the17thman

Swimmer's Gift Guide: Swim Bike Run Ornament

The perfect gift for your tree trimming needs. 
 
From swimoutlet.com

Sunday's Swim Report / Things I Might Have Missed

1.  "Jessica Hardy's New Wheels" or "Jessica Hardy Goes Topless" either way check out her new Lexus LINK

2.  Introducing The 2010 U.S. Masters Swimming H2Open Series LINK

3.  The USMS Website is filled with interesting swimming tips and workouts.  Here is one entitled: "Everyone Needs a Little Quality: Swimming Better; Not Swimming Longer" LINK

4.  1 Swimmer, 1 Day, 22,000 Yards and a Whole Lot Of Craziness LINK

5.  Got Culture?  "Water/Bodies: A New Exhibition by NY Academy of Art and Eden Rock" LINK (don't worry you are at the17thman blog I just couldn't find any speedo clad men for a picture)

6.  YouTube Video:  "Speedo Scoop with Natalie Coughlin" LINK

7.  Swimnetwork says "Thanks Coach" LINK  A letter for every coach and swimmer alike.

8.  The "Steve In A Speedo?! Gross!" Blog reviews a top secret new flavor of GU.  LINK

9.  KNBC Ch.4 chats it up with a few from the Ironman in Arizona LINK

10.  Guess Running or Finishing isn't high on the Sarah Palin to do list -
"Sarah Palin Quits 5K Charity Run, Too"  LINK.  She coudn't even finish a 5K as she stopped running 40 minutes into the 5K due to "crowd issues".  Really 40 minutes and not be able to finish a 5K?  Was she running backwards?

Swimmer's Gift Guide: Hammer Nutrition Heed Sports Drink

At USMS SCY National's my team had a bunch of Hammer Nutrition products for us to fuel up and try out during the meet.  One of the products that I liked was the Heed Sports Drink.  What I liked most about Heed was that it didn't taste like those sugar water sports drinks that you buy by the bottle at your local 7/11.   Here is a bit of info from the Hammer Nutrition Website LINK:

    * Steady, consistent energy.
    * Buffer lactic acid.
    * Help prevent cramps.
    * Gluten-Free and Vegan Friendly.
    * Contains no MSG.

HEED comes the following delicious flavors: Strawberry, Melon, Mandarin Orange, Lemon-Lime and Unflavored

I am not a micro-biologist or anything for that matter so I can't tell you how well it works compared to other products but I can tell you that I liked the taste.  And that is a lot coming from me as I hate sweet drinks.  Well besides margarita's.  Oh and if you are my bartender I like mine with salt. 

DISCLAIMER: Hammer Nutritional Products were provided to my team to try out.  Besides my own usage with the team at USMS SCY Nationals I have recieved no other product from Hammer Nutrition.  At no time did anyone ask me to write or talk about these products on my blog.  Everything I say is based on my own intelligence or lack there of.

Saturday LCM Swim

Today's workout was at Culver City so I decided to head on over.  We only had 3 lanes but luckily that kept people away.  In my lane we had 6 people which in a LCM isn't bad at all. 

Warm  Up

400 Swim

Hmm...then we did another set here.  Um...something Kick Reverse IM then something then something Drill IM.  Guess if I remember later I'll update

Warm Up:  no interval/no stopping

100 Kick

200 Pull DPS

400 (50 Drill / 50 Swim) Mixed up the drills

200 Pull (breathing every 3/5/any/7)

100 Kick (1000/1400)

10x150's Odds (free/stroke/free) on 2:30 and Evens (stroke/free/stroke) on 2:45  I mixed it up starting with more backstroke and slowly working in some freestyle.  (1500/2900)

The we did 12x50's.  2 Free on 55 / 2 Choice on 60.  The odds were sprint the 1st half and evens were spring the 2nd half.  I mixed up some backstroke and butterfly. (600/3500)

So we did 3500 LCM well a bit more but I don't remember the warm up set.  Overall the workout was good.  Felt good in the freestyle in the long course pool but that is usually the case.  My butterfly took a bit of getting use to but once I found my rhythem it was a piece of cake.  My very last 50 butterfly felt so good and easy.  I was tired and sore when I was done but it didn't kill me.  

