the17thman

AQUAview: Michael Phelps

photo from Universal Sports

Thorpe Joins Fight Club

Looks like Ian Thorpe is moving out of the pool and into the ring.  Thorpe is considering joining Fight Club which supports charities.  At a match last week Trpe was interested but didn't commit to joining the Fight Club.  According to the Sydney Morning Herald:

If Thorpe signs on to fight he will be put through 10 weeks of “torture sessions” including sandhill runs, boxing and sparring sessions, long-distance runs, sprints, weights and other drills.

Sounds interesting.  Thorpe is a big big man to begin with so he'd be no pushover.  The one thing that may stand in his way is his studies.  Thorpe has been putting most of his life on the backburner while he is attending university.  Personally I'd rather see him compete on Rexona's Greatest Athlete Australia. 

Restarting The Week

Since I have an early morning planned I headed to the gym early this morning.  I got on the treadmill and ran a 5K.  Actually a bit more than a 5K when you add in the 5 minute warm down.  I actually pushed myself and ran the fastest 5k of 2009.  Of course last summer when I was running a bit more I was running at least 10 minutes faster.  I figure I'll ramp up my running for the rest of the month. 

After running I hit the weights.  I was a bit nervous at first after being in so much pain yesterday.  But after that massage the pain eased away.  This morning it felt more like just a knot without any pain.  So I did most of my normal circuit weight training except that if I felt any twinge of pain I stopped and moved on.  I want to push myself not hurt myself. 

As for the rest of the day a very light swim may happen.  When I say light I mean under 500 yards.  Which is like a normal warm up but I want to see how I hold up swimming.  Plus I'm actually will be with my friend Amy and her family who are visiting from out of town.  So it's more of a fun splash around the pool then an actual swim.  I want to attempt to hit the 6pm 24 Cycle class tonight but that is up in the air.  Don't know what the rest of my day will be.

Well till next time...

Over And Out

Woke up with some big pain issues.  Keeping myself in bed today.  Had a massage and am feeling a bit better.  Going to take it easy and move away from the computer. 

AQUAview: Ryan Lochte

Isaac Mizrahi Closet Swimmer?

According to the latest issue of The Advocate Isaac Mizrahi is a swimmer.  Mizrahi has this to say about swimming:

I swim every morning and think everybody should swim, but not at the pool I go to.  I wasnt' swimming when I was taping The Fashion Show because of the schedule, and I gained so much weight.  Now I'm pretty much back to my normal huge size.  I mean, I still want to lose a hundred pounds.  Maybe not 100, but I want to lose 50 pounds; then I would weigh what I did when I was underweight and had, like, anorexia - before it was popular.

You can watch Mizahi this week on Bravo for the Season Finale of The Fashion Show.  Check Local Listings.  And Isaac next time you are in LA come to WeHo and swim with us.  Just remember to wear a fashionable swim suit from Splish. 

3 of 3 Swimmers Hate Bruno

Dara, GWG and now Shanteau...

Glad I skipped it this weekend.

Dog Days of Summer

This is the cutest pix.  These are Jason Calacanis’s dogs. Jason an internet start up'er  posts photos of his cute doggies direct from Mahalo.com.  photo from jasoncalacanis.posterous.com

Quick Easy Lap Swim

Was feeling restless so I headed over to the pool for a quick lap swim.  The pool was crowded so I didn't get much swimming in.  I was going to stay and wait out the crowd as usually after the 45 to 60 minutes it thins out.  But I gave up.

Swam 300
Pull 200
Kick 300
Swim 200

I did another 300 mixing swimming, pulling and kicking.  Basically could only swim a 50 at a time since the lane was crowded.  Then I moved over to a lane swimming a set.

5x100's IM on 1:50.  Lot's of rest.

Then I just warmed down a 50 and gave up.  Figured I'd swim a coached workout on Monday.

1800 yards total.

2 Out Of 2 Swimmers Dislike Bruno

First Dara and now GWG.  Good thing I didn't spend 12 bucks to go see it.  Last night at the Grove people were lined up for Bruno. 

