Mile club member

It's Wednesday morning and another 6:00am swim with Barb and KK on the agenda. There was a tremendous Monsoon storm last night which filled the pool with leaves and debris, so this mornings swim included many water obstacles. The lifeguards did the best they could to clear out some of the stuff in the pool, but there is only so much they could do.

Just like yesterday, the water temperature is perfect. Jumped in... and away we go.

300 warm-up
4x150(600) swim
5x50(250) swim
200 flutter kick
200 butterfly kick
50 back
200 swim

That's 1800 for those of you counting at home. So, once again... second day in a row with yardage of 1 mile+. Another good workout.

About 2/3 of the way through my workout, Dean (NC)comes strolling into the pool. Dean is a fellow soccer coach and a fitness enthusiast. Dean usually spends most of his time cycling and running, but a recent ankle injury has reinvigorated his interest in swimming. So, whenever I can, I give him a hard time about getting in the pool.

When I left the pool today, instead of heading to work, I headed to a doctor's appointment. 7:45am on Wyatt (across the street from TMC). Well, it turns out that KK's office is in the same area. So, after I finished up with my appointment, I stopped by and got the grand tour. Said hello to her and her lovely co-workers. Finally, I was off to work.

Another great day in the Old Pueblo underway.

When is a mile not really a mile?

6:00am at Udall. And when I say 6:00am, on Tuesday's what I really mean is 5:45am. Because if you don't get to Udall at least 10 to 15 minutes early on Tuesdays, you will not get a lane (or... half a lane actually). Tuesday morning's seem to be the only day with this issue. But, if you want to swim. Be there early and get in line. Wait for the pool to open.

So, I was on time (i.e. early) and waiting in line. KK was in line with me. Barb showed up a few minutes later (still early) and got in line about two people behind us.
Both Barb and KK are great in the pool. Impossible for me to keep up.

Today I manged to eek out:
200 warm-up
800 swim
200 flutter kick
200 butterfly kick
100 back kick
200 swim

Which is a lot for me. Barb and KK did way more, but I am not disappointed with my effort. 1700 yards total (1 mile).

So, this is were a swimming explanation might be helpful. For those mathematicians among us, you might be looking at that number and saying, "1760 yards equals one mile, so you are 60 yards short my friend". And technically, you would be correct. But, it turns out that swimmers consider 1650 yards to be equal to one mile for swimming purposes. Therefore, I completed a one-mile swim this morning. Even a little over. Either way, I'll take it. Good distance for me.

Going Further?

Barb, of BCJ fame, has suggested that I work to increase my distance. The keen observer would notice that my swim has reached 1 mile (1600 yrds) in each of the last three sessions. So, increase my distance is exactly what I am attempting to do.

Today's "set" consisted of 75 yrd swim, followed by 50 yrd swim (10 seconds rest).
The 75 is: 25yrds Easy, 25yrds Moderate, 25yrds Fast
The 50 is: 25yrds Easy, 25yrds Fast

Workout
800 yrds - WarmUp
75/50's
.. 4 sets (that's 500yrds)
200 yrds - Kick
300 yrds - Pull

Total Yardage = 1800 yrds

So, there you have it. I increased my yardage by 200 yards today. However, I may be reaching an asymptote in my training. I tend to allot 50 minutes for my swim workout. Not sure that I will ever be able to swim more than 1800 yards in 50 minutes. I guess we will just wait and see how it all plays out.

No Fins, No Paddles, No Problem

Yesterday was a long day. It started with the Mt Lemmon climb. But, after that, I spent the whole day doing yard work and cleaning house in preparation for mom and the family coming over for a Mother's Day dinner.

With all that activity, I was tired and got to bed early... before 10p. Even still, I was kind of tired this morning. None-the-less, by 5:30a I was up and ready for my Udall morning swim.

500 yrds - WarmUp
Swim
.. 1 x 200 yrds
.. 2 x 100 yrds
.. 4 x 50 yrds
.. 2 x 100 yrds
100 yrds - Kick (no fins)
200 yrds - Pull (no paddles)

Total Yardage = 1600 yrds

As you may have noticed, I didn't have my fins or my paddles. Didn't have my goggles either, had to borrow a pair. This is because I forgot my swim bag at home. In any case, I pressed on and got through my Mile swim.

Just another mile

Friday is morning swim day. Was feeling a little tired this morning, but once I am up and in the pool, I always feel better. Today was no different. Still have to consider a swim a great way to start the day.

400 yrd - WarmUp
Swim (10 seconds rest)
.. 1 x 200 yrds
.. 4 x 100 yrds
.. 4 x 50 yrds
200 yrds - Kick
200 yrds - Pull

Total Yardage = 1600 yrds

1 pool. 45 minutes. 1 mile. Good Stuff!

Wednesday mile

Last night was kind of a late night for me. I didn't get to bed until midnight. But, as usual, I was up by 5:30a to prep for my morning swim.

Still half asleep I guess, because about a mile from my house I realized that I forgot my swim bag and towel. Had to turn around... can't swim without my gear.

Regardless of my absent minded start, I was at Udall and in the water just after 6:00a. The goal today was to swim a mile.

Workout:
450 yrds - WarmUp
Ladder: (10 seconds rest)
... 25 yrds, 50 yrds, 75 yrds, 100 yrds
... 100 yrds, 75 yrds, 50 yrds, 25 yrds
250 yrds - Kick
300 yrds - Pull
100 yrds - Swim

Total Yardage = 1600 yrds

I got my mile done and felt really good doing it. Today was a very good swim for me.