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January 22, 2007
Progress
So this morning I had a 1000 yd time trial in the pool and let me tell you, when I woke up I just didn't feel like it. I think part of that feeling was due to the pressure of feeling like I wanted to improve on last month's time trial but not knowing if I really could. You know that feeling? But of course once I got myself to the pool and warmed up I was ready to rumble!
2300 yd total at YMCA (600 yd warmup, 700 yd cooldown)
1000 yd time trial
last time trial (12/26) - 13:28
goal - 13:15
actual 13:17 (1:19.8/100 yd)
I was very excited to see improvement even if I didn't quite reach my goal! When I did my last time trial I KNEW I was going to swim faster because my swim workouts had been going so much better. This time though I was concerned. My swim workouts have been fine, very good in fact, but at the same time kind of status quo. And so how could I improve? I think what I fail to realize is sometimes (in running and cycling too) it's not always about having these amazing workouts all the time and really pushing yourself to the limit and on and on. I mean sometimes that's necessary. But in endurance sport I think it's just a matter of consistency. Day in and day out, getting up and getting it done and in the end you're just stronger. Simply put. I mean how many times will you read about an athlete that has a big breakthrough in their racing and they are asked what they did differently in their training and their answer is - NOTHING! All they did was accumulate miles in their legs and months and years of training and it all finally added up. Anyway, I'm babbling, but the end result was that I was quite pleased with my 11 second improvement. And now I don't have to worry about another 1000 yd time trial until February. :)
During the actual 1000 yd I felt good and strong but I will say the last 150 was the most fatigued I've ever been while swimming. I just hit the wall - all of a sudden my arms felt like lead and I was struggling! But I am proud to say that I negative splited - I went through the first 500 in 6:40 and therefore the 2nd 500 in 6:37 (despite feeling as if the lifeguard was going to have to put her CPR skills to use :).
So that was my main workout for the day. I lifted this evening at the YMCA. This week is a lighter week in terms of hours but also a testing week in that I have time trials in cycling and running also to look forward to. Very exciting to get some feedback!
Anyway, that's my story for the day. Did I mention that my commute into work was 2.5 hours...yes, that's right...2.5 hours...this morning due to mud slides? Oh well...that might be a story for another day. Have a great night everyone!
Posted by beth at January 22, 2007 6:30 PM
Comments
AWESOME job on the TT... be careful on the drive home...
Posted by: Kranky C Dale at January 23, 2007 9:01 AM
"...But in endurance sport I think it's just a matter of consistency..." yup...
Posted by: corrado giambalvo at January 23, 2007 2:19 PM