After today's 9 hour work day (not bad for a FedEx day) ... I rolled out of work at 10:30am to meet Coach Brendan at the Aquatic Center. My 28 minute ride was immediately compromised by the parking lot that was the Long Island Expressway. It really blows that no matter what time I leave Brooklyn I seem to get trapped in traffic going home ... ended up getting to the pool 15 minutes late which is not cool at all.
My membership had expired so I paid the fee (I renewed after today's workout) and met with Brendan in the pool. Started off swimming and he watched my stroke. My bi-lateral breathing was non existence to start as my shoulders take some time to get loose and I have not swam since October 1st. I don't think I embarrassed myself but I was not impressive in technique or form. Brendon showed me some drills and I copied them back, we then reviewed some other stuff I would be working on over the next few weeks. Brendon left me with a set to do and I finished it up. Very different from how I would do things. Generally I would bang out a mile as fast as I could and then tack on extra laps for "distance". The plan now is to drill technique and form so that I have a more perfect stroke - and I guess later we will work on distance.
I am a capable swimmer - I can bang out the distance - I can mash it up in a maelstrom of human bodies and stay calm and confident. Up until now I really never worried about my stroke just how fast I was going to get out of the water - Brendon is a swimmer first and coached for 12 years, I am hoping with his guidance I will see some real improvement on the swims this year. Just hit slightly over 1000 meters but it was not a usual swim for me and I feel soreness in my upper body that I haven't felt before - a good soreness of muscles being challenged.
Tomorrow is a gym day with a set pattern of exercises - I will do my best and see how I do - focused alot on core work I have a feeling I will struggle as my core is weak (multiple abdominal operations will do that to you). After the gym looks like he has a steady 2 hour bike on the trainer - should be fine with a nice high cadence. Already worried though about his drastic reduction in my run training - but for now I am in his hands.
Booked my Max VO2 test - will be Thursday - interested to see how unhealthy that will make me look ...
My name is Paul - I am a Clydesdale Triathlete from New York competing in my third season (2013). 2012 was a mess of injuries and disappointments but this is a new year with new goals. A few short years ago I weighed 308 pounds. Changes in nutrition and exercise helped with weight loss and competition keeps me focused on getting lighter and perhaps someday not being The Heavy Racer.
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