I was not at swimming today, because I did three things that I now regret. The first is that I publicly stated on my blog last week that my shoulder was feeling better. The second is that I sent in my meet registration for the 1000, 500, 200IM, and 100free. The third is that I bought a new bathing suit (Nikes are at Marshalls, ladies..). In essence, I may have jinxed myself because I felt a wee little twinge in my shoulder after practice yesterday. No more butterfly for a while. So I thought it best to take a day off, visit Mike (the best PT in Boston if you need a referral) and try again in the morning. I won't make any more statements about this. :)
But of course I did a little viewing from the observation deck (aka treadmill). Honestly, if I didn't know this was a masters team (read: older peeps) then I might have guessed it was a college team. People are swimming very strong right now and it seemed pretty crowded for a Tuesday. Your plea is working, Bill. It looked like a mix of fast 150s free and some IM, but I zoned in and out a bit so someone can fill in for me here.
Oh, and I think there was a full moon last night and this morning, so if people are acting strangely, that is why.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
How DO you do it?
I am surely not the only morning swimmer who gets this question, usually posed by a friend/colleague/non-morning person when they hear that we get up at (insert ungodly early hour here) to jump into a cold pool. My first response is usually "coffee". The longer version is that there are multiple motivations. Training, fitness, comraderie, beating the traffic - these are common. My motivation is a combo of fitness and social, and a quick observation of the pool deck this morning might lead one to conclude that many people align with the social aspect. It's much more fun to gab on deck than jump into the pool, and all lanes seemed to be doing quite a bit of that today. I am sure that my friends from other masters teams laugh at our relatively late start time (6:15am or whenever we get in) because some of them are in the pool by 5:15am. In any case, I think we can all agree the two worst parts of the morning swim are the first 300 yards after jumping in and the 10 second walk from the locker room door to the shower. Awful.
Here is what we did:
WU:
4 x 150 (mix of drill, swim, kick)
4 x 100 (25 kick, 25 swim, 25 kick, 25 fast)
Main set 1:
10 x 75 on 1:10 hold pace
Main set 2:
9 125s broken:
1-3: 50 free on :50, 75 fly on 1:20
4-6 50 free on :50, 75 back on 1:25
7-9 50 free on :50, 75 breast on 1:25
Finish it off:
6 x 100 on 1:40
Great set today, lots of people there to enjoy it. Bob B, KBB, Ian, me, and E. But the big news is that Carmen made his triumphant return to the lane. Well, it wasn't really triumphant but it was a return, and we knew that all was well with the world when Carmen got in a few barbs from the back of the lane as he was holding on for dear life. It's good to have you back.
Here is what we did:
WU:
4 x 150 (mix of drill, swim, kick)
4 x 100 (25 kick, 25 swim, 25 kick, 25 fast)
Main set 1:
10 x 75 on 1:10 hold pace
Main set 2:
9 125s broken:
1-3: 50 free on :50, 75 fly on 1:20
4-6 50 free on :50, 75 back on 1:25
7-9 50 free on :50, 75 breast on 1:25
Finish it off:
6 x 100 on 1:40
Great set today, lots of people there to enjoy it. Bob B, KBB, Ian, me, and E. But the big news is that Carmen made his triumphant return to the lane. Well, it wasn't really triumphant but it was a return, and we knew that all was well with the world when Carmen got in a few barbs from the back of the lane as he was holding on for dear life. It's good to have you back.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Let's play a little game!
The game is called "Name that Theme". Here is how it works: I give you the set we did today, you tell me the theme. Fun for the whole family!
WU: 3(4x50)reverse IM
WU: 4 x 100 kick
Main 1: 2 x 500 on 7:30
Main 2: 4 x 125 loaded IM (50 fly, 25 back, etc)
Main 3: 4 x 100 pull descending
Present today: Kim, E, me, and Ian. Welcome back, Ian! On the 500s, we paced at 1:25 even for the first one and picked it up to 1:20 (or slightly sub-1:20) for the second one. E bailed after the 500s and I bailed after only 2 125s. Kim and Ian finished the 125s. Apparently Kim and Ian followed our leadership and bailed on the last set. For the record, this was the first time in nearly a year and a half that I was in the pool 3 days in a row. I don't want to jinx my shoulder, but it feels pretty good.
So I have two possible themes to offer: 1) "a little something for everyone!" and 2) "Where's the shower"?
Happy Friday, and have a wonderful weekend everyone!
