left.right.repeat group -closed - Full of a bunch of winners...YEAH! (Page 49)

Question for those using Total Immersion - I'm a visual learner. So I bought the DVD. Actually I have two. Happy Laps and Freestyle Made Easy. My question is how to do the drills solo? How do you know if you have the position right or not? And how to correct if you don't.

First let me explain where I am in the process. Maybe that will help...

I've been working on balance quite a bit. Some balance drills I got from TI and some from my coach and some from reading on this site and watching YouTube videos. Can you tell I really want to learn to do this right?

Right now I'm trying to feel more comfortable with bilateral breathing. I'm especially working on side kick switch drill. I am sooooo working on that drill. Every single swim. Can't remember is this is TI or not. Here's how I do it. Hips stacked, body straight and long as I can get it. (I'm a torpedo in my mind.) Swimming downhill so the hips are up and one hand is dry. Or almost. Sometimes I can get it out of the water, but only if I really focus on pointing my lungs down. Hand about 6 to 8 inches underwater. Head on axis rotating with body when breathing. Rotate from the hips first. I find what feels like balance on one side then switch to the other. Does that sound right?

Bilateral is coming along. I'm not sure if it's the drill or just practice. Sometimes I get it right so something is happening.

I also practice gliding a lot. It's so fun. Like play. Streamline making my body as long as possible. (thinking about that torpedo). Let me describe what I'm trying to do...One hand resting on top of the other. Top thumb along the side of the hand underneath. Head position not too low or too high. Chin tucked. Is that correct?

I practice, practice, practice these drills. Repeating all the instruction above in my head. Checking in to see if I have it. Self-correcting when I think I don't. But it's guesswork when I swim solo.

I did discover that I can find sweet spot when doing freestyle. Yay!!!!!  It's helping in the early phases of learning bilateral breathing. I am totally psyched about that. I could hang out in sweet spot all day long. And I'm not quite so freaked out trying to breathe left. I keep telling myself, you can always go hang out in sweet spot.

Now I don't remember if this is TI or not but my coach has me do something like a roll where you go from front with kick to side to back and around and around and around. Helped with confidence in the water and body position awareness.

When doing laps, I  practice swimming downhill which keeps my hips higher, I feel the difference in the kick when I get it right. Trying to make the water boil but not splash. Using the whole leg. etc. (I haven't mastered any of this but I am thinking about it in every swim). From time to time I go back to the Freestyle Made Easy DVD and compare what I think I did in the pool to the video. The detail and precision is a bit overwhelming for me. There are so many intricate parts. I try to remember what I can, seen that video enough you'd think the concepts would be burned into my brain, but I'm very unsure.

I put all my faith and hope in practice. Believing this will all come together somehow. I can swim. But balance is something that I'm not so sure about. I'm always wondering if I am doing it right.

So that's where I am.

Am I doing this right? How do I improve? I'm in the dark with TI.

I'm a total believer in the principles. My mind loves the concept of not fighting the water. Being slippery. Fishlike. Graceful. Easy. It's like music to my ears...my heart so wants this. I found it once. That magic when it all comes together like a dance. It was the day I swam my first mile. Not sure if it was balance or the thrill of achievement. Pure joy. I'm hooked on that feeling now.

My body is just still trying to figure it out.

Thing is I do all this solo. My coach isn't TI and shelling out $$$ for a workshop isn't practical for me right now. Although this reminds me. I was going to buy TI drill cards... I've watched the DVDs several times but when I get to the pool my mind goes blank.

Anyway how would I know if I am doing it right? The adjustments in the video are very subtle. I can't even spot the problem sometimes.

I KNOW I am not straight because I don't go straight. So that means I'm not balanced right? Especially on my side. I try to point my hand and head in the direction I want to go, but I end up drifting to the side with the extended arm. So something's off but I can't see what I'm doing in order to fix it. I practiced that for 20 minutes straight last swim and still kept hitting the wall or the lane divider.

