Swim Swim Swim

I have done a fair bit of swimming (more swimming than blogging anyway) some of it I will cover in separate blogs but generally I have been in the pool say twice a week, swimming at least a mile.

In the sea today with James H who I think has done some coaching. He noted some improvement from last year (last time we swam together) BUT said:

• Still not reaching far enough/ gliding with the stroke
• Should try and rotate body to get the extra propulsion (easier in wetsuit?)

(He did also say that I should not try and change anything before 8 August...)

He also felt that I should not use gloves for Norseman if I had not practised in them - something to do with stroke action. I think I will buy pair to take with but only wear if water freezing (c 16 degree at the moment per Norseman website)

Compliments to the chef

Was very impressed to see Rick Stein on the start line of Padstow to Rock swim (19/7). Not sure what time he did (I hope in a way he did not beat me!) but admiration regardless.

All three of us (Si, Dean and me) who went to event together had a lovely afternoon: can highly recommend the event which is organised by Macmillan Cancer Support.

We were a bit late for registration after faffing around for ages trying to find a space to park (we have to credit Si for us not being even later and he brought forward our departure time by 15 minutes - citing 'holiday traffic' as a reason why we would not get from Perranporth to Padstow within 1/2 hour).

I just finished before Si (I turned round on slipway to see Si finishing). Both us within 25 minutes for 'just under a mile' - so I was very pleased. Dean was in the top 10 in 18 minutes (I think).

Stayed around after for coffee and we each bought something from Mr Stein's deli...

too tense to glide

My swimming lesson referred to me being 'too tense' when smimming and this was echoed my someone who had given me and a friend a few years ago when I asked him for a tip when I bumped into him last weekend. I have been trying to work on this (as I write I feel that inbility to relax/ need to maximise effort in most things I do is a personality flaw that I could do with losing in other aspects of my life as well as swimming).

Anyway, other tips:

1. Need to reach with stroke (and try and glide - see also 2)
2. Need to maximise propulsion from first and last section of stroke in water
3. Need to keep head from twisting up when taking a breath
4. Need to stop left foot from twisting (when taking a breath)

Felt very tired after my lesson (concentration?). Will see if I can reduce strokes per length (c30) and more importantly reduce time for 2 miles from 1.5hours recorded a few weeks ago next time I visit the pool (Wednesday/ Thursday next week). Must also remember to pay coach for my lesson!

running slowly into self doubt

I have largely ignored running over the past few weeks (if not longer) feeling that time and effort needs to be applied to the other 2 disciplines and to a degree this has paid some dividends with swimming feeling more comfortable (after finally getting around to having a lesson) and I have managed to improve cycling time (with new tyres).

Ran as part of a relay team at work last weekend and my enjoyment of the event was marred only by my own 'disappointing' run time for the second leg: more than 2 hours to cover the 11 miles but was 5th quickest on my leg out of the 4-man relay teams. Should I feel disappointed?http://www.endurancelife.com/assets/results/2009_cus_quarterv09.htm (P.S. I am still not sure I went the right way on one of the headlands - there was a path below the one I was running on and there were people running on it. Equally there was a path above with people on it. But I do feel I may have taken a short cut!).

Anthony was the star of the team clocking the 3 quickest time on his leg (and I am not sure about the quickest time recorded for his leg as it seems almost superhuman!). Commendations to Darren and Jon as well (Jon - sorry you got the toughest leg...).

Ran 5-6 miles on Friday (day off) again slow and got out sprinted by Si (completely blitzed me) on short run to waters edge on Saturday. Need to fit a few runs into the remaining 4 weeks...

Distracted by crabs

Had a good swim yesterday: Lusty Glaze to Towan.

Si had injured his wrist cycling so got out of sea at Tolcarne to rest injury only to step on weaver fish and have foot swell up. I did not realise this at the time and had called Si out to see the crabs scuttling along the sea bed where I was swimming. We both got distracted (Si from pain in his foot and me from my swimming practice).

Saw a good dozen crabs - Si wondered whether there was a crab conference in town.

Armed with Scott's advice on what to do when stung by weaver fish (which was supported by helpful staff at Reef Surf school), Si put his foot in hot water when he got home.

Body shivers

When I get anxious I get cold shivers through my body.

Quite often I do not know what is making me anxious at the time: usually work related with the reason (too much to do or not enough in pipeline).

This morning I knew what was troubling me as I lay awake thinking about the Norseman...

Specifically cut off times.

(consequently, even more pleased with time on way back from Penzance - see previous blog entry)

Penzance to Perranporth in 1 hour 31 minutes - there is hope...

Went down to St Just today.

Trip out was a real struggle - the combination of head wind, road surface (the rough type that seems to suck the energy out of you) and hills around Zennor almost got the best of me. (or maybe it was the mermaid calling...)

Several times I thought of taking a short cut to Penzance but had promised myself a Costa coffee if I got to St Just so I stuck it out. Got to Penzance in c 4hours (c 48 miles).

On the way back I took the A30 and made an effort to keep up a good pace and was pleased to cover the 27 miles in 1 hour 31 minutes (times and distance approximate!).

(Still no match for the Perranporth posse taking part in Austrian Ironman - see a later post).