WU: 3(4x50)reverse IM
WU: 4 x 100 kick
Main 1: 2 x 500 on 7:30
Main 2: 4 x 125 loaded IM (50 fly, 25 back, etc)
Main 3: 4 x 100 pull descending
Present today: Kim, E, me, and Ian. Welcome back, Ian! On the 500s, we paced at 1:25 even for the first one and picked it up to 1:20 (or slightly sub-1:20) for the second one. E bailed after the 500s and I bailed after only 2 125s. Kim and Ian finished the 125s. Apparently Kim and Ian followed our leadership and bailed on the last set. For the record, this was the first time in nearly a year and a half that I was in the pool 3 days in a row. I don't want to jinx my shoulder, but it feels pretty good.
So I have two possible themes to offer: 1) "a little something for everyone!" and 2) "Where's the shower"?
Happy Friday, and have a wonderful weekend everyone!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
A wee bit of light
I am not sure if everyone noticed this or not, but the sky had a little more light to it this morning just after 6am. That is the hope that February brings - more light each day, more warmth (questionable) and an eye towards Spring.
Bill has been giving us great sets this week, today no exception.
WU 9 x 75 stroke
Main: 12 x 200 (was supposed to be 14 but we ran out of time)
5 x 200 on 3:00
100 easy
3 x 200 on 3:15
100 easy
4 x 200 on 2:50
100 easy
Dr. Bob and Steve swam together and because of time contraints worked the 3:15s and they were flying - I think they were doing 2:30s to 2:35s. Elaine and I worked the 2:50s with the goal of keeping it under 2:40 pace. I ended up doing a :35 (a bit fast for #1), :39, :38 and :37. I wanted to have the last one my fastest, and tried, but could not do it. But I love 200s so was very happy.
Dr. B said he is signing up for the meet! I told him we would all do a lane intervention to make sure he was successful. I'll let him share his own tragic story from the meet last fall (sometimes talking about things helps, Dr. B) but suffice it to say, we'll get you to the lane on time. :)
Out of the mouths of babes: When my niece Celia (2 yrs, 4 mos) saw her baby brother for the first time yesterday in the arms of her mom, she said "baby go bye-bye now?" Poor sweet thing has no idea what is in store for her. I should know - I have two younger brothers myself (love you guys!)and her life will be changed forever. For the good, of course!
Bill has been giving us great sets this week, today no exception.
WU 9 x 75 stroke
Main: 12 x 200 (was supposed to be 14 but we ran out of time)
5 x 200 on 3:00
100 easy
3 x 200 on 3:15
100 easy
4 x 200 on 2:50
100 easy
Dr. Bob and Steve swam together and because of time contraints worked the 3:15s and they were flying - I think they were doing 2:30s to 2:35s. Elaine and I worked the 2:50s with the goal of keeping it under 2:40 pace. I ended up doing a :35 (a bit fast for #1), :39, :38 and :37. I wanted to have the last one my fastest, and tried, but could not do it. But I love 200s so was very happy.
Dr. B said he is signing up for the meet! I told him we would all do a lane intervention to make sure he was successful. I'll let him share his own tragic story from the meet last fall (sometimes talking about things helps, Dr. B) but suffice it to say, we'll get you to the lane on time. :)
Out of the mouths of babes: When my niece Celia (2 yrs, 4 mos) saw her baby brother for the first time yesterday in the arms of her mom, she said "baby go bye-bye now?" Poor sweet thing has no idea what is in store for her. I should know - I have two younger brothers myself (love you guys!)and her life will be changed forever. For the good, of course!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Someone has a case of the Wednesdays!
Where was everyone today? Not just Lane 3 - the whole pool was sparse. I was warming up alone and like a vision sent from heaven, Kim came out of the locker room. If he didn't show up, I would not have lasted.
The set today was a sprint set disguised as a middle distance set. When you see it in writing, you will probably think what we thought - this is easy! But it was not easy, it was really hard. Warm up approx. 1000: 50s, 75s. Main set:
Five times through the following:
150 on 2:25 (we pulled)
100 on 1:15
4 x 25 on :40
Essentially, the whole thing is the 5 x 100 and the rest is recovery. Try it!
I am going to try to post the workouts each day I swim, hopefully 3-4 times per week. (Elaine reminded me that my competition is probably swimming more than that in preparation for the meet in March - nothing like a little nudging to motivate me). When I am not there, post or send me the main set so I can put it up.
Update on WITWICM: I heard his voice yesterday. He is alive, and in NY.
Future Olympian Alert: My sister Carrie is having her baby - hopefully today, it was a long night apparently. The little guy/gal is probably just doing a final hypoxic set before oxygenating.
The set today was a sprint set disguised as a middle distance set. When you see it in writing, you will probably think what we thought - this is easy! But it was not easy, it was really hard. Warm up approx. 1000: 50s, 75s. Main set:
Five times through the following:
150 on 2:25 (we pulled)
100 on 1:15
4 x 25 on :40
Essentially, the whole thing is the 5 x 100 and the rest is recovery. Try it!
