You did What?!

Well that's one way to blast through the training doldrums. 

Flirted with the idea of AM practices for a long time.  Too long, in fact.  Set the alarm for 4am, but was up and thinking at 2... So... off to the gym I went.

Very quiet though I was surprised to see several cars on the road.  Convenience store employees?  Convenience store robbers?  Anyway, checked in by the cleaning staff at my awesome 24 hour Lifetime gym and made my way to the water.

Now they say the temp of the indoor pool is high 70's, but at that time of the day and with my body accustomed to a warm bed and a warm Taressa, it was a shock to get in.

Happy to complete a 5km swim in 1:30:32 - (1:48 / 100 m) (18:06 / 1km)

Still focusing on a slip of my left arm pull and a tendency to swim 'at the water' when I get a bit fatigued.  Focused on a strong 2 beat kick and that really helped keep my timing in line.

Overall a great way to get some yardage in and I really don't regret breaking up my sleep for it... yet.

AM Practice:

5KM straight - just a good old 100 laps

Yeesh - We'll call that a recovery day

Simply discouraged with yesterday's swim.  Was set to do 3 timed 1 mile (metric) - descending -  swims inside.  I set out the first as a bit of warm up and swam next to a guy who had a pretty decent pace.  I was challenging myself just a bit, but really wanted to compare my own swim technique (smooth and easy-fast) vs a more aggressive pull and arm focus.  Sure enough, a stronger kick component easily powered through my side turn and I could maintain a pace.  Probably the fact that I just kind of hit this acceleration without a mental preparation left me just mentally exhausted.  I completed a 1km swim in 16:40 and was happy with this time (considering it was really only half at an increased pace).  Then did a 400.  Then did a 100 off the wall in 1:18.

I know I'm just getting mentally stale with the pool and the length of time it takes to increase my distance.  Made the decision to wake up early, start putting in AM distance and splitting up my days.  Also need to get that kayak asap (can someone say birthday present?) so Taressa and I can hit the lake for a change of scenery.

We'll call yesterday a recovery day - then what was a weak workout can be seen as bonus?  maybe?  I've toyed with Monday's being an official 'Off' day and concentrate on a muscle group workout or abs.  Must strengthen the core asap.

Feeling in a funk the past few days and need to get beyond it. 

Lazy Sunday

Though technically from another weekend, this Sunday felt much like this picture.

Can you just feel the sweet silence?

Stayed up too late waiting for the storm - lots of wind and a decent amount of rain.  Covered the entire city.  Should be nice and colorful for the next couple of weeks.

Good swims on Friday thru Sunday.

Sunday's 6k (yards) outdoor with the current in 1:39 and change.  Felt 'easy' and there were no moments of weakness.

Taressa grabbed the laps 119 and 120.  Not completely representative of the entire swim.  I remember feeling very 'soft' during the last 6 laps.  I like the ease of the stroke, but my left arm is way outside optimal zone and not a real punch to the kick momentum.  I'll have her get a couple others for comparison.

Friday:

2000 yards

3 x 400 (descend)

2000 yards

Total: 5200 yards

Saturday:

5000 yards

Good Weekend!

Feel like it's going to be a great weekend.

The deafening silence that was 3 kids at their grandparents last night was amazing.  What we cleaned stayed clean, when we didn't speak, there was sweet golden silence.  When we woke up this morning, it was to hummingbirds.

Aaaaahhhh.  Nice.

Friday brings more concentrated distance work and focus on technique.  Will be in this phase for one more week, then concentrate on increasing distance for one month, then work on some speed and a gentle taper for the 3rd month going into the big swim in Vegas.  Looks like the hotel we booked last year is filled for those days, but I think the same thing happened and we ended up booking it via Priceline.  We'll see.  If I can get a strip hotel for a decent price, we'll just do that.  The drive is the drive that early so another 15 minutes doesn't really matter.

Thursday Evening:

2200y (2000m) in the outdoor (very hot) pool with the current (36:00)
3000m inside - felt incredible with every stroke cooling down my body temp (55:00)

Total: 5000m (3.1 miles)

Father's Pride

Had this moment several times in the past few days.  The boys can sometimes be a handful, but it's the moments that you know will become an iconic memory for the rest of your life that easily make up for it.

