To the waters and the wild

Kurt.Godel

pgibbo wrote: »

Not too far off your target of 1:35 per 100. Nice going.

At least you know what to work on. That's a great starting point.

If they gave out medals for "glass half full" you'd podium every time pgibbo! Thanks for the note, but I'm pretty disappointed at being slower. Breathing letting me down again. At least Triathlon isn't a winter sport. Glass half full

Fri 15min S&C, 30min easy run; 45mins weights

Today's another day in the program, lets tick it off and look forward.

griffin100

Kurt.Godel wrote: »

If they gave out medals for "glass half full" you'd podium every time pgibbo! Thanks for the note, but I'm pretty disappointed at being slower. Breathing letting me down again. At least Triathlon isn't a winter sport. Glass half full

It could have been your breathing...........or you could have been on a hiding to nothing before you started given your comments in your initial post and your speed in reaching for the PB. A 1500 TT is tough, and you have to be in the right frame of mind to take one on. Personally I never try a TT if I'm not feeling the love You're not going to PB every time you TT but I'd say you learned something from this experience. Just my 2c

Kurt.Godel

Sat Nothing.

I had intended racing my nearest Parkrun, up early and into the car... the roads were sheets of black ice and the car was skidding all over the place so I slowly turned for home after about 200m. Just as well as the Parkrun was cancelled as the route was too icy! I couldn't get anything else done as the rest of the day was family stuff.

Sun 15.6k hill run; 1:55 turbo

There was a local hill run on in Ballycoog, it was a misty and wet morning but I couldn't pass up the opportunity. I fished out the closest shoes I had to trail shoes, and drove down to the start. A pretty good turnout given the weather, and there were some top hill runners present. It was obvious this would be more than a local hill run, and indeed as it turned out an awful lot of work had gone into designing the course.
Right from the start I knew my footwear would slow me down, we ran up along a mucky field and I was slipping all over. Things got better as we entered some forest fire road, and I plodded along as we ran up. Breathing was quite heavy here, but the effort was solid rather than race pace. Some skidding across fields, an incredible forested arch, and we began the slow trudge upwards towards the summit of Croghan. Visibility was poor, and a cold wind pounded us from the side.
The first signs of snow appeared, nothing too bad, but pockets that were a foot deep you had to plough through. I closed in on three runners, we said a brief "Hi!" and ran across open mountain... and soon realised there were no flags or tape evident. That brief meeting meant a lapse in concentration, we all for a moment dropped our gameface and obviously missed a turn. It was difficult to see anything with the mist, but soon figured out our error and were welcomed with the reassuring sight of red/white tape again. A climb along a fence brought us to the summit of Croghan- nothing to see here but the trig-point, as visibility was down to about 5 meters or so, despite the gale of a wind.
I took off down the fence, enjoying running through snow, and soon entered a forest again. From here things got really interesting as the route meandered along a narrow path, up over ditches, through fields, along gullies, before descending across open field that I would have love to let loose on (in the proper footwear!). As it was I had to keep from slipping, but really enjoying the descent. A stile crossing brought us along a steep tree path, at the top of a slop that fell down to the river below. You had to be very careful here, the camber was angled and the route muddy- any slip would have brought a fall down to the river, so caution was merited. I take my hat of to the course designer, and the organisers, for allowing such a thrilling route!
Some more fields were crossed, observed by curious sheep, and we had to clamber down a steep ravine- "Go down Backwards" said the sign! Naturally I ignored this suggestion, and just as naturally I slipped going down the muddy track, falling with my back onto a felled tree trunk. The resulting crunching noises were worth a fortune in chiropractor visits! No bones broken, a little shaken but I made my way a little more carefully down to the river crossing. It was a mud fest getting back up the equally steep other bank, before ploughing and slopping through the final few fields to the finish. Really glad I did this run, it was a joy to run that course, and great to meet up with some of the hill runner gang over soup and sambos after.

