SWBKRUN Mentor Group-"Off Season?" What is that?!! (Page 72)

I would say that I agree with you on the percentages and agree with him on technique, but slightly disagree on endurance.  I feel OWS technique is much different than just cruising in a pool.  When I was in college, I was an ocean lifeguard and if I tried just doing a normal freestyle technique, the waves would swallow me.  I always try to feel my entire body "on top of the water" when OWS.  I feel endurance can be built in both places, but in different ways.  OWS will make you stronger and pool swimming will make you faster = both are good, just different.  Unfortunatley, right now I don't live close enough or have enough time to do much OWS.  The pool will have to do.  Just my .02.

Isn't it amazing how quickly we change.  I have been out for about six weeks with Achilles Tendinitis and have not been able to run until recently.  Honestly I was so depressed, I did not want to do anything- swim or bike.  The thing is, I loved both to begin with, but hated running!  Now that I have been semi-cleared to run, I love training again!  What a mental sport.

Shannon, sorry about the injury.  But I guess the good news is that you know the problem, and you won't be out too long.  Hang in there.  Hardest part now is to be patient, heal, and don't get back too early or too hard.
Smile, there are lots of miles ahead in your future    

Shannon.  That sucks to hear but your attitude is awesome.  "NOT an option"... I love it!  I'll run for you if you want.

Stan.  I second what Tony says.  I put a top on in transition last race and had no problems. The key, like Tony says, is to make sure its unzipped.

Suzy.  Funny, I've been thinking the same thing.  I'd like to go 25/75 if i had the time.  We have a group that swims every Sunday morning down here...actually kinda cool because it started with 6 of us 2 months ago and this past Sunday we had closer to 20 mostly BT'ers there.  One lap is .4 mile so you always have someone around.  Very cool.  Anyways, I'm 75/25 now but might add a Friday afternoon group swim at a lake nearby which would put me hopefully closer to 40/60.  I don't understand how endurance is built in the pool and technique in OWS though.  To me its the other way around. 


On the OWS vs pool topic...I swam a 6:50 400 this morning.  Thankfully we have some fish on the Deuce.  But its amazing how much faster I am in the pool than in the open water in a race.  Completely different animals I guess. 





Edited by fattyfatfat 2009-05-27 9:12 AM

So much talk about the weekend already....It is just WEDNESDAY.  I don't even know what I will be doing tomorrow

Chris,  you better get up and get out early and get some training in.  Laying out till Monday?   I would hate to be slapping you on the back 5 miles into the bike in Augusta.  (time to start talking some smack)  I am figuring even on a bad day and with NO training, you are going to kick my A$$ in the swim

Suzy,  I don't know if I agree with the OWS vs the POOL thing.  I think I have gotten a TON of improvement and confidence from the amount of OWS that I have been able to do.  I am believing that you feel the same way.  Given the opportunity, I would trade a pool session for ow anytime and feel good about it.  I do think however that I get some great workouts with the masters group, and am probably pushed into the upper zones more...I don't know if that is a good thing or not.  But I LOVE the lake swim.

My wife bumped my bike ride this morning to go workout with a friend.  What is a guy to do about that?  I am working from home today and will be alot this summer, but I have the 5 yr old with me, so I can't just slip out for a ride.  Hopefully this afternoon.

Suzy,

I would be interested to hear the response to that question on the open forum if you wanted to post it there.

Time to get a good trainer...

Nice run Rob!

I'm going to be scrambling to get this speed stuff in.

Shannon, sorry about the foot, but at least you're on the road to recovery.  And take your time.  I had my appendix out as a sophomore in high school.  Hurried to get back into basketball season (missed two games) and paid for it for quite some time.

Janet, you mentioned soccer being over and I had to chuckle.  I've been rejoicing - soccer's been over in my house for 3 years now!  As long as my 4 year old shows no interest I'm happy!

Karen, great run.  1:30 is a HUGE improvement.

Trevor, is there anything better than hanging out with the kids on a week day - totally different than the weekend.  I have my 4 year old all week this week.

Suzy, if we ever meet I'll be sure to bring the wine.

Last evening I did my ride.  Felt like I was pulling a parachute - I swore I was into the wind in every direction.  Turns out I'm simply huge and not terribly aerodynamic.  Dang genetics.

Thanks for the confidence, Rob. Unfortunately, I tend to run long not fast, but I'll give it my best!

Shannon,  good and bad news I guess.  Hang touch chicka.   I am proud to have you on team 4 no matter what you decide, cheer or race. 

Stan,  even though I'm not a dude (shut up John  ) I too put my race top on after the swim when it is cold water, for exactly the reason you said.  A few little tips for cold water swimming....
1.  wear 2 swim caps.  Put a silicone cap on first, then the neoprene cap the race issues.  It really helps.
2. Get your face wet before the start.  The shock of cold water can really take your breath away and throw off the whole swim.
3.  Pee in the suit.  I know I've said this before, but trust me, it really helps.  And you know it's cold water when you are too cold to pee! Oh, and wet your face BEFORE you pee.

Suzy, from personal experience I think in amount of OWSing is determined by your comfort level in the water.  If the lack of visibility, presence of waves, sighting, and long distances are factors then spending more time in the open would be a good thing.  Both conditions work technique, just different types of techniques. Since you are starting on both, I think the 50/50 split is a good balance.  I look at it like riding a trainer vs the open road. 

On a similar note, my pool had its olympic 50yd distance pool open yesterday.  I was so excited to swim in it but my husband found all kinds of issues with it;  too cold, too dark (the lights were off at one end) too deep so there was no where to stand at the end.... so he went to the 25 yd pool.   I was sad that he had issues b/c to me that was a perfect open water simulation.  He has a race on Saturday and I thought it would have been good practice, but he is still new to swimming so the discomfort level must have been too high.  This story is to illustrate the point of how comfort can really influence your swim and not to talk bad about the hubby.  He has come a long way with his swimming and I am super proud of him.  (But I did leave him to swim in the 25yd pool alone while I was in the 50yd,  I love him but lets not get crazy.  This is training we are talking about!!!)

Congratulations Karen! Great job!!!

  Hey Roni

Since it is your birthday, will you be sending treats to the group?  Should I be expecting them to arrive by courrier or the USPS? I love cupcakes!

Happy Birthday!   What's on tap for the big day?

Suzy

That's about the age my daughter started playing.  She's just finishing her freshman year in HS and has only missed one season.  It might not be so bad except that she played both fall and spring seasons and sometimes indoor during the winter.  If fact, one of the parents has been talking about starting up an indoor team with some of the girls for this summer.  And I thought maybe we'd get a break for a little while!  But she has always really enjoyed playing so we don't want to take that away from her. 

Happy Birthday Roni!!!

Shannon: Glad you got a diagnosis and are on the road to recovery

Trevor: Good luck this weekend! Have a great race!

Suzy: Thanks! Hope you enjoy the cupcakes! As far as the swim question goes: I don't know what's best for training, but I LOVE OWS. I also find it gives me more confidence in races if I've been doing a lot of it, so I OWS as much as possible.


I am doing the Bfit Bday platinum challenge today. You can find it at www.bfitbday.com
Since it's my 39th birthday, I'm running 9 miles, biking 39 miles, and swimming 3 miles. This will, by far, be the longest swim I've ever done. Heading out the door for my run now. Have a great day everyone!

Race report is up if anyone's interested

WOOOOOHOOOOO!  And I bet the guys are fighting for a spot next to you in transition

i"ll take that bet

edit...


Edited by fattyfatfat 2009-05-27 10:50 AM

One  thing I like to do is put a bag over someone's head............