TriAya's Group: SHUT like dog on steak, sorry! (Page 9)

I just finished a MONSTER swim workout! 

I'll have to post swim notes tomorrow because I think my arms are going to fall off - LOL

actually, I'm headed out to my daughter's BB game soon. 

I hope everyone is having a great weekend

LAURA: Not for long ... great job on the 5K run, you're wearing that run-walk thing very well!

ERIN: beautiful work on under 2:30/100 ... you definitely ARE doing something right!!! Lots of 'em ... they're called swim strokes!

BETH: congrats on the monster swim! YOU are one sleek and brilliant mermaid! ALL of us could use those swim tips--I love how your writing on swimming is methodical and simple to follow ...

Laura, Shawn, Will, Leslie ... I'm so glad that ye with young kids are supporting each other ... I can only imagine the kind of balancing issues you guys have. Training for tri when you have small children ... that is dedication!

How's everybody's weekend going?

Since everyone seems to have gotten new shoes lately--I'm posting a picture of mine! Yay! I even ran in them today! And no snarky comments about the mismatched socks--the important thing is that they match the shoes, if not each other.

Thanks Shawn {blush}!

Just remember I have been at this swimming thing for a very long time.  With hard work, practice and a great outlook (all of which I know you have), you will be amazed at the progress you will make in swimming!

I love to tell a story about a friend of mine that just started swimming 2 years ago. 

When he first started swimming, it was everything he could do to complete 25 yds without stopping.  He is a very determined person and once he sets his mind to something, he doesn't quit until he accomplishes it.

It took months of hard work and practice, but a little over 6 months after starting to swim, he completed his first sprint tri (he would have been ready before that, but we live in NE - lol)

One year after his first sprint, he competed in a 1/2 IM. 

He totally kicks my butt in the pool now - I can't even come close to keeping up with him (although................ he hasn't been swimming much lately - LOL)

thanks again for the nice compliment!

Swimming's tough, no doubt about it. Deep respect to everyone for splashing ahead with it!

Remember: even most pros (even ones with a competitive swimming background, which is many of them!) still find the execution of swimming to be very technical, and they practice a LOT.

Great story about your friend, Beth!

Shawn, I just read the Triple/Double thread and looks like you got a lot of good info. You already know a lot more about bikes than I do, that's for sure! (I still don't ride with drop bars, much less aerobars, and I still have downtube shifters ... but that will all change soon).

Swim Talk

First things first, if you find the swim to be the most difficult/challenging part of the triathlon, you are not alone.  This is the case for most people.

I thought I'd pass along a few guidelines about learning to swim or mastering the swim for you to think about.

1. Learning to swim well takes time.  You need to give yourself permission to learn and improve your sroke (it's really easy for us to want to focus on speed and distance)
2. Dedicate the time needed to work on your swimming - you should get in the water a minimum of 3 times a week.
3. Start by learning the correct technique, if at all possible from an experienced coach or swim instructor.  If you don't have access to, or can't afford a swim coach, seek out videos and material that can help you visualize what the stroke should look like.
4. Don't worry about distance when you are starting out.  Your focus should be on learning the technique and building your base.
5. Join a masters swimming group if possible - a masters program is going to include group support and structured workouts
6. Start at the right level for you - don't try and overdo it
7. Depending on where you are starting from, try and gradually increase your time in the pool over time (most training plans are going to help you follow this guideline)
8. If possible have your stroke video taped and analyzed (again ideally by a qualified coach)  Seeing yourself will really help you see what you are doing right and where you need to make changes in your stroke mechanics
9. Watch experienced swimmers, read and visualize yourself making these changes
10. Devote time to drills as a part of your workouts (this applies to both beginners and experienced swimmers). 
11. When you are learning the techniques of swimming, focus on one or two things at a time, once you've mastered one move on to the next. 
12. Don't get caught up in trying to swim faster until you've mastered the correct technique
13. Work on gradually stretching and strengthening the triceps, shoulders, chest, and upper back.  This will help you to swim with a more effective and less tiring technique

In the early stages mastering the correct technique is more important than increasing your yardage too quickly.

The difference between the best swimmers and the average swimmers is technique.  If you focus on proper technique, you will achieve higher performance levels, have fewer exercise induced injuries, and feel more comfortable swimming (maybe even enjoy it )

Hi Erin,

Yep, the first one is kind of a tough one to visualize.  I'll try and find some video that explains it better

Hi everyone...

I did my first 12k today!  Here's my race report.  http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=98860&posts=2#M1104918

1:09:09 was my time (9.16 min/miles average).  I'll take it.  I need a rest day, and luckily that's scheduled for tomorrow.  Ahhhhhhh.  What have you all been up to this weekend??

Awesome job Leslie!!!!!

that is a great time   I would love to be that fast -

Wow!  Congrats on the huge strides you've made in the pool!  Way to stick it out even when it seemed so hard at first!

I'll get a pic of my new shoes too one of these days - sure do love having 'em!

Renee

At the risk of making everyone jealous and hate me . . . LOL . . . I was lucky enough to get to meet Beth today!  Our resident swim expert took pity on me and took a look at my swimming.  Plus I had the pleasure of seeing how it SHOULD be done   I love knowing what to focus on now as she gave me some areas to work on!  I’m actually excited to go back to the pool and see how my next workout goes!  I’m already seeing some great improvements based on changes she had me make – now to make them more consistent!  Practice, practice, practice!

I also got a nice 6 mile run in today.  It’s cold and snowy out, so I’m sticking to the treadmill for now!  It felt pretty good.  My legs are sore tonight, but I was actually amazed at how my legs don’t seem to be tiring as much while I’m running as they did when I first started doing the long runs – YA!  Yesterday I hit the pool for a while as well and a spin class . . .

Other than workouts, I’ve been trying to get some Christmas shopping done, had dinner with family last night, and really need to make time to get questions answered and sent back in so I can get a training plan setup!  Gonna go work on that right now!

Have a Great Nite All!
Renee

I'm on my way Shawn!!

LOL

Nice Pearl Izumis, Shawn! They really do make the premier cycling products.

[Guys close your eyes here a minute again]

Ah, who'm I kidding, the guys in this group are all too well acquainted with women's issues, I think!

Sorry, this came up awhile back but it came to mind again with the current poll in Tri Talk ... yes, on the whole, women really are stronger on the first day of menstruation. Lots of evidence to support this. Of course, there are plenty of exceptions. 

ya never know what you're going to learn