Jamie's HIM/IM Training Group-CLOSED (Page 32)

got 9.38 miles in between the rains! Another 2-3 inches overnight and today.  Averaged 7:38!

try to get a bike in before I fly to Chicago Sunday night but most of the normal routes will be flooded since all the rivers are at or near flood level.  Might have to go to the Y to get on the spin bike.

Anybody have a good website to buy tri-shorts and bike jersey/shirts?  Need a few and always looking for a deal.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!! I just wish the weather would break. I'm tired of feeling grumpy!! Ugghh!!

AQOD: I only do flip turns when I'm using the pull bouy. Crazy I know.. They wear me out the rest of the time, plus, I'm sure I look like a clown doing them anyway!! LOL! Oh well, right!

AQOD:  Hey...at least you can do flip turns!  I can do them, but they make me dizzy and light-headed so I steer clear of them.  Wish I could do them without feeling sick.

AOTD: Yes, I do flip turns...learned at a very young age. I consider it my core/ab training for the week. =)

I'm also looking forward to this week. It's a run focus week for me so I'll be putting lots of miles on the shoes. Last week was pathetic. It was a swim focus week and I didn't swim once. I missed 6.3 hours of swimming but was able to get in the 4.8 hours of running/biking over the weekend. Oh well, I can probably afford to slack a little in the pool. Time to do some serious work this week and next though.

Hi all...had a great weekend of training. Had a great weekend of training. Ran an hour Saturday. Sunday I biked on the trainer for an hour (since it's about time I started really biking again) and then swam a bit.  40 minute run today after work.

AOTD:  I can flip turn. I just learned them not too long ago, so I don't nail them consistenly and I can't swim more than 500 or so if I'm doing them...but I can do them.

Yes!! Nice RR - I actually got excited reading it...made me want to race! I feel like the season is officially starting again!

So my two cents on sighting: everyone veers a bit. I usually sight more often than needed early in a OWS to get my bearings and make sure I'm on track. Once you find some space and get into a zone, I like to count strokes. Every 6, 8, 10 strokes - sight to make sure you're in line - whatevery works for you. It doesn't need to be a full scan on what's in front of you, just a quick look for your marker - an object on the horizon, a bouy, a boat, whatever. If you notice someone swimming near you who appears to be going really straight, and is your same speed, use them as another marker...or better yet, draft off them.

To practice this in the pool, on a day when you have a lane to yourself, push off the wall with your eyes closed and see how many strokes you can take before you run into a lane line. If you take 15 strokes per lap, see if you can do 13 without hitting the lane line, then open your eyes so you don't hit the wall. I put a water bottle at the end of the lane and sometimes use that as a marker to practice sighting.

If you consistently pull to one side, you should seek out some help to find out why your stroke is so unbalanced. Don't let it freak you out though...everyone will veer a little bit.

AOTD: 15-17 per 25.  In the last couple months, Ive actually been able to drop about a stroke per 25.  Staying longer helps me to relax and stay smoother, which has helped my times in the water.

First bike in to work of the year and it was cold.  First 10 minutes was hard tough getting the body to function.  Still trying to warm up.  But I figured I needed to get this in before the clocks change.  Ride back tonight shouldnt be too bad, with an evening run.

AOTD: I honestly am not sure. I haven't counted in a long while. If I remember correctly, it was around 17 or 18. I am supposed to swim today, so when I get there I will count. Run and swim today. 40 minutes each. Last time I swam I got a tremendous headached about 20 minutes in, hoping that doesn't happen today.

Nice RR on that race, btw  

AOTD: I think I'm usually around 16 or 17 in a meters pool. It has been a while since I counted...so I will tonight!

Ways I've found to reduce stroke count:

1) Power into and out of the walls. Get a good push off the wall, get streamline, and get your kick going. In swimming we used to call these "flag drills" where you didn't breathe inside the flags - which forces you to get in and out of the walls fast.

2) High elbow. When I really focus on my catch, almost exaggerating the high elbow, I find my speed goes up and stroke count goes down. It feels like I'm REALLY opening up my armpits, and my lats get a better workout than usual.

I can't believe I'm in week 10 of my 20 week IM training plan! Half way there! There are some BIG weeks coming up so I'll have to stay disciplined. The anticipation and excitement just keeps building week after week. I can't freaking wait for May 21st!