Today is the end of my second week. Lots of struggle but lots to be happy about. Yesterday was thanksgiving and the workout was a bit different as it was an hour later but it wasn't that different when it came to the workout part. It was the first time that I swam the whole practice, although only an hour, which was a nice feeling. I had a massage on Wednesday afternoon be Heidi at Flow Yoga. It was very worthwhile to get the muscles worked out and get reaquanted with those muscles and nerves.
It was also the first time that I arrived and left with others and had a bit of the social aspect of swimming with a group. For the past weeks I have arrived while most are already in the pool and I have left early so the locker room was always empty. It is nice to be on a schedule with others.
This morning, Friday, was my first regular practice that I stayed for the whole 90 minutes. It wasn't bad at all. I felt that I was able to keep up with my lane groups. My lungs are still a bit behind and it makes good turns hard to do as I can't seem to be able to wait for the flip-turn and push off before I desperately need more oxygen.
Getting out of bed this morning was easy and I felt rested for the first time since I started this crazy idea. I don't think I woke up at all wondering how much more time I had. I did wake up 15 minutes before the alarm which was very nice. It gave me more time for stretches and yoga.
Also I put a new CD in the car. It is Paul Simon's "Suprise" album. There are some good tracks on it and some (most) that I will have to really wade into with multiple listenings.
See you back monday...
Friday, November 28, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Bitch Bitch Bitch
Well I thought the first week would be the worst but today just plain sucked. My back has been pretty knotted up from all of the new swimming- I definitely need a massage- got to remember to arrange one.
Getting out of bed was brutal. It was 34 dgrees and raining hard when I woke up this morning. I had a headache all night so I didn't sleep well. And to cap off the first act of the comic tragedy, I realized that I forgot to put my towel in the bag right as I was going in to the pool building. grrrrrr.
Barry was my lane-mate today and he was in a mood equivalent to mine so that felt better.
I really thought that the first week would be harder than the others but the one thing I didn't count on was the newness and excitement wearing off. Having Barry there on MWF really helps- Thanks Barry!
The workout itself was fair. Lots of freestyle like the last few practices. We did a kick/swim warmup and then some pulling. When I had to leave at 7 we were in the middle of doing sets of 125s with the last length at fast speed. The next set had the fast portion increasing until we were doing almost all fast. 7 am didn't come quick enough. I think we were just getting to the part where the fast was more than the slow. I was thrilled to start my warm-down.
I guess you never know what the nadir is until well after the fact. I really hope that this morning was touching bottom for how I felt.
Tomorrow's practice promises to be different and in that way should be fun. It starts at 7 and goes to 8. The coaches will be in the water with us. It may be a brutal workout but just the fact that it is a holiday and different makes me excited about it.
One part of my morning that I am enjoying is listening to music on the way to the pool and back. The news on NPR is so terrible these days that I have stopped listening. I have had the soundtrack from the film "rushmore" in my car since monday and it is alot of fun to swim with these songs in my head.
So long.
Getting out of bed was brutal. It was 34 dgrees and raining hard when I woke up this morning. I had a headache all night so I didn't sleep well. And to cap off the first act of the comic tragedy, I realized that I forgot to put my towel in the bag right as I was going in to the pool building. grrrrrr.
Barry was my lane-mate today and he was in a mood equivalent to mine so that felt better.
I really thought that the first week would be harder than the others but the one thing I didn't count on was the newness and excitement wearing off. Having Barry there on MWF really helps- Thanks Barry!
The workout itself was fair. Lots of freestyle like the last few practices. We did a kick/swim warmup and then some pulling. When I had to leave at 7 we were in the middle of doing sets of 125s with the last length at fast speed. The next set had the fast portion increasing until we were doing almost all fast. 7 am didn't come quick enough. I think we were just getting to the part where the fast was more than the slow. I was thrilled to start my warm-down.
I guess you never know what the nadir is until well after the fact. I really hope that this morning was touching bottom for how I felt.
Tomorrow's practice promises to be different and in that way should be fun. It starts at 7 and goes to 8. The coaches will be in the water with us. It may be a brutal workout but just the fact that it is a holiday and different makes me excited about it.