Nicholas has always been an incredible big brother - especially considering the age difference.  He's patient and considerate and has a genuine fun time with his little brother.  He is also an extremely proud big brother to Addison and I fear for the fool who would ever mess with her.

Nathaniel has become much more of a daddy's boy at select moments.  It has been tough because he is so attached to mommy that I often have to take the role of disciplinarian and that has caused a bit of a disconnect.  But after the last few months, giving him extra attention and having him be part of little projects around the house, etc... he is my shadow.

Could not be more proud of his swimming efforts and just yesterday, the little man pulled off the standing-on-his-tippy-toes move to make the height requirement for the big water slide at our gym.  Then on the second attempt, went Superman style down (head first).  He popped up at the bottom a little disoriented, but easily made it over to the side.

Wednesday:  Got a jump on my swim a bit early, but still time restricted to 2 hours total (including checking in / out the boys and changing) - realistically leaving me about 1:40 to actually swim

2200 yards (2000m) in the heat: 36:00  (18:00 / 1km) (1:48 100m)
3000 m inside (56:32) - (18:48 / 1km)

Total 5K (3.1 miles) in 1:32:32 (1:51 / 100m)

Sub 80 Days

Lagnua Beach on my Mind

Excited at the thought of having a special week on the beach with the loveliest lady I've ever known.  Taressa and I's birthdays will anchor a trip to Laguna Beach.  I know she will have to focus on the positives even being away from family.

Will be able to see Catalina from the plane - great inspiration for what I hope will be a next year swim.

Great doctor to visit so it will be a nice combination of work/play/relaxation and a chance to swim in the ocean.

Been poor at keeping up with all swims on this blog.  Creating that now 73 day plan to have speed and endurance for the SlamtheDam event in Vegas.  Will have a kayak in mid August and should be able to log at least a few weekend swims at Saguaro.  Sept 17 is the open water series.  I'll do the 4k that morning as a tune up for the big swim.

Last night (Tuesday):

2000yards warm up
2000m focused technique (at about 80%) 33:58 (1:42 pace / 1km)

Monday (Day off - recovery)

Sunday:

6000 yards straight (current was on) - (1:35) water was perfect.  Received a nice compliment from someone who recognized me when I was getting the boys ready to play in the water.

Saturday:

3 x 2000

Big duh. Meters to Yards Conversion.

Painful to learn that the outdoor pool I have taken as a second home is actually yards and not meters - All my calculations subtracting 10 seconds per 100 were incorrect, so I basically just went back 3 steps in my training.

Mental game.  Well, setbacks happen.  Incredibly this was purely a cognitive mistake, devoid of physical cause.  So.... get back in the water and shred back that time.

Outdoor pool was dangerously warm and I cut back at least one practice in distance.  Yesterday it was better and I could complete 6000 yards without stopping.  (1:42) - nice to not have to do any math when you swim that distance.

Technique update:  Feel very strong, even after a few days off with work travel.  Not too much on the schedule for the next few months - just a couple days here and there.  Should be able to keep a good focus and build around the down time.  Left arm still too high (problem associated with right side only breathing).  Legs felt better and glide and stretch were great throughout the last workout.  The slides kicked in at about :50:00 (pretty sure it was near lap 72 - so that time was under 1:30).

**Must determine times with / without the current.  SPL is significantly different.

Tomorrow marks 80 days of training remaining before the Slam the Dam event (October 1).  Just discovered a pic of Taressa in the kayak looking strong!  Excited to have this as our annual event together.  This will come prior to other travel dates and before a get together with friends in Vegas on the weekend of October 20-23.  Was concerned of having too many commitments before.

Will create an 80 day workout plan - focusing on strong distance.

NATHANIEL SWAM A 25 YARD LENGTH - COMPLETELY UNASSISTED!!!
Completely overjoyed with pride in that little guy.  This morning I envisioned he and I swimming tandem together some day while mom and maybe his siblings row along side.  Maybe, maybe not - not one to push my kids into anything they don't want.  Nicholas does not have interest in a swim team, which is fine - he's been exposed to many sports and he likes what he likes.  I want the same for both Nathaniel and Addison - exposure without pressure.