I hate long posts, but I’m about to push another one out to you guys:
damselfly wrote:Wow, Andy! That's a surprise! Was it technique that tripped you up or was it just not being in "swim shape"? I know that being in great shape and in practice for one sport does not translate to others because of the different muscles and physical demands involved.
I think it was technique. That has to be the cause because it is the only thing I can change in the amount of time I have left before my next goal (rowing OTW in March). I was using a lot of energy and not going anywhere. I was also a strong swimmer as a kid, but couldn't get my breast stroke in sync and the forward crawl was a joke. As for CV fitness, I ALWAYS feel like I don't have enough CV fitness. This was no different.
Isn't that the beauty of rowing? Doesn’t every workout leave you feeling like your lungs and heart gave it their all and maybe your legs had a bit more left? Maybe it is just me. I am a cardiac athlete.
Let’s get real about this. I have this little voice in the back of my head that pops up each time I face a physical challenge. It whispers, “Maybe rowing isn’t the ultimate supreme test you say it is.” Like Sister Aloysius once cried, “I have doubts. I have such doubts.”
I recall a recent stress test where I couldn’t go past 12 minutes running at whatever crazy incline my cardiologist set the treadmill to. I reasoned that failure away by repeating to myself, “You haven’t run a step in 17 years. You just don’t have the sport-specific fitness necessary to run like this.” Failing to swim 250m was even a greater disappointment than the realization that I couldn’t go the “full” 15 minutes on the stress test.
I couldn’t fix my swimming problem in one day. The pool was closed and I still hadn’t been assigned an instructor. How could I sleep like that? I had to address these doubts before I went to sleep.
I decided to start a couch to 5k program last night using a free app (TotalC25k) on my phone. I was scared that I wouldn’t finish day one. All my fears would be realized and rowing wouldn’t be the gateway to fitness I thought it was.
I suited up, grabbed the dog, and started a 30’ run/walk combination known as DAY 1 (you should read “DAY 1” as if it came straight from the mouth of Charlton Heston. If you didn’t do this, please go back and do it now.). I forgot how much I liked the rhythm of running. It reminds me a lot of rowing except it slowly destroys all the joints in your lower body and makes orthopedic surgeons rich.
Anyway, it felt great! I had NO problem and seriously considered doubling to a full hour. It was fun and easy. I am far less sore today than I expected and I have no plans to take a day off before running again. (I do have to finish the program now that I started it.)
What a relief! Wow! That’s a huge weight off my shoulders. I'm confident that a few lessons (maybe 8) and I'll be the strong swimmer I thought I was.
damselfly wrote:I'm not sure I'm in agreement with that article regarding what it takes to be "mentally tough”
I dunno. I figure no one knows what tough is until they PR a 2k. I don’t know much about these authors, but I love sports psychology. I do battle with my mind every day. I hate setbacks, but I also need them. They are what motivate me the most.
Izzzmeister wrote:Milestones achieved:[/u] KYLE HIT FOUR MILLION!!
Congrats! I just hit 4M lifetime and you’ve managed to do it in half a season! Wow!!!!
Little Miss Muffet wrote:Hi everyone!
Newbie here! Just wanting to say hello.
Welcome to the club. Hop right in and join us. There’s only about 3 members that were born fast. The rest of us are either in the same boat as you or were there recently.
Also, if you can (and don't already do so), look into using a mid-foot or forefoot strike instead of a heel strike.
