Dipping my toes back in the water
For not having gone swimming for 4-5 months I was certain that my swim fitness would be completely lost. Like I would jump in and immediately sink to the bottom of the pool, never returning to the surface for air. Eventually (days later the most likely scenario), the Chicago Park District life guards would find me belly up and have to break into my locker to identify my body.
I just didn't know what to expect as I drove to the pool on Friday night. If i had to guess, I figured I'd be swimming my 100yd sets around 2:25, give or take a couple of seconds since I was so far removed.
You see, I ended last year's tri season ended with me being able to swim 1:49/100y in open water at the half iron distance (and subsequently 1:38/100 in a sprint distance). In the pool I typically averaged in the low 1:50's...and I really had to bust my butt to get that time consistently. When I just went at it at a relaxed, comfortable pace...I was teetering between 1:58-2:05.
So imagine my surprise when my first 100 in the 5x100 set came at 2:07. Each one was subsequently a little bit faster. Which led me to my best set of the night at 1:59.
...it was almost like I had never left the water.
My intent was to go to the pool and gently dip my toes back in the water. Not to go in and make a splash. I was pleasantly surprised.
Sure, I could feel where my form was off with the catch and pull...and I need to get used to driving my hips again. I've got drills upon drills to work on to help correct those errors. But the bilateral breathing that was oh so problematic came fluidly and the weightlessness in the water felt amazingly wonderful. It was like I was home.
Could it be?
I actually missed swimming.
There's really something to be said about being able to swish and propel your body around the water without a care in the world. And it felt damn good.
I peeled off 1350 yards in the pool that night. About 400 more than I anticipated doing. But I felt like I could've continued on for a while mixing all the TI drills in with 100yard sets. It's funny to think that it was just a year ago that I could barely make it 50 yards without having to hold onto the edge of the pool to catch my breath.
Things are really starting to fall into place as I get all the prep work lined up before my Iron Plan kicks off in several weeks time. Mike and I have sent in our Masters insurance registration so we can finally start swimming with the big fish. I'm a little nervous as masters swims are often intimidating and I'm sure to look like a guppy in comparison (that paired with the fact the workouts are at 5:30 in the morning--ugh!). I've seen some of the workouts they do...and it looks like it will really be pushing me to a whole new level, which will be infinitely beneficial to my swim fitness come November 22nd at 7am.
Afterall, the faster I get through the swim, the more leeway I have on the bike...which is really a my problem area. Don't worry, I'm not investing all my efforts in the swim to give me a buffer on the bike...I'm planning on spending plenty of time in the saddle to improve my bike technique and endurance. In fact, this year it really will be all.about.the.bike. for me. I will love to bike by the time late summer rolls around. I will, I will, I will...if it's the last thing I do!
But for now, I'm just enjoying getting reacquainted with the water...
It's good to be getting back into the swing of things!
I just didn't know what to expect as I drove to the pool on Friday night. If i had to guess, I figured I'd be swimming my 100yd sets around 2:25, give or take a couple of seconds since I was so far removed.
You see, I ended last year's tri season ended with me being able to swim 1:49/100y in open water at the half iron distance (and subsequently 1:38/100 in a sprint distance). In the pool I typically averaged in the low 1:50's...and I really had to bust my butt to get that time consistently. When I just went at it at a relaxed, comfortable pace...I was teetering between 1:58-2:05.
So imagine my surprise when my first 100 in the 5x100 set came at 2:07. Each one was subsequently a little bit faster. Which led me to my best set of the night at 1:59.
...it was almost like I had never left the water.
My intent was to go to the pool and gently dip my toes back in the water. Not to go in and make a splash. I was pleasantly surprised.
Sure, I could feel where my form was off with the catch and pull...and I need to get used to driving my hips again. I've got drills upon drills to work on to help correct those errors. But the bilateral breathing that was oh so problematic came fluidly and the weightlessness in the water felt amazingly wonderful. It was like I was home.
Could it be?
I actually missed swimming.
There's really something to be said about being able to swish and propel your body around the water without a care in the world. And it felt damn good.
I peeled off 1350 yards in the pool that night. About 400 more than I anticipated doing. But I felt like I could've continued on for a while mixing all the TI drills in with 100yard sets. It's funny to think that it was just a year ago that I could barely make it 50 yards without having to hold onto the edge of the pool to catch my breath.
Things are really starting to fall into place as I get all the prep work lined up before my Iron Plan kicks off in several weeks time. Mike and I have sent in our Masters insurance registration so we can finally start swimming with the big fish. I'm a little nervous as masters swims are often intimidating and I'm sure to look like a guppy in comparison (that paired with the fact the workouts are at 5:30 in the morning--ugh!). I've seen some of the workouts they do...and it looks like it will really be pushing me to a whole new level, which will be infinitely beneficial to my swim fitness come November 22nd at 7am.
Afterall, the faster I get through the swim, the more leeway I have on the bike...which is really a my problem area. Don't worry, I'm not investing all my efforts in the swim to give me a buffer on the bike...I'm planning on spending plenty of time in the saddle to improve my bike technique and endurance. In fact, this year it really will be all.about.the.bike. for me. I will love to bike by the time late summer rolls around. I will, I will, I will...if it's the last thing I do!
But for now, I'm just enjoying getting reacquainted with the water...
It's good to be getting back into the swing of things!
Labels: Swimming
posted by Iron Jayhawk at 11:04 AM
5 Camper Comments:
Great post! Glad to hear it was a good swim!
That masters pool looks scary. Am I sure I want to get into this arena too?? Hmmm...
Good on ya for getting back into the water - can't wait to live vicariously through all this with you!!
You HAVE to love the bike, no ifs and or buts about it. I remember during IM about mile 10, I was like "seriously? 102 more miles to go? WTF." Don't be like me.
Hurrah! You've still GOT IT !
Congratulations for finding it.
So good to read! I know exactly what you're talking about. That's how I feel about my running this year.
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