Yesterday, I did a backwards brick workout. (Get it? kcirb? haha!) Rather than staying late at work, I headed straight over to the park for a loop before swim class. Remember how I mentioned that I was not sore yesterday? Ummm, I spoke too soon. By lunchtime, I was beginning to feel the stiffness in my quads, glutes and obliques...all the places that I had hoped to work out the previous day! By the afternoon, I had decided that any running was going to be in the very easy category to let the legs recover a bit.
I didn't quite make it the entire way around the loop. About a mile into the run, I ran into Pam who was going in the opposite direction. We chatted with another Houston Fitter for a few minutes and then I decided to run with Pam. By the time we made it back to where I started, I realized it was getting pretty close to the start of my swim class (too much chatting I guess!). So, I ran a little farther before turning around and heading to the pool.
Finally, we had no weather issues for the swim class! The instructor is getting much better about working with two different levels of swimmers too. He gave us semi-swimmers a quick lesson on something, then left us to practice while he worked with the non-swimmers on something else. I think I've figured out my problems with swimming - 1) I do not blow air out of my nose as I swim, so I end up inhaling water through my nose instead and 2) when I turn my head to take a breath, I actually just lift it straight up which totally screws up my "rhythm". I did manage to make it from one end of the pool to the other several times without taking in too much water....but, oh my god, I was so out of breath! I know it has a lot to do with my horrible form and inability to breathe correctly. But, on the other hand I did feel like I actually worked out and that felt great! I didn't want to get out of the pool, but I had to hurry and head home in time for the hubby to get to work. One day, with lots of practice, I am hoping that swimming starts to feel natural to me. Right now, I just feel like a total spaz!
Running Stats
Conditions - 93 (HOT!)
Total run time - 26:50
Total distance - 2.43 miles
Pace - 11:02 (easy does it)
3 comments:
Keep practicing and working on your form and you WILL improve, guaranteed.
Exhaling through your nose is a tough one for a lot of people. I find that I actually exhale through my nose *and* mouth while swimming. I know, weird. But think about it this way -- you've got to exhale while your face is underwater so that when you bring your nose and mouth out of the water, all you have to do is inhale. If you're trying to exhale *and* inhale, you'll run out of time and either mess up your form or not get a full breath.
Thanks for the tips Sarah! That's a good point about having to exhale and inhale when taking a breath. I'm going to try to remember that tonight!
Hi - I found your blog through Marcy's blog. I'm not sure if this will help, but I taught swimming for a few years and the best technique I've found to help adults improve their rhythmic breathing is using a kickboard and focusing on breathing from side to side rather than pulling out of the water to breath straight up. Good luck - I'm sure you'll be a great swimmer in no time.
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