There is almost no comparison between swimming in a lake and swimming in a pool. Unfortunately, because the Pigman is the first weekend in June, and it's in Iowa, it's almost impossible to train in a lake.
I've done most of my training in the Coe College Natatorium. Today I had intentions of heading out to the lake for one more good swim. However, it's cold, overcast and raining. So, I packed up my wetsuit and goggles and headed to the comfortable confines of the INSIDE pool.
I've only worn a wetsuit once prior to this season. I borrowed this wetsuit from someone in the Coe College Triathlon Club. Today I was pleasantly surprised at how much bouncy it added to my swim experience. At the lake earlier this week, I think I was so concentrated on overcoming the cold, I just didn't think much about what the wetsuit was doing for me. The wetsuit keeps me floating on top of the water, even when perfectly still.
I swam for a good thirty minutes. I'm not a strong swimmer, so I alternate between a crawl and a breast stroke. The breast stroke is much harder with the wet suit, so perhaps I'll try the crawl a bit more on Sunday.
Tomorrow I plan to ride bike and on Saturday I'll eat lots of pasta.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
What it's about
Last week at the dinner table, while conversing about my triathlon training, my five-year-old, Willa, asked "Are you going to win the race, Momma?" It's flattering that she said this fully convinced that I could actually win the race. I said, "No, it's not about winning for me. It's about finishing and being strong and working toward a goal." This seemed to satisfy her for the moment.
A few nights later, on the same conversation topic, I mentioned a kids triathlon that Willa might be interested when she's six or seven. She is interested in anything Jamey or I am interested in, so of course she enthusiastically said "yes, yes, I want to do a triathlon, too!" Then she thought about it for awhile, and asked "is that kid's one about winning?" Jamey and I assured her that everyone that gives their best efforts is a winner. I'm sure there will be many things in her future that will 'be about winning' but I hope always at the heart best effort trumps winning.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Memorial Day Swim
After my dismal performance in the lake yesterday, I felt the need to go back to Pleasant Creek and actually TRY to swim. Memorial Day was sunny and hot, perhaps at least mentally I'd find the courage to dive into the water.
I went out around 1:30PM and ran a few miles. I worked up a good sweat, and was actually hot in the wet suit. There were about 30-40 people in and around the beach area; playing sand volleyball, sunbathing, and a few kids were in the water playing. I thought to myself "if these kids can play in here without complaint, I can certainly swim for a few minutes." I ran in and swam for about ten minutes. It was cold, but bearable.
Three SCUBA divers were just rinsing out their gear at the outdoor shower area as I walked up to rinse my wet suit. They said the surface temp on the lake was 63 degrees. Hopefully we'll have a some sunny days between now and Sunday to warm up the water a bit more.
At the least, I have a bit of confidence built up after this swim. I know I can get in and flail about for 600 meters.
I went out around 1:30PM and ran a few miles. I worked up a good sweat, and was actually hot in the wet suit. There were about 30-40 people in and around the beach area; playing sand volleyball, sunbathing, and a few kids were in the water playing. I thought to myself "if these kids can play in here without complaint, I can certainly swim for a few minutes." I ran in and swam for about ten minutes. It was cold, but bearable.
Three SCUBA divers were just rinsing out their gear at the outdoor shower area as I walked up to rinse my wet suit. They said the surface temp on the lake was 63 degrees. Hopefully we'll have a some sunny days between now and Sunday to warm up the water a bit more.
At the least, I have a bit of confidence built up after this swim. I know I can get in and flail about for 600 meters.
One Week & Counting
Officially, five days left until the "Pig" (Pigman Sprint Triathlon).
My friend Lauri (and her very speedy bike-racer friend Eric) and I ventured to Pleasant Creek State Park on Sunday to do some training. At 6:30AM Sunday morning it was thundering and lightening, but the storm passed and I was anxious to ride and run the route with a partner.
