Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Maiden voyage
So I went swimming this morning and let's just say that it was....educational. I have learned that I really need to learn how to swim if I have any intentions of doing this tri. I really didn't have much of a problem going back and forth in the pool for 30 minutes ( I hesitate to call them laps) but I did have problems with the whole breathing thing. I either get water up my nose (even though I was trying to do the continuous positive pressure thing) or I hold my breath and end up gasping. Sheesh. What I wouldn't give to have been allowed to go to the Rath Park pool like all the other little kids in my neighborhood. Instead, my parents (in their infinite wisdom) took me see Jaws-an experience which left me terrified of all things aquatic. It was so bad that at one point I used to seriously worry about a great white somehow coming up through the toilet and making short work of me. I'm happy to report that, 35 years later, I'm not overly concerned about being bitten in half by a maniacal shark anymore (I've gotten over the toilet thing) but I am certainly not a natural in the water. Aside from that, the Y is awesome! Since it looks like it might rain tomorrow, I think I'll take advantage of their weight room and either "swim" some more or go for a run on the indoor track (remember indoor track, Pats? That was fun!). Anyway, if you have a prayer list, pls put me on it. I'll take any help I can get!
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Breathing is tough. I've actually been focusing a lot of attention on my neck/head position and stroke in order to maximize air intake (because I was thinking I might be suffocating a little). There are a lot of good resources on-line. Too bad we can't train together :( Anyway, I'd recommend breathing on the third stroke (so you don't end up with a freakishly strong right side and puny left - or vice versa). And you know about the breathing out underwater so, I guess, just persevere. And, sometimes the lifeguards at these pools aren't assholes so you could ask them for advice. Good job Saff!!!! Oh, and I feel your pain about Jaws. I was a little afraid that he would make it into my Grandmother's pool. And, my grandmother told me that if I (at age 7) went out over my head in the LI Sound that there would be sharks there. Yeah. How is it that I love the beach???
ReplyDeleteSaff, about the breathing, in addition to practice, of course, make sure you're not bringing your arm out of the water to start the next stroke too soon (so you're looking right to breathe, but if you bring your right arm up to soon you have less time to breathe and water can run off your arm and into your mouth/nose). I've been working on this too. I read that you should try to brush your thigh (oh, la la) with your thumb (oh la la?) before bringing your arm forward for the next stroke. Also, you want to have your face down when you're not breathing (you want your neck straight - try not to stick your head up to see in front of you - look at lines on the bottom of the pool until you get close to the end). This helps maximize breathing time too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips. I'll try to start putting it all together next time I swim (tomorrow hopefully!)
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