|
Post by lucy on Apr 26, 2016 11:25:57 GMT
|
|
|
Post by gilesm on Apr 26, 2016 13:27:40 GMT
Kev - you just helped me through my first swim after the lake! I really struggled when I got in the pool today, and still felt a bit down about swimming after the shock of Sunday, but I thought about how you got through what was clearly a tough moment for you at the beginning in the lake, to seeing you nailing it once you got started. So thanks for the inspiration, and for sharing your thoughts.
I don't know whether this helps or not, but I thought I would share what I tried out today. I couldn't get to grips with sighting, or breathing every third stroke on Sunday, so I tried this today (in strokes):
R, L + breathe, R, L + breathe, R, L + sight, R + breathe, L, R + breathe, L, R + breathe, L, R + sight, L + breathe, R, L + breathe, R, L + breathe, R, L + sight, R + breathe, L, R + breathe, L, R + breathe, L, R + sight, L + breathe,
This seemed to work (albeit in a nice, warm, clear, calm pool...) as it kept me to 2 strokes per breath until I sight and then it's three.
Having a pattern to my sighting started to give me a bit more confidence, but it did mean I was swapping my breathing side after each sighting. I'm sure everyone will have their own routines, but i'm sharing it on the off chance one of you might want to try it.
Thanks for the pics Lucy!
Giles
|
|
|
Post by emmaeliholland on Apr 26, 2016 17:17:42 GMT
Hello everyone!
So happy we are all sharing our stories. I really feel there is a team spirit and I am loving it, so glad we are all here to support one another.
Kevin, I have so much respect for you for fighting your fears on Sunday. You did an incredible job & I really feel completing this half ironman will have extra special significance following what happened in the Loch!
The Rome marathon a few weeks ago was the first time I've had a bad race experience and I was really scared I had stopped enjoying running/training/fundraising. After Sunday I feel completely different, I'm following Lucy's advice of remembering WHY I am doing this and I love being part of this team who support and encourage one another.
Great to hear the swimming went well Giles, you did a great job on Sunday you don't have anything to worry about. I've just joined a local triathlon club so as soon as the toe heals I'm going to join their open swimming sessions, I will keep you all posted on how it goes.
Looking forward to seeing you all soon.
|
|
|
Post by andrew on Apr 26, 2016 18:53:13 GMT
Hi, just reading about Sunday, it sounds like you had a great day. Very impressed that anyone got in the water at all, I can only imagine how cold it was and know only too well how that can make you feel even more tense, I for one will be leaving any open water swimming for a few more weeks until it warms up. Anyway I just wanted to introduce myself and say hello. I do have a bit of experience with Tritahlons, I did my first sprint in 2013 for charity and have tried to do something each year since, getting involved with Team Lucy was a little bit of a last minute decision but seemed like a great opportunity to do something for a fantastic cause. I look forward to meeting you all on the 14th for the bike course recce.
|
|
|
Post by Lucy on Apr 28, 2016 17:14:44 GMT
Love reading all these stories! Giles i like your breathing pattern. It should be reasonably easy to sight in the race as long as you seed yourself correctly in the rolling start. Then you can just follow people swimming the same speed! If you can get any chance to swim with a group before the race that would really help. Maybe you should all think about entering a sprint triathlon with an open water swim before Staffs? Who would be free on 21 may? Then you'd just have to swim 750 m but would get so much confidence from doing that. If you all did one together it might be a great bonding experience! We're looking into whether or not we can swim at the venue on the 14th but not sure it's going to be possible. Will let you know! Andrew - really looking forward to meeting you in May. Theresa - i hope you can make that. Would be great to meet you! Keep sharing stories everyone! BTW i said to Emma on twitter today that spin classes are a fun way to do a harder bike in a group session. You should all really try to do one longer ride on your race bike each week but you could definitely do a shorter one in a spin class. Keep it fun. That's THE MOST IMPORTANT thing! Lucy
|
|
|
Post by tritree on Apr 29, 2016 5:21:19 GMT
I'm definitely coming in the 14th May. Can't wait. I had a bit of swim coaching last week and the conclusion is that I should stick with breast stroke as I am significantly faster and more comfortable. That was my plan but thought I would give front crawl a go. Still a bit cold for a dip in Pennington Flash! Hoping to go in the next couple of weeks as I live really close. Bet it brings back memories from the uk iron man Lucy?!
|
|
|
Post by tritree on May 2, 2016 20:23:28 GMT
So today I did a loop of the U.K. Iron man bike course. It was tough and has really made me worry about the hills on the Staffs course. Starting to worry now!
|
|
|
Post by gilesm on May 3, 2016 8:15:55 GMT
Hi guys,
I took part in my second ever triathlon yesterday - on a very hilly Winchester sprint route! Great fun, and pretty tough, but it was a pool swim so it's not given me any more exposure to the open water swim environment. I did celebrate by ordering a large burger with extra cheese, bacon and black pudding... and I didn't feel any guilt whatsoever!
Andrew - welcome to the team!
Lucy - I'm abroad on the 21st May unfortunately but will definitely try to make it to any other events if it looks like a group of us are going.
Emma - how is the toe??
6 weeks to go...
|
|
|
Post by Lucy on May 3, 2016 10:48:24 GMT
Theresa - staffs isn't as tough as IMUK bike course. So it might be a pleasant surprise! Well done Giles. Sounds like you're getting stuck in. Bad choice with the black pudding on a burger though..... By the way the lake here was down to 10 degrees this weekend so they cancelled all swimming. Goes to show how hard core you all were getting in when it was 11! Here's to sunshine and warmer water....
|
|
|
Post by tritree on May 3, 2016 15:11:51 GMT
That's reassuring Lucy! Sheep house lane was a killer! And I agree, ruined a burger there by adding black pudding!
|
|
|
Post by quellcrist81 on May 3, 2016 15:18:42 GMT
Hi everyone! Thanks for the positive feedback. I was going to go my local open water swimming lake this weekend but it was closed as well due to the drop in temperature. Given this week is due to see some new highs I don't think that will happen again. Bring on the sunshine! Hopefully we don't have to train for this on the bike day: metro.co.uk/2016/05/01/watch-huge-pile-up-at-red-hook-crit-cycling-race-5852678/K
|
|
|
Post by emmaeliholland on May 3, 2016 21:11:06 GMT
Hi everyone! Well done on another tri Giles - great to hear. Sounds training is going well for all and you'll be fab on the day Theresa I am sure! I've changed my approach to training recently and really taken onboard what Lucy said about enjoying the moment and making the most of this experience. I've resigned myself to the fact my time at Staffs might not be great, in fact even if I'm the slowest in the group - it doesn't matter as long as I get to the end and enjoy it, whilst raising money for TCT! Having this mentality actually led to my most productive swimming session yet this evening! I've also realised I panic a lot in the water about my breathing and end up taking shorter breaths, so I have in my head what Helen taught us about having a back up plan. If I run out of breath, I'll just do breast stroke until I regulate my breathing and go again really helps my mindset! Toe update- infection has cleared! I also don't have a toenail anymore but hey ho... I find reading everyone's posts really motivating and comforting that we all have similar worries/doubts etc. Can't wait to hear More updates
|
|