Any suggestions? Do the descriptions sound right? How do you know if you're doing the drills right when you can't see what you're doing? Should I be doing different drills?

Help. Please.

Hey, I head off to watch a movie and miss all the action!

LRR - The ditch was trying to fix MIL's sewer line, the sewer kept backing up into the house.  MIL was sick and FIL was not interested in calling a plumber.  I did fix the issue. 

WAEF - on the direction issue.  Not sure if this will help you but my coach as me watch the black line on the bottom of the pool for the lane.  My hands are supposed to be on each side of the line when I extend.  Part of her training to improve my strokes to make them more efficient.

Today is a bike day and tomorrow is going to get cold here.

One question: I am starting to get a little worried.  The first Tri I was shooting for is March 29th with an OWS.  Is there any chance I can get to that distance by then?  There is a Rookie Tri (I think it might be a mini 200ms pool/6 mi bike/1.5 m run) at the end of April 25th but it really messes things up.  Mainly because of the timing of the other races.  Otherwise I have to travel even farther.   Probably just wait and see.  Not only do I have to get to swimming that distance I then need to tackle OWS and consider a wetsuit.

Which brings up another question - for Sprints how much time between them?

Gary, if it helps just remember you can use any stroke you like.

One lady in my start wave did backstroke the whole race. Another did butterfly. Neither of them were confident with rotary breathing so they used strokes where they knew they wouldn't worry about it. You can always switch from freestyle to another stroke if you need to.

My friend did her first OWS. She said the wetsuit helps TREMENDOUSLY with bouyancy. Otherwise she would have been freaking out. But with the suit on, she had confidence because she was so high in the water. She also practiced OWS (with partner of course) and that also gave her confidence.She was one of the last to start and stayed over to the side away from the masses. She said all of that really helped.

What does Coach Nan say?

She knows I am going for a Tri, not sure if she knows it is an OWS.  Good point, I can float on my back all day now and with a little practice and the backstroke is mine. I can alternate between the different strokes.  Another good point about the wetsuit and bouyancy.  I will need to find a place to practice the OWS (and find someone to come with me preferably with a boat/kayak).

I will just have to wait and see.  The Rookie Tri seems short but a short Tri is better than no Tri or a DNF.

sTRIve, I just spent the last 15 minutes rolling around on a tennis ball.

OMG!!!!!!!!!!

That's a 100 times more intense than a foam roller. I swear my neighbors down the block must have heard me. I had no idea I was so tight. Feet, both calf muscles, hip flexor. I stopped because I just couldn't take it any more. Holy cow!!!

Just ordered two Total Immersion books (the regular one and the one for tris) and the drill cards.

Hmm, will have to reread about the tennis ball.

Just finished ride, 13 miles!  Felt great, knee did wonderfully.  If no swelling/pain in knee tomorrow then I might have turned the corner on this injury.

One note, WAEF you mentioned gliding and head position.  Coach maintains head on Axis not tucked not looking up but straight on the axis.  Basically for me looking pretty much at the bottom of the pool. 

As for fins, Coach believes in minimal kicks but making them as efficient as possible.  Right now the fin use is to make the upper part of the body training easier.  Meaning keeping the belly button pushed thru the back, proper body position in the water, etc.  Once I have that mastered that the use of fins drop dramatically.   But that could be a little while

Hi everyone.

Bryan left me a PM about your group. I'm in Gordo Byrn's group but read the thread here and found a group just as crazy as I am! So I'd like to hang around a bit if you don't mind. There's always room for more friends.

Don't worry - I promised Bryan I wouldn't reveal your speed secrets.

I'm very new to the site and to tris. Haven't done one yet. I'm def in the clyde category but working on that. 

GT - Welcome!

Hey everyone, as for a nickname for me I would like to recommend GR.  Yep, plain, etc but it was my nickname growing up and wouldn't mind using it again.  Either that or PsychoTriKiller!

Awesome Gary! That's awesome!!!

WAEF weird but remember I am a rookie swimmer so take what I say with a grain of salt.  A little knowledge can be dangerous.