We met at 8:00AM, and it was still overcast and very damp, but at least the rain had subsided. We decided to bike, then run, and if time permitted, get into the water. Eric is actually a bike racer, so after about 200 meters, he was gone. Lauri and I rode out into a very strong headwind going into Palo, and enjoyed the tailwind coming back. The hill into the park was killer, but I felt strong when I finished biking. Lauri and Eric calculated out bike route to be just over 18 miles. I hope someone removes the roadkill prior to the race next weekend. I counted numerous squirrels and small rodents, two skunks, one deer and several snakes.
We locked the bikes into the back of my truck, and then headed out for the run. The Pigman route is 3.2 miles through the park. It's along the main road into and out of the park, with very little shoulder. On race day it will be crowded with runners and bikers and the occasional vehicle that either didn't know about the event, or was foolish enough to attempt to get into the park after 800 athletes started the race. Sunday it was relatively quiet. The run went well. Eric was, of course, waiting patiently, and when I came through the ending area he yelled out "This is supposed to be the part you sprint!" to which I replied "I am sprinting!"
Eric decided against the swim and left. Lauri had forgotten her wetsuit, but was still considering getting into the water. I suited up, and we walked down to the beach. The cool breeze was giving us a chill, and Lauri decided against the swim. I felt the need to at least try it, since I haven't been in the lake yet this season. I've had plenty of pool laps, but it's hard to compare to lake swimming.
I psyched myself up, and dashed in. The cold water was a slap in the face. I dived in, probably got about ten strokes in, stood up and dashed back to shore. Lauri was laughing. I decided to give it one more try and dashed back in. This time, I didn't even get to a diving point. I sprinted in to about my knees, then sprinted right back out and told Lauri we'd call it day. I shivered up to the truck and stripped out of the wetsuit, and we were on our way back to Cedar Rapids.
My friend Lauri (and her very speedy bike-racer friend Eric) and I ventured to Pleasant Creek State Park on Sunday to do some training. At 6:30AM Sunday morning it was thundering and lightening, but the storm passed and I was anxious to ride and run the route with a partner.
We met at 8:00AM, and it was still overcast and very damp, but at least the rain had subsided. We decided to bike, then run, and if time permitted, get into the water. Eric is actually a bike racer, so after about 200 meters, he was gone. Lauri and I rode out into a very strong headwind going into Palo, and enjoyed the tailwind coming back. The hill into the park was killer, but I felt strong when I finished biking. Lauri and Eric calculated out bike route to be just over 18 miles. I hope someone removes the roadkill prior to the race next weekend. I counted numerous squirrels and small rodents, two skunks, one deer and several snakes.
We locked the bikes into the back of my truck, and then headed out for the run. The Pigman route is 3.2 miles through the park. It's along the main road into and out of the park, with very little shoulder. On race day it will be crowded with runners and bikers and the occasional vehicle that either didn't know about the event, or was foolish enough to attempt to get into the park after 800 athletes started the race. Sunday it was relatively quiet. The run went well. Eric was, of course, waiting patiently, and when I came through the ending area he yelled out "This is supposed to be the part you sprint!" to which I replied "I am sprinting!"
Eric decided against the swim and left. Lauri had forgotten her wetsuit, but was still considering getting into the water. I suited up, and we walked down to the beach. The cool breeze was giving us a chill, and Lauri decided against the swim. I felt the need to at least try it, since I haven't been in the lake yet this season. I've had plenty of pool laps, but it's hard to compare to lake swimming.
I psyched myself up, and dashed in. The cold water was a slap in the face. I dived in, probably got about ten strokes in, stood up and dashed back to shore. Lauri was laughing. I decided to give it one more try and dashed back in. This time, I didn't even get to a diving point. I sprinted in to about my knees, then sprinted right back out and told Lauri we'd call it day. I shivered up to the truck and stripped out of the wetsuit, and we were on our way back to Cedar Rapids.
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