Turbo:
10min EZ
4*(10s MAX, 2:20 EZ)
6*(10min build 3-6PE, 5min EZ)
5min EZ

Despite the fatigue in the legs I had a scheduled turbo to do, so spent hopped on and watched the first 1:55 mins of Barry Lyndon, a film that gets better each time you watch it.
The efforts weren't as high as usual as I kept things to the minimum expected, but glad I did it as its all too easy to drop and skip sessions this time of year.

pgibbo

How are you after the fall now?

Kurt.Godel

pgibbo wrote: »

How are you after the fall now?

I've got a lovely set of bruises right across my middle back, but besides that no bones broken. In fact, the whole back/neck seems a lot more flexible!

Can't say the rest of the body is flexible at the moment though! Tight legs which is to be expected after a hill run. It really was a great course though- end the week on a high to make up for the disappointing swim TT

Kurt.Godel

Mon 15min S&C, 15min easy jog

My legs were tight on the jog, but felt better afterwards. Our Masters sessions have finished as the pool is closed early for Xmas season- my Fastlane has been too cold this icy spell but warming up now.

Tue 30min Fastlane; 45min weights, 15min jog; 30min Fastlane

The pool heater works great if the air temp is above 5 degrees or so, and was good and warm this morning. The swim was a tonic. Weights at lunch, followed by a very stiff jog. I woke up last night with DOMS pain, had to take a nuerofen, its much worse on day 2! Same issues from others who ran it, I found out later... you have to be running hills regular to escape hill running soreness! No hassle, but I will skip tonights planned run and rest the legs.

Edit- Got a second swim in the evening, alternating back and free. I used a nose clip for the first time and focused on continuous exhale, seemed to make a difference.

Kurt.Godel

Wed 10min yoga, 40min turbo

10min EZ
4*(10s MAX, 2:20 EZ)
5*(30s build to 9/10PE, 2:30 EZ)
5 EZ

I have the start of a cold, added with the DOMS, added with the miserable dark time of year, meant this turbo effort was dialled back. At least it got done (NY resolution is to become a glass half full type person).

Kurt.Godel

Thurs 20min S&C, 30min easy run

I was wheezy for this run, so kept the pace down. Also skipped the planned Fastlane session as I didn't want to exacerbate the lungs.

Feckin' wintertime, I'll have to consider wintering in warmer climates (chance would be a fine thing!). I can trace this back to a tough pool session in Arklow a couple of weeks back, and the hill run at the weekend was too much work for the lungs. Dug out a couple of old inhalers and started using them again.

Fri 10min S&C, 40min turbo

10min EZ
4*(10sMAX, 2:20 EZ)
5*(2min build to 6PE, 1min EZ)
5min EZ

Felt a bit better today, the inhalers are helping, but again kept the effort down way below panting effort. I had been ready to ditch sessions for a few days but glad I got this one done now.

Kurt.Godel

Sat 55min hilly run; 45min weights

Took a couple of blasts from the inhaler and set out, the first couple of km were flat and probably a bit faster than the "easy" I'd planned. To be honest I'm trying to convince myself there's not a problem, but as the route started upwards I was struggling. Not getting enough oxygen from restricted airways, and that leads to the body tightening up with subsequent issues. I slowed along the top road which was flat enough, and things got easier. No doubt, I just will have to keep breathing under control until this passes. Any increase in effort places exponential stress on the lungs.

Boohoo, woe is me... but sitting at home doing nothing is worse so at least its another run ticked off. I'll be glad of the consistency when my breathing is better.

Kurt.Godel

Sun 30min Fastlane; 10min S&C, 1:55 turbo, 5min S&C

30 mins Fastlane, various speeds. Just testing the breathing really (snorkle)

Turbo:
10min steady
4*(10sMAX, 2:20 EZ)
6*(10min build 3-8PE, 5min EZ)
5min EZ

The breathing is starting to open up a bit, hopefully daily use of the inhaler when it doesn't appear needed will help things. The efforts were building towards a tasty last two mins, a good session to have ticked off. I felt a million times better having done this turbo, need to keep consistent over Xmas.

joey100

I'm the same with my inhaler Kurt, I reckon it's the times we don't think we shud be taking it that's most important, too late when your starting to feel like you need it. I've tried my best not to take it daily but I think I might just have to accept it and start. Just feel a lot better overall when I do.