One part of my morning that I am enjoying is listening to music on the way to the pool and back. The news on NPR is so terrible these days that I have stopped listening. I have had the soundtrack from the film "rushmore" in my car since monday and it is alot of fun to swim with these songs in my head.
So long.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
No Fog and Fog
Tuesdays practice was pretty run of the mill. The windows of my car were frozen over of course. cold cold cold for the first few miles.
I got some antifog liquid from a friend who is a psychiatrist. It is a fluid that is to be used on medical insruments like mirrors so they dont fog. It works great. One application and it last for a long time. I don't know if it is approved for use around the eyes though- I had a bit of water in my goggles and when I switched from freestyle to backstroke the little bit of water that had been sloshing aroung the lens (and getting contaminated with the antifog) now was bathing the outside corner of my eyes. It didn't burn right aweay but felt funny while at practice. The burning and the foggy vision started later, while driving home. In the shower I flushed my eyes out the best I could. I didn't want to show up at the middle school looking like I was stoned with red eyes but what could I do. The foggy vision and the burning lasted for a few hours.
I gave some to mike in the next lane. I hope he didn't have a bad time with it. Sorry mike!
Must be carefull to not get water in the goggles.
I got some antifog liquid from a friend who is a psychiatrist. It is a fluid that is to be used on medical insruments like mirrors so they dont fog. It works great. One application and it last for a long time. I don't know if it is approved for use around the eyes though- I had a bit of water in my goggles and when I switched from freestyle to backstroke the little bit of water that had been sloshing aroung the lens (and getting contaminated with the antifog) now was bathing the outside corner of my eyes. It didn't burn right aweay but felt funny while at practice. The burning and the foggy vision started later, while driving home. In the shower I flushed my eyes out the best I could. I didn't want to show up at the middle school looking like I was stoned with red eyes but what could I do. The foggy vision and the burning lasted for a few hours.
I gave some to mike in the next lane. I hope he didn't have a bad time with it. Sorry mike!
Must be carefull to not get water in the goggles.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Monday Monday
Last night I was telling Katy at diner how easy the swimming felt after the first week. Well I stand corrected. Monday morning was hard in every aspect: THe alarm, getting dressed, scraping the ice off of the windshield (I didnt think to budget time for this!) and most of all the swimming.
I just couldnt catch my breath. THe main part of the practice for me, since I leave at 7, was 4x50 of freestyle at a moderate pace with 30 secs rest each then a 200 IM at fast speed with 15 secs rest. the whole thing repeated 4 times. After the first IM I couldn't catch my breath all through the freestyle.
I was very glad to see 7am come around.
I just couldnt catch my breath. THe main part of the practice for me, since I leave at 7, was 4x50 of freestyle at a moderate pace with 30 secs rest each then a 200 IM at fast speed with 15 secs rest. the whole thing repeated 4 times. After the first IM I couldn't catch my breath all through the freestyle.
I was very glad to see 7am come around.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Week One Done
Well today was the finish of the first week. Although I am not staying for the last half hour of the practice I am able to keep up pretty well for the time I am there. Amazing to think that 5 days ago I would have had trouble doing just a few laps.
One thing I have noticed that is a challenge is doing the math necessary and folling the complicated orders given out by the coach. I am getting better at it though.
He will say:
"the first set is 7 100s on the the 2:20 then 6 100s on the 2:05 and work your way down to a single 100. when you cant make the clock go to 20 sec rest."
What was that? So that is how many laps?... I need to look at the clock- not just look at the clock but remember what it says and calculate the time to take off on the next set. This is a new language on top of the fact that it is occurring at 6 am and my brain is barely warmed-up. Hopefully I am in a lane with someone who can follow the speak then I can follow them.
I bought some different goggles that have made a big difference. They are made more like a scuba mask that doesnt include the nose than regular swim goggles.
I am feeling pretty strong for only having done it for a week. I am able to focus on my stroke a bit more now that I am not gasping for breath. That makes a nice difference. I have been trying to keep track of how many strokes it take to get across the pool. without fins it take about 21 With fins it is about 18. I hope to peel that back. I have heard of people that can do 15. A stronger push off and longer glide will help.
