Mind over matter? What's mind? No matter. What's matter? Never mind.

It wasn't like this mornings workout was a tough one physically but it was mentally.  Never mind math problems in the morning it was a matter of me over comming my mental state.  I wanted to just give up during the entire main set.  Swimming on my own was not working for me this morning.  The coach had some where to be so I was an unsupervised child wanting to skip out early.

Warm Up

200 Swim / 200 Pull / 200 Pull w/ Paddles /4x50's Kick on 1:05 / 4x50's Swim on 55 (1000)

Main Set:
5 Rounds

100 on 1:45

200 on 3:00

The 100 was to swim the pace that you planned to swim the 200 and the 200's were descended.  That wasn't working for me.  I took out my first 100 too fast then by the third one my 200 pace was faster then my 100 pace.  Grrr...but I did descend.  My 200's weren't great descends but they were 2:41, 2:35, 2:30, 2:25 and 2:19.  On round three I messed up and did my 100 on 1:30.  I kept on wanting to quit the set while I was swimming telling myself I'll never be able to descend.  My body kept feeling like I was going to fall apart.  Stiff, sore and just not all together.  But I stuck it out and swam the set.  (1500/2500)

I just did a 50 easy and got out.  I should have did a longer warm down but I just wanted to get out and go home and eat!  So 2.550 yards for this morning.


Math Problem Swimming

Workout today was a tough one.  It shouldn't have been but that is exactly how it was.  Here was the main set:

One tract can be ploughed with 6 tractors for 4 days, if they plough 120hectares a day. Two of the tractors were moved to another tract. The rest 4 ploughed the same tract for 5 days. How many decares average a day ploughed the 4 tractors?

Okay so maybe that is a stretch but it did involve some math problem solving all using a analog clock!  An analog clock!  Jebuz Crust!

The actual workout:

1x500 loosen.  That was easy enough. 

3x100 kick with fins on 2:10  Still pretty easy. (800)

Forever-21-came-under-fire-this-week-for-an-allergic-to-algebra-shirt-which-it-appears-to-no-longer-be-available-on-their-website 4x50 for pace on :50.  Meh.  Not so bad. (200/1000)

rest

5x100 on 1:40 for pace.  I wasn't blazing fast in these but I was okay.  I was doing about 1:18's. (500/1500)

rest

1x1000 - 1:20, 1:15, 1:19, 1:14, 1:18, 1:13, 1:17, 1:12, 1:16, 1:11.  Yeah, mum…how many hectares in a 1,000 yard swim?  I sorta had to give up on the math.  The first one I came in on a 1:18 and from there the math just seemed to take up too much thought.  Trying to think if I left on the 18 and came in on the 33 the next time I need to come on is?  Wait is this lap 9 or 11?  Oh fuck!  I did negative split it.  By the 300 mark I told myself just don't ever go slower then a 1:20 but aim for 1:15's.  I should be able to hold 1:15's.  I hit the wall at a 38 for the 1,000.  I think it's still too early to figure out what that means for a time.  My 500 split was around the 30 mark.  I need one of those swim watches.  Dear Hanukkah Harry and Santa Clause, Please bring me a cool swim watch so I don't have to do math in the morning.  Love ya, Joel. (1000/2500)

5x100 on 1:30 descending from 1:12.  Ha!  Ha!  1:12?  I'm way outta shape to tackle that.  How about doing them on 1:20 then three 1:18's then a 1:12?  Well that is what I did.  Then warmed down a 100 of barely swimming.  (600/3100)

I really should have been better in this set.  I'll have to keep this workout in my bag to swim another day.  I may not have it my benchmark splits but it was still a good swim.  I held a pace or at least I think I did.  I haven't been swimming any distance at all so it was a good challenge.  One that I failed but plan to avenge and eventually win it!  Just gotta bring a calculator to the pool next time.


Swimming Slug

A few days out of the pool and I almost forgot how to swim.  Since I haven't been able to make it to the pool I've been going to the gym.  On Saturday I did my usual upper body weight routine, then legs and Boot Camp Class on Sunday then back to my upper body weight routine on Monday.  But today I was back in the pool.  After just a few days off I was feeling a bit rough this morning.  To be blunt I was a slug in the pool.

