Tomorrow I’ll be doing the Habitat for Humanity House Your Neighbor 5K on the NCSU Centennial Campus. My friend Zack did this race last year and said that it was full of some pretty steep and tough hills. I used to work on Centennial Campus so I know at least one of the hills he’s referring to, and I know that one will be a pain. I’ve only gotten in one run this week but with all the swimming and soccer I don’t feel like I slacked off any. I’m not expecting to put in a PR or anything close but it should be a fun race none the less. As long as I stay in line with how my 5K’s have been going lately Ill consider it a worthwhile event.

As a side note I was also able to knock out 30 laps in the pool this morning. I did the 12 consecutive laps that I’ll have to do in the triathlon next weekend if I feel up for it. After about 7 I started dragging and taking a bit more time in the turnaround but I did do all 12 in under nine minutes. So we’ll see. Based on my swim Monday morning Ill decide for sure whether Ill do the triathlon or if my swim just isn’t going to cut it.

I squeezed in 44 laps yesterday at the pool which equates to about 1100 yards.  This was my first swim after purchasing goggles and it makes a pretty big difference.  The first and foremost in that my eyes felt 10x better.  Because its a public pool I guess they really dump in the chlorine.  Its also better to keep track of where I am within my lane of the pool by tracking my progress with the lines on the bottom.  It is a tad easier to be distracted though because you’ll start paying more attention to the pool bottom than you’re actual technique.  Overall though my swimming is improving since Im capable of doing more laps though my continuous swimming is still barely registering.

I’ll be getting in four miles of running today and think that Ill finally be able to get out on my bike this weekend.  Regardless I’ve decided to buy a trainer for the bike.  Its taking me too long and I’m making too many excuses with cycling about getting in the saddle.   Since my Livestrong Challenge is the 100 mile bike ride, not to mention the rides I’m doing before then, I need to get started.

I made it out to the pool again today and got in another 30 laps (750 yards) and yet again didn’t pull off the 12 consecutive laps Ill need to do at the triathlon.  I have found a couple tips for swimming from my experience so far.  I feel like Im able to get more air when my arm goes into the water closer to my head and grabs/pulls after extending underwater.  When I cut into the water right by my head it seems like I’m able to get my upper body higher in the water and not get a mouthful of water.  The other thing I’ve noticed is that most of the time it feels like I’m just dragging my legs along.  I kick but only when I think about it.  I did start ending up doing a strong kick when coming up for air to give myself as much thrust out of the water as I can.

I found this article on breathing tips and will try to incorporate them in my next go around.
http://swimming.about.com/od/freeandback/a/breath_freestyl.htm

I was able to get in my four mile run yesterday as well.

I got in another swim session this morning and was able to put in four more laps than Tuesday for a total of 32 (800 yards) vs 28 (700 yards).  Just like last time I ended up clutching the wall after every two laps struggling for breath and only managing a string of six consecutive laps.  I just cant get enough air when swimming, by the halfway point I feel myself sinking and struggling to breathe.  At that point my form falls apart and Im panicking and struggling for the wall.  Today I let myself think that there is no way Ill be ready for the triathlon in a few weeks.  I guess I’ll know for sure after next weeks daily swims.

I expect to spend the next few days researching swim techniques and tips and see if I can find the secret to being able to get enough air to swim continuously.  I have no doubt that if I didn’t keep going into oxygen deprivation Id be doing fine.  I am sore from Tuesday and sore right now but nowhere near enough not to be able to pound out the laps I need if I could only breathe.

I finally made it out to my put in my first swim today at the Pullen Park Aquatic center this morning.  I learned one very important thing, I am in no shape for the Riverwood Golf and Athletic Club Triathlon at the end of the month.  I’ve been assuming that I’d still be decent at swimming and it would only take a few tune ups to get back in shape.  Today I learned otherwise, the fact that I haven’t been in a  pool for years was quickly evident.  I was able to do 28 laps of the 25 yard lane for a total of 700 yards but spent more time holding sitting at the end of the lane than in it.  The most laps I completed consecutively was five when I first climbed in, after that it was one lap or two laps and then a break.  My legs and arms still feel weak and I’m expecting to be fairly sore in the morning.

Now I’m left with four weeks to get up to the 12 laps, 300 yards, that will be in the sprint triathlon.   My plan is going to be pretty rough for the next month as a crash course.  Ill swim one more time this week, probably Friday.  Next week Ill go Monday-Friday, followed by Monday-Wednesday-Friday, and the week of the Triathlon Ill do two easy days on Tuesday and Thursday.  I’m trying to make sure to taper off towards the Riverwood Golf and Athletic Club Triathlon on April 27th and be ready to go.

In the middle of all this Ill have to get in my normal runs and a few bike rides to make sure I stay well rounded.  Here’s hoping my biking hasn’t fallen off that much since last years Livestrong Challenge.