Swimming

where's the eton 10K dorney lake?

hope you feel better soon nicks.

Yes, Dorney. Same as last year. I dont know why they do it so early, July would be better.
Steady 2k last night. Got a sore throat.

@ Chris - where abouts are you based ? I definitely recommend some lido plus lake sessions.
How far have you done in your wetsuit before ?

5k done- 1:20.
Felt good.
I've got my strategy for the day:
Get to 2.5k, and then work it in 100m stages. (basically breaking it down in my mind- because its shit boring!)
This will be my first and last 'distance' event in a pool.

Also just need a bit of advice-
Should I just do a couple of tick over swims? I was planning to do another 5k on Thursday, as today was the first 5k I managed, but I'm not sure what to do...

5k done- 1:20.
Felt good.
I've got my strategy for the day:
Get to 2.5k, and then work it in 100m stages. (basically breaking it down in my mind- because its shit boring!)
This will be my first and last 'distance' event in a pool.

No need to do the swimathon now.... you've done the 5k ! ;)

This week i will/have done;

Monday - 2k basic front/back/pull

Wednesday - 2k " "

2 days off to feast then swim on Saturday. I'll be happy with sub~90 mins.

Also just need a bit of advice-
Should I just do a couple of tick over swims? I was planning to do another 5k on Thursday, as today was the first 5k I managed, but I'm not sure what to do...

I suggest you don't do another 5k, maybe 2 to 2.5k.
500 warm up/Loosen !!!
1500 at your tempo for 5k ( no stops)
250 easy swim down (Thats my opinion anyway)

5k done- 1:20.
Felt good.
I've got my strategy for the day:
Get to 2.5k, and then work it in 100m stages. (basically breaking it down in my mind- because its shit boring!)
This will be my first and last 'distance' event in a pool.

Good time by the way. Yes, it is dull in a pool, thats why i like river swims, you start in one place and finish in an other.

The adrenaline will take over on the day anyway. I find the first 300-500m hard to keep my pace right.....

On the day, I will try to stick to 500 warm up, then no drink stop before 2.5k, ideally, then just see how i feel, but stick to 250's in my head.

Last year i didnt drink enough during or after and had a horrible head ache all night and the next day.

@ Chris - where abouts are you based ? I definitely recommend some lido plus lake sessions.
How far have you done in your wetsuit before ?

I am based in Cardiff so have access to the sea but the currents around cardiff are not ideal for any real distance swimming. There are no public access lakes near either so I am quite limited.

I did the Dart 5.1 mile swim last year and finished in 1:52 but you did get some assistance with the tide.

I have just found out that my pool have moved the Swimathon from this weekend coming to next weekend and not told anyone.

Not happy!

@ Chris - where abouts are you based ? I definitely recommend some lido plus lake sessions.
How far have you done in your wetsuit before ?

I am based in Cardiff so have access to the sea but the currents around cardiff are not ideal for any real distance swimming. There are no public access lakes near either so I am quite limited.

I did the Dart 5.1 mile swim last year and finished in 1:52 but you did get some assistance with the tide.

Is that the Dart 10k ? (dont tell anyone it's 5.1 miles !!) :)

I really wanted to do the Dart swim this year.
Missed the sign up time stupidly.
Oh well- live and learn!

Shoulders feel good today, I need to work on 2 sided breathing though- as my neck is sore. I just hope I can repeat it come Saturday...
Going for a tickover 2k today, 2.5k tmw. Friday off.
Really looking forward to returning to normal training sessions- 3k is the optimum for me- before I get bored- and I'll be looking at my race-pace over 1.5k....

I also need to start using my legs more.

Dart 10k, sells out in a few days. I thought it was a bit late this year... sept 22nd ?

Still considering this; http://www.2mevents.com/index.php/event/e37c5161fa953e54dd8be8ec7ba234c9

^ day before my last exam of the year!
Also need to get a new wetsuit I think, and may have one for sale soon (which I appear to have grown out of, can't get it over my shoulders).

^^ forwarded to my tri-amigos. hope they'd be up for doing it as a relay. Think they'd let me do two legs? Don't see why not?

^^ forwarded to my tri-amigos. hope they'd be up for doing it as a relay. Think they'd let me do two legs? Don't see why not?