Sunday Gym Time

I kept on debating if I should get up and swim the 7am lap swim or hit the gym.  Well after hitting snooze for like an hour I decided to hit the gym.  I ran a bit over a 5k with interval speed training.  I think that everytime I get on the treadmill I'm running slower and slower.  I need the push of fellow runners around me to get me in gear.  I'm going to have to restart going to one of the Nike Run Clubs here in LA.  Otherwise I'll be stuck at my slow pace forever. 

After the treadmill run hit the weights for my circuit weight training.  I did most of my regular workout except I skipped abs.  I wanted to get home, shower and eat before swimming came on tv.  Which is at 11 PST.  Yesterday I made the mistake thinking it was later but the times I looked at were EST.  Doh!

I may hit the afternoon lap swim but the swim mates I normally do lap swims with hit the morning one instead.  Don't know if I want to swim with regular lap swimmers or not.  I guess it depends how bored I am later today. 

AQUAview: Cullen Jones

photo from universal sports

AQUAview: Nathan Adrian

I WON I WON I WON...oh damn I paid how much now?

Earlier I posted about the Michael Phelps 2009 Allen & Ginter Speedo Relic card from Topps.  Well it seems I decided to bid on it and I won it.  Hmmm...oh well.  Maybe M.P. will sign it for me.
 

BREAKING NEWS: Dara Torres Loves Cubic Zirconia

Dara Torres Tweets Bruno Movie Review & Other Stuff

She walked out of Bruno!  Now that is breaking news from Nationals.  Oh and she is scratching the 100 Free in case you care about swimming.

NBC's Weekend USA Swimming Nationals Coverage

Check your local listings:

Saturday 1-3 pm on NBC
Sunday   2-3 pm on NBC
Also check out Universal Sports for more swimming.  That is a digital cable service so check with your local cable provider.

For up to date news check out swimnetwork.com and universalsports.com

Tony over at the SCAQ Blog is doing some great commentary about the various races so check him out LINK.

I'll try to continue to hunt out news off the beaten path.  You can read the results anywhere so why compete.  I'll just find the fun stuff. 

Michael Phelps 2009 Allen & Ginter Speedo Relic card from Topps.

You know swimming is big when swimmers get TOPS cards.  You know swimming is bigger when Phelps card gets a bidding war going:

The card is one of only a few that will have part of the Speedo logo on it — the rest will have just a plain white swatch. With nearly a week remaining in the auction, the bidding sits at just $27.99 after six bids. - source

Sandwich Salesman Breaks World Record, Consummates Stalkerish Relationship

Gotta love Deadspin!  The gossip sports blog posted "Sandwich Salesman Breaks World Record, Consummates Stalkerish Relationship" LINK.  The article talks about how Phelps broke the 100 M Butterfly record by looking at a picture of Ian Crocker every day:

Michael Phelps claims one of the few records he doesn't already own, breaking Ian Crocker's mark in the 100-meter butterfly. "Phelps taped Crocker's picture on his bedroom wall for motivation six years ago, after Crocker set the record."

Phelps Gets Sore Neck Drops 100-M Freestyle

From NYDaily News:

Phelps was supposed to swim in the last morning heat, but he was still in pain after waking up a day earlier with a kink on the left side of his neck.

“It was worse this morning,” he said.

Phelps said he swam through the pain in setting a world record in the 100 butterfly Thursday night. He received many treatments on Thursday and Friday.

“It wasn't fun swimming the 100 fly with that,” he said. “I could barely move my neck to breathe. I definitely didn't feel 100 percent.”

Read the full article LINK

USA Today: Michael Phelps Photo Gallery

Phelps photo gallery.  USA Today

Nationals Men's 100M Fly A Final - Phelps World Record!

