Yesterday I was finally able to join Liz in being a member of the Y. I've been wanting to join just to use the pool so I can start swimming laps in preparation for a triathlon I'm going to do in July.
I purchased my speedo, goggles, and ear plugs last week. This morning I put them to use at the pool.
When I say I put them to use, what I mean is that I wore them while I violently thrashed around the pool, attempting to swim, and breath at the same time. It was hard.
I know how to swim, I guess. But I haven't really done it for a long time. I know I took lessons as a kid, but I'm not sure that is helping me here.
My main problem is that I'm having trouble breathing without taking in water. So, it's really hard to swim a lap in the pool when you can't breath. In fact it's impossible.
I only managed 3 laps this morning before I gave up, deciding I need some more education before I proceed. I really don't want to have to be rescued by the 18 year old lifeguard.
So that's what I'm doing now. I research at Beginner Triathlete.com. I'm also going to get some direction from a professional at the Y next time I go.
So these are my next set of immediate challenges:
-Learn to swim correctly without drowning.
-From there, I need to be comfortable doing 17 laps as that's what I'll be doing in the triathlon.
I feel like I'm a long ways off from that, but we'll see.
There is a guy at work who also just started training for his first triathlon and has just crossed these same hurdles. Talking to him is motivation for me. If he can do it I know I can. In fact, he's a smoker...
Aside from that, things are going well. I'm still doing weight training 3 days a week, and I throw in some cardio 1-2 days on top of that. I still weigh myself daily just to monitor what is going on, but as I've said before I'm no longer trying to lose weight. I seem to fluctuate between 206 and 210 these days.
More updates in my triathlon training to come.
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14 comments:
Please tell me you're not really wearing a speedo! You may scar your nieces if they happen to run into you at the Y.
Not to worry. If I ever had to do a triathalon, I would have to doggie paddle through the swimming part of it!
BT is a great resource. Which triathlon are you doing in July? Did the Schuylkill river really scare you away from the Philly Insurance Tri? Chicken. I have some swim info (a DVD and a couple of books) if you want to borrow them. Email me if you want them. Good luck, happy training.
anonymous,
just a speedo brand, not the traditional looking speedo thing...
swanky,
I've just heard about too many people getting sick swimming in that river and decided its not worth for me to take the chance when there is another cleaner place to swim a few weeks later. Here's the link:
http://www.cgievents.com/cgiracing/njst/registration.html
I had the same problem swimming in the pool at my gym. By the time I got to feeling like I was getting a good workout, the breathing thing caught up with me. I sorta abandoned it...
What a great goal to have - I've always wanted to do a treadmill. Problem for me (other than I'm still fat) is I can't swim. Never learned. How weird is that?
you always wanted to do a treadmill?
So sweeeet... a tri! I've let the running portion scare me off those, as that is my weakest link. How 'bout we tag team- I'll swim, you run, and we bike together? *grin*
Good luck training!
Maybe I can join in with you and Carrie and I'll just wear the medal around my neck and brag to people after you guys win it. Sound good?
Yeah, swimming without drowning is kinda key to completing a triathlon!
Keep it up!
hows the swimming going?? been a while since you have blogged.... ahhhhh yeah been a while for me too.
Did marcol ever give you the $40?
Nope! Hey, it's only been over 3 months right? I'm sure its still a paypal issue...
I think we can officially say at this point: "What an asshole". Not that we didn't already know that.
Well, thanks to her you're $40 lighter.
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