Warm Up

500 / 200 Kick (700)

Then we went into the main set.  Or I went into my main set as I had my own workout. 

3 Rounds

200 IM on 3:20

100 Back on 1:40

50 Breast on 60

50 Free Pull on 60

I took a quick 1 minute pee break between round 2 and 3.  The first round was rough for me.  I just was out of it.  My body didn't want to move at all.  (1200/1900)

I then did 5x50's Pulling (250/2150) Then to kill time I kicked another 200 (200/2350)  Then the aqua fitness people started to invade the water.  I sorta did another 50 helping the staff with the lane lines so my workout was sorta 2,400 yards.  Not a great workout but at least I was back in the water.  I expect a harder workout tomorrow.


Let's Get Swimsical!

During the warm up I got to hear "The Hustle" and then OLJ's "Physical".  I was doing head up freestyle to "The Hustle"!

500 Mixed then 200 Kick. (700)

IM Set:
2x200 IM's
2x150's Back
2x100's IM Reverse (900/1600)

4x50's Breaststroke (200/1800)

I don't remember all the intervals.  They were pretty easy.  I want to say 1:50 for the IM's.  Maybe 3:30 for the 200's.  The 50's were drilling breaststroke on 1:20.  At this point every one else got out but I continued with a short freestyle set. 

Free Set:
300 Pull on 5 Minutes.  I was super slow in this and came in on like 4 minutes.
3x100's Descend on 1:50
Rested an extra 30 second
300 Swim.  Shit.  I forgot what I did.  I think a 3:38.  I was shooting to be under 3:30.  I gotta admit I almost gave up swimming the 300 since I was alone.  (900/2700)

I then did an easy 100.  Total yardage was 2,800. 

I didn't swim yesterday but did hit the gym.  On Wednesday I did my leg workout.  A short bit on the treadmill.  Then I did lunges using the smith machines.  The box jumps which were 10 Rounds of 10 Jumps on a minute.  Then I did 2 Rounds of Chair against the wall.  The first five were a minute on the wall then 30 seconds rest.  The second five were 30 seconds against wall and 30 seconds rest.  I also did two leg weight machines.  Then on Thursday I went to the noon time Group Power Class then a short period of chest and arms on my own.  Then I went back at 5pm to do Group Step.  One of the instructors had to film themselves teach a class so they could get certified so I was one of the class peeps.  Step is a bit harder then I could ever have imagined.


Pacing. Pace Swim, Pace Car. It's all the same.

So I could lie and say how I got up at 5am and was ready to run but the rain was pouring down so hard I decided to skip running.  Yeah, that's the ticket, the rain was pouring so I stayed inside so I wouldn't slip and fall.  Or I could tell you the harsh truth that I just hit snooze.  Yup, that is what I did.  I hit snooze and skipped yet another morning run.  But at least I got up in time to go swimming.

Warm Up

Breastcancercamaro 500 Mixed.  3x100's Kick / 1x100 Kick/Drill (900)

Main Set:

5x50's on 50 Free pace. 

Squared up clock to the 60/top

500 Negative Split.  I was doing 1:20's for the first 300 then 1:15's.  I took 1:30 rest.

5x100's descend on 1:30.  I was 1:17, 1:15, 1:14, 1:12 and 1:10.  Nothing great but not so bad.

Then after some rest and chit chat finished up with 5x50's Freee on 60.  (1500/2400)

So not a bad swim.  2,400 yards.  The pool is much much cooler at 85.7F.  Funny how I should be bitching how hot it is but months of 90+ temps have changed my perceptions.  I can only hope we get a few more cool rainy days to bring the temps down even more.  Is 82F too much to ask?  I hope it isn't as I have a 1,000 in workout that will be all about pacing and lots of math. 