I drank 3 beers last night and ate crappy but delicious bar food. I am sure that made it hard to sleep, hard to wake up and even harder to swim this morning. I must remember to think of swimming on the nights before. Must remember...
I havent had a great night sleep since I started this and I hope that changes soon. Some part of my brain is anticipating the alarm and worried about the time all night. Not fun.
They say that ducks can sleep half of their brains at once if they need to stay alert. I feel like that.
Now that the weekend is here i wonder if I should continue to get up at the early hour or sleep in? It sounds like an easy question (sleep in moron!) but I think that the sooner I shift my full cycle forward the more comfortable I will be. any thoughts on this science friends?
Well off for the weekend...
See ya in the water monday.
One thing I have noticed that is a challenge is doing the math necessary and folling the complicated orders given out by the coach. I am getting better at it though.
He will say:
"the first set is 7 100s on the the 2:20 then 6 100s on the 2:05 and work your way down to a single 100. when you cant make the clock go to 20 sec rest."
What was that? So that is how many laps?... I need to look at the clock- not just look at the clock but remember what it says and calculate the time to take off on the next set. This is a new language on top of the fact that it is occurring at 6 am and my brain is barely warmed-up. Hopefully I am in a lane with someone who can follow the speak then I can follow them.
I bought some different goggles that have made a big difference. They are made more like a scuba mask that doesnt include the nose than regular swim goggles.
I am feeling pretty strong for only having done it for a week. I am able to focus on my stroke a bit more now that I am not gasping for breath. That makes a nice difference. I have been trying to keep track of how many strokes it take to get across the pool. without fins it take about 21 With fins it is about 18. I hope to peel that back. I have heard of people that can do 15. A stronger push off and longer glide will help.
I drank 3 beers last night and ate crappy but delicious bar food. I am sure that made it hard to sleep, hard to wake up and even harder to swim this morning. I must remember to think of swimming on the nights before. Must remember...
I havent had a great night sleep since I started this and I hope that changes soon. Some part of my brain is anticipating the alarm and worried about the time all night. Not fun.
They say that ducks can sleep half of their brains at once if they need to stay alert. I feel like that.
Now that the weekend is here i wonder if I should continue to get up at the early hour or sleep in? It sounds like an easy question (sleep in moron!) but I think that the sooner I shift my full cycle forward the more comfortable I will be. any thoughts on this science friends?
Well off for the weekend...
See ya in the water monday.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Day 2 and 3
The second day was a bit harder as my arms were sore from the first day. Getting out of bed was harder also as I had not slept well the 2 nights before as didn't want to sleep late and kept looking at the clock every hour all night.
Organizing is a pain in the early morning and I stumbled a bit looking for clothes and swimming gear. My mind isn't the clearest at that time of day. I think the key is going to be to have everything in the bathroom all ready to go so there will be no need to think.
The third day was the first time I that I felt a bit stronger. I still wasn't able to do the whole routine but I was pretty close. When my group was finished with a drill I would stop also even though I still owed a lap or two. I feel like my stroke is improving also.
I spent some time watching youtube videos of the freestyle stroke. It definitely helped.
My Friend Grinell told me that there was some research saying that letting your fingers go limp during the stroke was just as efficient as holding your fingers straight. I tried it and it felt funny but seemed to work. I cant find any info on the web that says yea or nay to this theory. Grinell uses it for his surfing paddle stroke. Grinell- I think that the vibration of the fingers might be attractive to the many sharks that swim where you surf. More research is necessary.
I did invest in a tighter suit and some fins. It is not feeling like a habit yet but it is fun and makes me feel great- not just for the exercise but for the feeling of success I am enjoying by following through on a goal.
My intent is to swim at21 consecutive practices before I make up my mind about whether to continue or how many times a week.
3 down/ 18 to go
Jm
Organizing is a pain in the early morning and I stumbled a bit looking for clothes and swimming gear. My mind isn't the clearest at that time of day. I think the key is going to be to have everything in the bathroom all ready to go so there will be no need to think.