Have a great Christmas, don't spend too long in the pool!

Kurt.Godel

Mon 15mins S&C, 6.2k hilly run

I drove to the flanks of Annagh Hill on a very wet Xmas morning. The flat fireroad was covered in puddles, but nothing like the water cascading down the narrow paths as you ascended into the dank mist. It was very slow going in places, no matter as this run was just about getting out on the morning thats in it. Some scouting of potential paths for the Annagh race in March, which will need to have a suitably fluid route owing to extensive felling in the area. After 20 mins or so I turned for home and enjoyed running down the fireroads, splashing through puddles like a kid. I dialled up the effort a tad towards the end and was glad to return to the car.

Happy Xmas!

Kurt.Godel

Tue 15min S&C, 30min Fastlane

This was done after a long day travelling, but I felt much the better for having done it. Various free pacing, with some bursts. Focus on extension and a strong slightly faster pull which seemed to pay dividends.

Owing to the days journey (and familial obligations!) I couldn't get out on a planned run, but given the time of year one session is better than none!

Kurt.Godel

Wed 10min S&C, 40min turbo; 15min S&C, 43min hilly run

Turbo:
10min EZ
4*(10s MAX, 2:20 EZ)
5*(2min build to steady 6PE, 1min EZ)
5min EZ

Felt good on the turbo, decent cadence and the effort was a nice sustainable effort.

Run: 30min EZ, 15min steady to strong
It was a magical evening down here, and so I got in yesterday's missed run (that's not ideal, but no harm was done either). Parked at Annagh and ran down the Monaseed Walk, and then along the trails towards Croghan (which was magnificent, bathed in a dusk-red luminescence). From here I ascended and gathered in clear views of the wide surrounds. Upped the effort gradually on the return into the setting sun, and took the HR upwards for the final ascent back to the car. A really great run in a magical place.

Kurt.Godel

Thurs 15min S&C, 60min hilly run, 30min Fastlane

Run: 30min EZ, 15mins a touch faster, 15min PE8

Another day another Annagh run. I'm spoiled at the moment, out of routine so lots of time to run on the trails (rather than suburbia runs squeezed in between kids swimming hours). With plenty of frost visible on the top, I trudged up along the stone wall climb. There's a very faint track here, but almost impossible to run owing to the elevation. Large clomping footsteps were the order of the day as I walked towards the summit. A few trees to be negotiated through, but the top was found easy enough, as were views of the Welsh hills across the sea. Running could begin again now, but progress was impeded by the many pools of frozen water along the summit track. I had been considering what footwear to wear- ice skates would have sufficed here! Progress would be better on the other side of the stone wall so I hopped over and ran through the frozen grass.
Back onto rough track for a downhill, holding down the pace for fear of slipping in my road shoes, and after running the crest of the hill I hit west-side trails again. From here I could increase the effort a bit without fear of stumbling or disappearing down icy bog-holes, and continued in this fashion back to the car.

The Fastlane straight after was more recovery than anything else, but always great stroke feedback.

Kurt.Godel

Fri 10min yoga, 1:55 turbo

10min EZ
4*(10s MAX, 2:20 EZ)
6*(10min build 3-8PE, 5min EZ)
5min EZ

A fun day, we went to Courtown beach for the young lad to try out his new surfboard- he was in for 10mins with a wetsuit, made me feel guilty for not going in! The transition of power continues... Back home I jumped on the turbo, Missy jumped in the Fastlane, and we each slogged away in relative warmth. Nothing special about this turbo, just hitting what needed to be hit.

