JFord Bradleyd3 2013 Spring Group- Closed (Page 24)

Look at all those miles you put in...rode your bike to Vail, did some cross country skiing, ran back home to CA, then swam to TX.  I would say that is a heck of a training week!!!  However you look at it, it sure sounds like you had fun.  I have had to take a couple days off training since my big one's birthday.  he got a couple model rockets he wanted to build and launch.  Other than that been trying to do more dual workouts each day just to get the miles in.  I am excited for Friday.  I got my new Adamo Prologue seat in and am finally getting it fit to my bike!

Noel, I wish I could use all those miles toward my endurance! 

Renee, A sprint!  Ive never had a self-sort, but im sure youve swam 500 straight prior tho Sundays sprint right?  How long was that swim?  I'd go with that time as opposed to the 55m@55 sec.  Just me tho!  Have a great time!  cant wait for the update!

Question:  Weak swimmer here!  I know! i KNOW...need to get a coach to fix my swim issues! But since Ive been really trying to stick to my BT plan I'm having a tough time using their swim workouts. Especially if there's lots of drills and such.  When Im trying to go fast, I suck.  Form sucks.  I'm slower.  I feel sloppy.  It's not good.  When I take it easy I can concentrate on form (well...better form).  So my question is since my form is SO flawed should I just do the distances and forget thedrills?  Maybe throw in a few sprints throughout?  ....at least till I get some feed back on my form- going to look into it today.  Whatcha think?  

I think you get no sympathy from any of us after spending a week skiing! I love to ski! and I am jealous!

Personally, I would continue with the drills. The drills are aimed at focusing on something, whether it is entry, pull, the catch, they are designed to work on something. You can just swim lap after lap, but if the form and technique are bad, then it will not help you as much. Is there a Master's Class you could join? They usually have a coach on deck and they can help you with form. A few classes with a coach watching might be the thing you need!

To me swimming is all about technique and breathing. Once you get those things down (or as close as possible on technique), then you will find more speed. Ever heard the "slow down to speed up" line? I think that definately applies to swimming.

How many strokes does it take you to go 50 yards?

Elena - I agree with James:  I am so jealous of your trip.  I lived in CO for 4 yrs and miss it so much.  As for swimming, once I got up to 1000m, I bought a pull buoy and paddles.  That really helped my form (hips rocking and pulling).  Also, that little transition break helps.  

it's all about form/technique; speed comes after....oh yeah, one guy taught me to tuck my chin to my chest to get my head more underwater.

The tools and tip have really made a difference in my swimming.  Good luck!

great ride last night (25 miles or 1:38) on trainer, good swim today 1600 yards-31:01 (1st swim in 2 weeks)

Feels like I am back to getting on track with my plan, I was afraid I would lose a lot of fitness with not training for 2 weeks due to my cold, but all in all I am feeling pretty optimistic!

Hmph.  Wasnt expecting your comments about swimming..the sticking to the drills part.  I called a local aquatics center yesterday to inquire again about lessons or masters or some class to improve my form.  Little bit of a bummer that its 30 min away but super awesome facility. I really shouldnt complain.   Anyhoo, Theres a "pre-masters" class which is essentially one-on-one with a teacher. 4 lessons @ $160!!  Holy crap!  Too much.  Oh and that does NOT include member fees!!  So ouch.  However they do have a masters class 3x a week at a much reasonable rate -I think $35 for residents.  Im not a resident tho. My only issue is that I am just SO intimidated to be thrown in a pool with great swimmers.  I know!!!...dork I am.  I plan to do a drop-in to give her a try.  Wish me luck.  Thanks for the imput!

MKennedy: did you write your letter yet?   Theyre really pushing it pretty close to race day.  Hope it works out. 

James: 2 Weeks?  dude. Thats a lot of down time.  Hope your groove comes back! And good ride & swim!

Im highly motivated now that I watched Texas70.3!  I know how last years training went for aquabike, doing mostly what the training required.  But now I want more!  I want to improve and become stronger. This week was a great week, but mostly because the training was only at about 9 hrs.  Next week i think its at 11-12.  So lets see if I can hang.    Long run for me tomorrow. Then long ride on Sunday.  Have a good weekend. Enjoy!

Yes!  Ive never actually tried this until TODAYS swim.  It took a few laps to get comfortable with it.  This felt mych differnet thatn "swim downhill".  I wonder, could THIS be (part of) my issue?

