Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Pool Malaise?
Monday and Tuesday workouts at Riva have been sluggish at best. Feels like my arms are just dead. Probably because I am not used to interval training and have some catching up to do. 3000ds Monday and 4000yds Tuesday (Nov. 11 and 12)
Monday, November 11, 2013
Saturday, Nov. 9th Getting Chilly...
Met up with Alison at Elk Neck State Park. She's always so good about coming to Annapolis so I thought I would do the road trip this time. We headed to the Boat Ramp about 10am and prepared to swim from a small beach, which of course is posted "No Swimming." The water temp measured 51.8 from the dock and 52.5 at the beach so we averaged it out to 52 (ish).
I waded in to my waist and was having much difficulty deciding to take the plunge. Wasn't sure I could do it. I splashed my face and shoulders and even dunked down in the water before I finally got the guts to push off and swim. After keeping my head up for a bit, I put my face in the water and swam. The cold headache was immediate and in general it felt like pin pricks on my skin.
At 60 degrees and even 54 after about 200 yards the disconfort went away. This time it did not. I doubted I would swim far at all, but we both gave it it a shot. After a while I decided to swim to the half mile turn around point Alison told me she and Lanie did in the past. But Alison was a little bit behind me and I worried about separating too much so I circled back. Eventually we met up and swam to the dock together. At that point, Alison got out and I swam another loop to finish off a mile. I would say after about 3/4 of a mile my headache was gone and I felt acclimated. But truthfully I was glad to get out after a mile. It took about an hour to fully stop shaking. Blueberry pancakes helped.
I waded in to my waist and was having much difficulty deciding to take the plunge. Wasn't sure I could do it. I splashed my face and shoulders and even dunked down in the water before I finally got the guts to push off and swim. After keeping my head up for a bit, I put my face in the water and swam. The cold headache was immediate and in general it felt like pin pricks on my skin.
At 60 degrees and even 54 after about 200 yards the disconfort went away. This time it did not. I doubted I would swim far at all, but we both gave it it a shot. After a while I decided to swim to the half mile turn around point Alison told me she and Lanie did in the past. But Alison was a little bit behind me and I worried about separating too much so I circled back. Eventually we met up and swam to the dock together. At that point, Alison got out and I swam another loop to finish off a mile. I would say after about 3/4 of a mile my headache was gone and I felt acclimated. But truthfully I was glad to get out after a mile. It took about an hour to fully stop shaking. Blueberry pancakes helped.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Tuesday, Nov. 5th
Pool Swim at Riva
600 w/u
8x50 drill/swim on :50
2x400 pull on 6 min
3x150 stroke sandwich on 2:20
2x300 swim on 4:30
3x150 stroke sandwich on 2:20
2x200 swim or pull on 3 min
2x150 stroke sandwich on 2:20
Right shoulder hurt for most of the workout. Need to get back on my stretchcord exercises.
600 w/u
8x50 drill/swim on :50
2x400 pull on 6 min
3x150 stroke sandwich on 2:20
2x300 swim on 4:30
3x150 stroke sandwich on 2:20
2x200 swim or pull on 3 min
2x150 stroke sandwich on 2:20
Right shoulder hurt for most of the workout. Need to get back on my stretchcord exercises.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Qualifier Wrap Up - Sunday, Nov 3rd
Woke sore but otherwise fine.
A few things I want to remember from the swim:
1. My core felt fine the whole time. Never was uncomfortably cold although I shivered a little on some feeds while still. Extremities seemed fine.
2. I've been trying to switch to liquid only feed for speed. But thank god Alison brought peanut butter sandwiches and bananas. They were a godsend.
3. First round of feed did not dissolve well in the bottle. Need to see what that was about. Chunks of powder not yummy. Mix is carbo pro and whey protein powder.
4. Cold seemed to make me tighten up sooner and caused me to slow my pace and struggle some. I usually do fine in chop but when water got a little rougher I felt a little underpowered.
5. Recovery was fine.
6. Dragging my legs is a problem. I know kicking is not a big part of marathon swims but I need to find a way to keep legs stretched and engaged. My hip flexors, especially left one were killing me.
7. Spirits were good throughout. Even when I was a little discouraged when we needed to do an extra diversion to finish the 6hrs off I knew I would make it.
8. forearms hurt today. Right bicep was hurting too for some reason.
9. Need to research best method for feeding off larger boat. Bottles tied to line or feed pole?
10. I think signal cards for feed stops are good idea. I have trouble seeing bottle waving sometimes.
11. Need to keep working on my damn straight arm recovery. Left arm is bad.
A few things I want to remember from the swim:
1. My core felt fine the whole time. Never was uncomfortably cold although I shivered a little on some feeds while still. Extremities seemed fine.
2. I've been trying to switch to liquid only feed for speed. But thank god Alison brought peanut butter sandwiches and bananas. They were a godsend.
