Cr@p Swimmers R Us

It is too cold for OW at the mo.  You can practice OW skills now though, particularly sighting. Every other stroke look up and forward. 

Despite what PSC and several of our club members have said, I decided that it was time to explore the outside world.

Following a recommendation I went to the Bristol Open Water place. The water is 5 foot deep, but milky looking from the natural clay in suspension. The swim course is 650m unless you follow my wake trail.

Today, it was blowing a hoolie, the temp was probably 12 degrees. With a gimp hat I was lovely and warm, but a bit constricted. So, I tried out with just a Pirate swim cap. Ice cream head for 150m. Interestingly, by the end of the second lap I was actually getting warmth and life back into my finger tips. Bizarre. Oh, and the waves were somewhat interesting...

Fun though, AND NO CHLORINE.

As for sighting, yes, that is an area that needs some practice. I was beginning to realise that one stroke of breast every so often could be seamlessly sneaked into the stroke pattern by just leaving the leading arm stuck out there until the other one comes along.

Well done Blisters your lake sounds rather more intimidating than mine.

I'm getting on nicely with a thicker than normal swim hat, enough to help stop brain freeze but doesn't make me claustrophobic either.

Evening swim on Wednesday highlighted the fact that I need really tinted goggles for Outlaw, my girly blue tint ones didn't help in the slightest with the low sun.

I'm slightly torn as OW means I'm not doing anything like the distances I was doing in the pool. Think I might still need a pool session once a week just to keep up the swim fitness. then 2 OW swims each week to try and get the hang of that.

I really don't help myself, at the point furthest away from the bank my mind suddenly replays jaws for me. yeah that was helpful. Got over that and it switched to remembering all the river monsters programs my hubby so enjoys watching.

Arghhh!

Ha Ha AliBear! I agree about the distances, and my wife did rather point out about my 2 laps being "less than a mile", implying that a mile was the bare minimum target for getting a cossie damp.

Anyway, next time I'll try to remember the BODYGLIDE.

Ouch!  Chafing to add to your Blisters?

Had a great swim this morning managed 4 sets of 4 lengths with a short rest between sets, the first time I've managed more than 2 lengths at a time, was tough at first but I really got into it, I just forced myself to keep going, my breathing was really hard work but the last set was great, I had to stop to go to work but could have carried on.

I think it clicked today

JPG, it's great confidence boost, isn't it?

My earliest aim was to get my swimming to a level where it was the equivalent of jogging. Keep up the practice and aim for smoothness.

Blisters, its really boosted my confidence, I did my first spinning sesion last night after a 5k jog to the gym, I felt like a proper triathlete, now I can see improvements begining to happen. This mornings swim was tough going but I kept up the 4x4 sets, Friday is my big swim sesh, 1 hour, hopefully I can keep it up.

Lake swim again tomorrow. Bodyglide (and gimp hat) packed.

Am going to swim again soon, not trained since October. LOL! Think I might need a crash course int he local pool before stranding myself 750M out from the landing stage at Thorpe.

I got propositioned by an elite swimmer from our club, an ex-Team GB elite who now coaches and teaches. She wants to start from ground zero with me, but not until I've done my IM in September. Now there's a challenge.

What a good offer Blisters.

DB, I went to Thorpe at the weekend, only the 400m loop open as it was so cold (12degrees). the water was clear though.