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| With Karen and Sara after finishing our iTryathlon. |
I'm not a very good swimmer. Quite frankly I suck. I decided to start tri training towards the end of the season and even in Los Angeles the swimming training slows down. When I got back from shooting Jen Small and friends doing the Rev3 Maine in August I was determined. It was SO beautiful and that group of goofballs are my kind of peeps (video to come next week). I took an Open Water 101 clinic with the LA TriClub when I got home and almost died. Then I hired one of the coaches who kept me from drowning to take me out during our October Indian summer so I wouldn't head into winter discouraged. My stroke sucked less than my kick and since we didn't have much time to work on my technique he basically just told me not to kick. I've "dropped in" at a local pool a few times to swim laps on my own but not until the last couple of weeks have I realized I'm going to REALLY need to learn how to swim if I'm going to make it in Knoxville (let alone Maine). A couple weeks ago I dropped in on a Tower 26 pool workout and got my ass handed to me on a platter. The coach was surprised I didn't bail. Literally, he looked at me at the end of the session and said, "Wow, you hung in there Angela." I've heard that a lot during my lifetime. I have no shame and I'll soldier through. If nothing else, I've got heart.
Since Jennifer was here working this week (and heading home to a blizzard) I though it would be fun if she got a swim and bike in. Sara has been recommending the Southern California Aquatics swim club and they offer a free workout so Jen and I signed up. Once again I was reminded how lucky I am to live in Southern California where the triathlon training resources and INSANE! Our coach was two time Olympic medalist Clay Evans. Make sure to follow Jennifer's blog for more on that.
The verdict was this: I swim with my head too far down, my stroke is inefficient and I kick with my knees and not my hips which propels me nowhere. Basically I'm doing it all wrong. He gave me fins for now so we can work on my kick after we get the other stuff straightened out. Last night he texted me this video and I definitely see a big butt theme starting with this blog. Also, how bad a swimmer I am is scary. I think it's obvious that my friend and nemesis Scott will definitely be kicking my ass in Knoxville. I'm okay with that. Just as long as he doesn't have to pull me out of the river. That's Matty O's job.
The verdict was this: I swim with my head too far down, my stroke is inefficient and I kick with my knees and not my hips which propels me nowhere. Basically I'm doing it all wrong. He gave me fins for now so we can work on my kick after we get the other stuff straightened out. Last night he texted me this video and I definitely see a big butt theme starting with this blog. Also, how bad a swimmer I am is scary. I think it's obvious that my friend and nemesis Scott will definitely be kicking my ass in Knoxville. I'm okay with that. Just as long as he doesn't have to pull me out of the river. That's Matty O's job.
Here's the awful proof of my non-swimming skills:
And here's my goal:
I want to be able to take advantage of these awesome beach workouts when they start up again in May. The requirements are you have to be able to swim 1,000 meters without stopping and you have to be able to do 2:30/100 speed. I don't even know what that last part means but I'm going to find out Monday when I go back to the pool. I joined SCAQ this morning.
Because:
In a moment of insanity I registered for the Maine Half Rev in August. 70.3 FREAKING MILES! I just calculated how long it would take me to finish with my current swim, bike and run times (not taking combining them into consideration) and it's over 9 hours!
I blame those Abekat Anarchists and now I'm fucked.
Challenge accepted.
You are going to do great on your 70.3..you will be amazed by how much you improve. My swim went from 2:35 per 100 to 1:50 per 100 within 6 months. (I'm back up to 2:05 per 100) You just need to have someone help you with your stroke.
ReplyDeleteI have to find a pool in Kentucky to practice in. I may be finishing the Oly in Knoxville with the Half Revers.
DeleteYou will be fine. Take the motto: #SwimMoreDrownLess and that will get you to where you want to be.
ReplyDeleteYes, we need to work on that swim but it's great that you have some folks there to give you some hands on help while i sit here on the other side of the country! LoL
ReplyDeleteBe positive girl...you can do this!