(about the image in post - "Chevrolet plans to do more with its NASCAR Camaro pace car than merely slow the field down. For the next two races at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Richmond International Raceway, a Camaro doused in pink to support breast cancer research will lead the field. As if the hue weren't enough, when the safety car comes out, Chevrolet will donate $200 per lap to the American Cancer Society." via autoblog)


Swimming In A Tropical Downpour / Short Axis Workout

I'm really really trying to stick to my swim training.  No more hit or miss but really trying.  So last night I went to bed early.  I am guessing I was asleep no later then IMG_20110906_065002 9:15pm.  So when my alarm went off at 6am I was sorta ready to go.  I woke up to the sound of a heavy rain.  Grrr...I sat around for twenty minutes debating on going swimming or not.  Since I heard no thunder and the rain was coming and going I decided to go.  Of course the drive over to the pool kept me rethinking my decision.  It was pouring.  I could see the waves of water pouring down. 

I got to the pool and see only two cars.  I see the coach running to the enterance of the pool.  So I decided I'd go swimming.  On deck it was still downpouring.  Even with my umbrella I was soaking wet.  I got into my suit and ran to the deck of the water.  I was still debating on swimming.  This is the worst conditions I've ever swam in.  Luckily as the workout went on the band of rain and wind went away.  But we went off the coaches watch since it was too windy to have the pace clocks on deck.

Warm Up - 500 then a 200 Kick (700)

Main Set - 6x175's on a magical interval that I don't know what it was.  I swam them 25 Breast / 25 Fly for the whole set.  That's a lot of breast! (800/1500)

And then we did 4x50's fast on 1:30.  I did one of each stroke.  But since it was a lull in the storm I started off with backstroke.  (200/1700)

Then that was it.  I did do 2x25's breaststroke while the coach watched me and worked on my stroke.  (40/1750)

Overall a sorta easy workout.  All the breaststroke is killing me.  And swimming fly to breast was not easy.  I was gasping at the walls.  The coach did have something else in store for me today including a 1,000 freestyle.  But I was saved by the storm.


I Fought The Snooze Button And Won (song to The Clash's I Fought The Law)

Finally!  I finally won the battle with the alarm clock!  I didn't fall prey to the snooze button.  This morning my alarm rang at 5am and I heard the siren of the pavement.  Yup, I went on a short run before swimming!
Monday
It wasn't a fast run or a long run.  It's more of a training run.  2.65 miles according to GPS via RunKeeper.  My pace was slow 10:42 but whatever.  It's all baby steps.  So need to push myself as the weeks go on.  This is all just cross training for now.  No big running events planned.  Just trying to have a base already in me. Nike_mon

After that it was swim time.  Here was the workout…
 
1x500 loosen

4x50 kick - 1 of each stroke on 1:10 (200/700)

4x50 kick/swim - 1 of each stroke on 60 (200/900)

Main Set:

5(1x200 on 3:00, 1x100 IM reverse on 2:00) - descend the 200s (1500/2400)

I took the first 200 easy and did a 2:45 then the rest I picked it up coming in at 2:35, 2:25, 2:20 (evenly split with 1:10's) and then a 2:15 (splits 1:08 and 1:07)  Not bad but not great.  I did also descend the 100 IM's.  Mostly because I was struggling at first during the set and finally felt better and stronger as I swam.

rest a bit then…

8x50 easy pull on :50 - focus on distance per stroke (400/2800)  Not bad for a Monday.  I gotta admit I am feeling better then I have been in the pool.  Slowly getting some speed in me and a bit of endurance.  Well maybe not that 200 that I didn't negative split.  But that is another story.  Just gotta keep motivated and push forward just like this kid...

That vid really makes me smile!  Gotta believe in yourself!


Swim Workout Classic (Modified)

Classic Workout or is that Workout Classic?  This morning I was determined to put in a good workout.  I had a good night sleep so I had no excuse.  So I went back to November of 2007 to do the workout "Tuesday Night".  Now I didn't get to finish the whole set.  Bummer!  I overslept a bit then got to the pool only to realize I didn't have any batteries for the clocks.  So I lost 10 minutes of swimming just because of batteries.  I started swimming about 7:40. 