Kurt.Godel

Sat 10k run (including Tullow Parkrun in 20:09)

2k easy warmup
Some elements of run yoga, hip flexor stretches etc
1km progressive with few strides in second half
5k park run
2km easy, with stretches every 500m as cool down

I needed a 5k baseline and with the kids not at swimming, drove to the local Tullow Parkrun. Running a lap as warm up the rain from last night was evident- nothing too bad, but it made for heavy going in a few places, and cornering would be slippy in areas. After some stretches and strides, we lined up at the start. I was nervous and felt sick, a reaction to not having raced in a while.

The gun goes and we are off, two lads took off at a fast pace and were gone. Two others ran past me, both with gaits that suggested I would reel them in at some stage. I was running at a decent effort and took back two spots over the first couple of km (3:59, 3:52). Things started to feel tougher now, in no mans land running on my own. I was breathing quite heavy, the legs feeling the pace, and ducked down the next couple of km (4:12, 4:10). Audibly gasping at this stage and with heavy footfall I knew the sub-20 had gone and finished the last km (3:55) as best I could, happy to finish.

Probably learned as much mentally from this race as physically. I threw away my hoped for sub-20 goal by slowing on the second lap- thats a reaction to pain demons that should disappear as I do more racing and get used to suffering again. Ditto any pre-race nerves and nausea. I weighed myself when back home- a whopping 90.6kg which is a fair amount of excess Xmas lard to lug around, and so faster times should come automatically from weight loss.

Kurt.Godel

Sun Rest

Mon 30min Fastlane; 3k run

I only had a tight window to do a couple of things today, so after a good Fastlane loosener I went to the local GOAL mile in Tinahely. A huge bunch of kids eager to sprint off, not really many adult runners so I ran off behind the kids for a while before they slowed the pace. After a km there was a bit of a hill, I ran up it and stopped to let the first kids run down the hill to take the podium. A little girl about 11 years old bursting herself to reach the top of the hill, her face lit up when she saw she would come in first, well done her.

A bit of fun for the first day in 2018, no harm in that, now the real work begins. Triathlons planned will likely take in as many sea races as possible, with an intent to take the caravan along the West/South coast as often as I can (Junior wants to surf).

Kurt.Godel

Tue 15min yoga, 30min Fastlane; 15min yoga, 60min run

Its a pretty wet and wild day here, perfect weather for hitting the hills in my new Inov8 X-Talons. I drove to Annagh and ran up the sodden flank of Cummerhill, it was very muddy but the shoes had brilliant grip. Took it handy enough while scouting out some new routes, the possibilities are endless on this ever-changing hill. After nearly 40 mins of up/down I settled back down on flatter trail to run the meat of the session, 15min steady to strong effort. I was hurting and glad of the end, but had been travelling at a faster pace than anticipated. Hard to judge pace on the hills, but the recent Parkrun has helped remind the legs what running faster is. An easy warm-down (actually cold and upwards) back to the car to make up another fun hour in the hills.

Slogger Jogger

Nice one. The X-talons are the bees knees. My footwear of choice at the moment given the mucky conditions.

Kurt.Godel

Wed 30min Fastlane; 15min yoga, 45min run; 10min yoga, 40min turbo

Run: 30min EZ, 15min steady to strong
Bit of a mix up found me repeating yesterdays run schedule... anyway, I felt great on this, didn't look at the watch for the first while and ended up doing the first 30min too fast for "easy" pace, but managed to up the pace towards the end as the effort increased. My breathing was FANTASTIC, better than ever, and I suspect no bread for a couple of days might have something to do with this. I'm trying to clean up my diet for Jan and will perhaps leave out gluten for a few more days and see what transpires.

Turbo:
10 mins EZ
4 * ( 10' hard, 2.20 easy )
5 * (2 min 'building to steady' @ PE 6, 1 min super easy)
5 mins EZ

No heroics on this one, just getting the session done, and nothing was higher than 6PE.

