Swim Camp Mind Torture
I am wondering how everyone in the swim camp is adjusting. If you are a 50 something triathlete, you remember the movie "Apocalypse Now". It's funny, but I have always flashed to one scene from that movie during this time of year. The training performed during the NOS was more intense than years past. Although it was only 14 weeks, that intensity became the norm. There were so many days with sore muscles. On days they weren't sore, they were stiff and tight. Now here I sit in the first week of a two week swim camp. My favorite place is strangely quiet. My bike is not even talking to me. The wheels aren’t spinning. Although my body knows it needs the recovery, with apologies to Martin Sheen, my mind is saying: When I was in the NOS, I wanted to be here. Now, all I want to do is be back there. I'm here a week now getting softer. Every minute I sit here I'm getting weaker and every minute "Charlie" is riding his bike, he's getting stronger.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFsMguGrUVo
Anyway, that is just my perspective.
Comments
I love it....so true! Thanks for that
Just call me Charlie!
When I am working nights, I am Captain Willard. My sleep average drops to 3 hours, I don't talk and everyone stays away. I just don't use all of the crutches that he does in that hotel room.
And then I had the mission! So, I completed the first week swim portions. My schedule would not allow me to swim on the exact days set out in the plan. The plan called for swims Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I swam Wed, Thurs & Fri.I got three swims in and was not surprised that the first swim was the fastest. I did improve Friday over Thursday, but not up to Wednesday yet. I ran as directed and perhaps a bit more and a bit harder. But, that is for me and my garmin to know. Today's workout was great. 10 X 1 at Z5. I beat the gorilla up. I did the warm-up with the 3 X 1 minute Z4 fast cadence. Then, I added a 5 minute VO2 effort and hit 1.14 IF. The 10 X 1 were all 1.24 IF or above.
@Judson: those are called "Swedish goggles" and that's all I've worn since high school swimming (20+ years ago). Once you get used to them (they shouldn't leave black eyes) they are far superior to all other goggles. No leaks ever.
I actually skipped the Swim Camp and stayed in the OS for an extra two weeks. Can't say I missed all of those swim drills.
Hilarious!
@Steve, The snow is ever present here. A little over a foot yesterday, made the day very long plowing after work. It effectively wiped out my chance at the pool. Woke up this morning to no additional snow but it is -1 outside. The The mill of dread will be used. I am planning to do today's run now and the swim at noon. BTW, don't waste those SAU's on the bike. As fun as the 10 X 1' are, they can easily cost big units.
Good luck my fellow fishes!!!
Any words of advice from previous Swim Camp alums would be greatly appreciated!
Time: 17:39
Av Pace/100yd: 1:46
Av Golf: 87
I maintained a steady 17 strokes per lap (25 yds)
I really surprised myself on the swim these past two weeks. I went into last week having not swam in over 8 years and with no concept of what proper swim technique is. The first swim w/o, which I completed on Wednesday was very humbling. It took me 20 mins to swin 400 yds. I was spent after that effort. The second and third w/o's on Thursday/Friday went considerably better. The more I focused on breathing the more comfortable I became. I swam 1,000 in 30 minutes.
By the second week I was able to complete the entire w/o's. The final day, I completed the time trial and Masters Swim w/o for a total of 3,000 yds. I must agree with the coaches' assessment that swim technique comes back, or in my case is learned, in very short order.
Did the 1,000 yd TT this afternoon. 15:06. 1:30/100 yds. Out in about 7:32, back in about 7:34. Okay starting point. I think I was ahead of this pace time last year, but didn't really get any faster. I think the delay in starting my swimming will pay off when I do Raleigh 70.3 in June. Especially considering I've been able to devote more quality time to my biking and running.
Not really used to doing so much drill work as we are doing now, but I would say I am pretty good at thinking of my stroke most all the time. I've been self-coached in swimming for a long time. Last year I tried to do primarily kicking and pulling on Mondays. Long distance on Wednesdays. Speed work on Fridays. I am looking forward to longer sets in our wko's, if that's what on tap. I'm all in, so whatever they give us is what I'll be doing.