TRIATHLON TRAINING

Between the many intricacies involved in swim training, the correct road bike ergonomics and the proper form and gate while running and speed walking, triathlon training can become quite complicated, even overwhelming. That is, if you allow it to be. We don’t!

After viewing a short video of myself while swimming one lap in our condo’s swimming pool, I couldn’t help but notice a bit of choppiness in my stroke and kick. Noticeable also was the slight raising of my head when rolling and breathing, a definite no no when swimming.

Swimming, if done properly, is supposed to be smooth and nearly effortless. Whenever you see someone generate too many bubbles and splashes when swimming, or they have a need to lift up their head to breath, rest assure they need some additional swim training.

And where better than the Internet can you find some free instructions? I was overly impressed with this one site that promotes Total Immersion style of swimming, aka TI.

Although swimming is an essential life skill, traditional teaching and coaching methods have made it difficult to master because they teach an awkward, exhausting style of swimming. Total Immersion is a fool proof approach to teaching, brings results far faster than conventional methods, and helps any student master a fluent, efficient and beautiful technique.

After one self-coached lesson in the pool this morning, I am sold on TI, and so is Janet.

In only one lesson, Janet is using less energy, which translates into saving oxygen, and she is moving through the water with greater ease and going faster. With Janet it was a simple matter of eliminating the drag and slowing down her stroke – and nearly eliminating any energy-wasting kicking.

In regards to kicking while swimming, if you’re swimming a 100 meter race, by all means kick like hell the entire distance. If you’re into long distance swimming where energy conservation is necessary, you basically want your legs to draft behind the truck of your body. Visualize yourself as a barracuda or dolphin slicing through the water.

My corrections were much simpler than Janet’s. After watching the video of myself and noticing that I needed to relax my neck, arms and hands, my stroke this morning felt and looked more efficient. I’ll know better whenever we make and view another video.

After watching a few Internet biking videos, I immediately made some minor adjustments to my road bike. I’m anxious to try out those adjustments tomorrow morning in CB Smith Park, when I will be shooting for 35 to 40 miles.

As far as the running and speed-walking goes, no adjustments or further coaching needed. We’re good to go on the walking and running as long as we are not troubled with overuse injuries.

Everything in moderation!

APPROACHING STORM

Doggone it all, I honestly believe Monday could have been the day.

I fully realize that when one signs up to participate in an athletic event, be it a marathon or a triathlon, or even a measly 5K, one cannot pick and choose the weather or whether or not they will even feel like doing the event when the day of the event arrives. You first sign up and then you hope for the best.

Monday, the 21st day of June, 2010, would have been the perfect day had it not been for a fast-moving rain and lightning storm coming in from the east. I saw it coming with my very own eyes, albeit two eyes that were peering through a bicycle helmet and two very tired eyes that were still stinging from yesterday’s clammy 10 ½ mile run on the beach boardwalk. But I did see it, nonetheless. And it was headed toward the park fast and furious.

That being the case, I quickly gave up on the idea of pedaling a total of 56 miles and ultimately completing all three half ironman disciplines in my very own county park and condo swimming pool.

Oh, I haven’t given up on the challenge. No way! I just decided that after biking 20 miles earlier in the morning, and feeling strong, continuing on in CB Smith Park with the storm approaching would have been too dangerous. After reading in the newspaper this week about a local gentleman that was killed while riding his motorcycle in Colorado, killed by a direct lightning strike, I decided to play chicken and settle for 20 miles.

But the nice thing is, I never signed up to participate in any event, at least not a group event. My half ironman is one that I’m making up on my own, in my own neighborhood park, on my own road bike, and in my own chlorinated swimming pool.

And I’ll do it when that perfect day rolls around.

But until that day rolls around, I hope to be getting some additional bike training by becoming a member of the Team Memorial Cycle Club 101. I’m anxious to join the group on Saturdays for multiple-distance bike rides in Southwestern Broward County.

TRAINING UPDATE

Our search for Armadillo hard-case road bike tires resulted in a purchase of equally durable tires this past Sunday.

Even though I wasn’t totally resolute in buying the name brand “Armadillo,” but was determined to buy new hard-case tires for their durability and puncture resistance properties, I chose to buy a pair of Trek Bontrager Race Lite Hardcases.

After speaking with the Bike America mechanic, I felt even more confident that these new tires would equal or surpass the Armadillo’s positive Internet reviews. He promised they would, and a promise is a promise in my eyes.

The Trek tire reviews are very similar to Armadillo’s reviews, in that the tires are next to bullet proof, have an adequate lifespan, are great for dry road usage as well as moderate off road use, but may lack traction when sharply curved roads are wet and the bike is traveling at a high rate of speed. Number one, I don’t go fast – number two, I don’t plan on biking in the rain. So much for the downside of the tires!  In either case, I'm anxious to try out these new tires on a long ride.

My running, and I do mean running, is coming along better than it has since the spinal stenosis prognosis slowed me down to nearly walking only. I credit this enormous improvement to increased core training. Now that I notice the improvement, I’ll do even more core exercises. Regardless of the improvement, I intend to take it easy and not let my newfound confidence spoil my long-term marathon career.

The swimming is coming along okay but not great. This is strictly my fault for not swimming consistently and often. A recent lack of motivation has decreased my desire to endure anything remotely uncomfortable or strenuous. This must change, and it will.

All in all, considering that we were away on vacation for one full week, the tri training is coming along as scheduled. The summer heat and humidity isn’t helping, but that comes with the territory. If triathlons and marathons were easy, more than only 1% of the total population would be doing them.