Kurt.Godel

Thurs 30min Fastlane; 12.3k run; Masters swim

Run: 30min easy, 20min build, 2k fast
I did this run on the dark cinder track in Arklow, right before the evening swim. The first 30mins were just a matter of revolving as various power walkers, runners, dog strollers, came and looped and left. With a couple of "easy" laps left, two girls/women (hard to tell in the dark) started running at the same pace as me, 10m ahead. Another guy jumped into the track, and started to run right behind them. I just felt a little weird to be running in this tight bunch, on an otherwise dark and empty track... within my last two easy laps I gradually passed them, and the guy then jumped right behind me, close enough I could almost feel his breath... it wasn't windy so no benefit there, just a little weird. I figured I'd drop him once I started to build, but as luck would have it he started to build too, right behind me. I was running in lane 5, and as the laps went on he gradually started to drop... only for him to take lane 1 for the bends and follow me on the straights! I decided to run lane 1, he followed for several laps but as my pace increased he gradually dropped. By now I was running too fast, so slowed slightly until my final 2k, where I had a nice amount of energy to increase the pace.
He ran off the track as I jogged to the car, we acknowledged each others runs... weird, but it served a purpose!

Masters:
400 warmup
12*75 as (25k, 25fist,25sw) odds back, evens free
20*50 as (25IMO, 25free, 10s) first 15m fast
200 cooldown

I did this straight after the run and was tired. Technique was good for any free and back, but tired shoulders for fly and foot was cramping towards the end. Still, back in the pool for 2018.

Kurt.Godel

Fri 30 min fastlane
I did this wearing a finis tech toc, just to see how accurate my rotation is. Accurate enough.

Sat 14k run
30 mins easy, 37mins build to PE 8
A pretty muddy trail run, along the flat Railway Walk, the first bit was probably a bit too fast for “easy “ but nothing too bad. Picked it up a tad for the balance, legs were noticeably heavy after this weeks run volume.

griffin100

What have you entered in Limerick?

Kurt.Godel

griffin100 wrote: »

What have you entered in Limerick?

1500, 800, 200back, 100fr, 50fr. Yourself?

griffin100

1500 and 400 free. Friday night and first event on Saturday morning and be home by lunchtime. Would have liked to try the 800 but it would have meant hanging around until late on Saturday. I think I've caught up with you age group wise

Kurt.Godel

Sun 1:55 turbo

10min easy
4*(10s Max, 2:20 easy)
6*(10min build 3-8PE, 5min easy)
5 cool down

The last couple of these reps were a struggle, definitely feeling the effects of the heavy run week. A slight twinge in my heel too, which I believe is from yesterday’s trail shoes in the mud- the heel box has lost it’s solidity and so will go straight in the bin. I’ll keep an eye on the heel.

Kurt.Godel

Mon 30min S&C; 20min run; 20min run; 60min Masters swim

The first run was 10min easy, 10min build to 8-10PE, and ticked that box nicely. the second was an unexpected catch-up with a mate who has come back from injury, and is going very well indeed. Great to see.

Masters:
200m WU
2*(50 off 55, 50, 45)
Main:
4*(2*200 off 3:30, 1*200 fast off 4:00)
100m swim down

My fast 200's came in 2:57, 2:57, 3:00, 3:05. The slower ones came in between 2:55-3:12. What gives? Long body, long stroke, good technique, controlled breathing, relaxed... attributes for the slower 200's. Punchy, tight, frantic, gasping... for the fast 200's.

I know this is wrong. I know what to do. I know how to do it.

Slow down, maintain form at all costs. Speed will come soon enough.

joey100

One session I always remember doing with interested was a flat out 100m, recover and then a steady 100. The difference in time compared with the difference in effort really stands out. The fast one felt like I wasn't able to move by the end where the steady one I was in control the whole way through, it was tough but a manageable toughness. Think the difference was around 4 seconds. No way I could have done much more after the fast 100, no problem continuing after the steady. I think it's mental as much as anything, when we hear fast we go flat out, putting everything we have into it, something like swimming that's so much technique, the technique can be pushed aside just to get the arms through faster and the legs kicking harder.

