Paul's swimming blog

OK, I am now on the 30 day no breaststroke kick and 2 week no kick plan. I'm also changing how I warm up. I'm pretty sure that I am suffering from Breaststroker's Knee and this is a dircet result of my hamstring inflexibility. 3 Feb 08 9am SCM with team 200 swim, hamstring stretch (both legs), 100 swim, stretch, 100 swim, stretch, 100 swim, stretch. 6x125 Free on 2:15 - I feel rather proud of myself here. I led the lane and I didn't PUNK OUT!!!!!!! :thhbbb: Finished every one, last one was VERY hard. Was coming in right about 1:40. Yeah, interval could have been shorter, so sue me. 6x75 Stroke on 1:30 - back 200 pull or kick. Hmmm which one did I go for??? 1x25, Fly, 2x25 Back, 3x25 Br (Back), 4x25 Free 2x100 Best effort - Free/Stroke(back). R: 1:00 between. Free was 1:08, Back was 1:30. 150 EZ Hamstring Stretch 2500m. Warmups will be a little shorter as I will be stretching hamstrings periodically. But this is something that I need to realize is a HAVE TO DO. Paul

Just as a note for your developing a stronger kick, you don't necessarily need to do a "kick set" to improve your kicking. Concentrate on keeping a 4 beat kick up when you swim, this will not only build up your legs but it will also integrate it into your stroke well.

Are you drafting when you run into their feet or are you a better swimmer? I have the same problem so I try and follow people who pace well, but then I wind up hitting their feet and they get annoyed with me! Either I follow and hit feet, or I lead and die later in the workout. I feel your pain Paul. T.J.

Fortress: I've gotten myself to a pretty good place with my swimming but I'm finding myself having trouble pushing myself to get to the next level. That's what I'm disappointed with and what I need to figure out is how to overcome that. Then again, I need to lighten up, it's only been 4.5 months back in the pool after 19 years so WTF? Glider: Nutrition is moving in the right direction. Started a new plan Monday where I eat breakfast in the morning and bring my lunch every day and am cutting out soda (Coke). It's the last one that's gonna be HAAAAAAAAAAARD. Paul

Well, then you only have to do 10 Hail Marys as an act of contrition, since you only missed one day. I guess that means I get 20 Hail Marys and 10 Our Fathers. And that's not so good for my knees, either.:toohurt: If you aint Catholic...fogeddaboutit.:thhbbb: Is this a confessional blog now? Well, I skipped out of practice yesterday. Just had the blahs and felt like I was coming down with something. Dragging myself today. Paul, it's hard to stay focused mentally when you feel like you're constantly tired and injured. It becomes a battle instead of something fun. Hang in there. You did great at your last meet. And we're not robots or professionals, ya know. :hug:

5 Feb 2008 5am SCM with team Warm Up: 200 swim, stretch, 100 swim stretch, 150 swim stretch, 250 swim stretch 3x150 75 Free/75 Stroke (Fly,Back,Br) 200 Pull 3x100 IM I just quit at this point. I don't know what the problem was. I felt fine when I woke up, not tired, etc.. but I just ****ing quit here. I tried to keep myself going but I just couldn't. I need to drop back and completely regroup because these mental 'issues' are starting to become a problem.

OK, I am now on the 30 day no breaststroke kick and 2 week no kick plan. I'm also changing how I warm up. I'm pretty sure that I am suffering from Breaststroker's Knee and this is a dircet result of my hamstring inflexibility. 3 Feb 08 9am SCM with team 200 swim, hamstring stretch (both legs), 100 swim, stretch, 100 swim, stretch, 100 swim, stretch. 6x125 Free on 2:15 - I feel rather proud of myself here. I led the lane and I didn't PUNK OUT!!!!!!! :thhbbb: Finished every one, last one was VERY hard. Was coming in right about 1:40. Yeah, interval could have been shorter, so sue me. 6x75 Stroke on 1:30 - back 200 pull or kick. Hmmm which one did I go for??? 1x25, Fly, 2x25 Back, 3x25 Br (Back), 4x25 Free 2x100 Best effort - Free/Stroke(back). R: 1:00 between. Free was 1:08, Back was 1:30. 150 EZ Hamstring Stretch 2500m. Warmups will be a little shorter as I will be stretching hamstrings periodically. But this is something that I need to realize is a HAVE TO DO. Paul Hey Paul, I had some seriously tight hamstrings, and the resulting lower back pain, after I started swimming last year. I started a yoga class (fortunately taught by a fellow swimmer) in October. My hamstring flexibility has increased tremendously from one or two classes per week and I no longer have any lower back pain! Plus, it's a whole lot easier to bend down to grab the front of the block now making my starts better.

Yea, sometimes I think I'm all psyched up for a tough set, I start on it, then realize I don't want to or just physically can't for whatever reason. It happened a few weeks ago, was doing some sort of distance set, then I just slid over a lane and did the sprint/recovery set (the coach actually told me he was glad I did). On the other hand, yesterday I felt just the opposite, didn't want to do anything. We couldn't swim in the morning (water temp and chemicals), and I ended up going at 6pm. Now I rarely if ever swim evenings, and I was trying to think up any excuse not to go....but went. As soon as I was in the water I felt great, and it was a great set.

Bill Sweetenham, (can't remember the book, maybe Championship Swimming, I think) recommends masters swimmers take an adaptive week (or at least a few days as needed) where you basically show up and do the yardage but at a much lower intensity (basically loaf but keep the feel of the water.) I've done this with success. This describes my entire training program. :rofl:

Is this a confessional blog now? Well, I skipped out of practice yesterday. Just had the blahs and felt like I was coming down with something. Dragging myself today. Paul, it's hard to stay focused mentally when you feel like you're constantly tired and injured. It becomes a battle instead of something fun. Hang in there. You did great at your last meet. And we're not robots or professionals, ya know. :hug: