BrotherTri’s - Triathlon Training Support Group - CLOSED (Page 6)

We looked at relocating to Boulder this summer for a job opportunity, but the lack of any big water (and NO salt) kinda killed it for me.    I will tell you that I really did love running on my couple trips out there to talk with the team, though.  For run/bike, it's a little slice of heaven!

Matt

Originally posted by BrotherTri

Originally posted by KWDreamun Talking about swimming, I'm learning to bi-lagteral breathe..why do I get so tired...it is kicking my butt... however when I go back to breathing on 1 side, I see how inefficient (out of balance) I am..however most competitors that are placing breathe to 1 side..see I'm confused too!

Karl I missed this...... I am a big fan of bilateral breathing. I train and race breathing in this fashion. Oh Yeh just a heads up this subject can be quite controversial. Not as bad as flip turns. Changing to a bilateral breathing technique can take several weeks for most. Breathing is usually done every 3, 5 or 7 strokes counting each arm. Technically if you change reading from one side to the other that's bilateral breathing. One of the biggest hurdles in swimming is not exhaling fully, this can be compounded with bilateral stroke. There are many advantages of bilateral breathing. 1. Developing a Symmetrical stroke. - This is a balance stroke from left to right but also fore and aft. This can also help correct a crossover stroke. As we swim we will tend to pull harder on the non breathing side. 2. Once mastered better breathing control. - Bilateral breathing gives you a option via alternating breathing sides. This is really only truly effective if full exhales occur. 3. Can produce a faster swim stroke. - Bilateral breathing will help your body roll thus a longer reach = more catch = more pulling force, which will increase speed if you display a proper body position and coordinated kick. 4. Better sighting in ows. - Well If you develop a balance stroke you will swim straighter. It also gives you the option to sight left or right via shore line.

Agree with the bilateral breathing being a plus for many reasons.

Another associated with sighting is being able to draft off someone to your left or right.  A couple times I've been drafting off one side of a person on their hip and was passed on the other side.  Just changed sides I was breathing to, hopped on their hip and went with them.

Yet another is for wave direction in OWS.  There have been times I've been swimming - and in ponds, too, not just the ocean - and the chop was such that it's difficult to breathe to one side.  Being able to breathe the other direction is a BIG help there.

Once I get really rolling in a race, I'm pretty much breathing every stroke.  But, I'll switch sides every dozen or so (unless there's a reason not to, as above) to keep it balanced.

James, why do you say it's harder to exhale fully when breathing bilaterally?

Matt

I think blilateral can mean one of two things.  Either every 3, 5, 7 and only every 3, 5, 7 strokes.  Or, it can mean being able to breathe to either side and switching it up during each swim.

I, too, like air.  A lot!  So, during a tempo swim I'll breathe on 3, 2, 2, 2, 3, 2, 2, 2, 3 and so on (or 3, 2, 2, 3, 2,2, 3.. or even 3, 2, 3, 2, if I'm going easier).  When I'm trying to hammer a 100, for instance, I'll actually breathe to the same SIDE of the lane.  So, to my right on the first length, left coming back, right next length, etc.

For OWS, I think it's very important to be able to switch sides easily.  For form, the first definition of bilateral above might be more important (to balance out the stroke, etc.).

All that said, I breathe more than real fish do.  My 11 y.o. daughter swims FAST and won't breathe for 5-7 strokes after coming off the wall.  I'd just die on the spot if I tried that.  

Matt

OK, multi reply post, as I was outta pocket for the better part of the weekend:

Karl - cool HM, it sure sounds like you had a great time. I have found that trails test my stability and balance, thus more strength where I need it most. My ankles are not as strong as I would like, but I think the trails help with that. I found that pacing in a single track trail race can be an interesting challenge. And re:swimming, I found that I *can* breathe bilateral, but I seem to like a consistent even stroke count for my breathing. It has come in handy during a race though, due to wave direction, so like all skills that you can develop, it can be helpful to have it in your bag of tricks. Of course, I am about the worst swimmer you'll find, so take anything swim related from me with the appropriate grains of salt.

Matt - For me, biking wins out. I did a lot of riding in my younger days and it is nice to get back to it. I do enjoy running, especially when it cools down, but biking just makes me the happiest. It does change however. Last year I was trail running more, and that was the best at that time. But the bike won out this summer and it has remained that way. The only constant is my feelings for swimming, so I have a tentative plan for coaching, instruction, or masters later in the year. Gotta get better on that.

Have a great start to your week!

I get the different approach throwing off your rhythm until you get the hang of it, but this part confused me a little.  The only reason I go 322322322 is that I need to breathe.  If I'm pushing at all and try 3333333, I just get all acidy feeling and NEED to breathe - or I go slow enough to not need that extra breath.

What would be better, do you think:  swim slower and stick with 33333 or breathe more?  Or, go 3333333 fast and just do shorter sets until I can deal with less oxygen (as in, build specific fitness)?

Turns out, I really like air.    Seriously, though, I'm trying to figure all this out...

Thanks!

Matt

Karl, I'm with you. 40*, windy and a sprinkly sort of rain this morning. I did the 3 miles I needed today, but there wasn't a whole lot of smiling. I am impressed with the cold weather folks, ya'll have some serious mental toughness going on!

Got out for an easy 4.2 mile run today.  So sunny that I HAD to get out of the basement!  Not bad (~8-10 and just below zero with the wind), but all the ice on the sidewalk did make it tough to get into any kind of rhythm.   That said, tonight's "ride" is going to be on the drainer, as I'm not going near all that black ice - it's everywhere!

Bad weather is all just relative to expectations.  In the summer, it's a slog to run in 55 degree rain, but right now I'd dance in that.  Now, anything above zero and sunny starts to feel good.  What you see out the window is all relative to what you're expecting, yeah?

And there's no such thing as "bad" weather - it's an excuse for MORE GEAR!  

Matt

How is everyone doing this week? Any highs or lows that aren't temperature related? Is there a thaw out in anyone's immediate future?

I got in a pretty good effort on Wednesday, so I feel pretty good about that. I continue to run, 5 times a week, prepping for a trail race in mid Feb. But mostly I am excited to put paint on the frame of my bike build this weekend. It should be a beautiful steel grey by Sunday night, and then a trip to the LBS to order parts. Fun, fun, fun.

I'd love to get a naked frame and powder coat. I have a friend with a booth in his machine shop who is willing. But the frame I have is from a previous bike, so I'm going the spray enamel route. I have a gallery of it that I have started, but I should be adding to it soon, as things are starting to happen. The funny part is a head badge. For some reason I am hung up on having one, so I have been searching for someone to do one of those and haven't come up with anything yet.

Thanks, it started life as a Trek 1200 from the early 90's. It had down tube shifters, one internal cable, and the bottle cages were rusted in place. I've used a jigsaw on it to remove some stuff and it has been sanded and is nearly ready for paint. It's been fun, but I am ready for it to be done and on the road. So I'll be making a push over the next few weeks to get it done. Then it comes to work with me for training rides. Should be ready for spring.