Two beat kick

Ever tried to swim using a 2 beat kick? It's a longer distance technique. You kick once with each pull. When you 'get' it, it feels like walking in the water. Opposite down kick to the pulling arm.

I think my slow arm turnover is affecting my ability to do this technique effectively. And you need to be fairly strong to do this (which I am not). It was interesting to even discover that this existed.

Monday's workout was with Dictator Eric. I arrived very late (-25C and 2 flat tires). There was only 3 of us there. After torturing us with fly (which I mostly managed to avoid), he suggested a timed swim, trying to meet the old lifeguard standard of 600m in 14 minutes. I suggested that my 750m in 26:00 was more normal for me.

However, we boldly started. After watching us for a mere 50m, he suggested the 2 beat kick, and we swam off on a tangent trying this out for the rest of the class.

Sleepy head day

I was too tired for my swim class. But I did have babysitting booked so I went to the gym and walked on the treadmill for 30 minutes instead.

Man, am I tired!

Boy oh boy!

You slack off and don't swim for a month, jump back in and Wham! It's really tiring.

Monday's workout was pretty tough, but I didn't really feel it until I was back in the pool today.

Today's instructor was "Total Immersion" Cathy.

We did 50m of each drill, then repeated the list 3 times.
"Push your buoy", "slide on side", "side-front-side", catchup, arms only - focus on rolling, arms only "reach and finish", full stroke - increase the number of strokes per breath, full stroke decreasing strokes per length.

Ouch. I managed to go through the list 2 1/2 times, until I had no energy left. I was starting to breath water - generally toxic.

So, 200m warmup, plus 8x50x2.5, plus 50m cooldown = 1250m

It sure felt like more.

Back in the pool

So I finally jumped back into swimming.

Today's instructor was Dictator Eric.

We did a warmup, a few drills, then a pyramid of front crawl (25/50/75/100/75/50/25), with a sprint of the last 25m. Then the same pyramid of flutter kick (with fins thank goodness!).

The next bit was 'pick a stroke you want to work on and I'll give you some individual help'. I'm pleased to report that the stuff he's picking on with my front crawl is really minor stuff. YAY!!!

A short cooldown, followed by a soak in the hot tub. My hamstrings were NOT happy with 400m of flutter kick with fins. He really is Dictator Eric.

I am NOT taking my kids to their lessons this evening. Daddy can do it.

Testing 123

So. Anyone still have me listed in their bloglines notifier?