My goal was 4500; I went 4550, holding 1:19s. My training partner pulled away at 3000 and finished with 4625; I didn't try to stay with him. The first 2500 felt great (effortless?), but after 3000 I began feeling hungry and didn't want to bonk (we swam at 7am so there was no prerace meal other than my usual latte). Surprisingly, my time at the 3000 mark was only 15 seconds slower than my 3000 Postal time in November. My breathing pattern for the first 3500 was two breaths on the left, one on the right--which worked well. Looking forward to tapering (and shaving) at the end of the month for the Charlotte meet where I'll be squaring off with the Geek (and my training partner) in the 500. One of my college coaches used to say that the 500 is a sprint. Now I believe him.
I think I have adequate conditioning. I need to focus on technique and race pace swimming.
Parents
Former Member
Jim, you made my week! Thanks for the very kind words.
I've got my eye on the 35-39 age group at this point as I'll be moving up there this summer. So, just trying to train well now to keep up with 'em later.
I'm using the "dip my toe" strategy regarding more distance events.
Started out swimming masters after 12 year break from swimming.
Raced the 50s - I know those.
Then competed in a few 100s and 200s.
Did a few open water swims "for fun" and didn't care about times or rankings.
Did the 500 a couple of times along w/ some 30 minutes swims and the 1 hr postal.
Am slowly changing my attitude about distance from :frustrated: to :hug:
Now doing whatever coach throws out at me - sprint to distance. Less whining involved.
Would like to do the longer events - it's just hard to fit them into the meet along with all my other events. (I love the flys, all sprints, some IM).
Which reminds me, I need to write one of my AG coaches and start out with, I know I was a high maintenance sprinter and big pain in the a@@ and terrible to deal with, BUT. . . 19 years later, I'm finally starting to understand what you were trying to help me with regarding distance; life lessons; etc. . . :joker:
Jim, you made my week! Thanks for the very kind words.
I've got my eye on the 35-39 age group at this point as I'll be moving up there this summer. So, just trying to train well now to keep up with 'em later.
I'm using the "dip my toe" strategy regarding more distance events.
Started out swimming masters after 12 year break from swimming.
Raced the 50s - I know those.
Then competed in a few 100s and 200s.
Did a few open water swims "for fun" and didn't care about times or rankings.
Did the 500 a couple of times along w/ some 30 minutes swims and the 1 hr postal.
Am slowly changing my attitude about distance from :frustrated: to :hug:
Now doing whatever coach throws out at me - sprint to distance. Less whining involved.
Would like to do the longer events - it's just hard to fit them into the meet along with all my other events. (I love the flys, all sprints, some IM).
Which reminds me, I need to write one of my AG coaches and start out with, I know I was a high maintenance sprinter and big pain in the a@@ and terrible to deal with, BUT. . . 19 years later, I'm finally starting to understand what you were trying to help me with regarding distance; life lessons; etc. . . :joker:
