Mad Manatees Mentor Group - VERY CLOSED!!! Sorry! (Page 33)

So I'm reading back through today's notes...and behold! I have a new name. And I'm hoping it's like a Goody! Yay! Yippee! kind of Goody... Not a Goody Two Shoes kind.

I also found out there's nobody racing this weekend. And some good conversations on swimming (my nemesis).

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I will stick with the plan. I am currently ignoring the interval thing and just doing run walk at the moment. The longest I can run has been about 10 minutes. I find the first couple of minutes the hardest but then I seem to get into a rhythm and concentrate on my breathing and it is much easier. I am definately not going fast my top speed is a 7.5minute Km (12 minute mile) which I'm sure Salty could probably do on her hands and knees backwards, but we all have to start somewhere so I'm ok with that.

I have one more question. Where I live there are hills everywhere (the kind of hills that the institute of sport cycle team use to practice on). There is one reasonably flat piece that is about a mile long, should I just go back a forth along this for now or should I do the hills but just walk them?

Also just wondering if 2 hours of bathing dogs counts as my jogo for today?

so many questions

Personally, I suggest the hills, even if walking them.  You will work different muscle groups by walking up hills vs walking on flat land.  Should feel it in the glutes, hamstrings and calves more.  When you do get to running, then running those hills will be much easier.  

That's just my 2 cents - keep in mind that I am not a coach, definitely not a running coach, and I like to push myself.  

I went to the pool this evening.  1st swim workout of the year - 1st since my IM in August and let me just say - HOLY CRAP that hurt!  My arms got one hell of a workout.  

Swam 1,000 yards - broke down as

150 warm up

5 x 50 on the 1 min

5 x 50 on the 1 min

2 x 100 on the 2 min

50 yard swim

50 yard back stroke

25 kick

25 drill with kick board.

I made a couple video's to share (for demonstration purposes) and to analyze my stroke.  Thought if I am giving out all this swim advice I would also demonstrate it. I haven't analyzed them yet, but at first glance, it was very obvious to me that I come WAY across center on my left hand.  Since I noticed that, I made a video of a good drill that everyone can use.  

Will post those swim video's later.  

Hey Chad

Thanks for your advice about the hills. I'm thinking that I will go with them otherwise the scenery is very boring.

I forgot to say earlier that I really appreciated your swim advice. I have been swimming for years and couldn't honestly say that I have paid any attention to the position of my wrist at the back end of my stroke. The pool re-opens here this week so I am looking forward to a swim (first one after 4 weeks) but I know that its going to hurt.

I need to go and do a bike ride and short brick run but I'm putting it off until later in the day because its over 100 outside again today. Trainer and treadmill here I come I think.

You are very welcome.  Take the running advice with a grain of salt and always verify anything I say when it comes to running.    

I love helping people with there swimming as it's an area I feel confident in my knowledge and I love to share my love of the water.  I'm not a certified "coach" but I am confident in my abilities in this area.  Of course, you should still get a second opinion.  Fortunately, we have Yanti here, and she is an excellent swim coach.  I would say that if she and I agree - THEN IT IS SWIMMING LAW and you should follow it thoroughly!    

OK podmates - as promised, here are videos of me swimming.  

The big thing I noticed in my own stroke that I need to work on is not crossing my center line above my head when my hands enter the water.  It's more noticeable on the Left Hand than the Right Hand, and it's worse sometimes than others.  Makes me think it might be a fatigue thing - meaning it get's worse with fatigue.  

The other thing I noticed is that my legs tend to spread apart when I breath.  Not crazy bad (no scissor kick) but it's an area I can clean up a bit.  

These video's are swimming at approximately a 1:25 to 1:30 per 100 yard pace.  "Swim video 1" was slightly slower pace than "Swim Video 2"

There are a couple of shots (where I slowed down the video) that you can really see my follow through that I was talking about with Yanti's video.  You can even see the "wrist bend" I was talking about - I took a screen shot of it for you to see.  