This week I'm trying to balance out not a full taper but knowing that I have a meet in a few days but still need to get some quality swims in.  May swim another LCM workout tomorrow morning.  If only we swam at a LCM everyday.

Saturday's Swim Report / Things I Might Have Missed

1.  Phelps in trouble with law, again? LINK

2.  Meh!  "Michael Phelps CHEATED On The Current Miss California With The Former Miss California!" LINK

3.  Bring It!  Liam Tancock...giggle...hopes British swimmers can boost profiles LINK.  Still giggling Tan Cock.  OH HA HA HA (Liam is in two pictures in this post)

4.  Fit Sugar's Swimming Tip: Mind Your Hands LINK.  Sometimes the swimming tips on general fitness blogs are questionable at best.  But I've done a drill called "Mail Slot" so at least they got something almost right.

5.  blueseventy is hiring for an uber hyper swim fan LINK

6.  "Lisa Simpson giving head in Olympics logo?" LINK (may-NSFW)

7.  The other team from Duel In The Pool announces lineup LINK

8.  Runner's Dude Blog's "Great Gift Ideas for Runners!"  LINK  Some of these are also great gifts for swimmers. 

9.  Wonder how the seafood is?  "World’s First Ever Undersea Restaurant – Ithaa" LINK

10.  Finishing up the things that I missed will be some Wii Fitness Stuff:  That's Fit Holiday Gift Guide LINK included two Wii Fitness Games:

The Biggest Loser for Wii - No standing in line at "The Biggest Loser" casting call -- trainers Bob and Jillian can guide your fitness-laced weight loss through Wii sensors in this new game. That's Fit's Katherine Tweed previewed the game with former Biggest Loser contestants. The Verdict: A definite Wii Fit sweat.

Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2010 for Wii - f you like Jillian on "The Biggest Loser," you'll love her by your  side at home in her "Fitness Ultimatum 2010." Wii yourself slim with Hell Week-style workouts on a Pacific Island jungle next to Jillian. Scared? Try light intensity first. Includes improved motion tracking and a customizable calendar to program your routines six months out.

And that are just a few things that I may have missed...

Swimmer's Gift Guide: Vanilla Gingerbread Gu!!!!

I love GU!  Waking up to swim at 6am I am never really in the mood to eat so sometimes I'll just grab some Gu to go.  I also love Gu at swim meets and longer runs.  The espresso Gu is yummy.  But since it is the Holidays Gu has something fun up it's sleves:  Gu Holiday Flavors:  Mint Chocolate and Vanilla Gingerbread!  MMM...mmm...good!  Check out guenergy.com

Eamon Sullivan Wins Celebrity MasterChef Crown

In other swimming news... Perth swimming sensation Eamon Sullivan has pulled off one mighty comeback to be crowned Australia's first Celebrity MasterChef. LINK

Best Of The Swimmers Gift Guide, So Far...

For those who are still thinking of that special swimmer here just some of the swim related products that I have already posted under Swimmers Gift guide:

• The Prada Beach Towel LINK  Show some style on deck.
• Bungee Swede Goggle LINK  Cheap goggles that are a great fit.  You may want to buy a few extra bungee's as they tend to stretch out over time.  And after spending all your money on a Prada towel you'll still be able to afford these.
• Neutrogena Body Oil, Light Sesame Formula LINK  Makes the skin baby soft after all those skin drying pool swims.
• Crocs LINK I know they are ugly but they do a great job on deck.
• Mangroomer/Bodygroomer LINK Cuz after Jan 1st us male swimmers will hafta start shaving down once again. 
• Swim Parka LINK You don't have to swim at 6am at an outdoor pool to need or want a swim parka.  They are also great for swim meets to keep warm between warming up and your heat.
• Chamois LINK

And that is the "Best Of" List.  Over the next few days and weeks I'll be pointing out some new items that other swimmers have recommended and a few items that I've been keeping an eye on for myself.  (suit pictured is from splish.com)

Friday's Swim Report / Things I Might Have Missed

1.  The Scientific Swimming Article Review Blog (try saying that 10 times fast) has an a post on "Effects of Swim Recovery on Running Performance" LINK.  The post is brief without a link to the study but it's still worth a read.

