« Fake Problems | Main | Trail Running »
June 18, 2005
First Ever Hungover Swim
Number of towels I brought with me: 0
Amount of Nausea I felt after getting out of pool: Some
Number of other first-time triathletes I met: 1
Amount of regret I feel at not exchanging contact info after she told me A) her organization is desperately trying to hire public health people and B) She may do the same triathlon as me: Some, almost instantaneous
Time it took me to swim 300 m a week ago: 7 minutes
Expected time I put down on my tri application: 6:40
Time it took me this morning (I was actually trying): 6:21
Instead of catching up on sleep I only got about 5 hours (we went to bed at 4:30 AM-the latest I have gone to bed in 2005) and I was a little hurting this morning. The fact that I am signed up for this tri completely helped motivate me to go swimming (I never made it to the pool last night if it isn’t obvious from reading this far). I just took a 45 minute nap and feel so so much better. There was also IHOP in there at some point which helped. I am headed to a BBQ out in VA this afternoon and I plan to stop by, bring my running clothes, and then go running out there for a change of scenery. Seriously, I don’t have a fabulous social life by any stretch, but everyone I know is throwing a party this weekend, which is one reason people came into town. I am going to stop by a few-but I am definitely (I think) going to be the designated driver tonight. We’ll see how my grandiose plans play out since the DC metro area does have fabulous public transportation. Oh yes, and my plans DO NOT include the aforementioned concert.
Oh, I was also sharing a lane with this woman who was about 50 and kicking my butt. She also had all these special tools (kickboard, pull buoy, and these things that go on your hands) so I knew she was serious. Anyway, she was doing FLIP TURNS, and it occurred to me that learning how to do that would probably make me a lot faster. I think I should have some time over the fourth of july to practice that. What is interesting is most people I see swimming don't do them. Hmm...something to think about learning.
Posted by Audrey at June 18, 2005 05:19 PM
Comments
I was just wondering, is the swimming portion of the tri in a pool? Because although it's great for pool training, what good i a flip turn in an open water swim?
Posted by: Dawn at June 19, 2005 09:48 AM
Yup, you are correct. It is 12 laps in a serpentine pattern through a pool. They start us in the order of our expected swim time, with the faster people starting first so the slower people don't slow them down. Competitors have until July 17 to modify their expected swim time. If at all possible the organizers want people not to put a time that is too fast OR too slow since both can clog up the pool as people try and pass.
Posted by: Audrey at June 19, 2005 10:10 AM
Flip turns make a HUGE difference!!! One word of warning: when hung over, they induce nausea right away (somersault + hang-over=upset tummy).
Blondie
Posted by: Blondie at June 19, 2005 07:06 PM
Blondie's comment is very funny! Flip turns are very, very helpful, they'll save you lots of time (if you do them right). But yeah, I probably wouln't try them with a hangover either... Glad you're having a fun weeked (with great temps!) in DC.
Posted by: Nanda at June 19, 2005 10:22 PM
I am glad I was not the only one who had to go to a zillion parties - and I feel the same way, I do not have a rip roaring social life but this was the weekend when everyone was having a party!
Good luck with your swimming. It sounds like you are doing very well and improving quickly!
Posted by: Barb at June 20, 2005 12:11 PM