I'd still love to be swimming the times your swimming! First day back in the pool in about 5 weeks today, I think it's that long I've even forgotten how to float!

Kurt.Godel

joey100 wrote: »

I think it's mental as much as anything, when we hear fast we go flat out, putting everything we have into it, something like swimming that's so much technique, the technique can be pushed aside just to get the arms through faster and the legs kicking harder.

That's exactly the problem, well articulated joey! "Race", "TT", "Fast", words that activate a fight or flight response... and the reason my swim pb's aren't as good as they might be. Relaxing during a TT, building into the effort and trusting your technique, is the only way to faster times.

Sometimes it takes a stark comparison like last nights 200's (or your fast/steady 100's) to hammer this point home.

Kurt.Godel

Tue 30min Fastlane; 45min weights, 15min jog; 15min S&C, 60min run

Run: 30min easy, 20min PE 5/6, 10min PE 7

Back to the old grey concrete test, kids are swimming tonight so I filled the time with various stretches in Lidl carpark, followed by a sidewalk run from Gorey. I kept the pace down for the easy part, and it picked up gradually from there.

Kurt.Godel

Wed 40min Fastlane; 10min yoga, 40min turbo
Turbo:
10 mins easy spin
4 * (10' hard, 2.20 easy )
5 * (30' build to PE 9-10, 2.5 min easy)
5 mins easy

Ok they might only be 30s builds but by god can they hurt! My turbo is in the pool room and I use pool clock for timing. Its at an angle so when the second hand is vertical both ends that means 30s is done... I was literally watching the angle crawl for the last 2 secs. Time stood still!

Kurt.Godel

Thurs 30min Fastlane; 65min run; 60min Masters swim

Run:
25min Easy
30min PE5/6
10min fast

Again on the cinder track in Arklow, I had a tight window between Dad taxi and Masters swim, so lopped 5 mins off the intended 30min easy. It was bitterly cold tonight, with a biting wind down one straight, and heavy, foggy air. Warming up took some time, but after a few km I could up the pace a tad for the next 30mins. A mate joined me half way through this, and we finished the set together. The last couple of km were zippy enough, I'm happy with the pace we managed to hold without burning all the matches.

Swim:
400m warm up
8*(25k, 25drill, 25swim, 10s)
300 hypoxic 3,2,1,0,0,0,0,1,2,3
4*100 off 2:00 (aim for 400pb time less 10 sec in total)
16*50 as (25IMO, 25swim, 10s)

I was in the water 10mins after stepping off the track- no ideal, but needs must. My breathing wasn't great as I was gasping somewhat after the run, but got through the set ok. I didn't manage the "0"'s for the hypoxic, but I'm at peace with that.
The 100's came in 1:21-1:24, nothing to write home about, but they ticked the correct box (total time 5:30). What I'm happy about is they were consistent, and my stroke was more in control than usual. I'll take those time for early January after a hard run.

Kurt.Godel

Fri 47min crossfit; 60min Fastlane

Easy stretch / warm up 5 mins

10 rounds of {
25 bench jump overs
25 lateral step overs
25 Bear crunches
25 Bench Toe taps
}

As much rest as required between sets.

I don't know if this is termed crossfit, or HIIT, or whatever, but it was pretty tough. Sweat dripping throughout, and the sort of strange mild hurt that you just know is going to hurt in strange places tomorrow.

Later an hour in the Fastlane with pull bouy, focus on rotation and streamline.

shotgunmcos

1:21-1:24 for 4x 100s off 2mins after a track run session. 1) pretty good as not much rest for hard effort! 2) how did you not cramp?!

