This "off" season has turned into quite the swim season. I haven't been putting up huge yardage at all, but my swimming motivation has never been higher! Weird, right? I guess testing out all of those pool toys finally paid off?
Last night I did a decent swim. Nothing too crazy, but I hit some consistent times that made me happy:
500 WU
200 Kick
2 x (4 x 25 EZ, 50 HARD)
100 EZ
5 x 200 on 3:45
100CD
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2200 yards
I was coming in on the 200's anywhere between 3:00 & 3:05, so I was liking my pace AND! I wasn't going full gas for any of them. I will say this again (I probably sound like a broken record), but using that Hydro Hip is paying off HUGE dividends! Being able to rotate properly feels OH SO GOOD in the water.
And now for some cool news. I will be doing a 6 week swim clinic with my coach during December and January. A brick run will follow the swim. I jumped on this opportunity because not only is it a swim clinic during the winter, which is a hard time to maintain motivation in the pool, but working one on one with my coach just helps build that relationship.
My last coaching experience went sour but I am ready to get back with a coach since I am attempting a distance that is a WHOLE new ball game.
Speaking of this coach. Who is he? His name is Eric Hodska, a bunch-of-times Kona qualifer & finisher. I say bunch-of-times because he has been more times than I can figure out! haha! But more than being a Kona qualifier and finisher, he has an educational background in exercise science and has been coaching for the past 20 years. So not only does he preach the good athletic word, but he backs up his preaching with incredible results. He won his age at Lake Placid in the ultra competitive 30-34 men's division with a time of 9:24:XX. Talk about fast!
Eric has also coached a number of his athletes to qualify for Kona. My goal for Placid is NOT to KQ, but because he has gotten others to Kona shows that he can push me up to the next level.
One thing that is going to be hard for me is "letting go" and allowing someone else to make my workout decisions for me. I have no doubt that Eric will do a great job for me.
Now I just have to do the work!!!
Congrats on the coach! I know they will be crucial in our next season!
ReplyDeleteThe swimming clinic sounds fantastic, way to take advantage of an opportunity!
Coaches are great! I hear ya on the letting go thing. I still struggle with that.
ReplyDeleteGood luck on the coach. I am uncoachable. I am a head case though haha. I know I can finish an ironman... I never ever ever want to race one. Sounds mega painful. I don't like pain haha!
ReplyDeleteGood luck man. Awesome swim gains! I noticed when I stick to the pool consecutively I show big big gains.
Awesome swim set - I love riding that motivation high! I'm looking forward to hearing more about your coaching. I also have trouble letting somebody tell me what to do, but I think the accountability of having someone else track your workouts will bring huge gains. Never say never on that KQ! :-)
ReplyDeleteWill be very cool to hear how the coach works out for you!
ReplyDeleteYeah on the coach! I know what you mean about letting the workout decisions be made by someone else!! It is hard, but I am kind of getting used to it... Have fun!
ReplyDeleteSounds like an awesome opportunity! Yay!
ReplyDeleteHave fun working with your coach!
ReplyDeleteI've really been enjoying my swims as well. I haven't had any luck finding a coach or master's program in the area though.
Awesome workout!! Glad the hydrohip is helping!! Good luck with the coach!!
ReplyDeleteare you coming to cT for this clinic? I know he's puting on on here in Monroe... I don't think I've got the coin to go.. already paying to do masters here. Hmmm. If only I was independently wealthy.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with working with the coach. I'm sure you'll benefit a lot. Have a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the coach, at least he comes from a sports background in his education, alot of coaches I found, most dont have that background
ReplyDelete