Don't Curse the Darkness - Light a Candle

I am STILL in my prerequisite sprint triathlon training.  As a neophyte in the water portion, swimming is my biggest concern.  I've going to the YMCA on Mondays and Wednesdays and swimming about 500 yards during open swim time (9:10 - 9:40 PM).  Lap swim is early in the A.M. and I still don't feel sufficiently confident to swim during that time.  Moreover, I am still resting between 50 yard sets so I don't want to be a pain to real swimmers.  Typically during late evening open swim time there are 2-3 of us doing laps.  At times there will be a few others but not usually. Until last night!

The pool was set up last night with one large lane (actually 3 lanes) and there were people doing laps there.  There were 3 young kids (ages 9-11) on the other side and they were swimming the width rather than the length (sigh) plus occasionally jumping off the diving board. 

FURTHERMORE there was a young couple with a friend and a baby playing in the water.  You know how that is, right? The baby is having a blast in the water and they are spinning around cooing and giggling.  I remember those times and it's a blast but do you really need to spin across 3 lanes? 

So here I am attempting to dodge kids swimming the width and circumventing parents playing ring-around-the-rosy with their infant! The lifeguard was new (my first time seeing her) and she didn't really intervene sufficiently to help.  The issue with the 3 kids was that their parents were the ones swimming on the "reserved lanes"!  REALLY?? Get control of your kids!

I was home early but finished my laps in record time. I probably could have gone longer but wanted to get out of the pool and get relief from the chaos.  When I arrived home my wife asked, "How did your swimming go?"

I replied, "It was the best of times and the worst of times."

"Why so," she pried.

I explained the chaotic pool mess but mentioned I was able to get my laps done in my best time yet.

Her reply as only a wife can do, "Well what do you think it's going to be like during your sprint triathlon?  Probably chaotic, right?"

Instead of allowing me to curse the darkness she simply lit the candle for me.  Hopefully those kids will be in bed on Wednesday night though!

Frustration!

I am a new swimmer.  I've known how to doggie paddle and tread water for most of my life.  Only recently did I learn to do the front crawl in preparation for a sprint triathlon I am completing in July.  I've been swimming 2 times per week at the local Y during upon swim time.  I still am not confident enough to go during lap time.  I don't want to inconvenience people that are serious and good.  I'm serious just not good, yet.

So the sprint triathlon swim distance is 500 yards or meters or something like that.  The plan I am following indicates a person should be able to swim 50 yards without stopping.  Okay, I can do that.  However, the first day of training (which doesn't start for me until April) has a 1,550 yard swimming total!  Do you think it might be a typo and the prereq should be 500 yards?

I still am getting winded and only swimming between 250-300 yards per session.  That takes me about 15 minutes.  I can't go non-stop 250 yards!  I am frustrated and not sure what to do.  I can continue going twice per week and push my distances but will I ever be able to swim for 1,500 yards??? I realize that I am new at this but why is it so difficult.

Okay, I am done sucking my thumb and will get back to working and finding a way to make this work!

Fitness for the Masses

Fitness and healthy living is big business - $25 billion approximately.  I live in small town but we have many choices when it comes to fitness.  There's the old standby YMCA, Gold's Gym, we have several high end places that charge up to $250 per month. Pretty salty in my opinion.  Now we have a new option.

I saw the ads and the construction but didn't think much of it.  You know, 'here's another gym that will make a splash and then level off in February when everyone get's back to eating bad and being fat'.  This one seems to be a bit different, however.

I first heard about it from my brother-in-law on Christmas Eve.  He asked if I'd heard of the new gym.  I thought he meant the new high-end place but was mistaken.  No, not that one he assured me - Planet Fitness that's the one he was referring to.  He liked it.  He liked the no contract, low price and low frills while still being a nice place to workout.

Last night my brother mentioned it to me.  My brother is a volunteer police office and was athletic in high school.  He joined and hit personal bests on the bench at 8 reps of 250.  

$1.00 to join and $10.00 a month with no contract?  Sounds pretty good to me.  So last night my lovely bride mentioned joining too.  We have a Y membership but it "feels" really far away (it's like 5 miles) but perception is reality, right. 

Sounds like I might have a membership at both places.  I need the Y membership as I train for a sprint triathlon this summer. Maybe I can begin to workout with my brother and get my bench up to 250 --- doubt it but it would be fun to join him!

Welcome to our area Planet Fitness!

Yoga

I've "practiced" yoga for a few years.  Actually, I've done P90X and there is a video titled Yoga X.  I'm unsure if I am doing things right or not.  I've wanted to attend a beginner yoga class to check my form but haven't until now.

From what I understand, the Yoga X class is difficult.  I know it has been for me.  I just don't know if I am doing all of the poses correctly or not.  I guess I will find out soon!

On Tuesday I will start my first, live yoga class at the YMCA.  I'll let you know how it goes.

Wish me luck.  Namaste.

Leg #1: The Swim

I decided to pursue the sprint tri a few months back.  I knew when the decision was made it would be an extreme challenge for me.  I ran a 5k with my son (he runs x-country) and finished at around 27:30 (if memory serves).  Not too impressive by any stretch but running is not one of my favorite things to do.  I'm of the opinion running is useful only when one is being chased by someone! Running is not my favorite thing but unfortunately, even at 27:30, is probably my strongest of the three legs.  UGH!!

The first leg is the swim.  I spent 5 years in the US Navy and was required to be able to "tread water" but not really swim.  Seriously, if your boat gets blown to smithereens are you going to judge your mates technique in the crawl or breast stroke? I think not. So I can tread water, doggy paddle, and do a pseudo-hybrid free style.  Knowing that my swimming needed improvement I enrolled in a beginner swim class at the local Y.

Over the past 6 weeks I worked on breathing technique, freestyle, back stroke, and breast stroke.  Yea, I didn't really get the hang of the breast stroke.  I learned proper head placement and breathing techniques for freestyle but just need to practice, practice, practice.  I can do a few laps without getting too winded but much of it is getting totally comfortable in the water - which will only come by practice, practice, practice.

I'm not really good enough to feel comfortable swimming during the scheduled "lap time" but go during the open swim time.  I am building up my base so when the 12-16 week training regimen begins I can get into the lap rotation - hopefully.

I believe I am starting with sufficient time to prepare for the race.  If any of you have completed tri's before or are tri experts any tips and tricks are invited!

I still need to get a bike, though.  UGH!