A bunch of stuff from Kastaway Blog -

2.  Hanging Up Your Wetsuit For Winter? General Care Guide  LINK

3.  Swimming Themed Photography By Skeleton Arts Studio LINK  Some pretty cool pix in the mix.

4.  Eamon Sullivan Hangs Up His Bodysuit LINK  Eamon tweets a goodbye to his bodysuit

One thing from RobAquatics Blog - 

5.  Rob has been making his list and checking it twice for what hopefully will be his yearly Swimmer Xmas Ideas post LINK.  As you can see by the picture in the post he is so going for the zanniest swim suit in the pool.

And Tony over at the SCAQ Blog has three stories of interest -

6.  "Nike Swim: We may see more commercials like these in 2010! " in which he posts a cool Nike Swim ad LINK.   It's a quick little youtube video to watch.

7.  Tony declares "It's official: Ian Thorpe has achieved "SCAQ Blog Sainthood" as a result of his charity work! " LINK  Thorpe has long ago achieved "the17thman Sainthood"

8.  The Swim Tech Suit Record Keeping Debate heats up with Tony weighing in "Every world record set in a tech suit is deserved and was earned fairly! " LINK  I agree as I don't see a point of having two sets of swim records.  FINA said yes to the suits before they said no.  Indian Givers, Flip Floppers....

Last but not least is GWG's blog rounding up my reads today -

9.  Thanksgiving may be over but with December and it's Holiday's and Holiday Parties it is never too late to read "Gearing Up for the Big Meals" LINK

10.  GWG relives his Golden Goggle Evening LINK

And those are a few of the things I may have missed but other bloggers and news org's didn't.

Friday Freestle Workout

Today is Fridayso back in the water. Today's workout wasn't so bad. I struggled a bit at the beginning but got into a 1:15/1:16 pace for the main set. It was an all free workout. Well the main set was.

400 swim
300 pull
150 kick

Three Rounds:
59 kick on 60
100 kick/ drill on 1:50
150 kick/drill/swim on 2:40
Round 1 & 3 I did freestyle and Round 2 butterfly.

1:20 Base Interval. It was suppose to be either 1:20 base for pulling and 1:15 for the 100's or 1:25 base for the pulling and 1:15 for the 100's. I had the lane to myself so I compromised and stuck to 1:20's. Easier for math!
400 pull
100
300 pull
2x100's
200 pull
3x100's
100 pull
4x100's

After doing the set I think I could have done the faster interval. Almost did for the last four but didn't. Was glad that I kept my pace for the set. I didn't use paddles on the pulling cuz' I was afraid that would have made the 100 swims that much harder. I pushed myself towards the end to get past any fatigue and do the last 100 with whatever I had left.

50 easy

75 back kick
25 fly kick on back
25 breast kick
25 fly kick on back
25 sprint free
25 sprint breast swim
25 sprint fly

I think that was it! Can't really remember the last few 25's.

Sent from my iPhone

AQUAview: Jerry O'Connell's Life in a Speedo

 

AQUAview: Jerry O'Connell's Life in a Speedo

 

AQUAview: Jerry O'Connell's Life in a Speedo

 

AQUAview: Jerry O'Connell's Life in a Speedo

 

AQUAview: Jerry O'Connell's Life in a Speedo

 

AQUAview: Jerry O'Connell's Life in a Speedo

 

AQUAview: Jerry O'Connell's Life in a Speedo

AQUAview: Jerry O'Connell's Life in a Speedo

 

BREAKING NEWS: Baby Freddie On The Way!