Also, I counted my strokes 4 different times throughout my swim today.  Gym has a 25yd pool.  Stroke count for the 4 times @25 yd: 24, 24,25,26 (eac h time an arm went into the water, I counted that as one.)  Now teach me about stroke length and why its important. { My garmin 910 says: Average stroke length=10.3.   Average Swolf=46 ...swolf??? what the hell is Swolf? Last length strokes=12 } ....expensive watch...no idea how to use it.  lol  Love that I dont have to count laps tho!!!! HA! 

Next great swim tip: stolen from someone else of course....combine swimming downhill (tucked chin) and now try 2 things:

1.  rock or rotate hips more than you do now as you swim.  You will have stronger strokes and create a 'bubble' of water for you legs to pass thru with less drag.  

2. As you breathe, (you are looking back with crown of head in water, and chin tucked not to the side) hold that hand out front for a nanosecond and get a good breath.  This prevents legs from dropping and dragging so much.  All of this assumes you breath every 4th stroke (counting both left and right strokes).  

I am going to swim open water in the morning.  this will be a first - need the practice.  If I don't post up by Monday, someone say something nice at my funeral.  

Good luck Michelle....sounds sketchy.  That will suck if a 'no go'. 

Glad my lessons from the school of hard knocks on swimming help a little.  I am still a neophyte at this stuff I promise.  I am really focused on form and drills though.  And volume....the volume is helping a ton.

Good luck Elena, I am sure the focus and effort will reap rewards.  For what is worth - I have grown to like swimming with the little hand paddles and pull buoy.  Helps with form and rocking hips side to side a lot. 

Stuart?  update?  

Brad?   you both have IM dates upcoming .....like 30 days right?   

I did the RedBud Ride in London, Kentucky yesterday!  It was beautiful!  I rode with a friend.  My friend had done a full ironman in October and hasn't really been training since then.  She started falling apart at around mile 45.  It was tough for her from that point on. (We did 70 miles).  There were a lot of hills.  There were two cat climbs.  One was a 22% grade and the other was 20%.  The second one came at about mile 55 of the ride.  I made the first half of the 22% hill and was so excited because I thought it was the top.  It flattened out and curved around.  I was so proud of myself for making it to the top.  Then as I came around the corner "LOOK UP" was painted on the road.  I looked up to see that I had only made 1/2 the climb.  Many riders were walking the second half.  It was impressive to see the people who made it all the way.  The second one I only made it about 1/3 of the way up.  Oh yea!  Did I tell you that my shoes wouldn't clip into my pedals for the whole 70 miles?  Yep!  I found out quickly that my cleats for pedals on my tri bike are slightly different from the cleats for my road bike.  I thought they were the same.  I haven't been on my road bike since I got my tri bike so I hadn't tried.  Try climbing the mountain when you don't have the ability to pull and you are trying to balance your foot on a very small surface (speed play pedal). 

With all the small difficulties along the way really didn't diminish the greatness of the ride.  It was absolutely breath taking.  The blue of the sky was unlike anything I had ever seen.  The streams, rocks, trees and mountains were worth any extra effort to see it.  Overall it was a great time.

Todd:  How was yesterdays OWS? 

Renee: If my cap ripped right before a race I'd cry.  Seriously.  Way to improvise!!! Too funny about your bike & gear.  Your must have been lollygagging away!  Sounds like you had a great race -before, during, and after!  Whens your next?

Stewart: Awesome training day!  Amazing. Way to push through it. Thanks for the extra swim tips.  Swimming isnt really a "struggle" for me.  I do enjoy the water (most of the time )  but I know there can be improvement in form.  I've taken "swim for fitness" classes at a joinior college several times, but there is no technique guidance unfortuanately.  So I will  take some of your tips and the others to the pool until I get the courage to drop in the masters class!

Mkennedy:  NOT clipped in???!! 70 miles? How in the world did you do it?!!  WOW!  I checked out your logs and they look amazing.  keep it up! I also saw that we have a HIM on the same weekend in July so I will be checking in and trying to keep up with you!!   

Have a great training week everyone!!!

my little story about my first OWS is unimportant compared to Boston....

That could have been so much worse.  Never forget there are people out there that hate Americans and our lifestyle.  I am thankful for those who wear 'any uniform' that serves our community.

BOSTON:

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus

Philippians 4:7