Date: Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Time: 6:15 p.m.
Location: Phoenix, AZ
250 days to Olympic Trials
At the gym:
Ten minutes on elliptical machine
Five minutes shoulder warm up
Sitting bench press (15 @ 110, 12 @ 140, 10 @ 155)
Deltoid press (15 @ 35, 12 @ 55, 10 @ 85)
Hamstring curls (15 @ 60, 12 @ 80, 10 @ 100)
Tricep curls (15 @ 50, 12 @ 65, 10 @ 70)
Ten minutes abdominals and stretching
Today was not a good day for me in the gym. This is my "recovery" week, which means no heavy lifting. My muscles really needed the break. But after covering a swim meet until 2 a.m. this morning and a nine-hour day at work, I was ready to throw in the towel, curl up in the fetal position and sleep until dawn. But I had to teach a swimming lesson tonight at a health club, so I figured I might as well get in some exercise, especially since I did not swim today.
After the set of deltoid press, I really wanted to go home. It was difficult to get my muscles in the mood for exercise. I was thisclose to walking out after that exercise, but I remembered that a) the kids in my heat at Olympic Trials aren't leaving their weight workouts early (if they are in fact old enough to do a weight program) and b) I was getting a massage tomorrow! I found a little more energy to finish the workout.
Though my body clock hasn't been in sync since Friday morning, I feel pretty good physically. I expected to be a zombie today, but I only had one moment in the early afternoon when the urge to take a nap hit me. I killed that urge by playing some of Melissa McCarthy's best skits from her stint on "Saturday Night Live." It's amazing how laughter can help keep the body revved up.
In case you were on the edge of your seat waiting for them, here are links to videos of three of my four swims at the Rowdy Gaines Classic last weekend. Unfortunately, I was unable to get someone to take video of my 100 free, which I was anxious to see, since I've made changes to my stroke.
100 breast
50 breast
100 back
Any comments you can give on anything you see in the videos will be much appreciated! I am well aware that my feet are not pointed at the start, but other than that I feel I was technically proficient despite the less-than-average times.
Were you happy with your splits in 100 breast? I think your second 50 has to be faster. Not sure what that means for your training. Too much? Not enough rest? What is your goal time for the Dec. Meet?
ReplyDeleteMy splits in my 100 breast reflect that I am very much broken down and training hard. Goint out in 30.4 is fine, but I would have liked to have split a 33.9 or better on the last 50. It's a measure of fatigue, mixed in with the fact that work took priority at the meet.
ReplyDeleteAs far as goal time, I don't want to focus on that too much. I think going under 1:02 for short course meters is a good goal to have, but in the back of my mind, breaking my techsuit world record (1:01.4) is rattling around.
I think your stroke looks great! You look like you're focused on forward motion and your hips look high on the reach. I think you can attack more getting off the blocks.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to following your blog, you'll keep me motivated as the USMS winter meets come along!
Keep up your hard work and stay positive!
Thanks very much! Hopefully the spring off the blocks will come during taper time!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it will, you'll have some fresh legs and really tear it up! Keep on keepin' on!
ReplyDelete