Ditto.

You and I might be the blind leading the blind, but it sure is fun sharing this experience with you. I think of you as I'm training. It's great knowing we are all in the same situation, pushing each other, cheering for each other. I wouldn't have it any other way.

+1,000,000 on that!

Waef - your post was a lot longer than my answer but here goes.  Don't think so much.  Enjoy the water....Now, that said - I want you to think of putting your weight into your armpit....as you reach farther (lengthening the vessel) you will roll correctly, not totally to perpendicular to the bottom of the pool but rolled nicely.  Sweet spot is a great place to hang out in an open water swim freak out or if you just need to rest.  As far as the TI workshop, I have done a weekend workshop and honestly, I would find a TI certified coach in my area and do some 30 minute lessons with them.  An hour is too long....do 30, practice for a couple of days and then do another 30 minutes.  It sounds like you are well on your way and maybe you could substitute a few 30 minute lessons for your coach.  I think you also said you swim masters.  I am going to try to save you some money....I would say masters probably gets you lane time and that may be big where you are.  For me, I swim alone and get a lesson or two from time to time...that's it.  Again, it is all about return on investment.  If you save enough, you could even pick up a road bike....smile.  Also, I would not buy the drill cards - I don't think they are worth the cost.  Maybe print our a description in your own words of the drill, take it to the pool with you, and stick it to the pool deck with water - that's what I usually do with my workout.  Gary had a great tip for you on the width of your strokes.....straddle that pool line.  At first it will feel really funny like you are tooooooo wide but it will help you track straighter and keep you from ever crossing the line with your hands - what may be moving you offline is that one hand is reaching more toward the center line or across it instead of staying wide.

Gary - using the words ditch and MIL together made me laugh....and there are certainly some lines that could be uttered about sewer back up at the in laws.....LOL....sorry, I couldn't resist.  I also just realized you were in Baton Rouge..we drive through every summer going to Florida....my favorite restaurant in BR has always been Drusilla's Seafood Market but I haven't been there for a few years.  What is the distance of the March tri?  Also, you can do a sprint every couple of weeks...the recovery is pretty limited as you are looking at 1 to 1.5 hours.  Can you do any OWS prior to the March tri?  Do any of the health clubs in BR have indoor tris in the winter.  I know Lifetime Fitness does here and I think they let anyone enter.  This can you give you some good practice and build confidence.  The wetsuit will really help with buoyancy and confidence.

Waef - it's Bryan - sTRIve is kinda our mantra...our team name....one of them anyway...it was coined by another member....flipper aka Juanita who hopefully we will see again soon...so I sign out with that a lot.....no issues I just wanted you all to know what sTRIve means....sorry I didn't get the note up on the cards sooner....you will be able to use them.  Also, DON'T - I REPEAT - DON'T hurt yourself with the tennis ball....light pressure done a lot will make a lot of difference....I try to use one on my arches when I am sitting watching TV for about 5-10 minutes on each foot.  Nice and easy on the calves...especially if they are that tight....just keep doing it.

Gary - ice ice ice that knee....good luck on the no swelling.  Great point on the look at the bottom of the pool.  If you imagine standing on dry land with excellent posture, lock in the chin position and get in the water.  You should be looking straight down.  Imagine a line drawn along the base of your nose extending that base to the pool bottom, the line should be straight down.  HOw about GRRRRR - may be a little more fun....and certainly something that would make you sound cool.

GTKelly - you are certainly welcome....what I have recommended to the other new folks is to slowly and consistently work through the early pages....there is LOADS of information for you to digest.  BTW, I am still a clyde as well.  I am currently at 208....I plan to be clyde no mo in 2009 - but this wacky sport has been great to lose weight....since June 2007, I have lost 36 pounds....many have lost even more....that's my story.

Leston - I think you should do an Xterra...let me know when it is in Utah.

It is great to have you all here.

sTRIve,

Bryan

Leston, where are you in Utah? My Boyfriends Mom lives in Ogden, he's got family in Salt Lake as well... We get up there about twice/year... plus I get to St. George more often than that...

