Left.Right.Repeat - CLoSED for our sixth season - we will reopen in Jan 2014 (Page 3)

Honey Badger - These are similar to what I need to work on as well. I find using swimming paddles helps a lot with my catch.

Your name (Honay Badger) looks familier - did you run the Boston Marathon back in 2011?

I had my first anxiety induced triathlon dream last night. You know the dreams where you're back in school and can't find your classroom or you have to take an exam and realize you never went to class and have no idea what's going on? Ya, it was like that. I showed up late and everybody had already started the race and I was wearing a really really baggy wetsuit and on and on it went. 

Starting to feel like I bit off more than I can chew with my May HIM plan.

Even writing this is making my throat close a little...Maybe a good bike trainer workout will help!

How do I find out where I can do an open water swim in the Orlando area?

Is there a website.  Yes I know I can just go find a lake and jump in it.  I'm looking for something a little more organized because I really dont feel like drowning this week.

Maybe next week, but not this week

thanks!

Lou

Chunky - breathe - breathe - breathe ----it was a big bite but we can get through it.  Breathe.  Now go swim....

Open Water swims - try triathlon shops locally - many have training groups you can join pretty inexpensively or you can just show up when they open water swim and see if they will let you tag along.  One other option is to find a kayak club or rental place and ask someone who has rented a kayak if they will stay with you while you swim.  Many people don't have anyone to paddle with or anywhere specific to go but they like to kayak - I would think they would stay with you just for something different.  Finally, ask the other swimmers at your pool to see if they OWS somewhere in the area.  One other idea, get a couple of them together and rent a kayak - one of you paddles while the others swim, then trade places....and so on and so on

Do NOT open water swim alone.  Period.  I don't care what floaties you have on.....don't swim open water alone.

Wear a swim cap at the pool.  Not only is it better for your hair, if people see you are a triathlete, they will sometimes ask you questions and you might find a OWS buddy.  With swim caps, wet your hair, put on the cap and swim.  This keeps as much chlorine out of your hair as possible.  Ladies - if you happen to color your hair - this will keep the color in your hair much longer.

Did I mention - NEVER OPEN WATER SWIM ALONE

Swim tips - REACH - this will extend your roll as well, if you want to roll more, reach more, you can't help but roll.  Be sure your hand is in a hydrodynamic position as you reach.

Another tip - keep your nose pointed at the bottom.  Your eyes should be looking straight at the bottom of the pool.  The top of your head should be pointed at the wall where you are swimming.  Do NOT raise your head up or your feet will sink.  If you feel your feet sink, point your eyes further toward the bottom of the pool and your feet will float.  What happens here is that you get more weight (in your torso) using the buoyancy of your lungs (the most buoyant part of your body).  When your head is up and your eyes and nose are pointed/facing where you are going, that buoyancy is wasted holding up your head and nothing else....all that weight in your torso and legs sinks....trust me it works....

A great exercise, go to the pool, float on your back.....yes you can, I know I know, you sink....trust me - you can float on your back.  You are not too heavy....it took me three weeks trying for over 30 minutes a day but you can float...and when you get it - you will understand buoyancy and efficiency in the water....   Reminder - a fish swims like this   ------     only humans try to swim with this body position     /     head up and feet down in not very fish like.....by the way, trying to float, we a nose plug and goggles, relax, breathe, have a bit of propulsion (barely push off the wall as you just want to be moving) and put the back of your head further under water....I know - you think you are....put it further....like the water will be going in your eyes, nose and mouth from time to time.

have a great week....we will be moving over to the other group next week.

Bryan

Bryan, thank you so much for the swimming tips. It inspired me enough to almost go to the pool yesterday..

I am going today (really!) and I've also taken your advice and joined my local Y's multi-sport club. Again, way beyond my normal bounds but they do some open water swimming and even I realize I can't have my race day be my first time open water swimming. I signed my 20 year old son up as well (he was a competitive swimmer for 12 years and is now coaching). He's also been all over me about my stroke reach and rolling so I am focusing on that today..when I go.

Carolyn

I remember somebody telling me once that if you don't feel well above the neck, i.e. head cold, working out was still okay. If it's below the neck - chest congestion, general body malaise, etc,- it's best to rest. 

That was also eleventybillion years ago but maybe there's some truth to that. Regardless, hope you all start feeling better soon.

Bryan, since you asked so nicely...

2000 yards today. It didn't feel completely awful either. I focused on rolling, reaching and pointing my nose down. I may even have swallowed a tad less water and ended with a little less of a headache than I usually do. 

Still loathe it, though.

Carolyn

I am still here, sorry I have not been on here in a few days! The training is going well, I have been focusing on my swimming and maintaining my bike and run. I am in the pool three days a week, and I bought a trainer so I can bike at home during these winters months. I also have been participating in our local running club's winter series events. It has been nice to run outside with a group rather than the boring treadmill sessions. I will start a 20 week program on Monday working towards my first Half Ironman in June. Has anyone used the training programs on BT for the Half distance? Thoughts on it?

Steve

Hudson Crossings Tri -June 9th

HITS North Country Tri 1/2 Iron - June 29th *Big Race

Steve:

I am currently using the BT intermediate half IM program - love it. I have used it three times and have done well with it each time including a 4th place finish at Silverman here in las vegas foreever ago. I have used another online training program for two years that was entirely HR based and it did not work for me. I wont say it did nothing as I think it gave me a great foundation but in terms of racing I felt the program did not contain enough "race pace" workouts that is why I have come back to the BT program. I think you will need to find what works for you and alot of that will depend on your fitness level when you start, how much time you have to train and working with what works for you. My husband is currently using the super simple half ironman training program from Triathlete Magazine (you can find it on google). It seems to have a lot less volume and is a little less structured training but it works for him.

Good luck!

Molly