BikerGrrrl's Group - CLOSED (Page 8)

Breaststroke is bad for my knees, so I agree it is not a great 'resting' stroke for me.  I would go with side stroke or elementary backstroke, that is one I do if I want to rest but keep moving, but mine is a comination of regular backstroke kick and elementary backstroke arms, like breast stroke on your back.  Bad thing about this, especially in open water, is you can't really see where you are going.    You can always stop for a few minutes and just tread water to rest too.

Hmmm... I was going to try to describe it, but best to leave you with this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxcgmHBE6k8

Hopefully a better swimmer than me can explain it.

Glad to hear from you, Lacie.  Anyone else out there lurking? 

I was thinking about you all when I was swimming this morning.  Does everyone work sighting into their swim workouts, occasionally?  Especially for those of you who haven't done their first open water swim, it's good practice.  Put an object (water bottle, buoy, noodle, whatever) at the end of your lane and practice looking for it.  It can take a while to find the best way for you to incorporate this move. 

What I do is look up and straight ahead first, then turn my head and breathe.  I am only able to do this on one side, which is also good to know.  If waves or other issues cause me to need to sight on my left, I pretty much have to pop up for a second and then resume swimming.  Oh, the joys!

I had a swim last September where a heavy fog rolled in while we were in the water.  Half way around I couldn't see the buoys or other swimmers.  By some miracle we all found our way to the shore.  Crazy! 

glad to see that our lurkers are still with us.  hopefully all is well in lurker land.  me, i can't keep my mouth/fingers shut/still for that long!

got my 2nd brick tonight.  the first one was weird b/c i did half inside and half outside.  (air quality was bad so i ran on the treadmill).  tonight doing both around my subdivision will be more like the real deal.

I keep finding that life is getting in the way and i seem to be cutting a bike workout a week.   not good at all.  got the long bike ride this weekend - but its supposed to be thunderstorming both days.  in that case is it better to do the recumbant bike?  i mean it would be that or some other cardio in the gym.  not sure why they don't have a regular stationary bike in there.  i know that's not preferable for training, but i don't have access to a regular indoor bike and i certainly don't wanna get struck by lightening!!

Well I would say that some bike is better than no bike.  

However, usually the weather doesn't last all day.  If they are forecasting both days, it might mean Saturday night and Sunday morning.    Maybe you can be ready to do it when things clear up?

Spring is tough like that.  I regularly move around and cancel bikes due to the weather.   Boo.

I agree with all of that!  I took lessons when I was little, but it was a really bad experience and didn't stick with it.  I wish I could find that instructor and tell them how their little methods to get me into the water (literally pushing me off the edge) totally backfired.  Now, four years after starting again as an adult, I am finally really swimming.  Not fast, but consistent.  I have vowed to encourage my nieces.  So far they are interested and like swimming lessons.

I love the analogy - triathlon really is fun!  Must remember that...

LaurenCO - 2010-04-21 5:56 PM

I really envy ppl who have swam since childhood competitively. As an adult, its hard to bridge that gap. So I've made it a point to make sure my kids take swim lessons every summer, and spend as much time in the pool as possible throughout the yr.

Now that I think about it, triathlons are really glorified childhoods. Swimming, riding your bike and running around with friends

That is very true - gotta prioritize!

I have only heard anecdotes, but the suit rental business seems to be a good thing.    I would DEFinitely recommend calling them to place the order so you can let them know your worries.  They should be flexible enough to give you a men's suit if that's what you really want.

Hey kids - everyone ready for the weekend?

I have been doing the weather dance all week, hoping the weekend rain forecast doesn't come true...  I am supposed to run for 1:40 and bike for 4:00 and I'd REALLY rather it be dry