I am going to try to post the workouts each day I swim, hopefully 3-4 times per week. (Elaine reminded me that my competition is probably swimming more than that in preparation for the meet in March - nothing like a little nudging to motivate me). When I am not there, post or send me the main set so I can put it up.
Update on WITWICM: I heard his voice yesterday. He is alive, and in NY.
Future Olympian Alert: My sister Carrie is having her baby - hopefully today, it was a long night apparently. The little guy/gal is probably just doing a final hypoxic set before oxygenating.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Treadmill Stalking
I am not sure I invented the term "treadmill stalking" but it seems to be particularly relevant at MIT, where a large bank of treadmills conveniently overlooks the pool. What does that mean? It means that I am watching you swim. It does not mean that I will hide around the corner and watch you on a treadmill, or put a treadmill in your front lawn and wait until you call the police because I am scaring you. Others do this, too - (Elliptical stalking is also popular) but I tend to take a more active approach to it and send feedback to people on the workout, etc. And Kevin, I disagree with you that you can't get faster watching people swim. I was definitely faster today. :)
Today it looked like hard 100s with some pull. Everyone in Lane 3 ate their Wheaties! Steve and Rachel traded leads on the 100s and Elaine led the pull. Nice work on tough intervals. No real feedback, but I said to E in the locker room watch your left arm, it comes up a bit kind of like Bob's. In lane 4, A has almost no kick and M has a huge power kick, but with a buoy each evens their stroke out smoothly. That means more kick for A and a bit less for M (I know, ironic that I am even commenting on a kick, but I have to call it like I see it!).
The big news is that Rachel is leaving for 12 days to the South Pacific for her long overdue honeymoon. Have a great time, Rachel! We'll wait until you return for the next lane outing.
Lastly, update on Where in the World is Carmen Monks: Carmen was spotted at the noon Masters workout yesterday, and reports are that he did somewhere between "1700 and 1900" yards. We hope to see you soon in the a.m., CM.
Today it looked like hard 100s with some pull. Everyone in Lane 3 ate their Wheaties! Steve and Rachel traded leads on the 100s and Elaine led the pull. Nice work on tough intervals. No real feedback, but I said to E in the locker room watch your left arm, it comes up a bit kind of like Bob's. In lane 4, A has almost no kick and M has a huge power kick, but with a buoy each evens their stroke out smoothly. That means more kick for A and a bit less for M (I know, ironic that I am even commenting on a kick, but I have to call it like I see it!).
The big news is that Rachel is leaving for 12 days to the South Pacific for her long overdue honeymoon. Have a great time, Rachel! We'll wait until you return for the next lane outing.
Lastly, update on Where in the World is Carmen Monks: Carmen was spotted at the noon Masters workout yesterday, and reports are that he did somewhere between "1700 and 1900" yards. We hope to see you soon in the a.m., CM.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Happy February!
Or, if we think of the set today...what doesn't kill us, makes us stronger! Present at practice: Bob S., Bob B., Elaine, Kim, Kevin, Steve, and moi. IM set. 150s, some pull, 200s, total main set 2200, plus warmup 3400ish. Not bad. Everyone was hurting so that is a good sign. Everyone is swimming really strong right now! The only problem with today was that we were divided into two lanes - maybe Bill is trying to break up the band because he senses danger?
Was it just me, or did coach Bill react a little on the nervous side when he found out there was a Lane 3 blog? I think I heard things like "I am not afraid of your blog", and "sticks and stones may break my bones, but blogs will never hurt me". The proverbial chickens have come home to roost, Bill. All of the months of picking on me are "ovah". So, Valentines day is coming up and let's just say I love chocolate and roses. 'Nuff said.
We're going to play a little game called "Where in the World is Carmen Monks"? until said person returns to the pool. It was supposed to be today, but I think he had a little too much Superbowl merriment.
On that note, we were all a little tired today from staying up late to watch the game. I would be remiss not to point out that the whole game came down to (surprise, surprise) two Ohioans saving the day. Big Ben (Miami U, my alma mater) to Santonio Holmes (Ohio State) to win the game.
Was it just me, or did coach Bill react a little on the nervous side when he found out there was a Lane 3 blog? I think I heard things like "I am not afraid of your blog", and "sticks and stones may break my bones, but blogs will never hurt me". The proverbial chickens have come home to roost, Bill. All of the months of picking on me are "ovah". So, Valentines day is coming up and let's just say I love chocolate and roses. 'Nuff said.
We're going to play a little game called "Where in the World is Carmen Monks"? until said person returns to the pool. It was supposed to be today, but I think he had a little too much Superbowl merriment.
On that note, we were all a little tired today from staying up late to watch the game. I would be remiss not to point out that the whole game came down to (surprise, surprise) two Ohioans saving the day. Big Ben (Miami U, my alma mater) to Santonio Holmes (Ohio State) to win the game.
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