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Seemed easier to fit in a rest day when it was all about running. My legs told me I needed one. I now find that I have to force myself to be a little more conscious to ensure adequate recovery, as my body isn't feeling the effects of constant pounding. Typically, I've been doing the following:
Monday - Swim
Tuesday - Bike
Wednesday - Run & Swim
Thursday - Rest
Friday - Run
Saturday - Clinic (activities change weekly) & occasional swim
Sunday - Bike & Run Brick
With travel for the funeral, busyness for work, and having Terron home during the day, I've let the TriPower workouts slip a bit in the last 2 weeks, but plan to get back on track with that next week.
Thursday I was sad that it was my rest day, I really wanted to 'do something' but thought better of it, knowing that I needed the rest. I went to the hospital to see my friend and her newly born baby after going out for coffee with a good friend that I haven't seen for a while -- a very pleasant distraction.
After work yesterday, I ran out to do a few errands, and once back, jokingly said to Jay that I was going upstairs for a nap instead of getting started on laundry. It was 5pm, I crashed hard, and woke up at 7:40pm, with Jay right next to me, asleep as well. CRAP!!! Haven't yet done my planned run, woke up super hungry, one rest day had suddenly turned into two. I had an ounce of a guilty feeling knowing I wouldn't get my workout done, but got over it quickly knowing that I obviously needed it.
But my nap posed a bigger problem... I now had a surge of energy, and a 7am group swim about 30 minutes away from home. I tossed and turned till roughly 2am, alarm set for stupid o'clock to eat and be at the pool on time -- a very short sleep.
Why is it that I can wake up so early on a weekend without much difficulty to ride, run or swim, but am miserable waking up an hour or two later during the week? Hmmm.
Our clinic instructors had rented out the entire pool for this morning's session, various drills, shoulder to shoulder swimming, no lanes. Then it was time to simulate an open water swim, 3 laps along the pool walls, roughly 300m. Certainly different than regular lane swimming, and good practice before next weekend's open water swim!
The mind is so powerful. When I got back in the pool last year for recovery, I struggled to do 50 meters without stopping and feeling like I'd die. Swimming in a pool, with a shallow end to stand up in, walls to push off of, it's so easy to take a break. My mind tells me I can stop and rest, so I do. Since swimming has, in my mind, been my biggest challenge in the triathlon hurdle, I've been spending a lot of in the pool, working on endurance. It's great what a little bit of focus, determination and persuasion can do. I told myself that I wanted to swim without the rest, no touching the bottom when in the shallow end, and I did! Such a confidence booster! 300 metes straight! (I know this might seem so insignificant to you triathletes out there, but it's a huge milestone for me...).
Thank you for all the feedback on about the triathlon distances. While I'm flattered by those that think I could do the Sprint right away, I've decided to stick to my original plan of doing the Try-a-Tri first, and will consider the Sprint for September. Now, for those that have done a triathlon, I have another question, I know, I'm so needy eh?
We will be doing two practice open water swims before the triathlon on Aug 23... only 5 weeks away!! About half of the group said they will be wearing a wetsuit, and half won't. Instructors say they're not necessary, but we've had an unusually cold summer, so the water won't likely be very warm. While the thought of the cold water isn't pleasant, it's not my biggest fear. Things touching me in the lake is. I hate weedy water. I'm hoping for a good 'first experience' with the open water swim so as not to get discouraged...
A local store here rents them out for a weekend, and if you decide to purchase one in the same calendar year, the amount of one rental will be taken off the purchase price. Being in Canada, cooler water, and my hate of weeds touching me, I'm thinking my own wetsuit would be a good investment, eventually; if I fall in love with the sport of triathlon as much as I have training for it. Trying one out first is a bonus. Is it worth renting a wetsuit for at least next weekend's practice swim to see what it's like before the event?
20 comments:
The most important piece of my equipment for doing triathlon is the my wetsuit. It's like a security blanket in the water. For me the problem has always been dragging my legs through the water. The wetsuit keeps your body near the surface. One year I had to do a half Iron without one and my time was 10 minutes slower. So, I vote YES! Rent one. It is also good to practice with it. You will fall in love!