3. First round of feed did not dissolve well in the bottle. Need to see what that was about. Chunks of powder not yummy. Mix is carbo pro and whey protein powder.
4. Cold seemed to make me tighten up sooner and caused me to slow my pace and struggle some. I usually do fine in chop but when water got a little rougher I felt a little underpowered.
5. Recovery was fine.
6. Dragging my legs is a problem. I know kicking is not a big part of marathon swims but I need to find a way to keep legs stretched and engaged. My hip flexors, especially left one were killing me.
7. Spirits were good throughout. Even when I was a little discouraged when we needed to do an extra diversion to finish the 6hrs off I knew I would make it.
8. forearms hurt today. Right bicep was hurting too for some reason.
9. Need to research best method for feeding off larger boat. Bottles tied to line or feed pole?
10. I think signal cards for feed stops are good idea. I have trouble seeing bottle waving sometimes.
11. Need to keep working on my damn straight arm recovery. Left arm is bad.
Qualifier Do Over - Saturday, November 2nd
After a week of nondescript pool swims and some very warm weather, I decided to regroup for my qualifier. We are going to keep it simple this time. Kayak support and stay close to land. Mapped out a 4 mile loop round trip from Addie's house to Ulmsted Beach and back in the Magothy. We will stay close to the shore the whole way and do 3 loops to hit my 6 hours. Kevin had the idea of bringing his tandem kayak so he could paddle and Alison could focus on feed and observation.
Once again ABC stepped up. I had folks volunteer to take shifts in back up kayaks and folks at the home base preparing feed to restock Alison after each loop.
I also has 2 nurses and a doctor volunteer to be on hand for recover. Joanne was especially eager to use her anal thermometer to check my core temp. yikes.
We set out at 10am and I immediately felt comfortable in the water. The temp read 58 at the dock but Alison checked it during the length of the course and it really held steady at 60. The first loop was just fine. Steady pace. Stroke count in the 70s. Core and extremities fine. When I returned to the dock area for the end of the first loop my spirits were lifted by ABC folks standing on the dock cheering. Alison and Kevin paddled to shore to take a short break and to refuel. Traci met me in her kayak and escorted back to start loop 2. Within minutes Kevin and Alison were back along side. I notice in the second loop that my shoulders felt very tight. I was not feeling cold at all but I could tell the colder water was effecting my pace and tightening me up. At the 3 mile turnaround I tried some backstroke and curled in a ball at feed time to counter stretch a little. At one point I saw a big nettle under me (visibility was great) but he drifted off without making contact.
On the third loop I was joined by a flotilla of kayakers in addition to Kevin and Alison who were in for the duration. We proceeded on the course and hit the one hour mark much sooner in the distance mark. I could tell my stroke was slowing and i was stiff in the shoulders. About this time my legs became dead weight and my hip flexors were killing me. Every once in a while I made my self kick to stretch things out but it was not effective. Alison later said my stroke count was down to the mid 60s. Eventually I made it back to Addie's. To the cheers of my buddies, i exited the water navigated the stairs fine and entered the warm house. The nurses took over and got me bundled up on the sofa. Alison, ever prepared, had heat packs ready for under my arms and for the back of my neck. I shivered a lot but never felt at risk. Joan made some wonderful chicken soup and after two bowls of that and some hot tea I felt almost normal. Within an hour I was good to go.
I can't thank the ABC group enough. Alison and Kevin stuck it out the entire 6hours in a kayak. Traci, John, Suzie and Sally all kayaked in shifts. Chris came by on his wave runner for a loop. Dan was ready to paddle at the outset but stayed behind to prepare feed for the end of the first loop. Joan, Maureen, Erin and Danny all helped on land. Joanne, Sandy and Lisa gave medical support. Addie graciously let us invade her house and set up a home base. What a great group of swimmers. That is what open water is all about!
Once again ABC stepped up. I had folks volunteer to take shifts in back up kayaks and folks at the home base preparing feed to restock Alison after each loop.
I also has 2 nurses and a doctor volunteer to be on hand for recover. Joanne was especially eager to use her anal thermometer to check my core temp. yikes.
We set out at 10am and I immediately felt comfortable in the water. The temp read 58 at the dock but Alison checked it during the length of the course and it really held steady at 60. The first loop was just fine. Steady pace. Stroke count in the 70s. Core and extremities fine. When I returned to the dock area for the end of the first loop my spirits were lifted by ABC folks standing on the dock cheering. Alison and Kevin paddled to shore to take a short break and to refuel. Traci met me in her kayak and escorted back to start loop 2. Within minutes Kevin and Alison were back along side. I notice in the second loop that my shoulders felt very tight. I was not feeling cold at all but I could tell the colder water was effecting my pace and tightening me up. At the 3 mile turnaround I tried some backstroke and curled in a ball at feed time to counter stretch a little. At one point I saw a big nettle under me (visibility was great) but he drifted off without making contact.