Here is the news folks:

(ANSA)-PARIGI, 25 NOV - Laure Manaudou incinta:si sapeva ma non era mai stato detto.E' stato Brett Hawke,tecnico del compagno Frederick Bousquet, a farselo sfuggire. Hawke, che allena pure il brasiliano Cesar Cielo Filho, ha fatto questa affermazione in una tv Usa convinto che tutti ne fossero gia' al corrente 'Fred - ha detto Hawke - avra' un bambino con la sua ragazza Laure Manaudou in aprile, e vogliono passare un po' di tempo in Francia'.  - source

Or in English:

Laure Manaudou pregnant: you knew but had never been detto.E 'was Brett Hawke, technical companion Frederick Bousquet, to have it slip. Hawke, che allena pure il brasiliano Cesar Cielo Filho, ha fatto questa affermazione in una tv Usa convinto che tutti ne fossero gia' al corrente 'Fred - ha detto Hawke - avra' un bambino con la sua ragazza Laure Manaudou in aprile, e vogliono passare un po' di tempo in Francia'. Hawke, who also trains the Brazilian Cesar Cielo Filho, made this statement in a U.S. television convinced that everyone had already 'know' Fred - said Hawke - will have 'a baby with his girlfriend Laure Manaudou in April, and they want spend some 'time in France'.

Wednesday's Swim Report / Things I Might Have Missed

There is an overload of news stories that I've missed over the weekend so I'm still playing catchup.  Here are a few of them...

1.  TYR Swimmers - "Grevers, Kukors Take Home 2009 Golden Goggle Awards" LINK

2.  "I have a problem, says D'Arcy"  Nick D'Arcy admits he has a problem with binge drinking LINK.

3.  LA Times "USA Swimming honors stars" LINK.  And The Swimmer of The Year Is..."Lochte ends Phelps' reign" LINK

4. "German breaks Thorpe’s 400m record but says the new suits should be banned" LINK

5.  "Phelps looking ahead to better times in 2010" LINK

6. Matt Abood Is In The Pool Mood LINK

7. Asiaone News talks about butterflier Tao Li LINK

8.  BREAKING NEWS:  Stephanie Rice Likes Descent Guys LINK

9.  Peter Marshall and Jessica Hardy kick some ass at the FINA World Cup with Hardy being 2009 World Cup Champion LINK

10.  Gary Hall Sr writes "Swimming on the Freeway" over at the USMS Forums LINK

Another Swim Practice

I was feeling in a negative mood before going to swim but that quickly changed.  Had a bunch of laid back fun mates in my lane so it made the workout fun to do. 

Warmed Up

400 Mixed

Then we started some kicking and drilling.  Four rounds of 50 kick / 50 drill / 50 swim.  I was still in my goof off warmup mode.  I did maybe 450 yards of this set. (450/850)

Then we did a 400 Pull.  (400/1250)

Up next we did 3x200.s on 2:55 descending.  A super easy interval so I pushed myself.  Pushed myself, now that is something I haven't done in some time in the pool.  I did them on 2:25, 2:23 and 2:18.  Which is pretty slow compared to past swims but I am okay with that.   (600/1850)

Three Rounds (1 Free on 1:25, 1 IM on 1:35 and 1 Choice on 1:35)

100 (last 50 fast)

100 (middle 50 fast)

100 (first 50 fast)

100 all fast

(1200/3050)  Then we did 3x50's off the vblocks doing relay starts.  It was fuckin' freezing on deck.  (150/3200)

At this point we were down from at least 6 per lane in the workout to only 6 swimmers.  We did 6x50's on 55.  I pulled them. (300/3500)

Then we did 4x40 yards of swimming fast into the wall and fast turns.  Then I warmed down a bit.  (150/3650)  Not bad of a swim.  After lifting today my arms are sore as hell but that is all good!

