Ironman Louisville : Official Thread (Page 47)

Thanks NashinAK, I think the issue with the unsolicited advice is that the middle school swim practice is going on at the same time, so the bored parents in the bleachers (probably former high school/collegiate swimming themselves) just walk over to my lane, squat down, and wait for me to finish my set to tell me everything (and I mean everything) I am doing wrong, and what I need to do, then they will stand there and watch me swim, and critique some more, then their buddies will come off the bleacher to give their .02 as well. I am a very nice and polite person, so I am civil with them, but when this happens I find myself cutting my swim workout short just to get away from them. Other swimmers in the pool have never given me advice, just people on the pool deck.

I have several swim DVDs and I use them to teach myself proper swim mechanics. I learned a long time ago that this is the way I learn best, and that one-on-one coaching doesn't work well for me.

I have been to my pool that early before, its great, I'm the only swimmer, and the lifeguard for that shift is a college kid who juggles studying with glancing at me every few seconds to make sure I'm moving.

Jillian- That's pretty annoying.

I will say that my switch from evening swims to morning swims has been rewarding. It takes getting used to, but I've really come to enjoy it. Be prepared to be cooked around 8:00 p.m. I try to get to sleep by 9:30, but it doesn't always work that way.

Speaking of such things. Solid swim this morning. After warming up and before cooling down I did 500yd. steady/relaxed, followed by 10x100yd. averaging around 1:25-1:28. Most rest intervals were around :30, admitedly however, I did take longer breaks in the late stages of the intervals. I didn't want to have to be pulled out of the water.

When I got home I took to the indoor trainer for :30 with 20 of those minutes being steady/tempo. Good stuff.

FRIDAY!

Peace.

My swimming has been early mornings as my first choice. My high school pool has lap swim from 6-7am and at most there are three of us there. 

Last Friday I did do an evening swim because the kids wanted to go to family swim. The life guards put in a lane rope but I spent the whole time getting bombed with balls and noodles. Also had to share the lane with 2 high school swim teamers that thought it was funny to lap the old geezer every couple of minutes. I knew both of them pretty well so it wasn't too bad. 

This morning it was 2500 yards the bulk being the 12 x 100 with 20 seconds rest, the rest was warm up drills and cool down. Did all of that at about 1:50/100. The swimming is getting easier but I'm just not finding any speed yet. Might be time to seek professional help in this department.

I'm just not finding any speed yet

Peter B,

I know exactly how you're feeling.  I'm getting underwater video analysis of my stroke this Sunday.  Hopefully, feedback from that will help.

Tomorrow, I'm doing a recon ride of the half Iron course I'm doing in May.  I hope I can dodge the rain!!

Alan

I finally got to reap some rewards from all my training this morning when I did my first race of the new year. I did the Sam Costa Half Marathon (a fairly small local race) and did awesome! I set my half marathon PR at this race last year in 1:35:52, and crushed it this year with a 1:33:46! It is very encouraging to see my hard work paying off already, hopefully you guys are seeing results too!

Of course, making me look like a chump as she always does, my wife had to go out and beat her PR by 5 minutes this year (and beat my previous PR) with a 1:35:45. I am excited for her, but I gotta get back to work to stay ahead of her!

Enjoy the journey.

Jillian- hopefully you'll have a better week next week. First you had the dog then the annoying swim coach wannabes... 

japarker- Video will definitely give you a different insight- 

Tulkas- Awesome job setting that new PR! Hard work does pay off!

Sam- Another awesome job with your Ironman Interviews. Keep them coming! btw- those 1.24-1.26 are great time splits for your x 100yds.