The third day was the first time I that I felt a bit stronger. I still wasn't able to do the whole routine but I was pretty close. When my group was finished with a drill I would stop also even though I still owed a lap or two. I feel like my stroke is improving also.
I spent some time watching youtube videos of the freestyle stroke. It definitely helped.
My Friend Grinell told me that there was some research saying that letting your fingers go limp during the stroke was just as efficient as holding your fingers straight. I tried it and it felt funny but seemed to work. I cant find any info on the web that says yea or nay to this theory. Grinell uses it for his surfing paddle stroke. Grinell- I think that the vibration of the fingers might be attractive to the many sharks that swim where you surf. More research is necessary.
I did invest in a tighter suit and some fins. It is not feeling like a habit yet but it is fun and makes me feel great- not just for the exercise but for the feeling of success I am enjoying by following through on a goal.
My intent is to swim at21 consecutive practices before I make up my mind about whether to continue or how many times a week.
3 down/ 18 to go
Jm
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
The first steps...
This is the first entry in a blog that follows my attempt to start a morning swim routine. I have always loved swimming and was on a summer swim team as a young teen.
Since then swimming has been something that I have loved but I have never pursued it methodically or seriously for health. I think I have swam 10 laps in 12 years.
That is all changing (I hope--I intend).
Yesterday was my first day swimming with the Hood River Master Swim team. The practice is each week day at 6am to 7:30. you can see by the practice time that there is more challenge here than just doing laps. It is still very dark at 6 am and is not getting any warmer as december is just around the corner.
It wasnt hard to get up the first day as I was excited and nervous about swimming in such an organized way and workout. My first contact with the living was in the locker-room and even there people were just coming alive. Out in the pool there were at least 20 swimmers getting in and warming up. On the deck the coach, Shea, and he made me feel right at home. There are about 8 lanes and the lanes are dedicated to the swimmer speed. The fastest swimmers are in the easternmost lanes and the slower swimmers are in the west. Shea put me in a lane with one other guy. The water was (relatively) warm and it felt good to get in.
I don't know how far I swam the first day. Maybe 15 laps. I wasn't able to keep up with the paractice and so I didn't bother. I just kept going to the best of my limited ability.
I left before the practice was done because I had to be home to help with the kids before my 8 am appointment at the middle school where I am the artist in residence.
I was an awesome feeling driving home at 7:15. I was tired for sure but to be so awake so early is a nice feeling.
I named this post the "first steps" because it has several meanings. By taking this on I am changing my sleep routine as well as taking on a course of exercise. The first steps out of bed on a cold dark fall moring feel as difficult as the last lap of practice.
Since then swimming has been something that I have loved but I have never pursued it methodically or seriously for health. I think I have swam 10 laps in 12 years.
That is all changing (I hope--I intend).
Yesterday was my first day swimming with the Hood River Master Swim team. The practice is each week day at 6am to 7:30. you can see by the practice time that there is more challenge here than just doing laps. It is still very dark at 6 am and is not getting any warmer as december is just around the corner.
It wasnt hard to get up the first day as I was excited and nervous about swimming in such an organized way and workout. My first contact with the living was in the locker-room and even there people were just coming alive. Out in the pool there were at least 20 swimmers getting in and warming up. On the deck the coach, Shea, and he made me feel right at home. There are about 8 lanes and the lanes are dedicated to the swimmer speed. The fastest swimmers are in the easternmost lanes and the slower swimmers are in the west. Shea put me in a lane with one other guy. The water was (relatively) warm and it felt good to get in.
I don't know how far I swam the first day. Maybe 15 laps. I wasn't able to keep up with the paractice and so I didn't bother. I just kept going to the best of my limited ability.
I left before the practice was done because I had to be home to help with the kids before my 8 am appointment at the middle school where I am the artist in residence.
I was an awesome feeling driving home at 7:15. I was tired for sure but to be so awake so early is a nice feeling.
I named this post the "first steps" because it has several meanings. By taking this on I am changing my sleep routine as well as taking on a course of exercise. The first steps out of bed on a cold dark fall moring feel as difficult as the last lap of practice.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
