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February 18, 2008
Swim Challenge Indeed
I really like swim training but there is nothing like a little challenge to get me ALL pumped up about it. I live for challenges and trying to achieve goals. This is why I like to race so much. So of course this morning when I woke up I was a bit giddy with excitement to be doing my tri-bloggers swim challenge workout!
Here was the planned workout:
40x100 as:
1st 10: 4@1:45, 3@1:40, 2@1:35, 1@1:30
2nd 10: 1@1:45, 4@1:40, 3@1:35, 2@1:30
3rd 10: 2@1:45, 1@1:40, 4@1:35, 3@1:30
4th 10: 3@1:45, 2@1:40, 1@1:35, 4@1:30
When I first took a look at this set I interpreted it to mean 4x100 on a 1:45 interval, 3x100 on a 1:40 interval, etc... But then I started to wonder if it meant I was supposed to swim 4x100 in 1:45 (with what kind of rest?). Yeah, you should all feel sorry for my coach who often endures questions as to how to read swim workouts... :) Anyway, I don't know what it's really supposed to mean, but I decided for the purposes of my workout the times given were the intervals, not the time I was supposed to swim the 100 in.
Now, as a little background, I've never done a main set this long. I do 4000 and 4500 yd swims but the main sets are usually 2000-3000 yds with the occasional 3500 yd main set. The farthest I've ever swam at one time is 5000 yds (wu/main set/cd) and I've done that about 2 or 3 times. So this 40x100 was a little daunting in the length of the workout. And swimming 100s on 1:30 isn't exactly easy for me either.
Okay, so I get to the pool and through my warmup and I'm feeling GREAT and ready to go! As Bree would say...vroooooooom!
The first 10 went by very fast. And really so did the 2nd 10. I was really proud of myself for keeping track of which one I was on and at which time I should be leaving. This is usually a very difficult task for me!
On the third 10 I'm starting to feel some shoulder fatigue but I'm hanging in there and swimming just about every 100 in 1:20. It was about this time that I started to ponder the possibility of chopping 5 seconds off each interval set for the last set of 10. So instead of 3 on 1:45, 2 on 1:40, 1 on 1:35 and 4 on 1:30, maybe I could try 3 on 1:40, 2 on 1:35, 1 on 1:30 and 4 on 1:25? I had my reservations about this. For one, I was starting to enter unchartered territory in terms of workout length and secondly (and probably more importantly) swimming 100s on 1:25 is really not easy for me. And I was guessing it was especially not going to be easy for me after swimming 36x100 prior to it!
But this WAS supposed to be a challenge after all! Don't get me wrong, doing the workout as orginally planned was also a challenge, but it was one I knew I could do. I had gotten far enough in the workout to know I was going to be fine to finish it up. But the last 4 on 1:25? Wasn't so sure I was going to be able to swing that.
So on the last 100 of the 3rd set I committed to the NEW challenge - 3 on 1:40, 2 on 1:35, 1 on 1:30 and 4 on 1:25 for the last set. (as a side note, I don't usually start changing things around mid-workout as I realize every workout has a purpose and it's not always to see how hard you can push yourself - but this was a special occasion!)
I got through the first 3 on 1:40 and then the 2 on 1:35 and really it was at this point that my arms (shoulders in particular) were starting to get a bit ANGRY with me. I started mentally preparing myself to swim the last 4 with no rest (as in let's swim this 400 @1:25 pace! :) because I knew that was what it might come to!
I get to the last 4 - HERE we go!! After the first one, I get 4 seconds rest - SWEET! Next one and I'm definitely tiring but I keep pushing. Almost there! Next one and now I only get 3 seconds rest. That's about enough time to grab the wall, turn around, look at the watch and push off again. Never mind catching your breath. But I'm proud to admit I made the interval on all of them - even the last! When I hit the wall on the last one (and was breathing...um...pretty hard!) the lifeguard warned me to take it easy - she didn't want to have to jump in to rescue me! :)
AHHH...great workout! I was pretty excited. It's fun to try something new you didn't know if you could do and well, actually do it! I savor workouts like this because the majority of training is NOT like this. Most of the time we are putting in the miles and doing the work in the increments and intensities that we know we can handle.
I finished off with a nice, easy cooldown (backstroke thank you very much) for 5000 yds total and then I had to go...LIFT WEIGHTS! Ouch! That was painful. But other than suffering on some of the shoulder exercises, I survived. My arms will be very glad to get a day off of swimming tomorrow!
Regardless, great job to everyone who has already finished their swim challenge and good luck to those who are yet to come! Have fun! And huge thanks to Danielle for setting it all up and coming up with the swim challenge to begin with! Now my next (unofficial) challenge in the water will be to do a workout where the full warmup and cooldown are done with flip turns! One step at a time... :)
Posted by beth at February 18, 2008 3:28 PM
Comments
Wow, Beth! Awesome workout! You are turning into a real swimmer :)
Posted by: Bri Gaal at February 18, 2008 4:39 PM
I am super tired just reading about your workout - WOW! I think I am going to use your workout as a legitimate reason for why I am taking the day off . . . you did enough work for 10 athletes :)
Seriously, I am amazed at your dedication and consistency . . . you are truly inspiring!
Congrats on the Powerbar sponsorship!!
Posted by: bridget at February 18, 2008 5:50 PM
BETH!
Yahhooooo! Nice job! Just imagine how much faster you'll get w/ flip turns! YES! YES YES! Rest up your shoulders!
Posted by: Jennifer Harrison at February 18, 2008 6:51 PM
Awesomw workout. That was a perfect challenge to yourself--to get you across the line to place you weren't sure you could--and YOU DID! Way to go!!!
So happy!!!
-Danielle
Posted by: Danielle at February 18, 2008 8:21 PM
Great work Beth!! There's nothing like a good throw-down to make you realize what you're made of. That was an impressive swim!
Posted by: Ness at February 19, 2008 9:18 AM
YEA!!!!!!!!!! Nice Job Beth!!! I am going to read your post before I do my swim on Friday... this will FIRE ME UP!!! Way to go - you ROCK!
Posted by: marit c-l at February 19, 2008 9:50 AM
Great job Beth! Man, if I ever get to 4 x 100 @ 1:25 at all (let alone after 3600 yds), I will let you know...but it will probably be a while before that happens...but it will happen.
You rock!
Posted by: Andrea at February 19, 2008 11:15 AM
I am so tired from reading this workout too... mentally that is so challenging to count to 40! 40 100's- gross! VERY well done on that final push with the 1:25 send off- and without flip turns, is that right!? My gosh, make somebody teach you those things, then you won't lose your momentum into and out of the wall- anyways, way to go STUDETT!
You are going to kill us this season!
Posted by: Bree at February 19, 2008 9:04 PM
Awesome! Yes, that workout is intended to be send off intervals, at least the way I've done the workout. It's a long one, for sure, and I've never done it alone, so that makes what you did all the more impressive doing it solo. Congrats on making those last 4 intervals!!!!
Posted by: Alicia Parr at February 19, 2008 9:54 PM