I need a new challenge. Ho hum ho hum.
As I busy myself this winter with training, I am trying to figure out what I want to do this year. Local and small for sure. However, EVERY winter I get sucked into swim meets. I do actually really like them. But, this year has been a challenge for me. I did IMAZ and then took 6 weeks out of the water. Fast forward to January 1st and I started swimming again. And, then entered one of the larger meets this past weekend. The pure swimmers are in great shape..and I am trying to just hang on.
500 free, 100 free, 100 IM, 50 Free, 200 Free + all relays.
Ho hum. Ho hum. Every year I do this meet and every year I swim within 5-6 seconds of my standard time. This year I was about 9 seconds slower in the 500 than my STATE time last year – techinically out of shape.
I was 1-2 seconds off in the 100 free.
Ho hum. Ho hum.
So, that leads me to my new challenge. I am SO tired of doing the same things and swimming within seconds of what I normally do. Sure, if I stripped away my running, strength and cycling I could get my times down. But, why?
So, I finally got over my bad self this weekend and decided I am going to do something I am afraid to do. I am going to do the 200 IM at the next meet in March and then the 400 IM at the State Championships! Now, for most swimmers this is a non-issue, but I am not one of those. I grew up ONLY swimming distance free. Even the 200 free is considered a sprint for me. Give me a 1650 over a 200 free any day.
So, there it is. I am putting myself out there AND taking on a new challenge. See, I didn’t even swim the 100 IM growing up. My breaststroke SUCKS. And, in practice in flip all my turns regardless of what stroke I am swimming (that is a no-no).
But, it is time to break out of my yearly monotomy. The STATE meet is huge and scheduled for the weekend of April 22nd. I have many months to practice and I will need them.
All you “pure” swimmers out there….tips are appreciated! I appreciate all the feedback on FB, but keep it coming. I can fake a 100 IM. And, probably fake a 200 IM. But, the 400 IM is the REAL deal.
Let’s get it going, time for some new challenges in my life!!!
Jenny – I’ll send you a message. 200/400 IM and 100/200 BR paid for my education
Oh how fun! Start swimming *A lot* of fly.
Good luck!!
New challenges are what makes us going! And they are FUN.
Last week I swam fly for the first time ever:) I somehow managed 2x25m and although I almost died in the process it was fun.
This is going to be fun, Jen!
Here’s what I like to think about during or getting ready for a 400im. Have to do IM in workouts, which is way more fun than free
especially fly. If you have a set of 50′s choice, do fly, and if you have to, do a regular spaced one free to recover (ie, 2 fly, 1 free, repeat). Do not cheat fly in practice from now up to the meet, it will make you more confident for the 100 fly. Work on that super slo-mo fly where you just do a really exagerated slow stroke, try to relax and not overcook the first 50. Backstroke is fine. Im not a breaststroker, but one of the guys I swim w ith sometimes is, and he had me work on this, and when I do, my stroke feels better and stronger. Imagine you are swimming in a tube. Keep your pull narrow and snappy, dont let your arms float wide outside of the imaginary tube. Kick same, narrow, fast, really work on finishing your kick so your feet and knees snap together, and take advantage of that one nderwater dolphin kick on breaststroke. D it in practice! Good goal is for your fly split and free split to be same, most people have to work hard on free to be same as fly, your free is awesome, and that sounds easy, but you will feel it that last 100. You will have fun.
Ewwwwww….YUCK….
BUT, I do admire the crazy in you
in practice in flip all my turns regardless of what stroke I am swimming – this cracks me up!!!!!!!!! GO Jen!
Consider me in awe. You are awesome Harrison!!! I can’t wait to hear how it all progresses. I will live vicariously through your swimming madness!!!!
What a fun thing! But does this mean you aren’t doing the 500 too? I have no advice for a 400IM except to think about the 3rd lap of every stroke, that’s when people die and let up and that’s where you can gain on folks, I think it’s a mental thing, that 3rd lap.
I’d rather do the 1650 than a 100breast stroke, hands down
Loved the butterfly as a kid…. not much now!! Go girl go:))!!
You rock! That is quite a challenge! Can’t wait to hear how it goes!
I timed at a swim meet the other weekend and a whopping 2 people did the 400 IM. It is hardcore. They got a standing ovation for just doing it, ha! Good Luck!
Love your bravery!!!! You can pretty much be guarenteed to impress all us non-swimmer triathletes peeps!
Good for you! You are nuts though to think pure swimmers are fine swimming IM’s. Most of us hate them…because most of us are only good at 1-2 strokes. Whatever the case, doing IM work will get you in better swim shape than anything else. My freestyle races were always better when I had coaches who gave us lots of IM work. Good luck!