If you look at the relay list, there seems to be a team made up of two people, cant see it being a problem. I might drive over there on sunday and check it out.... no boat traffic ! :)

The relays change at 1.9k, 3.5k,2.6k,1.9k, these points you need to get out and walk around a weir, so i assume feeding is at this point too. Which actually looks like nice little breaks... something to aim for in each swim... oh im so tempted !

exactly. i think it'll be just thr right kind of challenge for my previously swim-shy triathlon buddies too. am prodding them to sign up now.

Is that the Dart 10k ? (dont tell anyone it's 5.1 miles !!) :)

The Dart 10k was also too late for me last year so I joined the Endurance life swim series. Identical course but just under a mile short, really good swim.

I am not too sure if they are putting the swim on this year. If they do I imagine many people will boycot the event as they are expecting people to pay £250 for the Bell Buoy swim and you need to provide your own boat/kayak.

For all those people training for long swims, check out the sessions at http://www.h2openmagazine.com/table/water-slaves/

Have completed two of them so far and have been really enjoyable in comparison in swimming sets of 1000m. 2 hours realy does seem like my limit in the pool at the moment, any tips to get over this??

For all those people training for long swims, check out the sessions at http://www.h2openmagazine.com/table/water-slaves/

Have completed two of them so far and have been really enjoyable in comparison in swimming sets of 1000m. 2 hours realy does seem like my limit in the pool at the moment, any tips to get over this??

Dunno..... you really need to take it outside........ can you not find a group of OW swimmers via the OSS on facebook ?

5k done- 1:20

Only noticed this last night (after my penultimate pre-swimathon sesh). That's a cracking time dude. chapeau.

I'm going to struggle this year. i don't know what's going on but my stroke and form has gone to pieces lately. meh. I'm going to take it easy and try and enjoy it rather than smash a time. Will be at London Fields lido on Sunday. Apparently it's the busiest pool in the uk for the Swimathon. Great!

Anyway, I've decided to stop hedging my bets training wise and go for it with the swimming. I'll keep riding and running too of course but i'm goint to quit the gym and use the extra cash to sign up for these guys.

http://www.otterswimming.com/

Had a good look last night and they look great. They have up to seven sessions a week all near my home and/or work. Am filling in the application form right now.

Oh, and I bought Waterlog by Deakin. Absolutely loving it. Dug out the wetsuit last night as a result and am wondering where I can ride to on Saturday to go for dip. Any ideas beyond Hampstead?

Had an awful swim last night. Not only have i now got a cough/cold but i did 3k instead of 2k last night all because I was wound up. (another story) I seem to have a nerve pinching down under my left shoulder blade aswell now !

On the plus side, I have put a list of swim times up in our department work kitchen and asked people to guess my time for a £1. Am offering a few prizes for the closest.

Otter and Spencer look like both very good Masters. I have been considering the spencer once a week, as you can pay as you go.

Good for you Dooks, hope you enjoy the swim. :)

I was watching swimmers last night, whilst showering off by the pool. It is amazing how many (all) did something wrong.

I literally had to hold myself back from telling people. I know i am not qualified but, this girl was swimming and she was getting a small amount of instruction from a teacher. I dont know what he was telling her, but he didnt seem to point out a massive mistake with her hand entry, her hand was entering thumb first and pulling down from there... where is the catch from that ? Plus that must be uncomfortable on her shoulders ?

Also another girl with a tri hat on, was starting her catch with her wrist bent towards the bottom of the pool .

TIP; Fingers enter first, the wrist should follow in a nice rounded shape. Elbow stays high. The hand should stay vertical through the pull, pulling toward the pool wall behind you, not down towards the bottom of the pool.

Rant over#

*checks catch and pull techniquie at desk.

you know what... i think my hand entry might have been wonky too. will concentrate on it tomorrow.

Beautiful !

Catch and Pull Through

Paul Newsome demonstrates a high elbow catch and pull technique.
Without the use of video analysis, many swimmers are unaware of how they pull through under the water.
Typically swimmers will pull through with either a dropped elbow or with a very straight arm. Doing so loads the shoulder muscles excessively as the majority of the pull through phase is spent pushing down, rather than pressing back.
Working to develop a high elbow catch technique with enhanced swimming posture will really help you utilise the larger, more powerful muscle groups of your chest and upper back, rather than rely upon the shoulders.