How much endurance training?

Now I will try to respond in a friendly, non-confrontational, kinder/gentler 2007 way. If someone has achieved total satisfaction with their technique, and believes that thinking about it all the time is unpleasant; I would say that person is truly blessed. I on the other hand, if I am fortunate to live to 100, would be happy to consider myself a student of human aquatic propulsion to my last day. Others talk about a song they need to think about while engaged in a long swim to help pass the time. When I am swimming, its what I want to be doing, so thinking about is not a drag. Thats not to say that I don't notice the non-stroke related details: sunrise, sunset, sea-life, etc. I guess we all need to find the joy of it in our own way. Dave: 2007. Yes, what happened to the champagne? I think Donna was responding to a comment from Terry, not you. I'm just going to comment on your comment. Who wants to think about something 24/7? You need a change of topic occasionally. Or a mental break. Or perhaps "pleasure." After all, as Paul points out, we are just masters swimmers and need to have a life. Maybe Donna was just objecting to the word "mindful," which we have heard a lot lately. There are other equally apt synonyms that might break up the linguistic monotony. I myself enjoy Peter's purple prose. I also think, after intensive drilling, something can become "natural." Don't you, honestly? Isn't that the point of doing the drills, to instill muscle memory? While you're looking at the sunset and not necessarily being "mindful," I bet your stroke is lovely. I think your "intense focus" on swimming will ensure that. Plus, you don't want to be focusing on stroke technique during a race. It should be second nature by then. I personally use my ipod whenever I run. I don't need a break from "pain," which is a word you TI guys vociferously object to. (So you shouldn't mind a return comment on "mindful.") My ipod songs just give me a nice rhythm and I get in a groove. (I think there's a recent study actually on the fact that songs can increase/enhance the quality and intensity of exercise.) And it puts a smile on my face as I'm enjoying the day (or the sun, rain, cold, frost) on my run. I can't use an MP3 in the water. I already have wandering mind problems and have trouble keeping track of lengths over 200 or so ... I try to be "mindful," and I do a lot of drills, but I too prefer a different word than "mindful," which has become a tad over familiar and cliche. Do you have a new word?

Now I will try to respond in a friendly, non-confrontational, kinder/gentler 2007 way. If someone has achieved total satisfaction with their technique, and believes that thinking about it all the time is unpleasant; I would say that person is truly blessed. I on the other hand, if I am fortunate to live to 100, would be happy to consider myself a student of human aquatic propulsion to my last day. Others talk about a song they need to think about while engaged in a long swim to help pass the time. When I am swimming, its what I want to be doing, so thinking about is not a drag. Thats not to say that I don't notice the non-stroke related details: sunrise, sunset, sea-life, etc. I guess we all need to find the joy of it in our own way. Dave: 2007. Yes, what happened to the champagne? I think Donna was responding to a comment from Terry, not you. I'm just going to comment on your comment. Who wants to think about something 24/7? You need a change of topic occasionally. Or a mental break. Or perhaps "pleasure." After all, as Paul points out, we are just masters swimmers and need to have a life. Maybe Donna was just objecting to the word "mindful," which we have heard a lot lately. There are other equally apt synonyms that might break up the linguistic monotony. I myself enjoy Peter's purple prose. I also think, after intensive drilling, something can become "natural." Don't you, honestly? Isn't that the point of doing the drills, to instill muscle memory? While you're looking at the sunset and not necessarily being "mindful," I bet your stroke is lovely. I think your "intense focus" on swimming will ensure that. Plus, you don't want to be focusing on stroke technique during a race. It should be second nature by then. I personally use my ipod whenever I run. I don't need a break from "pain," which is a word you TI guys vociferously object to. (So you shouldn't mind a return comment on "mindful.") My ipod songs just give me a nice rhythm and I get in a groove. (I think there's a recent study actually on the fact that songs can increase/enhance the quality and intensity of exercise.) And it puts a smile on my face as I'm enjoying the day (or the sun, rain, cold, frost) on my run. I can't use an MP3 in the water. I already have wandering mind problems and have trouble keeping track of lengths over 200 or so ... I try to be "mindful," and I do a lot of drills, but I too prefer a different word than "mindful," which has become a tad over familiar and cliche. Do you have a new word?