Pool Time

Yesterday was my swim day, so I decided that rather than "just swim" like I did last year, I'd have a plan of attack. Now that I have the basics, it's time to work on getting faster and more efficient. So, I went to swimplan.com where I could get a personalized workout! I printed it out, and even put it in a nice little plastic sleeve. I was ready!

But first I had to take the Kiddo to dance class - she takes a 1/2 hour of tap and a 1/2 hour of ballet. It's fun watching her progress and talking to other moms, but my Kiddo is a talker and tends to get herself into trouble during class. In fact, for the past 2 weeks, the Kiddo did not get a sticker at the end of class because of her behavior....oh the horror!!! We've had "the talk". We've tried to reason with her. We've done time out. She knows what she needs to do, but not talking during class is soooo hard for her! (Her words, not mine) So, I threw all of Nanny Jo's advice out the window and bribed her.

Good behavior in dance class = 1 Happy Meal after class

It worked, because she only talked too much one time. We're making progress!

Sorry for the tangent...So, I take the kiddo home and then head off to the pool. I get there, put my bag in a locker and head out to the pool. It's then that I realize I forgot my workout plan. Doh! So, try to remember the workout...I think I was pretty close:

Warm up
• 1 x 100yd Any Stroke (even pace), rest 0:20 / 100yd
Swim your choice of stroke at a steady pace.

Build up (repeat 4 times) I missed the "repeat 4 times" part...that single arm drill is HARD! I suck at it.
• 1 x 25yd Single Arm (arm out front) 6 x left, 6 x right, 6 x full stroke, rest 0:10 / 25yd
Freestyle using one arm at a time, focusing on shoulder and hip rotation. Complete 6 arm strokes with the left arm then 6 strokes with the right arm followed by 6 strokes using both arms. The non-stroking arm is held out front in a streamlined position.

• 1 x 25yd Freestyle Catch Up, rest 0:10 / 25yd
Freestyle drill where one arm catches up to the other between stokes. Both arms start stretched out. One arm completes full stoke (both arms return to a stretched out position) then the other arm completes a full stroke. Pull with one arm at a time and touch your hands between each alternating arm stroke.

Core
• 3 x 100yd Freestyle Swim, rest 0:30 / 100yd
• 12 x 25yd Freestyle DPS, rest 0:10 / 25yd
Freestyle swim with maximum Distance Per Stroke (DPS). Concentrate on long, efficient strokes and a high streamlined body position to reduce drag in the water. Count your strokes per lap and try to reduce.

Warm down
• 4 x 25yd Easy Any Stroke, rest 0:10 / 25yd
Swim your choice of stroke, at a slow, relaxed pace.

Since I missed that repeat 4x thing, I found that I had more time remaining, so I did more freestyle. On the Freestyle DPS drill, I only managed to decrease my strokes from 19-21 strokes per length to 16-17 strokes per length. I just don't feel like I make much headway with my stroke...I definitely understand why they call freestyle the "crawl". I feel like I am crawling through each lap at a snails pace!

All in all, I am thrilled that I can freestyle! To an experienced swimmer, I'm sure that sounds stupid. I only used my trusty sidestroke once, because I somehow got water in my mouth and had to cough and sputter a bit, lol! Now I can't wait to see how I do when I head back out to the lake for OWS practice....

I made it back home in time to kiss the kiddo goodnight and have dinner with the hubby (the Munchkin was already in dreamland)...that's the only thing that sucks about swimming - it takes away from family time. I can run on the treadmill or ride the bike on the trainer at home after the kids are both tucked into bed. Swimming - not so much. This is where the dreaded Mommy Guilt kicks in...fortunately, working out does make me a happier person. That, in turn, makes me a better wife and mommy. That makes for a much happier household and that's a good thing!