SBR Utopia - OPEN (Page 59)

I only know a little about them based on what Suzanne has posted in TT but the idea is interesting.  I think it would require some outside help from someone familiar with training with it to really get good use out of it.  I may be over thinking it though.

It's very tough, which is why my instinct is to limit it to very short repeats.  Something like 10x25 on 1:00 - something that gives you lots of time to recover.

To add to my previous post.  

If your goal is to swim fast 100s at a 1:20 pace (for simplified math), try to swim the 10x25 so that you complete each 25 in 20 seconds but do it by maintaining and focusing on form rather than just busting a gut.  Once you can do that reliably, go to 5x50 with a goal of 40 second 50s, then 60 second 75s.  This would have to happen over time but it may help you get over the problem of technique going out the window in the strong => fast area.

bzgl40 - 2013-01-24 7:01 AM All I have to say about swimming and your kick is I have a pretty darn good kick.  However, I am slow as crap.  I will give any of you sub 1:30 (oh hell, sub 1:45) folks my kick if you give me your speed. 

Hah, me too.  I don't work on my kick, per se.  But when we do kick sets in my Master's swim sessions, I'm usually one of the faster ones.  Then we do pull sets....and I'm silly slow.  For just plain swimming, I guess that puts me as "okay". 

My coach said I don't have any glaring errors in my stroke and need to just work on endurance, but I suspect there's something (major?) in there...

I've never seen any over think on this thread...

So, on the HTFU scale, I swam outdoors today at -4C today.

Maybe it explains the atrocious pace I was holding. Nope. It isn't weather related. I have perfected the 0 beat kick (patent pending)

I can hold 1:20s all day at an easy pace, 1:15s for 10-15 100s, and I have to say I have a weak to nonexistent kick.  It's there for balance only.  Not sure what it would be called, but it's also very lopsided as I really only kick a couple times when my right arm goes in the water.  In a wetsuit I certainly don't kick at all and al my races are wetsuit races.  Perhaps I could gain another second or two per hundred developng a kick, but at this point it's not worth it to me when I can spend my time getting my run down to something resembling a decent time

just my .02

Anyone catch the open water swim series given by Gerry Rodrigues?  One of the premiere OW coaches here in L.A., he advocates not worrying about the kick.  Google is name and open water swimming, there's about 15-16 parts to the series (one talk broken up into 10 or so minute segments)

The things we do.....   Last night I had an "optional" run on the calendar.  Rode in the a.m. so it would have to have been in the evening.  Was also thinking about going to Staples, a few blocks from my office, to see Muse.  Brought concert and run clothes, depending, since it would have to be one or the other. 

Ended up buying a ticket that I had to go about a mile to the Stubhub office to pick up.  Left work, changed into my run clothes in the parking lot, ran there (actually a bit past to get a full :30), picked up the ticket, ran back to work, changed in the car into jeans and t shirt, and walked to Staples for the show (great show, btw).

Ran again this morning in the rain and cold, swimming tonight

Turns out we can have it all, after all

As someone who has dealt with similar issues, I like this.   There's a vast difference in attitude when I approach something as a positive choice rather than a punishment, or a limiter

Ummm if HTFU were a game, you my friend, are a winner.

WTF!? I mean really. My brain is about to explode. 

I too was impressed. But then I read that Yanti rode for 7 hours on the trainer yesterday. She is making all the rest of us look like wimps. 

So I've taken some of the feedback you guys gave to heart and done a shorter warmup for my speed days.

I simply broke it out into another double day and do an AM recovery run and the PM track workout.

I think it has really helped. I feel a lot more fresh and have been running with a faster group than usual.

in other words....we created a monster

depending on how long he has to go from the pool to the changing room that actually can be really nice.  Swimming in a HEATED pool when it is that cold out is neat with all the steam and stuff.  Use to do it in Tucson fairly often (yes, it can get that cold in the desert) but I do admit to swimming a few extra laps in an attempt to delay getting out of the water into the cold.

I'm guessing that it's not one of those situations where you stand at the edge of the pool for a few minutes before getting in and worry about how cold the water is going to be.

Ehhh I guess you are right. NM, I take it back. You are no longer winning the HTFU game.

Just the thought of getting in and out gets some cred though.

Those are the days I actually get ready in the pool.  If it is moderate outside and water temps are regular I get all ready to swim on the deck and dive in.  Those days it is get out of my clothes as quick as I can and jump on in. Feels really good to go from freezing to the 80-82F water (temps I normally find too hot) 

Wrench question:  I removed a spacer from my headset, retightened the stem cap and bars, and there is still a little play in the front end (i.e., the "hold the bike, squeeze the front brake and wiggle back and forth" test).  I tightened the cap as much as I can.

How do I fix this?

- Brian

PS Unfortunately, I did not check to see if it was like this before I started (see my previous post on not riding for the last 3 months :)

riorio - 2013-01-24 4:14 PM Woke up to rain here today...actually I woke up, watched TV, ate breakfast, got the kids ready and into my bike stuff...it was only when I opened the door to let the dog out and noticed he was refusing to go, that I saw the rain. I decided against riding in it, so I swam instead...I love swimming outdoors in the rain! But now I am committed to riding with the hubby when he gets home from work, I usually have the excuse that I already rode, now I will have to try and keep up as I think he is doing intervals!

That sounds good for you. maybe?