Girl Passing on Left (FULL) (Page 49)

Good Morning,

I tried to ride my bike on the trainer stand while wearing the wrist splint but it just wasn't working out, so instead I rode down on the aerobars. Riding the trainer is definitely easier than riding the rollers! I think I'll have to do this for my inside rides for a while. I guess it's also back to icing the wrist. I'm so tired of the discomfort and want it gone yesterday! Of course, I'm just glad I can still ride and swim.

Yup, racing on Saturday.  It's a 15K, and I'm using it as a warm-up for my half marathon on March 1st.  I'm sure I'll be over this cold by Saturday.

Your race sounds very interesting.  Please take care of your knee, though.  I think a nice walk/slog sounds great!

And good luck Lyssa!

I'm here!!  I'm here!!

I haven't fallen off the edge of the earth, I've just been unbelievably busy.  I had 3 parties in the past 8 days... which by the way netted me $3500!!  Yes, you read that right, I pocketed $3500 for doing 3 home parties.  Plus, I had a booth at the Georgia Bridal Show this past Sunday.  So between preparing for the show, and doing all my party stuff, I've been a total slacker when it comes to my workouts. 

I've been swimming on Monday nights though.  This past week I think I had a breakthrough.  I was always trying to keep my body straight when my arm came up out of the water, when actually I need to be rolling my body more... which in turn helps me breathe!  We did a bunch of drills that I really enjoyed.  We started with 2 strokes, 4 kicks, then breathe.  Then worked up to 3 strokes, 6 kicks, then breathe.  We finished with 10 strokes, 8 kicks, then breathe.  After all the drills, I was able to cut my stroke count down from 25 to 20.  I know it's still not great, but I'm learning. 

Today is bitter ccold out... it was only 14 degrees when I woke up.  That sealed the deal with me not going to the gym this morning.  I'll get on my trainer today. 

I also have a zillion things to do before our Switzerland trip on Friday.  Busy, busy, busy.  I have to make sure I get all my back-orders out before my mother-in-law gets here on Thursday night.  I can't imagine asking her to pack up and ship products... lol... that's just not right.  I also have to find some snow pants for skiing.  I found my down ski jacket, and I have gloves and a hat, but I don't have pants.  I'm hoping to get some running in when I get over there as well. 

~Jennifer

glad to  hear that you have not plummeted off the side of the earth.

you will have to remember to share all you are learning in the pool for all of us who need the help....and cutting your stroke count to 20 is a great improvement! kiu! soon you will be going with fewer and fewer!

I am still cracking up about asking the MIL to help you pack your party stuff.

SWITZERLAND!??? did I miss the memo asking us to go? sounds like fun to be had! how long will you be away?

What kind of swim classes/coaching are you doing? I swim fairly quickly, but my stroke count is high, something like 25/25m. I don't know if I should just keep doing what I'm doing or seek help with my stroke.

Skiing in Switzerland -- I'm so JEALOUS!!!  Have a great time.  And if you can't find your ski pants, there's a great ski shop on Roswell Road.

Hey team, I'm getting ready to order my very first tri shorts and top ! WOOOOHOO

I'm thinking of getting a racerback style but I started to think.......sunburn ?...... so do you recommend those or the tops with a more full back ?

I like the ombre shirt (forget who it's by) but I managed to find an xl MIRACLE ....... lol

I think it all depends on what you find comfortable.  I sometimes find the full tops to feel restrictive during the swim portions, but I like the coverage of the full tops during the bike and run. 

I've trained and raced in a racerback top. When you go out for a training ride or run make sure you've applied sunscreen. During a race you've just gotta live dangerously

Here you go Nalani. 

I had a drill day this morning as well.  Is it just me, or does everyone feel fantastic while doing the catch-up drill?  It makes me feel graceful.

Here's a fun game to do with catch-up and swim: Swim Golf!

Swim one length of the pool, counting strokes and noting your time. Rest for 15-20 seconds while you add up the 2 numbers. (Example: 17 strokes, :20 = 37). Repeat 3x and average your 'scores'. (Obviously, this game is good for people who love mental math!) This is your 'handicap'.

Then, swim one length trying to reduce the number of strokes you take by gliding very long in front, before the catch (this is, essentially, catch-up by default). Repeat 3x and average your scores. (Example: 18/:19, 19/:23, 18/:18 = average of 34) Compare this score to your handicap - did you birdie? bogie? improve your handicap?

