swbkrun's group- CLOSED (Page 71)

Got my new wheel cover last night, of course it is the wrong size cutout for my powertap so I debated sending it back or cutting it myself.  It's just thin plastic so I think I am going to cut it myself.

Will post pic's after I am done.  I don't want to look too fast then I might actually have to ride fast...

LOL, where is everyone, looks like we got moved to archives..  We can still post here no problem, we did it for months last year.

Speaking of the group, It may not be a bad idea to clean this group up a bit and add some more...We need someone to replace Tony.  Just kidding.  How would it work for Steve to re-up and add only a handful to the ones in this group that want to re-commit.

Tony,  obviously propusion is really more important than just relaxing in the water and using the TI method, so basically you are saying ...combine this catch up stroke with a good catch and pull and you have it.

HEHE feelin the love.

Yeah, I took the 2 day TI workshop last year when I first started swimming, stroke was covered but not how to actually move quickly through the water.

And yes that is basically it, good body position and good pull = ok swim times for me, a good pull helps me rotate my core, my kick is still super pathetic but am trying to work on it.

She has me doing a one arm pull drill, that really helps, left arm on hip, right arm out, pull and breathe to left.  It is really hard to get at first but it has really helped my pull

Ok... A lot going on... We are now Archived!  But that doesn't mean we are done.  I have posted to set up an April Group... This will allow us to continue you on (and not have to fight through the the archives), it will also allow us to find, new people, help new people, and get a different perspective from others.  If you want to continue on with me (which I hope YOU ALL DO) I will post the link (please still include your personal story for everyone new to the group).  If you do not wish to continue that is understandable, but you will be missed greatly!!!

As for open water swimming.... A few thoughts:

1.) It is very important to pick something out OUTSIDE the water, like a house, a BIG tree, hills, boat...Something!  Do this before the race, this allows you to spend less time "spotting" or out of the water looking on where to go!  It is something you can do every couple minutes or so... You expend way less energy this way!  In Canada I used a house on the hill one way, a boat at the turn, and the hotel on the way back.  That way I never really had to LOOK for a long time.

2.) Find a pair of feet to draft on.  Let them do MOST of the spotting for you!  This helps you in many ways!  It gives you a nice slipstream to follow, and you are saving energy there, as well as spotting!

3.) Keeps the buoys in your sight.  If it is a clockwise swim, the buoy is always going to be on your right side (mostly, but just follow me here ).  While you are swimming and you breath to the right, just make sure that the buoy is within' your eye sight.  If you don't see one then spot and find out where your at.  Just try to ALWAY keep the buoy in your sight!

4.) Many courses now have the white line under water... I did 3 races last year and they all had the line!  If you haven't seen it, it is just a rope that is probably 10 feet under water marking the course!  You can just follow that line (like the black line in the pool!).  I don't like this, and don't use it (UNLESS THE SUNRISING makes it impossible to see anything).   I feel that everyone is on the line and it gets crowded and frankly I have done this for 10 years without the line, and have been ok, so why join the masses on the line.  Don't get me wrong it has saved my butt before, I just try to avoid it (THIS IS ME PERSONALLY!  It is a great tool).

5.) Lastly, just swim a straight line!  There are so many factors into why people can't swim a straight line, but I personally think that by breathing from one side you end up pulling the other direction, because of the way you are swimming.  I think that swimming bilateralling helps me swim a straight line.  The 1st time I swam in my wetsuit last year, I couldn't swim a straight line!  It was so frustrating and my friends were laughing me because I was all over the lake!  Well I hadn't really broke the wetsuit in, so it was a little tight, and I was working harder.  Being left handed I have a stronger stroke on that side and it was pulling me in 1 direction!  Funny and annoying at the same time!

6.) I often tell me self when I am swimming in the open water (for training, or in races) it is just like swimming in the pool.  Just relax, picture the black line, and stay focused!  I would definitely recommend you practice spotting in the pool.  It is a big deal.


Numbers 1-3 are what I live by!  That is what gets me through each swim!  Practice, Practice, Practice.... Anytime you can get out with a group I HIGHLY recommend it.  Take turns drafting, swimming side by side, pick points out across the lake, and go for it!

I hope some of this makes sense at all?!

Good info Steve. One thing I would add to your second point about finding feet to follow. Still site check every once in awhile to make sure those feet are going in the right direction.

If we are going to do a new group I'd like to continue with you guys and gals. Especially with the HIM coming up in the late summer.

Went out to play hockey today and got knocked on my @$$. I fell kind of off center and now have a nice bruise on the lower left cheek. My wife says she won't rub it so I guess I'll have to live with the pain. Nice guys I play hockey with, they told me to get up off the ice as I was cutting into their playing time

Edited by Redknight 2009-04-08 1:52 PM

I went back and looked at the 1st couple pages of our group.......I have no idea who some of those people are!!! We are the SWBKRN Hardcores....Plus I don't know where I'd be without Tony's Japanese charts that we receive weekly!
Honestly, I do enjoy this and hope to continue on.

I allready signed up, most other groups would be scared of me....

$130 per lesson? holy crap! Is that for 30 or 60 minutes? 

           How did you sign up? I don't see it in the new mentor thinger?

Edited by TrevorC 2009-04-08 2:39 PM

Down below Performance question and answer is a BT development section and under there is Mentor holding area.

You my friend are a genius. Spread the good word. I went in there and signed up under you and stanley.

Anyone, and Everyone are welcome.  As you can see we had started about 25 plus strong, and ended with less than this.  It is completely normal, and completely fine.  Things come up, things change, etc... I always feel like the more people you have in a group the more each of us can learn.  Plus I like people staying in my group, because I love to see there experience, attitude, and skill change throughout the season! 

Thanks to all of you I am now jumping in the pool thinking... How am I breathing, how am I kicking, what are my hands doing, etc...  However it was a good swim today, so THANK YOU!

Yes you stick around... You have to! 

CT answer... There is a course that starts with a "W"..... I think it is a 27 mile course.  It is good, and somewhat tough.  A couple of good steady climbs.  (I am at work, and can't remember the name...SORRY!)

Here is a good link, you can download courses and it also shows the profile.

http://www.racermate.net/coursesviewer.php?col=name&dir=asc&s=0

LOL, I just randomly pick courses.

I'm signed up on the new page.  Very excited to meet some more great people.  I have been with Steve's group since January of 2008 and have loved every minute of it.  I've learned so much from all the great people that have come and gone or stayed.  Being a part of BT and this group has really defined my tri experiences. 


Side note,  took the bike out for a road test of the new aero positioning and realized my aero bottle no longer fits!  The bars put the bottle touching the front wheel.  Does having the holder allow you to hold the middle of the bottle?  Right now I am was using the rubberbands.  Disappointed.

I cannot find the new thread....  I hope it's not hidden from me.  Ha, I can take a hint.  (j/k)

I looked through the new Mentor groups and did not see our new one. Help.

Hey Jeremy...look at the bottom of all the forums under 'BT Development'. There is a Mentor staging area. Its in there.

Edited by TrevorC 2009-04-08 8:50 PM

Ok whew, I got it, Thank you!