Next?

Like I have mentioned for the last 9 months, my International Distance (yeah, I like typing that) Triathlon is in Philly this Sunday... as in June 26th. Meaning, it is exactly 5 days away... so why last night, during my GBA swim workout (more on that later) was I thinking about what I was going to do next? Crazy.... I haven't even completed this goal. My mind sure goes in strange directions during workouts.

Speaking of GBA swim workouts, I have been swimming at the pool with a group of other parents with the swim team coach. We haven't always had the distance that I wanted, so last night, I arrived early and knocked out 800m before the workout started... let me just admit: STUPID! Coach tonight was totally going to prove me wrong (not to mention telling me I swim completely wrong).

Here was the workout:

200m free warm up
6 x 100m free sprints with 15 second rests between each set
4 x 100m building free (50m), 25m breast, 25m free sprint
200m - back (50m), 25m breast, 25m free

Yeah, Coach H wanted me to pay for coming early, I think. Each time I wanted to quit. My arms are quite sore. But this will be my last swim "workout" until after Philly... Yay, TAPER ISLAND! (Boooo).

I did learn a couple of things that I plan to implement in Philly.

1. I usually breathe on every 3rd stroke which means I breathe on each side. When I was whining talking to the coach about implementing his suggestions and my breathing seemed all whack (yeah, professional word), he said, "Try breathing every 2 strokes"... and do you know what? It seemed easier. It seemed like I was getting more air and wasn't rushing my strokes to take a breath. I felt more relaxed.

2. I swim too "pretty". Yup... coach said that I need wider strokes and to make it sloppier. Seemed completely unnatural too. But I am working on it... arms slapping the water, splashing.

3. Head down.... further. Obviously, I swim with my head down, but by looking straight down, I am swimming more efficiently... try it! I felt like I was gliding across the water. I am going to test this at Philly... if I remember. Efficient = faster!

4. Rotate my core more to maximize breath intake and stretch my stroke. I was reluctant to try it, but it did feel better. Who knew that this ex-swim teacher and ex-swim team coach swam wrong her whole life?

Okay... time to get back to Taper Island, where is my Pomtini?