So since at least two people on this board are interested in my adventures in joining my University's team I thought I'd create a thread (much like ande's swimming blog) to detail all of it. Yeah.
Since the season doesn't actually start regular practice for another week and a half, this is mainly an intro post - and I'll update it with what happens when I go meet the other girls on the team and such! Stay tuned! It'll be better than any general hospital or passions!
Today I actually swam for the first time (since my freshman swim test last year) in the University pool. It was huge. And cold. Over the summer I got used to swimming in health club pools with water hovering around 80-85. Not exactly the most comfortable water at times, but at least nice and warm. The Ratner pool here is...freezing by those standards. I'm guessing the water temp is 75 at the warmest. Gives new meaning to the term "warm up".
I was really nervous when I first got in - the girls and guys returning members were having informal practices and I was sort of afraid they'd notice me. Although, I don't think they did. Or maybe they did and I just didn't hear what they said about me. Haha.
I also swam a 600 for the first time in a long time. I mostly stuck to 400s and below in my summer workouts (yeah, I know, I'm a little bit of a wimp). Unfortunately, that couldn't last. The coach suggested when I met her that I get in the water and swim 6-800 straight every day this week as part of my workout. It kind of hurt. Actually, it was one of the odder experiences of my life. For the first 200 or so my chest was tight from my asthma and I was freaking out about the distance (I was also really cold). Then all of a sudden I started to get really into it and just kept on going. I probably could have done 1000 if I wanted to.
The workout was cut short - only about 2300yds - because I promised my friends I'd come home and cook dinner for them tonight. And that's where I leave it tonight.
Background: For those who didn't see my posts on the board throughout the year, I'm a soph. in college who has been going through the prepartion to join my school's team. I attend the University of Chicago (a div 3 school) and was a competitive swimmer for seven years before high school. Burnout put me out of the water for almost 5 years, however, and I'm only recently getting back into it.
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Double practice day today!
Had morning dry land and afternoon regular practice. Injury was a bit tight and funky, but overall not that bad. My assit coach had me start doing a lot of pulling - as a way of avoiding stressing the piriformis muscle. It seemed to help, at least I was able to last longer than I had previously.
My coaches came up with a new idea. Now when I hit my limit at practice I get out, do my stretching routine on deck, and then go through sets of ab work. My abs are buuuurning after that, but it's fine.
I actually like the new setup better, because it keeps me part of the practice and the team. It was sometimes nice to have the extra time after practice...but...as nice as my down comforter is, I prefer feeling like I'm still with the team, even if I can't swim for as long as they can.
Tomorrow is another meet. We're out at Monmouth, IL in a tri meet vs Monmouth, and Rose Hulman. It's a 3.5 hour drive each way......yey. I'm not swimming again, because my coaches have decided to hold off until we can get my injury under control. While I might be physically capable of doing say, a backstroke event right now (because it doesn't involve a block start)....the demands that I would put on my body would probably set me back right now.
I also just realized, that today...I pulled for 4,000yds between morning and afternoon practice. No wonder my arms are kind of achey, haha.
Today's yardage:
Morning (after weights/dry land)
Warmup:
300 pull
Main:
10 x 50 pull w/ paddles & snorkel
10 x 50 pull w/ paddles
Cool down:
200 swim
Morning total: 1500yds
Afternoon practice:
Warmup:
300 swim (75 free, 25 stroke)
300 pull w/ paddles & snorkel
300 IM kick, drill, swim
Main:
12 x 200 pull w/ paddles - focus on body rotation
1-4, descend, pull w/ paddles on the 3:15
5-8, pull w/ paddles & snorkel on the 3:15
9-12 pull w/ paddles on the 3:15
Cool down:
200 swim
Afternoon Total: 3,500yds
Daily total: 5,000yds
Double practice day today!
Had morning dry land and afternoon regular practice. Injury was a bit tight and funky, but overall not that bad. My assit coach had me start doing a lot of pulling - as a way of avoiding stressing the piriformis muscle. It seemed to help, at least I was able to last longer than I had previously.
My coaches came up with a new idea. Now when I hit my limit at practice I get out, do my stretching routine on deck, and then go through sets of ab work. My abs are buuuurning after that, but it's fine.
I actually like the new setup better, because it keeps me part of the practice and the team. It was sometimes nice to have the extra time after practice...but...as nice as my down comforter is, I prefer feeling like I'm still with the team, even if I can't swim for as long as they can.
Tomorrow is another meet. We're out at Monmouth, IL in a tri meet vs Monmouth, and Rose Hulman. It's a 3.5 hour drive each way......yey. I'm not swimming again, because my coaches have decided to hold off until we can get my injury under control. While I might be physically capable of doing say, a backstroke event right now (because it doesn't involve a block start)....the demands that I would put on my body would probably set me back right now.
I also just realized, that today...I pulled for 4,000yds between morning and afternoon practice. No wonder my arms are kind of achey, haha.
Today's yardage:
Morning (after weights/dry land)
Warmup:
300 pull
Main:
10 x 50 pull w/ paddles & snorkel
10 x 50 pull w/ paddles
Cool down:
200 swim
Morning total: 1500yds
Afternoon practice:
Warmup:
300 swim (75 free, 25 stroke)
300 pull w/ paddles & snorkel
300 IM kick, drill, swim
Main:
12 x 200 pull w/ paddles - focus on body rotation
1-4, descend, pull w/ paddles on the 3:15
5-8, pull w/ paddles & snorkel on the 3:15
9-12 pull w/ paddles on the 3:15
Cool down:
200 swim
Afternoon Total: 3,500yds
Daily total: 5,000yds
