Beth and Yanti's New Manatees - FULL! :-) (Page 7)

Thanks Nathalie!

sounds to me like you did a good job of listening to your body - very important IMHO

x2!

Yes...I know I will be a swimmer...I should say "be a swimmer...AGAIN"

I grew up swimming and was a Life Guard 2 years at a large pool and 2 years at Myrtle Beach (S.C.)  I USED TO TEACH SWIM LESSONS for God's sake.  I swam in HS and college and I am very comfortable in the water.  I have been to 2 clinics this past year and was told both times I have a very good stroke...blah blah blah.....I know what the problem is....I really $UCK in the endurance department and I HATE swimming laps to build up that part of the equation.

I know my limiter is my lack of dedication to putting in the time to build a good base and I know it will come.  As my blog title says...2009 The Year of Big Changes.  Well, one of those changes is more dedication to my training plans and not relying on the fact that I am a decent athlete.  And if I follow those plans and put in the time I will be a good swimmer.....or Beth and Yanti will open up the entire can of Whup-A$$ on this old guy.

Thanks for the positive words  (keep them coming please) and I know that with help from this super group I WILL be a good swimmer by race season next year.

Steve

Great piece of advice.

Steve

I just have to post a pic of how my dog looks like a Manatee:

Too funny!

So sorry to hear about your continued knee issues Erin.  I know how much running means to you and how hard it is not to get out on the road every day like you want too.  Better luck with the reat and rehab.

Steve

RECOVERING FROM INJURY/ILLNESS

Dearest Erin! x2 on what Steve said. I'm so sorry about the knee.

It might help to look back on when you started to have knee problems and plan on the same amount of recovery time as when they began ... and add a little bit.  I don't know if your health plan covers PT, but it couldn't hurt. You could also look up knee rehabbing exercises and see if they help.

As you know, when you come back to running ... start with low, low, volume again, EZ. Like, a mile and then from there.

Steve, 

It sounds that you have a good base, you know what it takes and that you have a plan to attack it. This is a great starting point. Some of us, myself included, are less fortunate to know all that. I started swimming at the age of 37 after I watched video clips on how to swim (free style) on my own. Shortly after, I realized that I need professional help to get going and to build a good base so I can participate in any race. Today, about 1.5 later, I am still learning the basics...

I think that the most important thing you did was the recognize it and now (during 2009) act upon it. Next, mix in some dedication and consistency and you will get there - faster than lots of us. Good luck!

I totally hear you and wish you a quick recovery. Do you know why and what caused this injury? It could be that your body is signaling to you that it needs some rest. You may want to check on your logs and see how much you increased your running (training) volume on a week to week basis and see whether you see a big jump in volume - as it may help understand the reason for the pain - and that way find the best way to treat it.

joeseal - 2008-12-29 3:52 PM Thank you Fielding and Yanti for your most excellent reply to my angst with swimming. I am starting to do more drills, but I also want to put in some long swims to build that base. I am feeling pretty good with training so I just want to keep going forward. I ran 9 easy miles yesterday, then 6 hours of walking around in the city “SF” shopping I put in a good long swim this morning and I am starting to notice subtle improvements as I tweak my form . I plan to do an hour on the bike later today. I have no real structure in my training now, other than I plan to do 5x swim, 2x run and 2x bile per week. Any thoughts on this approach from the experts? Regard

Hi Joel,

I think you've got a good general approach to a swim focused training.  Remeber also that rest days are important

I would still suggest following a specific training plan - especially when it gets closer to the actual race.  Here is a link to the free plans on BT.  I would suggest either the 20 week balanced or the 20 week swim focused. 

http://beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/training/trainingplans-list.asp?h=0&racetype=1&racesubtype=2&level=-1

At some point you'll want to pick the specific race so you know the date and can apply the plan to the dates.

You can print out the plans and follow them and/or you can enter the plan into your BT training log. 

The training plans are geared for the specific event and include building for the volume as well as recovery and taper weeks.  All are important in the approach to training for a race.

Training plans put structure around the workouts and provide a balanced approach to working on form, speed, endurance, etc., which is why I find them so beneficial. 

Speaking for myself, my performance really started to improve when I started following event specific training plans rather than doing my own thing.  - what are others experience with using a training plan vs not?

As far as the swim goes, it's not necessarily about getting in lots of distance to build the base, it is very much about technique, efficiency, and being comfortable  and relaxed in the water - your first race is in about 4 months, so you have plenty of time to focus on the technique and skill.  In fact sometimes more isn't necessarily better.

Once you get the technique down, I promise the distance will come and it will come and will feel much better.

One of my favorite sources for swim workouts is "Workouts in a Binder: Swim Workouts for Triathletes" by Gale Berhardt - it's really good and you can take it right to the pool with you - it's spiral bound and water proof.  There are workouts that focus on form, endurance, speed, etc.

One other thing to consider would be to do a Sprint distance first - you could treat it as training for the Oly.

My reason for suggesting this as something to consider is that it might be really helpful to get an Open Water Swim under your belt in a shorter distance - it's much different swimming in Open water with lots of people, than in a pool.

hope this helps

joeseal - 2008-12-29 12:52 PM Thank you Fielding and Yanti for your most excellent reply to my angst with swimming. I am starting to do more drills, but I also want to put in some long swims to build that base. I am feeling pretty good with training so I just want to keep going forward. I ran 9 easy miles yesterday, then 6 hours of walking around in the city “SF” shopping I put in a good long swim this morning and I am starting to notice subtle improvements as I tweak my form . I plan to do an hour on the bike later today. I have no real structure in my training now, other than I plan to do 5x swim, 2x run and 2x bile per week. Any thoughts on this approach from the experts? Regard

That sounds like a fine plan while you're trying to improve your swimming. I looked at your logs and it does look like you're doing well with it. Try to make sure the bike rides are each at least as long as a sprint tri would be (10-18 miles) and increase a little each week, then pull back each 3rd or 4th week and just do an easy week.

2x run is fine to maintain where you're at with your running, which seems pretty good!

I really hear you, Erin. I mean, I'm looking at all these people who are doing mammoth weeks for IM training and I'm still turtling along

However, as I said before, bit by bit builds and is always better than over-reaching.

How embarrassed am I?

I just realized I don't have the right link in the table for Joel - ARGH!  I'll fix that and repost the table

lastcall2003 - 2008-12-29 1:30 PM

joeseal - 2008-12-29 3:52 PM Thank you Fielding and Yanti for your most excellent reply to my angst with swimming. I am starting to do more drills, but I also want to put in some long swims to build that base. I am feeling pretty good with training so I just want to keep going forward. I ran 9 easy miles yesterday, then 6 hours of walking around in the city “SF” shopping I put in a good long swim this morning and I am starting to notice subtle improvements as I tweak my form . I plan to do an hour on the bike later today. I have no real structure in my training now, other than I plan to do 5x swim, 2x run and 2x bile per week. Any thoughts on this approach from the experts? Regard

Hi Joel,

I think you've got a good general approach to a swim focused training.  Remeber also that rest days are important

I would still suggest following a specific training plan - especially when it gets closer to the actual race.  Here is a link to the free plans on BT.  I would suggest either the 20 week balanced or the 20 week swim focused. 

Yes, once you're within 16-20 weeks of the race, you definitely want to follow a structured plan.

There fixed that!  Sorry about that Joel!

fwiw, someone that we thought was you has gotten some pretty nice inspires