Heading back into the pool to kick start my return to swim training has been incredibly easy. There is something about donning a swim cap and submerging into the water that brings me a sense of calmness and well being. It is very easy to escape into thoughts about nothing except the feel of the water, breathing and your own swimming technique. At times I'm not even sure that I'm thinking about anything at all. The most difficult mental output during this time seems to be keeping track of how many laps/lengths I have swum.
So it has been with enthusiasm that I have headed down to the local pool throughout the last 3 weeks. Although it is currently an indoor pool that I'm heading to at the moment, the atmosphere isn't as stifling as some indoor pools can be. Also, it is sometimes split into 2 X 25 metre pools and sometimes used as a full 50 metre length pool. I much prefer to swim in a 50m pool if I can. Of course I hope to mix up swimming to also include open water swimming, ensuring that I am well prepared for the lake swim I will be racing in come November. However rest assured that regardless, there will be plenty of swimming kilometres to be done in the lap pool.
An obvious disadvantage to swimming is the inability to check your own form or technique without another set of eyes or coaching to help you. I believe that the secret to your greatest improvement and progress in swimming is almost completely technique related. I do aim to attend some triathlon swimming squad sessions at some point in the near future and over the course of my training too.
I needed a starting point to see where I am early on. Thankfully, my boyfriend offered to take some video footage of me swimming during yesterday's session, enabling me to identify my weaknesses and strengths and also to gain immediate feedback from him whilst swimming as well.
I was pleasantly surprised to see that my stroke is stronger than I originally thought. My left arm, which I initially believed was my weaker arm, is actually stronger than my right, and I identified some imbalances to work on. At present I am not swimming longer than 700m sessions, I will move to 900-1km in the next couple of weeks. These feel very short, so it has been important to remain patient and resist the temptation to keep swimming just because I feel good. I need to stick to the plan.
Cycling from my lounge room... to my lounge room..
Right now my road bike still needs a few tweaks to it before it is deemed road worthy and I feel confident to take it out on the bitumen. I'm still able to use it on the mag trainer in the meantime and hope to get outside for a spin next weekend. A mag trainer is the stand that the bike sits on for use as a 'stationery bike' yet allows you to remain on your usual bike set up on your own bike.
Today I completed a steady 45 minutes cycling session. I am definitely looking forward to gazing at more than the wall of my lounge room. Im deliberately not watching TV or using anything else to distract me during these sessions, as then it becomes a bit of a mental exercise as well. I have a TREK bike, that I have had for quite a few years now. Although not the latest and greatest piece of cycling machinery, it works well and is perfectly fine for the purposes of my triathlon quest. I can upgrade further down the track if I wish, but for now I am happy with my little 52 cm frame 'pushie'.
Step by Step
Although my training sessions all feel quite easy now, I have learnt from previous experience that it is important to remain within the limits of these sessions. The cumulative effects of each training session combine for steady overall progress, and it is important to lay down a quality training foundation, building consistency, gradual progress and reduce the risk of setting up poor training habits that will inevitably lead to over-training and injury.
11-Speed groupset, Carbon fork, Flex Polarised, Breakaway zipper.... Um... what?
I am not overly keen to become too drawn into the world of expensive MUST HAVE triathlon gadgets and equipment. These are often advertised like you will have never have the ability to achieve Personal Bests (PBs), finish a training session, or call yourself a triathlete without them. Not knowing about all these things can even make you feel a touch inadequate. Sometimes I believe that there can be a whole new level of 'wankerdom' achieved in this sport, particularly if you get sucked into the hype and the need to "keep up with the Jones's". Surely I don't really have to change my coffee of choice to a short black, skinny latte, or chai latte to call myself a serious triathlete... do I??
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for shiny and pretty new things, however I am more likely to choose something because I think its a cute colour than for its full technical specifications. Having said that there are certain aspects of equipment and training/racing attire that are important to me. I'm definitely all for purchasing any materials that will DEFINITELY NOT cause dreaded Chafe. I hate chafe. Similarly, find me a bike seat that will not make me unable to sit down for three days following my longest training ride and I'll buy it. As a Podiatrist the right running shoes and socks are an obvious area I have the capacity to be particularly picky in as well. I'm sure there are a few more I am yet to discover. Oh oh, I'm already sounding a little obsessed :)
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