Here is what I did…

500 warm up mixed (100 swim / 200 pull / 200 pull w/fins)

4x200 broken 100 kick / 75 Drill / 25 Swim IM Order (800/1300)

8x50's on 50 (400/1700)

Main Set:
200 Free on 2:40
7x50's on 55  1 free / 1 fly / 1 free / 2 fly / 1 free / 1 fly
200 Free on 2:40
7x50's on 55 1 free / 1 back / 1 free / 2 back / 1 free / 1 back

When I was finishing up my backstroke round everyone started to arrive for the swim workout.  So I finished it up and ended the set.  So I didn't do the full workout I wanted to do but with a slight modification kept on swimming with the pattern set above.  (1100/1400)

200 Reverse IM Pull
100 Pulling free
200 Kick (500/1900)

2nd Main Set:
2x25's on 30 (50)
2x50's on 55 (100/150)
2x100's on 1:50 (200/350)
2x150's 1st on 2:40 and 2nd on 2:30 (I think) (300/650)
2x100's on 1:40 (200/850)
2x50's on 50 (100/950)
2x25's on 30 (50/1000/2900)

The coach called it Noah's Arc.  Two of each I guess.  So I mixed it fly and back.  The second half faster then the first.  So I did 1x25 fly then 1x25 back, same for the 50's and 100's.  Now for the 150 the 2nd had to be faster so I did 25fly/25back and repeat for the 6 laps.  I wasn't really getting my times but the last 100 fly I came in on 1:10.  Not great but not bad. 

I then warmed down a slow 100.  Little did I know it would even out to a 3,000 yard workout.  Normally on Sunday I swim more yards but this week I put in a greater effort so it evens out.  No point in garbage yardage. 

Yesterday I got some gym time in doing my arms/chest weight routine followed by 9:30 Group Ride (Spin) Class with a coworker.  I'm sorta debating if I should put in some gym time today or not.  Tomorrow the gym closes early and I know I wont make it after swim practice.  Oh well first breakfast then I'll think about it.


This Is No time To Rest On Our Laurels.

This monring for a change of pace we same at the Laurel Canyon, I mean Laurel Manor Pool.  Hey, at least I'm sorta saying Manor now.  I've swam a few times at this pool and use to meet the TNT Run Group outside of the pool so I should know it's name.  But still refer to it as Laurel Canyon.  We only hand 4 people so we took over two lanes of the pool which seemed to create a "Doomsday" scenario for some of the lap swimmers.  One of the lap swimmers got in the lane with one lady and boy was she made.  To make it worse was that she was a water walker.  I happened to be taking a pee break when she was going at it with some guy about how she doesn't share her lane.  Oy!   LaurelCanyon As for us it was a nice change of pace and the water seemed cooler.

Warmed Up 500 then 3x100's kick on 2:10 (700)

Main Set:

4x100's Free on 1:40

400 Free

4x100's Free on 1:30

The first two 100's I was very sluggish.  My muscles seemed to be slowly waking up.  By the 3rd 100 I was feeling better.  Now the 3rd 100 time would be my starting time for the second round of 100's.  So I did a 1:15 on the third and the 4th a 1:12.  I took some rest between the round of 100's and 400.  Just to square up the clocks.  The 400 I kept on a 1:15 pace.  My very last 100 I was in at 1:07.  I should be faster.  I know I should and have been.  Maybe now that fall is coming the pool will get cooler again.  (1200/1900)

I then did 4x50's pulling.  I was going to do more but the coach had to leave and we started to chit chat.  (200/2100)  I should have continued on after that but I didn't.  As for the last few days on Wednesday I did a Boot Camp Class at 5:30pm and ran right up to the 6:30 Group Ride (spinning.)  I was tired so I slept in on Thursday.  Then in the afternoon I headed to the gym for arms/chest weight training. 


My Swimtember Motivation!

I've been bitching and moaning at myself for not being motivated enough at swim practice.  So I entered the Rowdy Gaines Masters Classic from October 14 - 16.  Check it out at rowdygainesclassic.com.  Anyways since I paid for this meet I better work hard the next month.  I also didn't sandbag my times too much.  I just rounded up a smudge.  That way even if I continue my slow swimming I will have to work hard to make my entry times.  Oh god, I should have sandbagged them even more.  I'm nervous now. SeptemHopefully this will motivate me in Swimtember!