Sorta A Swim Workout

I got to swim practice bright and early as I woke up pretty early.  After the gym last night with the running, lifting and spinning I was so beat I went to bed around 9:30.  It wasn't long before I fell asleep and now I'll never know if Mac Taylor and his band of CSI NY'ers ever solved the case.   Since I started to lift and do spinning (24 Cycle) on Thursday nights I have been skipping Friday morning practice and swimming Friday night.  That gave my body time enough to recover.  But I was up this morning so I figured I'd give swimming a go.  My legs started to cramp right after my warmup.  So I got out early.  I swam for about 55 minutes and did all the kick.

Warm Up
650 I used the pull bouy for this.

Warm Up Set:
This is were we did kicking and drilling.  Damn I can't remember the set.  I know it was 100's Drill Freestyle (25 Finger tip drag, 25 Fist, 25 6 count and 25 choice).
Then we did 50's kick. I think 6
Then we did 100's Stroke Drill or IM Drill
Then we did 50's kick. 
Wait the set had a pattern that was drill / 6x50's kick / drill / 4x50's kick / drill / 2x50's kick.  Maybe the drills were 3x100 / 2x100 / 1x100.  That sorta sounds right. 

3x75's Free on 1:10
4x50's Free on 40
3x25's Free on 30

Main Set:
2x150 IM no free
4x50's Stroke
And then I got out.  Next up was 100's Free then I think 25's then repeat the set. 

I just know that swimming the next morning after a night of running a 5k on the treadmill, weights and spin class all back to back doesn't work.  I'll start hitting the 7pm Friday night workout.  That way I'll have enough recovery time.

Gym Night

After swimming this morning I hit the gym tonight creating my own mini-tri workout.  I started off running a 5K on the treadmill.  Then hit the weights.  Finishing up with the 1 hour 24 Cycle (spinning) class.  Now I'm beat!

Must Read: How Swimmers Ruin Kick Sets

The blog Swimtelligence has a post entitled:  "How Swimmers Ruin Kick Sets"  I believe it is a must read for all swimmers and coaches.  You can read the full post LINK but below are a few highlights:

Here is one that I'm sorta guilty of:

5. Not Taking Kick Sets Seriously
Many swimmers look at kick sets as a chance to rest between swimming sets rather than chances to improve. With that attitude, the swimmer is guaranteeing that is all the set will be.

Yes in the past and I'm sure in the future I have and will blow off kick sets.  Although when I do lap swims on my own I do more kicking and work at it.  With spin classes and running I'm getting to be a faster kicker.  A few things I find frustrating in kick sets is that not being a strong kicker I usually don't make the intervals.  Also I've still yet mastered how to kick and swim at the same time.  I've worked up to a one beat kick.  A 4 or 6 beat kick seems like the impossible dream. 

2. Pulling Into the Turn
In a race, using the legs to kick hard into all turns (particularly in backstroke and freestyle) is important to maintain one's momentum and execute the turn at maximum speed.

I've just started doing that when kicking with the board.  I've seen so many people do it over the years that I just decided why not.  So when I get to the wall I use my kickboard in one arm as one giant paddle and reach for the wall with the other hand.  As for backstroke I'm 60/40 of swimming into the wall from the flags.  If I'm in the lane with others who are doing it I'll swim into the wall.  But if I'm comfortably ahead of the next person I kick into the wall and do the old fashioned backstroke turn of touching the wall and pivoting around.

Read more about How Swimmers Ruin Kick Set at Swimtelligence.  And what is your top way to ruin your kick set?

AQUAview: Michael Phelps

This picture is a really good shot of Michael Phelps body position during butterfly.  Photo from Universal Sports

Eric Shanteau On Swim Suits

Ryan Lochte Interview

Michael Phelps - Nationals Men's 200 Fly A Final

Aaron Perisol - Nationals Men's 100 Back A Final - World Record!

IM Workout

I headed to the 6am morning lap swim at the WeHo Pool and ran into a team mate of mine.  I love it when that happens as we eventually take over a lane and swim a set together.  Also it just happens to be someone who I really enjoy swimming with makes it so much easier. 