Also, someone pointed out that you're a great cyclist - how about Biker Dude for a nickname?

gtKelly - I'm in Gordo's group too... this one is smaller and more friendly Plus, they make you get a nickname

Good morning fellow turtles! I feel like I live in Canada. It has been snowing here for 40 hours.We are expecting another 6-10 inches today. No riding or running outside.

I had my family X Mas party yesterday. 16 for dinner. It was alot of fun. Everyone was able to leave except my brother and GF who will leave today.

 I have been riding the trainer everyday this month and have logged over 300 miles. I dont think I even rode this much during the season. I need to get back to running seriously. I have a 1/2 mary the end of February...my first. My son is going to run with me. I should say, he is going to run the race.....he certainly wont be with me...he runs 7-8 min miles. I have done the 10K in the race for the past 2 years and enjoyed it. Many BT ers also doing this race . It is last last Marathon to qualify for Boston so its a pretty big race. I am hoping that running 13 miles will build my confidence for  the HIM I plan to do this summer.

I have been reading the posts about swimming and I have to agree with Bryan. I think the most important thing you can do is to put in the time. The more you swim, the faster and better you become. Form and drills are important, but the more time you put in the more improvements you will make.This January it will be 2 years since I started swimming. When I first started I could barely swim 200. I typically swim 3-4 times / week....and usually swim 2000-3000 for a workout, at least 1000 is continous swim. I will aslo advise that you practice open water swimming before you race. It is VERY different swimming in OW and people react very differently to the open water. When the weather is warm enough I only swim in open water. I have a pool noodle that I have a rope attached and a big loop that goes around my chest. It floats behind me when I swim. It is bright enough that boats can see me and acts as a bouy if I should bet in trouble ( which I never have). I typically swim parallel to the shore. When I swim in groups I always take my noodle and I have had to give it to others to use when we have been out on OW. Dont swim alone for your first few times. Bryan doesnt like ANYONE  to swim alone...but I will admit, I have ...but only with my noodle. I love my wetsuit AKA sausage casing! It adds a whole new dimension to swimming. DONT swim in a wetsit without training in it...Way too different. Just my opinion. Good googles are key for OWS as well. The sun reflects off the water and can be tough esp when in large groups. I have aquashere vistas and Love them! They are comfy and tinted and also give me more of a visual field then my little pool goggles.

 Hope this helps. I am not much of a teacher when it comes to strokes as swimming comes kind of naturally for me...dont hate me for saying that... I run like I have cement in my sneakers though!

 Have a wonderful day!

Mav, thanks for the tip on the goggles.  I have Nike's and I rarely can go a lap without having to stop and let water out.  I am going to try a different pair and will look for the brand you mentioned (I am lucky as there is a Tri/swim shop in town).

Knee is okay today, all of my muscles are a little sore.  Overall good sign but not quite ready for running.

A little upper body workout tonight but no leg stuff.

Found a local Tri group that I will join after the first of the year (memberships start Jan 1).  Read a series of articles on their site about guys shaving/speedos.  Had me in stitches but I won't follow the authors advice and switch to speedos.  (I believe that would be against the Geneva convention about cruelty to others ).  As for shaving, I am slow so I don't think it will make any difference.  Recommendation here Bryan? ;>

So far loving the group (Turguins?),  Have a great day

Mav - Bryan doesn't not like it when you swim alone....BRYAN HATES IT WHEN YOU SWIM ALONE - it's like riding a bike without a helmet - STOOPID STOOPID STOOPID....there I said it.....so NO ONE SWIMS ALONE and EVERYONE WEARS A HELMET.  I have a friend whose xray I can get for you of his broken neck.  He was less than a mile from his home, riding with his sister behind him, came to an intersection, slowed even though it was a green light, proceeded into the side of a suburban whose driver was on their cell phone (notice I used gender neutral pronouns as it could have been a man or a woman, it doesn't matter).  He hit the passenger side rear window and ended up in the car about us to his waist.  He will tell you that the helmet saved his life.  I have seen his xray.  He is fine after about a year and just now beginning to train again.  He will come to your house and beat you if you ride without a helmet.  So don't swim alone...I don't want to have another story like this to tell - and he had on his helmet...thankfully.