I am with a lot of you guys as far as swimming in the morning. I personally am a morning person so I'd rather get them out of the way and it is usually when I have the most energy. I've been swimming lately on a bigger pool and still trying to get use the depth perception. I've not been concentrating to much on speed, I've been trying/concentration and making an effort or the "reach" right before the pull. I was told I was to flat on one of the sides and I was not rotating enough. I will say I've been able to maintain same time splits doing the exercises and movements. It sure is a constant mental battle. Nothing quite like riding a bike where you just start pedaling, maintain balance and all done subconsciously. Swimming is NOT like that.. reminds me more like golf. Having little thought on the movement. 

Not sure how much movement should a person have in the water. I read some where, maybe from G.Hall Sr. website  and he was saying that there was no need to rotate that much with your torso. I don't know - the way I try to picture it is that when you reach on the forward stroke with your right arm and enters the water, you reach like you will be touching the wall and your left shoulder should be almost in line with your right one. More like the dorsal fin of a shark going thru the water as to not create drag. Anyway, no point on rambling over here.. this is what I've been working on - just that move.. and it seems to have helped but I do feel I am all over the place.

I've been thinking the same thing about getting one or two lessons. I don't want to think that much..  

I just finished posting my week 2 of 26 video update on my blog...

Have a great weekend and lets keep pushing forward!

Thomas-

Cool video. Thanks for taking us on a run with you. Keep 'em coming.

The counters on your blog are cool as heck. I think I'll need to copy your idea on that front.

Good stuff.

Peace,

~Sam

Great swim! That's fantastic. What a confidence booster...and inspiration. Good work!

Alan,

How did the White Lake course bike go? Did you guys avoid the rain?  I hope you got my message regarding not being able to make it.  Had to work all day and now trying to make up for it.  I hope we can do another type of training get together soon.

Dwight

killie- I don't have your situation, but I would think that if it is an easy bike day...add it in. If it is a long ride day though, it is better to have the ride in all in what shot. If it is an interval or fast-ish day, it depends on what you can put in while commuting.

Just my $0.02.

Peace.

I am having terrible "river monsters" nightmares!!!! what to do...what to do....this whole dark water thing is really freaking me out....how stupid is that? . Last IM I had nightmares of the wind throwing me off the bike (cozumel) and now snakes in the water??? what???

I needed to vent...lol...happy training to all...hope it is getting warmer up North! I did a 50 mile bike ride yesterday is 89 degrees, woohooo summer is finally here!

trirun- First of all, I can appreciate what you are saying, but we are fine.

Now, let's shift perspective a minute. If you were a turtle, a snake, or a fish of any size, and there was a mass disturbance heading your way, would you be more likely to get the heck out of the way, or take it on? Chances are you would flee and head for safety.

Next, consider this: The pro field is going first to shake out anything setting out for it's morning rituals. Then comes an even larger disturbance (us). Any creatures en route will be heading away from us...not toward us.

We will be fine.

I have a question for those of you using Infinit or really any liquid supplement for the bike ride.  I did a custom formula back when they had their big sale.  This is my first year using Infinit and this is my first IM.  I've read varying reports but from what I can tell the general consensus is that you should be trying to replace approx 250-300 calories per hour on the bike.  Is that correct?  If so, what is everyone's nutrition plan to accomplish this?  I believe that one bottle of Infinit for me is about 250 calories.  So unless I want to figure out how to take 6 bottles with me I'll need something additional.  Gels and I don't seem to mix well.  I don't like the sweet, sticky taste.  Any thoughts or ideas? 

I don't post often in hear but enjoy reading everyone else's posts daily.  Thanks!

I use a different powder mix (EFS First Endurance) and I mix two "2 hour" bottles (i.e., four scoops in each = 400 calories per bottle).  I use one bottle per half, and also plenty of plain water.  I also take one Honey Stinger Gel every hour (120 calories) and a banana at almost every water stop.  My bike split was 6:45 at IMFL, this works out to be approx. 250 calories per hour, which works perfectly for me.  **Note: I could never stomach gels either, I tried for years, it was the consistency that got me; then I found "Honey Stingers" and they are amazing, totally different taste than gels, give 'em a try!