Week 17: Upton Lake

Date: 9/16/13

Yards: 1800

Time: 57 min.

Stroke count: 14-16!!!

Felt: Winded

Challenges/Progress: Swam one mile.  Felt the need to rest more frequently than usual.  However, technique was better.  Swam every length in 14-16 strokes. I'm pulling more water per stroke and expending less energy bringing my hand over.  I stuck to one kick to position while gliding and two hard kicks when pulling.  Not sure if this is right, but it certainly seemed to work. Bilateral breathing quite automatic now.  

Fears: Have been afraid lately, wondering whether my thyroid is going to go hyper again.  Being so winded made me worry about this more. Worrying doesn't do any good, though.  Felt critical of myself for only having swum one day last week, due to having gone out of town.  Natchez has no Y.

Emotion: Happy with stroke count, but dissatisfied with need to catch breath more frequently.  Will need to see how I do when I swim again on Wednesday. Will try to do more continuous sets with flip turns, while also trying to keep stroke count down.

Learned:

1) Decided to wait until spring to reconsider joining Masters.  Am going to keep going three days/week on my own and complete the endurance training on Pace Club.

Date: 9/19/13
Yards: 2000

Time: 57 min.

Stroke count: 14-15 when not pulling

Felt: So tired when I started that I almost didn't go to the Y.  Then, felt great during the workout.

Challenges/Progress: Technique remained good.  Swam every length in 14-15 strokes when not pulling.  When pulling, 18 strokes.  Had pain in left shoulder. Pushed through it.
Fears: Afraid of pain I felt in left shoulder.
Emotion: Relieved that I did not get winded during this workout, which was more challenging than Monday's.  Proud that I have swum twice this week already.  As long as I swim on Saturday, I will stick with my goal of 3x/wk.
Learned:
1) Am going to keep going three days/week on my own and complete the endurance training on Pace Club.
2) I can now handle swimming 3x/wk.
3) I do need to swim on Wednesday mornings and not put it off until Thursday.
4) My speed, technique, and endurance are all getting better!

9/21/2013

Today, John, Clint, Silena and I went with Claire and Juliet to Upton Lake.  We were so grateful to the Uptons for allowing us to "borrow" their lake for a couple hours for training!

I felt only a little nervous before the swim, not nearly as nervous as last time.  I learned a few things from the last time.  For instance, I ate more for breakfast, remembered to bring water, brought a robe and stretched out a good deal more before swimming (since there are no walls at which to stretch every 25 yds.).  I knew I wouldn't be as fast as Clint, but my goal was to be faster than last time.  I was!

On our first length, I felt a bit stiff, but just focused on technique and reaching out as far as possible on each stroke.  I had no trouble staying on course.  I practiced Clint's sighting tips, which helped.  My neck and shoulders did not cramp up at all.  I stayed with Clint about a third of the way, and then he pulled ahead of me.  I didn't get tired, but couldn't go faster and still meet the distance.  Once I caught up, we both treaded for a while.  The second length back felt a little easier.  I liked the water temp: not as warm as last time ... perfect.  It was an overcast day with a little rain, but no thunder or lightning.  When we reached the house, it was neat to see John and Silena on the dock waiting for us - and Claire and Juliet!  We got out and drank water, but didn't rest too long.  By this point, we had swum over half a mile. My time: 23:19

We went across the lake again.  I had a song in my head and felt relaxed.  I tried to go as fast as I could, although not expecting to match Clint.  Tried to stick with him as long as I could and then follow his bubble trail until it disappeared.  Then, I would use him as my focal point when sighting.  This helped me stay on course.  Clint made it to the dam and treaded while I caught up. We treaded for a little while and then headed back!

I had been breathing bilaterally and evenly all the way along, but a few times on this last length, I had to breathe every one, like catch-up breaths.  Form was good.  None of my muscles cramped!  I kept trying to do the "kick kick", which helped.  In a rhythm.  Daydreaming.  At the other side suddenly.  My time: 24:54 (bit slower than the first lap). 

I decided not to swim the third lap with Clint.  I really wanted to keep going, but I knew that, although I could make it across, I would struggle on the way back.  I remember how I barely made it back on the third lap last time we swam in the lake.  I decided to stay on shore while Clint swam the third lap by himself.  My goal is to up my workout distances to between 45 and 60 laps, so that the next time we go to the lake, I won't feel hesitant to do three laps "long-course".  I also plan to practice what Clint taught me, and start making sure my hand is entering the water flat, not thumb-first, to reduce the out-of-date S curve.

Bottom line: I absolutely loved this swim.  I felt stronger, and my times improved over last time.  I felt way more comfortable in the water and much less apprehensive.  I also was not sore at all the next day, just tired, whereas after the last lake swim, I felt as if I had been hit by a truck. 

We swam the equivalent of 40-42 laps.  Counting the swim as a 2000.  Total time: 48:13