- A lot of this post is going to be about swimming and I have no pictures of me swimming. That is only a good thing. So enjoy the foliage shots of Vermont I got on Facebook.
- I realize that I have a job when I swim and I do that job well. My job is to make everyone else in the pool feel good about their swimming technique.
- I suck at swimming. Sometimes people put down how they do in a certain area but it's not true. Believe me this is true!
- I can do the yards in a pool as long as I am doing the breaststroke. Someone implied that if I tried to do a tri using the breast stroke I would embarrass my Ironman daughter. While I don't think that's true I do think it would be a good thing for me to be able to do a faster stroke. So I am listening to the advice.
- At least it is supposed to be faster. When I do the free style I am very slow. I can barely make it to the end of the lane and feel my body being pulled to the bottom of the pool. Gravity is not my friend.
- Rhythmic breathing? What's that? But I did buy a pair of goggles yesterday in case I ever figure it out.
- I need help. I suck at swimming.
- I enjoy it. Not like I love biking. But I do like the feeling I have after -similar to running.
- I swam twice this week. The last three times I have been I have increased the number of laps I do the freestyle in. First I did 1. Then I did 2. Saturday I did 4. Progress. But I always made sure I was swimming away from everyone so they didn't have as direct a view. At least that is what I tell myself.
- I shared a lane yesterday because the pool was crowded. The poor guy who was in my lane probably wondered at my style.
- I plan to try to do two laps in a row of free style. I am hoping I don't drown. I get why they tell you not to swim alone.
- Two whole laps in a row, maybe. How long until summer and a new tri season? Maybe I should shoot for 2013. I can't believe I asked about clothing. That is the least of my problems.
Sunday I biked. It wasn't sunny but it wasn't raining. I did bike by this scene below but I actually got this photo on Facebook taken by someone with more time and a better camera.
- All of our fall weekends have been rather dismal and rainy except last weekend when I left the state.
- It has been more than 3 weeks since I ran if you don't count the race last Sunday.
- You know you are missing it when it is raining and you enjoy the dash from the car to the place you are going.
Here are a few pics from my ride today.
More Irene damage - I hadn't been this way in awhile.
I had to stop here and wait for a tree to be cut down.
It made quite an impressive noise as it was falling but
it did not end up in the road.
20 comments:
Wow. I'd love to see photos of you swimming, don't get me wrong, but your photos of leaves and trees are stunning. It must be lovely to bike around there in the autumn.
Try swimming freestyle with a pull bouy/float between your legs. It will keep you buoyant and you don't have to kick, which sucks all the oxygen. I find it MUCH easier and it might give you a feel for the stroke.
BUT I have seen people completing tris doing breast stroke, back stroke, doggy paddle, YOU NAME IT, so if you want to try one, don't let that stop you.
You will get better at swimming, just keep going.
Isn't it common in the US that you get swimming lessons as a child? Here almost every child can swim by the age of 4. One of the reasons is that there's a lot of water in Holland and everyone wants his child to be able to swim if they might fall into water.
At least you're in the pool swimming. It sounds like even after 3 times there is already some improvement...keep on going and maybe even get some in-pool coaching :) You'll be tri-ing come summer I'm quite sure :) Go ajh!
I sooo know how you feel about the swimming! I laughed at your comment about sharing a lane bc that's how I felt. I also felt sorry for the lifeguards that they had to watch such a sad display. Definitely find someone to give lessons (yes, I would be the pot giving the kettle advice). From what I hear, swimming is one of those areas where coaching can make a dramatic difference. However, I'm quite sure your ironman daughter knows her mom flat out rocks, no matter what stroke you use in your first tri.
1) If you did a short tri like a sprint, you would be fine doing breast stroke. People do whatever they can in those short tris. It's about getting to the finish line. In longer events, they do front crawl because it's more effective, but if you want to do a short event, don't sweat breast stroke.
2) Less than ten years ago, I couldn't even swim across the pool. I got some coaching and now I am a decent swimmer. If you want to improve, take lessons or get a coach
3) When I do breast stroke, it looks like i'm drowning. I'm sure you do breast stroke better than I do.
4) As always, great pics!!!!! :-)
As always, great pictures.
I think you should swim whatever way is comfortable to you. It took me at least two seasons to feel truly comfortable swimming freestyle. There are always people flipped over on their back at some point during a race trying to gather themselves. I've seen people doing side stroke, too. Whatever gets you to the shore!!!
I panicked at my first tri and ended up doing the breast stroke...pretty funny...but I was not even close to being last...I passed quite a few people :)
Love the pictures... as always :)
I think half the battle is committing to getting in the pool on a regular basis. Swimming is like everything else, practice makes it easier. If you are really having trouble with breathing technique maybe take a lesson or check out some videos online. I think swimsmooth.com has a few that illustrate breathing fairly well.
And.... if you have to breaststroke, then I say do breaststroke... as long as you get to the other end, who cares how you got there? :)
The pictures are amazing!! So pretty. And I think you'll grow to love swimming. It's such a nice, easy workout on the body and a great complement to running.
I am thanking you in advance for enabling me to experience Fall through your pictures.
Swimming is hard! I think I would swim more if the pool here wasn't so cold...
I used to suck at swimming then took an adult class. Could hardly to 50 yds. After 5 weeks of swimming 2x a week in lessons I one day did 1000 yds non stop. They key for me was going easy (I learned Easy Freestyle) and slow and gliding. Now I love it. Keep at it!
If you want me to swim with you, I'd make you look good :)
We suck at swimming too. It's OK. Great pictures, both the "borrowed" ones and yours :)) Enjoy the colors while we have them.
Vermont is just gorgeous. But if you ever want to tear yourself away from those beautiful vistas and come down under for your birthday, I'll be happy to bake you as many cupcakes as you can eat.
SOOOO Beautiful! Seriously if not for the cold and snow! :)
I am a terrible swimmer, I hate it, which is why I never do it! Congrats to your son on his new home. Hope you have a great week!
Hah! I got your comment on my post. Freestyle is the stroke that I have struggled with. It just takes time girl. When I started, I couldn't even do a 100 yards without stopping and now it is getting better, you just have to get in the pool and swim.
I also went to this place called The Swim Lab here in Denver and had my stroke analyzed for inefficiencies. This has helped a ton, you might want to think about doing something like this. Keep us posted and don't get discouraged. If I can do it, YOU can too!
I love all your pictures -- makes me (almost) want to move to Vermont. The almost because I'd never in a million years last a winter there. But gosh, autumn is just spectacular. Thanks for sharing.
Gorgeous photos! Vermont is beautiful.
I loved your swimming list.
While I'm not very efficient or capable of doing the rhythmic breathing, I can do some free-style.
Full disclosure: I used to be a lifeguard and passed my swimming exam (20 laps) by swimming with my head above the water. Luckily we didn't have to do them all free-style. That certification course was the first time I had ever swam laps in a pool! My instructor passed me but told me I should stick to lifeguarding at pools and not at lakes, oceans, etc.
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