...but I am really feeling good right now.
I just got back from my swim and I am very happy. I posted a 3:40 in a timed 200. My goal is to beat it by 10 secs for the event. I know at least I can finish the swim....so that was one thing.
I did my workout and did 100s at 1:45 and the best was 1:40 if I can paste those 2 times together for a whole 200 I'll have a good time--for a first time swim.
Now the bit I feel good about--please don't look at this as a brag. I asked the lifeguard to assess my stroke and see if there was anything major I could work on he said "That was a pretty awesome swim" and gave me a couple of minor things to work on. I feel so happy that I am not totally stupid looking. I thank all of those who gave me encouargement and advice with my stroke.
Then I asked him to check my dive. I did a grab but I can't quite grab b/c of my bad back...I felt uneasy with the racing stance start, so I said to him. "I'm not looking to win, if I can get in and not lose my goggles I'll be happy.."
I did my sort of grab, a pullout, kick and then broke out. I was halfway up the pool. He said it was a nice looking dive and that I got further out than he does and he's 20ish. It's just what I needed. I'm feeling pretty good for an old fart tonight!
Thanks to all my friends for getting me on the path.
Rich
Former Member
Alas, Rich, don't want to deceive you... We would have been right there together about 8 years ago. That's the last time I really trained *** and the last time I swam that fast! Last year I went 36.8 in the 50, but had a paltry 1:23 and 3:01 in the 100 and 200.
And you don't have to be modest... dropping 3 sec in a 50 is fabulous! Wasn't trying to downplay all the good advice you get on the forums... there's just nothing to compare with having a really good coach actually watch you and make corrections. Too bad you can't fly out for a private session with Allen. :)
I still say we're right there and on raceday anything could happen with times as close...hmmm maybe I challenge you for an equidistant travel meet next year hehehe give you a chane to buff up :D
As for training with Allen...I could start an airfare collection...
True, I have not done a tapered meet yet... That's hopefully worth at least a second! :)
It may actually be just about time to think about a taper for the LMSC Championship meet. It's 6 weeks out...
I wasn't originally planning on a taper because my big goal meet for the year is in July, but a mini taper could get my spirits up!
BritWit: forgive my not-too-retentive memory, but what is your age and what swimming did you do as a kid?
Currently 37, weight 183 this morning, blue eyes, medium build. I like poetry and long romanitc walks on the beach at sunset. :laugh2:
I swam from a young age...my Grandmother worked at the pool so I was always there in the holidays. Water was my playground.
My elementary school My Sis and I were decent swimmers-she got recruited to a competition team briefly (Havering Killerwhales) I didn't. FYI my mother represented the borough in her youth, but quit when she overheard a coach comment on her having a back like a man--although he meant it as a compliment. (Just trying to show my swimmer's pedigree here)
At around 8-10 I swam in a club (Hornchurch) weekly, but never raced Friday night swim was about 2hrs I think. I stopped swiming around 11 (when my sister quit Killerwhales) and got fat, but could still swim *** faster than my friends could front crawl. I swam one 50yard (I think) race for my school aged about 12 and came 2nd. That sums it up. I was a bit fat as a kid between 11 and 15...not athletic besides a bit of rugby and badminton. That's it.
Why? lol
Thinking that with technique gains and conditioning at 37, you've got lots of drops ahead of you. By the way, I found this photo of you after your last 200 ***...
congratulations you made excellent improvements
you still have a lot of room to improve
I know you can and will
ande
Well I had a friendly meet today. I figure with all the arguing on the forums...we could all use a bit of my bragging lol ;)
I swam the BR 200, 100 and 50 today and times as follows
2/11/07
200 3:00:78
100 1:19:50
50 :35:62
At the meet on 1/28 I did the following:
200 3:07:49
100 1:22:35
50 :38:48
I have picked up time, so I am happy. Not phenomenal I know but see my times at the top of this thread.
I wasn't really read for the 200 today I didn't feel right but I did better than before. I blew at least 2 of my turns by not kicking on the underwater pull--don't ask me why. LOL.
Anyway enjoy/mock as you wish
Rich
Great job rich.
Although you are making me depressed. Less than five years ago I could go low 32s in my 50 ***. 31s if it was a relay. I've been swimming again for as long as you have and I am really stuck in my ***.
The best I've been able to go in a meet is 41.08, 1:30.29, 3:13.12.
It makes me very sad. I'm supposed to be a breaststroker, darn it!!
I don't have much time to spend working out but I feel like I just haven't been making improvements timewise with my ***. Although this week I think I have made big gains. I should try to test this at a meet again somewhere before our LMSC Championships in March.
All I can say is that there was a nice chap swimming just ahead of me in the the 100 and the 50...he kept my motor running as I chased him down and he did his best to hold his lead (successfully). The last 25 of the 100 was pretty good racing--I left if all out there...truly. He went 1:17:30ish something to my 1:19:62... but I'd closed the gap.
I went for an early pull out in the 50 but it was too early and I was behind the whole race--it may not have mattered anyhow...the 3 of us in that 50 heat didn't really move positions much off of the dive.
I did the 50 pretty flat (I looked pretty flat in all my swims for some reason)...my form did not look that good (hopefuly the video of that will go up soon). Are you maybe trying to undulate too much in the 50? My 50 is almost "old style" but I take a minimal glide. I've gotta get the vid posted so u can see. Hey I'm no champ by any stretch though :)
Other things I can think off that I've been doing just 50's a la Bowman modified #3 www.goswim.tv/articles_commen...=3961_0_16_0_C I do that after 700 free warm up. Are you sure you're not doing too much? Have you tried a rest for a day or two then time your races? I was stunned at my leap from training to race times when I "tapered" over a week for that first meet.
Michelle, If you can't find a meet, I will happily drive up, or maybe halfway for a race/train with you if you want. It's good for me too.
Thinking that with technique gains and conditioning at 37, you've got lots of drops ahead of you. By the way, I found this photo of you after your last 200 ***...
Gee thanks I'm touched...but Gollum has a better tan than me...
Seriously though thanks Peter and I hope so. I realise I'm riding that "not swam for years" curve at the moment...I guess we'll see where it flattens and I have to start working for time drops...but I'm not moaning...
True, I have not done a tapered meet yet... That's hopefully worth at least a second! :)
It may actually be just about time to think about a taper for the LMSC Championship meet. It's 6 weeks out...
I wasn't originally planning on a taper because my big goal meet for the year is in July, but a mini taper could get my spirits up!
I even kind of tapered for the meet this weekend. Instead of dong 2500Yards Mon, Wed and Fri. I ended up doing 2500 Monday and Thursday and only 1000 (fairly easy) Friday. I'll always back off a bit before a meet.
Try doing a week of taper for the NEM...2 swims only, 1500y some intensity and 1000 moderate only. There maybe be some that will aruge with me on this. I can only say what worked for, or at least didn't impair me. Since we're at the same level it'll be interesting to see.
I consistently do 3:10-3:15 200BR in training either push or dive start...so I say race environment is a big influence for me.
O.k. Rich, its one thing to leave your complete e-harmony profile here...but this talk of touching and moaning is really starting to cross the line.
Newmastersswimmer
