It's a Breakthrough Week

I'd like to update what's been going on this week, and then I'll move into exciting news in swimming. Since my last post, I have bumped up my workout just a little bit. I have been working on an 8 month program from Beginner Triathlete.com that starts out a non athlete, and pretty much works you into one after 8 months. In a nutshell, for this month I have been doing cardio on the bike Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in an increasing time each day with varying objectives such as a target heart rate or a specific interval program or resistance. Additionally, on those same days after cardio, I have been weight lifting. It is mixed up so that all muscle groups get worked on one of those days, but not more than once a week. The plan changes and progresses to include more triathlon disciplines and more challenge, but it is all gradual. It was my decision to take on swimming on Tuesdays and Thursdays to get started on what I felt was a weak area for me, and I think it has been going very well. I don't feel overtrained or overtired.

After reading Slow Fat Triathlete, I felt more motivated (I didn't think that was possible). I was considering what I now consider my weakest discipline: running. If I want to get to my goal next summer, I'm gonna need some time to work up to it. I love triathlon for this reason. It is all about slow and steady progress, just keep moving forward. I am not the best at moderation and pacing myself; it's always all or nothing. So I think this training will not only help me with eating and exercise habits for life, but also perhaps in adopting an attitude of moderation. Anyways, I found a program on BeginnerTriathlete.com called Couch to 5K, which is a 7 or 8 month approach to getting from all walking to all running. So I decided on swim days, in the afternoons, I'll also do my Couch to 5K, which is a 30 minute session of walking/running that will gradually become running/walking. The first day went well. It seems like every time I exercise, I look forward to what I can do next.

So, with swimming, I am just having an awesome week. I am so proud of myself. I thought I had really achieved something great on Tuesday, and I did, but today I one-upped myself. To start, my total yardage was up to 1050. I can't believe it. The more I do, the more I can do next time and it just feels amazing. Additionally, today I was doing sprint drills on the 25. I practiced "good wall", by leading off in a strong, streamlined position with good form and taking the first few strokes before your first breath, taking the middle easy, and working out the last few strokes for a strong, stretched finish touching the wall. Building on that, next was a slow beginning and then sprinting out the last 1/2 to 1/3 of the lap. Following that was the opposite, sprinting out and then easing in to the far side for a stretched finish touching the wall.

The last set put it all together: "good wall" and sprinting the whole way down the lap. I put in a :26, :24, :23 and :23. 23 seconds! I couldn't believe it. In the beginning, I was stretching to get :32. Even with paddles (that add resistance but allow you to really propel yourself) I was only getting a :28. And that was like last week. I am so amazed and so proud of myself. I am also so thankful to be working with Trish at the Club. She is a great motivator and teacher and knows when I can do more and pushes for it. Thank you Trish!

As always, please feel free to leave comments on my blog or send me an email. Thank you each and every one who sends me comments and emails. You have no idea how much I appreciate it and how much it motivates me. THANK YOU!