to come watch me and give pointers, but so far its pretty difficult to find one.  I think I'm a decent self coach, so we'll see how it goes.

Ha... yeah, that is (was) always great for early morning workouts when I was still tired. 

Same from me! 

I'll be busy this week, but checking in when I can.  Happy training (but remember to enjoy the family time this week as well)! 

Happy Holidays!

Constance,

Hope you have a safe trip and a happy visit!  Enjoy spending time with the family!

I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday.  I was able to spent some great quality time with family and friends.  Some workouts here and there but nothing worth writing home about.

Starting a new basic week on Jan 1.

Mon - am run or off

Tue - am swim & pm bike trainer

Wed - pm teach spin class, then take yoga class

Thurs - am swim & pm run

Fri - am run

Sat  - bike

Sun  - run or brick

What do you guys think? 

Looks pretty good to me too.  Not sure all the constraints you have in a typical week, but I might consider putting a run on wed am and then making mon or fri a "swim or off" day.  Swimming seems to work better if you're going to make it an "active" recovery day.  This would also give you the option of missing a Tues or Thurs swim sometimes if you're going to get the Mon or Fri swim done.  It would also have you running at least 4x/wk.  Greater frequency can be a big help in any sport, but running seems to get the most benefit in general. 

Just some thoughts.

Thank you for the feedback...I think I will switch up the days.

Add a Monday morning swim and a Wednesday morning run.  This should balance my long weekend workouts with a mid week long day and give me one more swim session for the week.

Mornings do work best for me...I can get in 2 hour workout on a good morning.

Ok, I figure everyone is settling back into the training routine after the holidays.  Since I'm by far the least experienced triathlete (and I hesitate to even call myself that), I'm going to begin drawing on y'alls collective wisdom and ask many questions in hopes of reaching your collective heights of knowledge and athletic prowess.  Here are the first few, which focus on my limiter event - swimming:

1)  When breathing during swimming, should I have my mouth open in more of a round position, and breath like I'm breathing in the cold air so that you can see my breath?  Or should I have my lips more pursed, like blowing out a candle?  I tried the more round position today, and found I was able to blow out more gently and more quickly bring in air.  Am I doing this right?

2)  Is there a secret to having goggles fit and keep the water out without having to cinch them to my face?  If I have the straps where the pressure feels comfortable, when I roll my head up to breath, water seeps in from the side.  In order to make it the seal watertight, I basically tighten the straps so much that after 45 minutes I'm close to having a headache.  Is there some secret to this?  Should I buy smaller goggles?  (If so, does that mean ladies goggles?  Kids?)

3)  Without using the nose clips, is there a way to not have water gush up my nose while swimming?  I've tried to swim without the clips, but end up cleaning out my sinuses instead ... not quite the most pleasant experience.  Any tips?

Well, I've jumped in with both fins ... I mean, feet.  Any help or suggestions?  (Besides sticking to golf?)

Noz may have the best advice, but here's mine:

1)  Do whatever's comfortable.  The most imprtant thing is to make sure you fully exhale underwater.  Then you should not have much trouble getting air in when you breath.

2) A good fitting pair of goggles should form a seal on your face without having to tighten the straps.  Different goggles fit people differently.  I haven't had much trouble finding a pair that fits, but others have had to try numerous designs to find ones that work. 

3) I don't have much problem with this so no real advice. 

Thanks for all the replies.  Here's a bit more info, so chime in with what you think.

While I've competed in a sprint tri before (5 years ago), I've only been swimming for the last 2 months.  I realize the technical nature of the swim, so I really want to focus on developing good form, and hence, efficiency.  I will not quit on the swim, as I do enjoy my pool time.  Just hoping to get better.

While nowhere near perfect, my stroke isn't all that bad.  I can usually keep up with people at the pool for a lap, without trying to race or anything, but I have zero stamina, due to not getting enough oxygen.   Just today, while doing triple underswitch drills, I passed the lady to the right of me, and kept pace with the guy to the left - both of whom were steadily swimming laps.  This while not even really trying to swim fast or anything.   

When I used to breath, I would purse my lips, and blow forcefully out of my mouth.  When I would surface, I wasn't quite through breathing, so I would end up "spitting" out the last bit of air before trying to open my mouth more to breath in.  It would seem like I could never get enough air in my system, thus I had no endurance.   However, I got to goofing around, and tried blowing out more "gently" with an open or round mouth.  I found that when I broke the surface, I didn't have to push out that last bit of air before breathing in.  That, and my mouth was already gaping and open, ready to suck in some oxygen.  I swam a few laps this way, and while my form was breaking down, felt like I was breathing easier.  Just wondering if this was a one time deal, or I discovered the way to breath.

As for air up my nose, I can't tell you when exactly it occurs, just that it does.  I have no problems when I use the clips, just wondering if there's also some secret to not flooding my sinus cavities in the first 10 minutes of a workout.  Trust me, it sucks to get to the end of the lane and look like a glazed donut. 

I reckon I'll just have to try another brand of goggles.  I didn't think I'd have to cinch them so tight in order to get them to work properly.

Ok, anymore advice/diagnoses?

I feel your pain with goggles.  I went through several brands before finding some that fit.  Lucky for me, my wife is a swimmer, so I passed off my uncomfortable goggles to her. 

Another swimming question - I swear I'm not crazy or anything, but why do I have to pee all day long after a morning swim session?  Constance, is this a guy thing or do you experience this too?  Am I taking in that much water?  Do any of you experience the same thing? 

I'm not sure if it smells like chlorine...I'll get back to you on that, but it is clear.  And no it does not burn. 

Let me know any suggestions, in the meantime,  let's get back to CarolinaLaw's swim questions.

Thanks for all the replies.  And Timberleaf, I'm definitely not trying to hijack the thread.  If you've got questions, throw them out there.  I just figured I'd see what everyone had to say to this newbie.

Noz, as for my breathing, I breathe bilaterally.  Everything I've read says you are at an advantage if you can comfortably breathe on both sides, as open swim race conditions may require you to only breathe on one side.  If that's your weak side, or the side you can't breathe on, then you've got problems.  I breathe every 3 strokes, fwiw. 

I'll just keep using the clips, as so far, I've had no issues with them slipping, and it truly does help me.  I reckon I'll buy another pair of goggles and see if those work.  I currently use Speedo goggles - any brands you care to recommend?

And Timberleaf, while I don't have to pee after swimming, I always end up feeling bloated.  I mean, my pants fit differently after a swim workout.  Not quite sure why that is.

Here's a new question for y'all - should I go out and get swim training aids?  If so, which ones?  Fins?  A swim buoy?  Those swim gloves?  Right now I don't use any of those, but I think the buoy in particular could help.  I have very large legs which like to sink, so it would be nice to have something to help keep afloat.  I'm trying desperately not to end up the crazy kicking beginner swimmer.