Kurt.Godel

Sat 15min yoga, 82min run; 30min Fastlane

Run:
40min easy
20min steady
20min build to finish with 2*4:10 kms

Raining and cold all day, I finally got out on the flat Railway Walk before the light went. The first 40min was a struggle to keep the pace down- a common problem and I need to write "Y263 2I Y263" on my forehead.
Picked it up and was working for the steady, before upping the effort for the last few km. The trail was twisty and very muddy in places, but I managed to get the last two km just under target.

Into the pool after for a recovery swim that has worked wonders, feel much better after it.

shotgunmcos wrote: »

how did you not cramp?!

Cramping has become much less of an issue in the pool. Probably down to the amount of S&C I'm doing these days.

Kurt.Godel

Sun 10min S&C, 1:55 turbo

10min easy
4*(10sMAX, 2:20 easy)
6*(10min build 3-8PE, 5min EZ)
5 EZ

Well the DOMS from the Xfit caught up with me last night, my body felt very sore going to bed (so much so that I took a painkiller). Slept ok, but the legs didn't have a lot of power starting off this turbo and general effort was below where it usually is. Things picked up a bit as the session went on, but the lesson is this turbo might have hit the right targets if yesterday's easy parts of the run had been easier.

peter kern

Cramping has become much less of an issue in the pool. Probably down to the amount of S&C I'm doing these days.[/QUOTE]

I d like to see a study that comes to that conclusion.

shotgunmcos

peter kern wrote: »

Cramping has become much less of an issue in the pool. Probably down to the amount of S&C I'm doing these days.

I d like to see a study that comes to that conclusion.[/QUOTE]
+1 The cramping is more often down to pure overloading but In my case not just that. Its a nervous thing that can be triggered by load.


Interested to know what benefit S&C specifically has had

Kurt.Godel

Increased flexibility means less cramping in the foot... obvious I would have thought, no real need for science lads?

(In any case correlation will suffice for me, proof is in the pudding)

Kurt.Godel

Mon Masters swim 2,700m

200 easy
10*100 as (25k, 25easy, 25drill, 25 fast, 10s)
200 easy
400TT (5:50-ish)
12*75 as (25BE7, 25fist, 25swim desc 1-3, 10s)

I tried to swim this TT a lot more controlled than usual, and in that respect it worked. However, the pace slipped more than I'd like it to, and I was disappointed with the resulting time. I probably dipped under 5:50- there was congestion as I was getting in the way of sharks and had to stop at the wall- but it felt like I was swimming closer to 5:40. Touch turns, no dolphin kick, maybe a couple of bad habits that have crept back in... however on a positive note kick, streamline, reach, rotation, breathing; were all better than usual, so perhaps I should await a "click" in form over the next month or two.

Kurt.Godel

Tue 45min weights, 15min jog; 60min run; 30min Fastlane

Run:
30min PE3
20min PE5/6
10min PE7/8

The kids have developed a cough so last minute change of dad-taxi plans had me run locally, trying to squeeze an hour daylight from 4:30pm. I went to the muddy Railway walk, the first half hour I kept very easy. As it darkened I picked the pace up slightly, running now into blustery sleet. It was quite nice to be in that dark cold environment, something different anyway. The last ten minutes picked up again, the path could barely be made out at this stage but I got the run done and dusted.
Pace was a little under where I thought it would be judging by effort, but I may have a blast of this dose coming on, will keep an eye on things.

Fastlane
I've entered the 200back for the LC Champs, so need to get my ar$e in gear. 30mins backstroke swimming and drills, from my dreamgirl Chloe. Its useful for Triathletes to try other strokes too, so worth a look.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ls-q84WV1M

peter kern

Kurt.Godel wrote: »

Increased flexibility means less cramping in the foot... obvious I would have thought, no real need for science lads?

