Tri Training: First Swim (Unofficial)

With Monday, 11/15/10 being the first official swim practice I figured I should at least get some practice laps in so I can reacquaint myself with the pool. I have not swam ever since my last tri event at the end of September. To me, the event was over so I had no reason to swim again. Until now... Even though I was swimming prior to the event, I still cringe everytime I think about swimming. It actually makes me nauseous. So, I forced myself over to the Silver Creek pool.

Team in Training (TNT) provides a detailed training schedule for the week to give the participants an idea of what you should be working on and what distances based on three levels. You can also be a different levels for each sport. In the pool, I am not confident and so I categorize myself in between the lower to middle level for swim. Based on this, I should be swimming between 400-500 yds. If this was truly my first time ever back into swimming, I would say "you're crazy!" Swimming one length of the pool which is 25 yds is a feat in itself. Luckily, I had all my gear: my googles, swim cap, fins, kickboard and pull buoy. Prior to me swimming, I had no idea you need all these things to develop strength and endurance.

Swim practice always begins with a warmup. TNT's recommended warmup is 200yds in freestyle. So, that's what I started with and my first 50 yds of my swim, I was out of breath and all I could think about was "what did I get myself into?" But I tried to remain calm and realized that I swam that first 50 like I was racing. My wonderful swim instructor, Mrs. T was the one who said "swim nice and easy." So, I tried to remember that and I headed out for my next 50 but again, I felt out of breath and even sucked in some water. My breathing was not good! So, I decided to get my friend the pull buoy (and for you non swimmers, this device forces you to use your arms only when you swim). Many people don't like it but my main reason for liking the device is that I only concentrate on moving my arms, keeping my head down and breathing. For some reason, when I add the kicking, I overtire myself. I finished my warmup with 100yds using the pull buoy.

Now for the main set... I alternated between freestyle, kickboard and the pull buoy. This is what I ended up doing.

2 x 50yds freestyle
4 x 50yds pull buoy
2 x 50yds kickboard
1 x 50yds freestyle

My final swim total was 650yds. I would've attempted to swim additional yards but my last 50yds was done in what I would call my best freestyle so I wanted to end on a good note. Still not confident but I have 5 months...

Aloha
Laarni