Swimming - always a hot topic with new folks.  You are all going to be fine.  Spend time in the pool and then in open water when you can.  Practice putting on your wetsuit at home, that way, you won't be embarassed as you wiggle jiggle and shake your way into it at a race.  There are a couple of good videos about how to put it on.  One is at Rocket Science Sports website.

Drill - here is a dry land drill that looks funny but will give you the rhythm and feeling of body rotation.  Lay on the floor with on your left side, with your left arm extended and your right leg on top of your left, you right arm flat and flush along your body like the hand is in your jeans pocket.  Now begin to recover your right arm, bringing your elbow up and out a little (staying wide), as you begin to let your right hand lead out past your eye level gravity should begin to pull you to begin to "fall" onto your chest, when you feel this, roll from your core/hips onto your right side.  Just practice this a few times when you can't get to the pool and it will help with the body roll.  Focus on laying downhill, on your chest and try to focus the weight into your armpits - you should not be thinking about your legs at all as they are "floating" in air.  When you focus on putting your weight into your armpits and chest, your legs will not sink.  While this drill over-exaggerates the body roll, it gives you the feeling on dry land of what it can feel like - you won't roll your body quite this far.

Pool drill - can you float on your back - if not, learn how.  It took me about three weeks of trying before I could do it.  It is about balance.  And it is a huge confidence boost that you have a safe place to rest during any swim.  Once you relax, it will work.  Also, play a little game with your buoyancy - float, then take a deep breath and watch your body rise higher in the water...let it out and watch your buoyancy decrease.  Floating is fundamental.  It is the base to balance.  If you can float, I know you can swim efficiently - maybe not the fastest....but again, I want you coming out of the water with as low a heart rate as possible with as much left in those legs as possible.

Mav - your trainer miles are AWESOME....how are you measuring?  How many rides did it take to get to 300?  How much time?  Glad you got through your holiday deal....we have a houseful coming Tuesday....

Leston - glad the run went well....just take it slow and build again....remember don't increase duration or distance by more than about 10% a week especially on the run...the swim you can get away with more as it is a weight supported activity....the bike...you can push it a little more than 10% but I would not go over 20% or so increase weekly even on the bike....

GRRR - Goggle fit - don't go by what works for others totally...I would opine your face is not shaped identically to Mav's therefore her goggle brand may not seal on your face.  Here is how you buy goggles - go to the store with a clean face (smile), open up the goggle pack and press them to your eye sockets (not really hard but let them seal), if they pop off immediately they don't fit - I don't care if Michael Phelps wears them, you can't.  They should stay on your face - maybe indefinitely (perfect fit) but at least for several seconds.  Once you find one that you think works, buy them, swim in them several times and if they work well, go buy several pairs - you will undoubtedly scratch some through the year so a few pairs are good to have.  They never seem to be in stock when you need them.  Also, I don't use anti fog when goggles are new...they almost all have a coating now and I go as long as possible without using anything other than a little spit....I actually just lick em and swim.  When they start to fog a lot, I use either a THIN coating of shampoo or liquid soap....shampoo is best for me, then a little rinse and swim.  But, I really very  rarely use anything.  Tri group sounds great...they are good for group training and motivation, just remember you race alone and can't draft so try not to draft on rides (there is a HUGE difference) and train alone some on long rides/runs to get used to the mental game.  Then in the race when there are others to talk to, it keeps your mind off the wackiness you are achieving one step at a time.

Fun Run Challenge starts Thursday - is anyone else in....it is 8 straight days of running...no distance requirements...just a commitment to run Christmas Day through New Year's Day...come on Turtles...unite.

Happy Sunday,

Bryan