Craptastic Treadmill Run

First of all I'm in one of my rant moods but I've been biting my tongue for about 21 hours so I'll try to keep it down.  In other news I hate treadmills.  Knowing that I'm not a big fan of treadmills I went downstairs to the gym in my bldg to go on a run.  Was planning 5 or 6 miles.  Nothing too long.  But after a mile I was ready to give up.  The machine decided to switch out of Manual Mode and would randomly change my speed and incline.  I had to override it a few times before it stopped but then a beeping noise came on every 10 seconds.  Even with my earbuds in I knew it was beeping as all the lights in the center would blink.  The damn thing was driving me crazy.  Between that and the room being non-ventilated as it is in the garage basically underground I just gave up.  I figured I should call it a night.  So I only ran 3.23 miles.  But I ran this am so not a bad day.

I'll be heading to swim soon anyways.  Hopefully it'll go better then last nights swim.  I am so bringing my fins tonight.  Call me a cheater but I will need them tonight.  Wish I had remembered to put them in my bag last night. 

Short Run & Gym Time

I had the best intentions this morning of getting up and hitting the gym early and get in at least a 6 mile run.  I did get up early but I sorta putzed around for a bit.  By the time I was ready to leave the gym I was hungry so I ran home.  I figure sometime between now and 7pm swim practice I'll hit the treadmill for a bit.  So far I put in a 3.58 mile run between going to and returning from the gym.  With less then a week left of November I am not at my 2nd highest month for mile ran.  Wahoo!  November should finish as the 1st highest mile run month ever for me.  Just need to be 108 miles.

Tuesday's Swim Report / Things I Might Have Missed

1.  Are the swimming bloggers really going to Kiss & Make Up?  The Screaming Viking offers to have Craig Lords love child or something like that LINK

2.  Sullivan is swimming again:  "Eamon dives back in the deep end" LINK

3.  Swimming World sees "A Glimmer of Hope in Textile" LINK

4.  What TMZ made up a story, shocking!  Kastaway Blog exposes TMZ House of Lies:  "TMZ Smears Phelps With Tax Rumor, Minimal Apology " LINK

5.  Go Swim talks about the first breath after the wall when swimming freestyle LINK

6.  "Arena Announces Signing of Rebecca Soni, Eric Shanteau" - Swimming World LINK and Tony at the SCAQ Blog predicts that "Will 'Arena' be the new 'Speedo' or swimming's "number one brand" - I think so!" LINK

7.  Japan will keep Tech Suits at least till the end of March LINK

8.  Open Water Planet is now open for business.  LINK

9. Watch Rob Aquatics swim at the 2009 Turkey Shoot LINK

10.  Swim blogger Swimming For Me scored 2 USMS Top 10 Times LINK

11. One more for the road - The Biggest Loser Tuesday Round UP:  Biggest Loser's Rebecca and Daniel Dating LINK,  A Couple Of Healthy Lifestyle Tips From 'The Biggest Loser' Trainers LINK.  The Biggest Loser: Bonus Scene From Week 9 LINK.  Biggest Loser Goes From Six to Five LINK

Monday Nite Swim Swim

Tonight's swim was pretty okay even with me not making some intervals and leaving after about an hour.

Warmed Up

400 Swim

250 Pull (650)

Then we started a kick and drill warm up set.

Four Rounds - 2x75's Kick on 1:20 2x25's Drill on 30 IM Order (I missed a 50 kick during the backstroke) I pretty much missed most of the kicking intervals.  Which lead me to skip a 50 of kicking.  The coach noticed and came over to me so I told him I wasn't make the intervals.  So he asked the other swimmers who said that the interval wasn't that hard and they could do it.  Whatever.  (750/1400)

Four Rounds - 2x50's Drill on 50 and 2x25's Swim on 30 IM Order(600/2000)

I think that was it.  Maybe not.  Meh..whatever.

Main Set:

I only did 2 Rounds -

100 free on 1:30

75 free / 25 stroke on 1:30

50 free / 50 stroke on 1:30

25 free / 75 stroke on 1:30

100 stroke on 1:30

Did 1st round backstroke and 2nd round fly (1000/3000)

And then just did a 50 easy and got out.  3050 yards for the nite.  I was dying the whole workout.  I'm getting slower and slower with each workout it seems.  So thinking it's time to move down to the medium lanes.