No One Said It Would Be Easy

Date: Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Time: 5:45 a.m.
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Short Course Yards
138 days to Olympic Trials

1500 warmup

75 free @ 95% effort/75 easy on 3:30 (41.3)


25 breast fast/125 easy on 3:30 (14.3)

75 free @ 95% effort/75 easy on 3:30 (40.5)

50 breast fast/100 easy on 3:30  (29.3)

75 free @ 95% effort/75 easy on 3:30 (40.9)

75 breast fast/75 easy (44.9)

12x25 kick on :35 -- 3 fast/1 easy

12x25 on :35, breaststroke double pullouts


100 back fast (55.4)

300 easy (with stretching)

Total: 3,400 yards (75 minutes)


I didn't have any expectations on the main set today. I knew my sprinting wouldn't feel "natural," since I haven't done a sprint workout in two weeks. Breaststroke hasn't felt good this week, and it's probably going to take a while to feel better -- though I hope it clicks during tomorrow's all-breaststroke workout with the kids at Phoenix Swim Club!


I was very surprised by my times this morning. My 75 freestyles at 95 percent shouldn't not have been in the 40-second range. I was expecting to go about 42 or 43. What does that say about my freestyle? Is it getting faster? I have been doing more freestyle in the past 12 months than ever, and mixed in with my stroke change last September as advised by Tennessee coach Matt Kredich, I am pleased with the changes. I'm also pleased that I'm adjusting better to moving the dolphin kick at the beginning of my breaststroke pullout. Only once today did I do a double kick, and happily it was during the double pullouts at the end and not the fast swims. I was pleased with the time for my fast 75 breast. My stroke felt clumsy and a little forced to move fast through the water, and seeing that I was able to go under 45 seconds made me feel good. I think the new pullout helped with that somewhat.

Getting back in the groove of exercise has made me feel quite sore since Tuesday morning. After tonight's workout with JR, I am sure I'm going to feel like every muscle is in knots. I stretch extensively, drink water and eat well after workout, but all of that isn't going to help this 37-year-old body feel like it's 20 years old. Hopefully next week things will feel more like normal!

Near the end of my session with JR, I thought of a great main set to do on Sunday. In my mind, it sounds like a lot of fun, but I am slightly apprehensive about doing it, because it will be quite painful by the end. I can't wait to share it with you!