Thursday, May 1, 2014

Swimming with the Masters

Posted by CheapRunnerMike

It's been a slow running week since I ran the Forest City Half on Sunday…well it's actually been a slow workout week period.  I did get in a really good swim on Tuesday at lunch though.  I was able to complete my longest swim workout to date getting in 2000m…which is just a bit further than I'll need to swim for my half ironman in July.  I did this as a pyramid swim, meaning I did 100m, 200m, 300m, 400m, then back down 400m, 300m, 200m, 100m.  I think I'm at the point now where I'm not concerned about the distance itself, though I know I still have a lot of work to do if I want to improve my speed in the water.

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Speaking of getting better with my swim, Michelle and I also attended our first Masters Swim workout on Tuesday night at the Y.  It was a lot of fun, as we got to meet some new people while we worked with a coach for the first time.  Coach Ashley was quick to give us some drills that should help improve our stroke efficiency and improve our overall swimming ability.  We finished the night doing some backstroke, probably the first time I've done that stroke in 20 years.  It did not look pretty and I was spitting a lot of water Smile  One to work on I guess!

Jackson has been in desperate need of a haircut and I've been offering to cut it for him for a little while, and he finally decided that he did want a haircut just like Daddy.  So we sat him down with the clippers and completed his transformation into my mini-me.  Not too bad!

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Michelle and Kennedy took off early this morning for their race at Disney, so it's just me and Jackson kicking it this weekend.  We're going to head up to the cottage after work tomorrow and have us a nice boy's getaway.

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Hoping that the rain we've had all week holds off a bit so that I can sneak out for a run at lunch today, I really need to get these legs going again!  The rain sucks, but there's a lot of people getting it a lot worse than us right now…stay safe if you're experiencing some of this extreme weather.

Are you getting big storms in your parts right now?

Does rain keep you from getting your run in?

15 comments:

  1. I love Pyramid swims because it seems to break up the distance into 'segments'.
    I'm not sure if you'll be swimming backstroke often, but the best advice for not swallowing (or having to spit) a lot of water is keeping your head back perfectly aligned with the rest of your body. Focus on moving your shoulders back in the stroke and not your neck, that chlorine water is pretty darn awful haha

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  2. Storms down south have been crazy, thankfully I was in Puerto Rico when a lot of that happened! It was a little rough coming home though since we went right over where those tornadoes were. Lots of turbulence. Hope you all have a great weekend! Love Jackson's haircut!

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  3. Lots of storms in Kansas!
    Jackson looks so much older with his hair cut! Enjoy the boys weekend!!

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  4. I agree Kelly, I'm a pyramid fan. I hope I'm not swimming too much backstroke either, but it's good to learn new things and mix up the training. I'll have to give this a try because you're so right...chlorine water tastes awful! You're going to be my swimming expert from now on, hope you don't mind ;)

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  5. Ya I saw some of it...scary stuff. Glad you missed it and got to enjoy the sun!

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  6. Thanks Kim, it's always nice to spend time with my little buddy

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  7. Backstroke was always my best stroke even though it wasn't my favorite (so unfair). Hahah yes, finally something I can help others with! Swimming is the one athletic ability I have so I love sharing my passion for it :) So no, definitely don't mind. In fact, so excited!

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  8. Jackson looks just like his daddio! That swim class sounds like a fun way to switch up your workouts!

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  9. I really should do more swim 'workouts' I tend to just straight swim.


    We have been getting lots of rain and storms, which I don't mind too much but when there isn't a break it is hard. I like running in the rain but sometimes I'd like to just step out and not worry about inclement weather!

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  10. Did you ever do open-water stuff or just the pool?

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  11. He's lookin' good! The swim class seems like it'll be a good time for sure

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  12. I was just doing laps and figured a Masters program would give me workouts and tips to improve...plus it's free with our membership!
    The rain doesn't bother me much if it's still warm out, but when it's cold...no thanks.

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  13. Just in the pool, unfortunately. I looked into open-water swimming last year but I live a few hours from the bay so training would be extremely difficult. I go back and forth on whether or not I'll ever do it.

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  14. Amy @ fitnessmeetsfrosting.comMay 9, 2014 at 8:31 PM

    Haha OMG Jackson does look like a mini you! So cute! So so so impressive- your swimming that is! My boyfriend's mom is a Masters swim member too!

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  15. Oh that's cool! The Masters swim is really a lot of fun!

    Poor kid looks just like his dad haha

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