owl_girl's Group --- FULL! (Page 5)

Hi Rodney,

I've heard of (and seen this) before.  I had an idea of what the problem might be but decided to delve deeper.  Here is what I found.

You have a very common problem- lower legs cramping while swimming, especially using fins. Good news: you are normal Let me tell you what you can do to help this problem get better. Your ankles are probably not as flexible as they can be. So, you need to take some time to stretch your ankles using an elastic band, pulling back on your toes, actively extending and flexing the ankles. You can also sit on your legs where your ankles are directly under your tush and lean backward- if that is not too much. You might need to work up to that. Essentially, your calves are what are cramping because during your kick, your feet are plantar flexed the entire time- it is essentially like you are wearing high heels throughout the entire workout. If your ankles lack flexibility, you will run into problems holding this position for any extended period of time- for you, at the 40-60 minute mark. It has nothing to do with what you are eating/drinking- even though drinking enough water is very important.

I would work on your flexibility of your ankles and also do some calf raises at the pool prior to your workout.

This is very good advice!

No, I do not use a nose plug while swimming.  You should be blowing bubbles (exhaling) while your face is in the water.  When your lungs are completely empty, you should be ready to roll to your side and take a breath.  A very good drill for you would be "bobs".  Bobs are performed while holding onto the side of the pool and going underwater while blowing bubbles out your nose.  You then come up, take a breath, and go under for another repetition.  My swim coach had me work up to 10 of these.

Nicole had some good thoughts for you, too!

Hope this helps!  Cheers!!!

I love your new avatar!

I will ask again tomorrow but I am sure.

I am so ready

Thanks Rodney!

I'll check out the waterfront, and I found a couple parks online that sound interesting. I love the area so I'm looking forward to it!

Roni

Actually the one I have on in the picture is an off brand I picked up at Costco for $20 a few years ago. It holds 64 ounces and I LOVE it for hiking and biking. I have a Camelbak fanny pack reservoir I use for my long runs, which works great. It holds 28 oz and I really don't even notice it as long as I make sure to get the air out when filling it (sloshing). I do need to purchase an insulator sleeve for the tube though, as it didn't come with one and when it gets under 20 degrees it freezes very quickly.

Happy New Year, everyone!

Roni

...you will run into problems holding this position for any extended period of time- for you, at the 40-60 minute mark.

That's exactly when it started happening. I did the whole half mile all at once, jumping straight from 1/4 mile each of the last 2 days. Instead of doing 1/2 mile today in one shot, I'll do 2, maybe 3 1/4 miles. 

...A very good drill for you would be "bobs".  Bobs are performed while holding onto the side of the pool and going underwater while blowing bubbles out your nose.  You then come up, take a breath, and go under for another repetition.  My swim coach had me work up to 10 of these.

This makes sense. I know I'll be much more efficient when I get proper technique and form. My breathing patterns when swimming suck and it's a big part of why my swims are mostly breast stroke and backstroke. I know freestyle will allow me to do the swim faster and I assume be less strenuous on my muscles.

Thanks everyone for the advice. 

Hi Rodney.  Are you doing any drills?  These are very short.  Swim 25 or 50 yard sets with a short break between them.  Focus on your technique during these short sets.

You know, a few swim lessons might make sense. It did me a world of good! 

Hmm, perhaps short sets concentrating on technique is a better way to go, at least for now.
The distance will come with technique.

Happy New Year everyone.  

I think you need to try to try to focus on cadence: keep the gears low and the cadence high (>80).

http://sheldonbrown.com/beginners/index.html

that a great web site for beginner biking

Wow!  You did have a great year!  Congratulations!

Thanks Amy!  I'll check it out!

Sounds like a good plan, Sarah.  From now until your half-mary, you should try to add a day of cycling and a day of swimming and a little yoga just to give your body a break from pounding the road so much.

Do you have a writen training plan for after the half mary?

Thinking lots of happy thoughts for your looooooong swim!  Cheers!

Here are a couple of websites for you Portlanders!

http://www.trinw.com/pages/trinwframeset.html

http://www.racecenter.com/

Race Center will bring up races all over the country, too.

 good as new  leg looks a bit  white and wrinkled but it fine to start training as long as I take it slow  which was the plan already

Happy new year

I will think happy happy thought  for your swim

OK everyone!  The calendar on all of our blog pages is awefully white since we started a new month.  Lets all get some pink squares (green race squares for some of you) on those things!!!

Remember, consistency will get you to your goal with fewer injuries.

Cheers to everyone!