Videos:

Swim video 1 - shows more of the "catch and pull" and the "follow through" in the slow motion segments.  (Disclaimer:  an "S" pull was taught in the years I was competing - it is not really taught now.  Most swimmers do a small underwater "S" - mine is a bit more exaggerated.  It has always worked for me.  Some day I may try to smooth it out and see what it does for my times, but I'm not yet convinced it is a "bad" stroke, so I haven't changed it)

Swim video 2 - shows breathing technique in slow motion.  Notice how 1/2 my face is still in the water?You do not have to look to the ceiling to get a breath.  

Swim video 3 - shows a swimming drill with a kickboard.  I did this because I noticed I was crossing center.  By holding on to the corners of the kickboard - then grabbing them again at the top of my stroke, it forces me to place my hands at the correct place and not cross center.  

Feel free to offer up your analysis and critique.  I am always looking to perfect my swimming.  

You are referring to crossing center line at the top of the stroke right?  I'm going to get another video looking down so I can see just how bad it is.  There are times I look at my stroke and it looks like I hit center line almost perfectly - and other times where my Left hand appears to cross over (momentarily) pretty bad.  The good news is that it's not creating a "serpentine" motion with my body - so it's not crazy bad.  Definitely the first area I will be focusing on this year.  

Did we just date ourselves?  LOL

Best way to visualize where, in reference to the body the arms should be, is to not bring the arms underneath the body at all.   When you reach with the right hand  pick a spot in the water ahead of you that is in front and just outside of the body and then bring the down along side your body and not underneath.     Same with the left side.

The best way I can think of showing you what to do is to lay face down on the pool deck parallel to side of the pool with just your arm over the side where it is free to reach the water.   With the arm that is to the side of the water reach forward for you hand enter the drop your forearms begin the stroke.    The hand should not touch the wall.     Repeat with the other side.    There is a bit of wiggle room but this exercise shows you the gross stroke.

Great description of the positioning of the arms during the stroke, thank you.  Thanks to all this swim talk - I am in full on swim mode now!  I will be working on eliminating the "S" pull underneath, and flattening out my entry point (not entering with my thumb).

I feel pretty good about my roll, balance, breathing, and the catch and pull but definitely see room for improvement in the stroke itself. 

Here is a helpful link describing (with pictures) a proper "catch and pull".   So much work to do..

Still trying to decide between two Half Iron Races...

Pros to Oliver

1 swim loop, 2 bike, 2 run (I don't love loops)

Little holiday and visit with friends

3 weeks before HM

Cons to Oliver

Have to travel

June 2nd (enough time given recent injury?)

Pros to Vancouver

25-40$ cheaper

No travel required

July 14th--more time to prep

Cons to Vancouver

No holiday/visit with friends

2 swim loops, 4 bike loops (with a b!tch of a hill at the start of each lap), 2 run loops (did I mention I don't love loops?)

3 weeks after HM

WWMD? (What Would Manatees Do?)

I love to visit friends so that would decide it for me.  The exception would be the injury, only you know if you'll be recovered in time.  

Given the injury situation - I would take the extra 3 weeks (if you think it's a close call), then if the injury flairs up during competition you can skip the Vancouver event.  

That can be taken many different ways... LOL  

And yes, I would be interested...I love teaching / coaching... I give swim lessons on the side and wish I could do it or coaching for a living.  

OK Manatees...I need help spreading the word about something very important to me.  

From the beginning of my personal journey, one of my goals has been to raise money for a charity.  I know - nothing ground breaking.  I have been very bad about actually doing that.  

My Aunt Pattie, who is a very talented metal artist, donated a couple of pieces to help me accomplish my goal.  Today, I added a a post on my blog, shared it on my personal facebook page, shared it on my "Ironman OR Bust" Facebook page, and I tweeted about it to my entire following of 28 people...LOL  

I would really like to see these pieces go to someone that would appreciate them, while at the same time accomplishing one of my goals of helping to raise money for this charity that helps to fight Childhood Obesity.  

Normally it is against the rules to solicit charitable donations on BT - but I thought that since this is a mentor group, and this thread is pretty much just us, I could at least tell you all about it, and ask that you help me spread the word.  Not actually asking any of you to donate to the cause, but of course, if you would like, that would be wonderful.  

You can see the pieces on the latest post on my blog @ http://www.ironmanorbust.com/win-an-original-pattie-young/

If I have violated some etiquette here, let me know and I will remove this post.  Hopefully this is ok to reach out to you all like this.  

Your Pod Mate - Chad