(In any case correlation will suffice for me, proof is in the pudding)

Exercise-associated muscle cramping (EAMC) is a poorly understood problem that is neuromuscular in origin.

from a 2017 paper thats why i was asking as i alwyas like to see new research on it

Kurt.Godel

peter kern wrote: »

Exercise-associated muscle cramping (EAMC) is a poorly understood problem that is neuromuscular in origin.

from a 2017 paper thats why i was asking as i alwyas like to see new research on it

Having fun in the water is the primary goal of my research Peter;) Not meaning to be flippant but I've read such contradictory science about cramping over the years that I'm going with what works for me:

Better flexibility stops plantar/calf cramping in the pool.

Not having the digestive/respiratory systems in competition works on the run.

Kurt.Godel

Wed 40min turbo; 3,000m Fastlane

Turbo:
10min EZ
4*(10sMAX, 2:20 EZ)
5*(30s build to PE10, 2:30 EZ)
5min EZ

Fastlane:
400m warm up
5*100 off 1:45
5*100 off 1:40
5*100 off 1:35
5*100 off 1:30
600m swim down

This is the first time I've actually used the Fastlane for a pool set. For a while now I've felt a slight gap in my swim week, its been missing this old faithful descending sets of 100's. With the pace clock running 3 secs faster than desired pace, I did these wearing bouyancy shorts. Breathing was good and controlled- there's a bit more turbulence in the Fastlane so expect gobs of water at times. The last set was pretty tough, I grabbed a pb for the last three, mainly to help with the turbulence.
Overall, a useful set.

hf4z6sqo7vjngi

Did you go for the pace clock in the end?

Kurt.Godel

Bjorn Breezy Apricot wrote: »

Did you go for the pace clock in the end?

Yeah, and its pretty much required I think! I have a regular pool clock at the side so just set the Fastlane pace and keep an eye on time spent for each rep.

Kurt.Godel

Thurs 15min yoga, 50min run; 60min Fastlane

I met up with Mick at lunchtime, plan was 30min easy, 30min steady, then 10min fast. Alas I've caught the household bug, when we upped the pace to steady I was 20s/km slower than last week, for the same HR. I ditched after 10k, no point in flogging with a bug. It was good to catch up though and chat, so otherwise a good run.

Fastlane tonight was similar story, I skipped the Masters session for an hour myself. Various drills, speeds, toys, made for a mostly technical session, with a good deal of kickwork.

Kurt.Godel

Fri 30min S&C; 20min jog
Felt grand starting out, but noticed the missing gears when I tried <5min/km. Breathing was a little strained: its just a bug passing through, should pass soon enough as I don't feel too bad. HR was higher than it should be.

Sat & Sun Nothing
Felt weak, didn't stray too far from the smallest room, skipped the scheduled bikes and wallowed in pity. (Actually a very busy weekend in the office so I managed to salvage something)

Mon 30min S&C; 20min run; 60min Masters swim

Run: 10min easy, 10min build to 9/10PE
I felt better today, this run was a good test and passed with flying colours, the build to effort went very well so all systems go again.

Masters:
400m warmup
8*(25fist, 25drill, 5s)
7*200free step test off 5:00
200m swimdown

I like the step test, it tells you a lot about yourself and your stroke. The idea is to take your 200PB and add 7 secs for each preceeding one, then swim each one off 5 mins. My 200PB is 2:40 so my targets were 3:22, 3:15, 3:08, 3:01, 2:54, 2:47, 2:40. The first one usually goes way too quick, and I made sure to swim it slow (still was 4 secs under). Back on track for the others: each one just a pinch harder than the previous. I was swimming well, a good long body, good reach and pull, nice kick, BE3... and you hardly notice the extra effort. The penultimate one felt very comfortable, swimming 2:47 with relative ease...

Of course I fecked up the last one, swam like I was panicking, a frantic stroke, BE2, noticible effort and discomfort throughout... and only did 2:45. A 2 sec difference for an awful lot of extra energy, but another lesson in the importance of technique.

Kurt.Godel

Tue 40min Fastlane; 40min S&C; 60min treadmill

I had a very tight window to get this run in, and the best way was to do it on a treadmill while the kids swam. 30min easy, 20min steady, 10min fast. Done. Dusted. Hate treadmills.