On the third loop I was joined by a flotilla of kayakers in addition to Kevin and Alison who were in for the duration. We proceeded on the course and hit the one hour mark much sooner in the distance mark. I could tell my stroke was slowing and i was stiff in the shoulders. About this time my legs became dead weight and my hip flexors were killing me. Every once in a while I made my self kick to stretch things out but it was not effective. Alison later said my stroke count was down to the mid 60s. Eventually I made it back to Addie's. To the cheers of my buddies, i exited the water navigated the stairs fine and entered the warm house. The nurses took over and got me bundled up on the sofa. Alison, ever prepared, had heat packs ready for under my arms and for the back of my neck. I shivered a lot but never felt at risk. Joan made some wonderful chicken soup and after two bowls of that and some hot tea I felt almost normal. Within an hour I was good to go.
I can't thank the ABC group enough. Alison and Kevin stuck it out the entire 6hours in a kayak. Traci, John, Suzie and Sally all kayaked in shifts. Chris came by on his wave runner for a loop. Dan was ready to paddle at the outset but stayed behind to prepare feed for the end of the first loop. Joan, Maureen, Erin and Danny all helped on land. Joanne, Sandy and Lisa gave medical support. Addie graciously let us invade her house and set up a home base. What a great group of swimmers. That is what open water is all about!
Monday, October 28th
Pretty much decided after Friday's chilly 39 degree air/ 54 water dark swim at 6am that morning swims are done for the season. Rest of the gang has hung it up and I can't dress for work in parking lots in cold air. But weather was warmer so....Kevin and Danny met me for a swim after work :)
58.4 water! it felt so much warmer than 54! every degree under 60 seems to be huge. After looking at the 5 day forecast it appears a warming trend is coming this week. Temps in the 70s Thursday and Friday and night temps not too low. May try to do qualifier after all!
58.4 water! it felt so much warmer than 54! every degree under 60 seems to be huge. After looking at the 5 day forecast it appears a warming trend is coming this week. Temps in the 70s Thursday and Friday and night temps not too low. May try to do qualifier after all!
Qualifier Attempt, Saturday October 26th.
Hastily lined up a boat and several volunteers to assist me and Alison on my 6hr qualifier. Hoping water warmed up a bit because air tempt is a little better. Scheduled to start at 11am to give sun time to warm things up.
Arrived at Addie's house, our home base, and began prep of feed and dry clothes, etc. Annette and Danny brought the boat around from Matt's house. Alison and Annette conferred about the temperature. It was still 54. The crew took the boat around to some protected coves to search for warm water. When they got back they reported temps were 54-65. 57 at most. We decided to cancel the swim because chances of my success at that temp were not good. Consensus is I don't need to be prepared for 54. I was very disappointed but Annette was concerned about safety. In my head I agreed. Dan and I went for a short swim. Maybe 30 mins. Could've gone longer but my heart wasn't in it after canceling the swim.
Had a great team of volunteers lined up to help. Can't tell you how heartening it is that folks just jump on board to help in a moments notice. ABC rocks!
May have to look to the spring.
Arrived at Addie's house, our home base, and began prep of feed and dry clothes, etc. Annette and Danny brought the boat around from Matt's house. Alison and Annette conferred about the temperature. It was still 54. The crew took the boat around to some protected coves to search for warm water. When they got back they reported temps were 54-65. 57 at most. We decided to cancel the swim because chances of my success at that temp were not good. Consensus is I don't need to be prepared for 54. I was very disappointed but Annette was concerned about safety. In my head I agreed. Dan and I went for a short swim. Maybe 30 mins. Could've gone longer but my heart wasn't in it after canceling the swim.
Had a great team of volunteers lined up to help. Can't tell you how heartening it is that folks just jump on board to help in a moments notice. ABC rocks!
May have to look to the spring.
Friday, October 25th
Damn water down to 54.7 and air is 39. Met Danny and Kevin for a swim at 6am at the Cape marina. Danny kayaked and Kevin swam w wetsuit. It was very tough getting going. Face freeze and headache at back of neck. But after about 200 yards I felt fine. Arms and legs ok. Feet cold. Hands stiff. Core fine. Only swam about 45 mins. Afterwards had to dress for work in the parking lot. My feet were frozen and I couldn't feel anything. Got a couple scrapes because I couldn't feel. After dressing I got in the car and shivered uncontrollably. Kevin had some coffee which was great but I was spilling bc shaking so bad. Against my better judgment I turned on the heat. Text Alison, my support crew, to tell her water is now 54. She replied don't turn on the heat. Ha. How did she know? I turned it to very low :)
Wednesday, October 24th
OW again at Laura's. Water temp dropping 60.7. It's getting colder at night so water is dropping faster. Better ramp up the qualifier. Was scheduled for Nov. 3rd but I am thinking this weekend may be best shot.
Monday, October 21st
Morning swim at Laura's. Dark all the time now. 64.5 cold air but manageable swim Went to red roof inn. 1hr.
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