Finally, swim one length trying to increase the number of strokes you take by shortening your glide in front, but try not to shorten your stroke. Repeat 3x and average, then compare to your handicap. How did this work?

It's critical that you rest enough between lengths to keep from getting winded. Our swim stroke responds very strongly to the need to breathe (naturally) and it's hard to have any body control when you're out of breath and your face is underwater! Naturally!

You might be surprised by the combinations. The game is meant to help you identify the 'optimum' stroke length for your body and level of technical expertise. You can use the stroke counting to check in when you're swimming different distances to see what fatigue does to you (generally, shortens the stroke, but not the glide - this is bad form! Focus on keeping stroke length and lengthening the glide.)

It's a lot to think about, but it's fun, too.

Trish

Thanks!  And I don't think that I ever thanked Trish for pointing this one out.  Thanks!

Well, manged to get through the first swim class for Tri folks, I loved it . I posted about it on my traiing log if you wanna see.  I just got in from my spin class, (SO TIRED) ! lol

Anyway, wanted to say nighty night team !

Off to put my little one in the tub and off to beddy bye !

Oooo, what can I tell you about my swim clinic?  Our coach runs us through drills that improve our stroke, our form, our breathing, kicking, you name it.  Here are a few things I've learned from 3 weeks of class:

- scoop the water under your body with your stroke, don't just swing your arm around like a propeller

- imagine your drawing a big circle on your body with your stroke arm... your thumb runs down your sternum, at your belly button your slide it over to your side, drag it up your side to your armpit, at your armpit extend your arm out and repeat with the other arm.  Of course your arm doesn't touch your body, but that's the motion you should be using

- rock your body from your core when you stroke.  it allows you to really stretch with your other arm.  it also helps with your breating.

- keep your face DOWN in the water... look at the line on the bottom of the pool

- point your toes when you kick

That's all I can remember right now.  I'm sure there's more.  Some of the drill he did with us had us dragging our fingertips along the surface of the water during the rest part of the stroke... swimming with our fists and using our forearms to pull the water... running our thumb up the side of our body... swim with our arms extended and just kick... swim on one side with one arm extended.  I think I strained my shoulder last week because I was using my shoulders instead of rocking my body.  I found that when I started rocking my body more, I didn't overextend my shoulders.

Most of you probably already know alot of this stuff, but I found it very helpful.  I'll  recap each swim class for ya'all. 

~Jennifer

thanks for sharing.....I am going to make sure I am doing it right when I go to the pool this afternoon....raining...so that is all I can do...maybe run!? maybe!

nice decision making, Nicole....and you mean there was no woman running in place in your lane?

hope the hand is doing well with the new brace!

Nope, just me today :)

No obvious improvement yet, but it doesn't seem any worse.

How's the weather out by you?

Thanks for sharing all of the ideas for swim drills; I need A LOT of help. Tuesday's swim did not feel great and I came out feeling really frustrated. I am going to get back in today before my track workout and hope that it was just a little blip.

Nicole, so pleased to hear that the training can still go on with the brace. Hopefully the extra support and rest will help the recovery.

Lots of folks racing this weekend! Awesome!!!! Have fun! Looking forward to hearing about each one!

grey/dismal...about to start to rain. But we need it. Heading to the pool. Whats a little rain when your swimming?

lyssa-gator - 2009-02-04 4:03 PM i took my little girl (we call her pie pie because that's what my two year old calls her-but her name is skye) out running with me. she's only 4 but she's a runner, she always has been. anyway, she ran a mile, and she only took a couple of VERY short walk breaks, and she came in at about 16.30 not bad considering her legs are about a third the length of mine! LOL after her mile, i did another 4.5 about, the whole process (running with her, and then after) took about an hour 12 minutes, which seems pretty sad, but that first mile was pretty slow--for ME anyway. LOL she wants to run with me every day now. i am going to run it by the pediatrician, i don't want to damage her growing body, but i don't see any harm in it, and she loves to run. i smell an olympic medal. LOL

I agree, if Pie Pie (LOVE IT) wants to run and the doc says "FINE" then by all means let her run !  I am amazed she can  make it so far, I'm wanting front row seats to her Olympic debut !!!!

I hardly know anything about swimming so I very much appreciate you writing down this info !  I was sitting here trying these moves in the rocking chair ! lol