Warm Up
500 Swim
4x75's Kick
400 Pull (1200)

IM Set:
2x25's Fly on 30 (50)
2x50's Back on 55 (100/150)
2x75's Back/Breast/Free on 1:20 (i think) (150/300)
2x100's IM on 1:40 (200/500/1700)

4x50's Kick on 60 (200/1900)

4x25's Fly on 30 (100/2000)
4x50's Back on 55 (200/2200)
4x75's Back/Breast/Free on 1:20 (I think) (300/2500)
4x100's IM on 1:40 (400/2900)

8x25's Kick on 30 (200/3100)

8x25's Pull on 30 (200/3300)

Then I did a 50 warmdown (50/3350)

Overall it was a good workout.  I felt pretty sluggish in the stroke but I haven't been swimming much stroke in my regular team workouts.  The Thursday morning lap swim is a ghost town.  For the first 30 minutes only 3 swimmers were in the pool.  Guess most people don't know the summer hours are yet!  Hopefully it'll stay that way.  I'm going to try more morning lap swims from time to time this summer. 

MTD Yardage: 14,600
YTD Yardage:  328,825
YTD LCM 5,000

Quick Lap Swim

Since I forgot to set my alarm last night I didn't make it to swim practice this morning.  And with Wednesday having no evening practice I decided to hit the lap swim.  I figured it would be a bit busy and swimming would be annoying.  And I was right on that point I just didn't realize how busy it would be.  Luckily I was able to get in a warm up before the lanes got too crowded.

Swim 300
Kick 300
Pull 300

The after that I kept mixing it up as I was only able to do a 50 at a time.  I ended up swimming a total of 2250 yards.  The other fast lane was a bit more organized then my lane as everyone in that lane swam together doing sets.  But that lane was even more crowded and I would have been on the last person's toes after a 50.  Either way I got in the water and got a mini-workout in.

MTD Yardage: 11,250
YTD Yardage:  325,475
YTD LCM 5,000

More Dumpster Diving - The Lap Pool For Everyone

I posted before about an British dumpster pool before LINK but now the Yanks in NY have dumpster pools.  I gotta admit that turning old dumpsters into pools is an idea that hopefully will catch on.  Read more about it and check out more photos at ReadyMade.com

Lunchtime 24 Cycle Class

I didn't set my alarm for swim practice this morning so I was itching to do something.  So I headed over to the WeHo 24 Hours for the noon 24 Cycle class.  As for swimming I may hit the lap swim tonight at 5:30.  At the very least I'm going to the lap swim tomorrow morning.

Run, Gym and Spin

I hit the gym and started off on the treadmill.  At first I was just going to run 1 mile but I ended up running 5k (3.2 miles)  Since I didn't plan enough time to run a 5k I had to cut back on my circuit weight training.  I just figured I'd hit the core areas and skip a few things.  After that it was time for 24 Cycle.  Tuesday night is one of my favorite classes so I'm trying to go more often. 

Subway's Mini-Phelps Website

Subway has put together a mini-site promoting Michael Phelps as a Subway Celebrity "Friend".  The mini-site has a gallery, downloads and flavor "tips".  That way you can eat just like Phelps. LINK

Michael Phelps SUBWAY Commercial

Funny.  I just saw that Rob also posted this ad on his blog.  He like me thought at first the Gold Medal Mel was in the spot but it was only Jared.  Which reminds me of my fav Simpsons quote:

"I'm a member of this club where if i eat five submarine sandwhiches i get a free submarine sandwhich. you may have seen him on TV, the guy who used to be fat but now he's just ugly..."

Universal Sports: H2O Giveaway

Universal Sports and H2O Audio present Train Like a Champion Giveaway

During each day of the USA National Championships and FINA World Championships, H2O Audio will be giving away one of their Surge Waterproof Headphones.  Just go to Universalsports.com and watch all the Swimming Tips from World & Olympic Champion, Natalie Coughlin.

Then tell Universal Sports which Swimming Tip was most helpful.

Contest runs from July 7 – 12 and continues July 17 – August 2.  This is a great way to learn from a champion and win a great prize.