Rent one for sure. It may or may not end up being the one you buy, but you should try one out for sure. It changes your body position in the water - you'll swim better with it on.
oooh I know what you mean about waking up! I can hop out of bed at 5 am for a run, but on a week day when the baby starts crying at 7:30 am i'm DRAGGING myself out of bed!!
I'm a rare one - I HATE a wetsuit! Despise it. In short distance races (unless the water is freezing), I wouldn't bother but that's just me - I don't want to take the time to get it off before I get on the bike, I want to just jump on my bike and GO. It's like taking off a giant body condom. If you think you're going to invest, renting is a great idea. ...especially with your water temps up 'der.
Mel, that's a very regimental schedule. I don't think taking two rest days in a week is too much at all. But then again, what do I know -I've never trained for a tri. :)
OK...first of all good for you for doing an open swim next weekend!! that is exceptional!!
I agree with missy-if you don't have to wear a wetsuit I'd rather not! I've never put on a swimming one but have put one on for swimming and diving and i HATE them! The diving one I have is a tank variety-and it still feels like I have no mobility! Now I don't like cold water either-so who knows what I might do in an open water swim in cold water....
I need a nap just eading your workout schedule!
Looks like your body had veto power on you getting up. That was probably for the best. Sometimes the unplanned rest days are the ones we should take. We can always double-up to make up for lost training time.
There is the additional bonus of added buoyancy. I'd definitely try one. You'll ensure that your first experience will be a positive one so you will continue with it.
Rest is a good thing. You only have 1 rest day in your schedule so another is no big deal.
As for the wetsuit, I don't think one is necessary for the shorter distance swims and may be more of a pain. However, if you think you will be continuing to participate in a few tri's a year, one may be worth the investment....I know I am no help!
Since you have the option of renting one before you shell out the cash for it, why not just give it a TRI (haha)? Then you can decide for yourself.
If you decide to use one in the race, I would definitely recommend you practice getting out of it. It can be a pain.
I'm sure you needed the rest! You triathletes have crazy schedules. :)
I often wonder the same thing - why can I spring out of bed at 5:30AM on the weekend but it kills me to get up before 6 during the week?!
I've only worn a tri one-piece suit that I can do all 3 things in, but loved everyone's comments because I've been tossing around the idea of a wet suit also! Thanks for asking this question!
Depending on the cost, I would probably rent one if I was you. I'm not you so I'm swimming with only my swimsuit for my first tri. I'm not really afraid of fishes or other water creatures and plants.
so glad you are falling in love with swimming!
I wish it was easier to swim around here since your excitment is contagious.
i'm sure your body needed and appreciated the extra rest! glad you have decided to stick with the original tri plan. i know you could do the sprint but sometimes we all need to work on not putting extra pressure on ourselves!
i echo many other folks - your swimming talk makes me want to hop in the pool too! just isn't too feasible right now, sigh.
(I know this might seem so insignificant to you triathletes out there, but it's a huge milestone for me...).
Um ... just whom are you apologizing to, sistre? If I might make a small suggestion ... you need to stop doing this. No one is reading your blog and going "Pfffttt! I could swim farther than that!" (And if someone is, f*ck him/her.)
Stop being apologetic about your accomplishments! Celebrate them!
Well, I think you made the right decision. I found out the hard way that open water swimming was RADICALLY different than swimming in a pool. Certainly having to swim continuously but also the fact that you had no line or walls to follow so sighting was a must (something I never practiced). And then, of course, the fear of gators and snakes ... but not sure you have those in your lakes were you are.
And I'd definitely recommend trying a wetsuit out before using it during your race, if you can. It's quite different to swim with one because of the added buoyancy and usual tightness across the chest, shoulders and arms (if it has arms). Most people think it's easier to swim with a wetsuit on but I actually did not the first few times I used it because I'd never swam with a pull buoy either and got quite freaked out by the fact that it seemed I had no ability to kick (legs were much higher in the water). Now that I know what to expect, it's no problem.
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