Paddle push

Did the same swim today, 10 laps each stroke. This time, in the hand paddle set, I really concentrated on the final push at the end of my stroke that Wendy pointed out. I can feel that this last push really does help my distance in a stroke. About two laps into the set, I could already feel the muscle fatigue in my tricep. Oh, but it hurt so good! The set after, in which I use the kneeboard, but no hand paddles, felt really good and strong. I will continue to build on this. Soon I hope to add some overall weight training too.

Like a fish, baby! and fence mending

YES! I did it. I did my 10 laps of each stroke and felt great. I was also pleased that my muscles were fatiqued long before my cardio started fizzling out. The pyramid felt great too. For the pyramid, I do one length fast stroke, one length slow, then two lengths fast, two slow, and finally three fast and three slow. Eventually, I'd like to get up to the point where I can do four full laps at full speed crawl stroke without a problem. Regardless, I was pleased with todays swim.

Fencing on the other hand left a lot to be desired. I did pretty well in the footwork section. But the energy I excerted in the morning swim was obviousely lacking during my boughts. Tonight I fenced Telles, Clark, Jones and, of course, George. I did well enough in all of the boughts, but I was really tired, so my foot and hand work suffered.

Somehow, I want to add weights and yoga into my schedule. Haven't figure out how to do it yet though. I did switch my swim to M, T, W though in hopes that I can start up a yoga class on T, Th.

Strong swim, rough ride

Had a great swim this morning. I did the same 6 lap per stroke workout as Tuesday, but it felt much better, both cardio and technique. I think I'm ready to bump up to 10 laps per stroke and add back in the pyramid I used to do back in my college days. Of course, more laps means more time so this means I'll actually have to be at the pool at 6:00am to get done by 7 and make it to work on time. No more lazy mornings.

I rode Virginia's horse "Waco" tonight. Whoa...completely different, but once again a good exercise for me seeing that I will have to be able to ride unfamiliar horses in the pentathlon. Waco is a polo pony like Eli and thus has similar characteristics...he reacts much quicker and stronger than Pet Step ever does. Waco isn't a school horse at all, so any of the dressage moves I tried took a lot of work. We also had a different bridle on Waco, so he had to get used to it as well. All these variables meant that the trot was miserable...for me and I think for Waco too. It was obvious that he - being a polo pony and all - preferred the faster gates. We suffered through and got it to work finally though. But oh the canter! Smooth as a shot of cold vodka! Waco's canter was wonderful, like sitting in a lazy boy. I could definitely play some polo with a horse like this...maybe even be able to concentrate enough to hit the ball rather than fretting about staying on the pony. The night may have started out rough, but boy was it good by the end.

A little more swim

Added another lap to each of my strokes this morning, pretty comformtably at that. So I'm up to 6 laps crawl, 6 feestyle with paddles and kneeboard, 6 with just kneeboard and two laps of crawl kick. I'm pleased as this means my cardio is slowly sneaking back up to where it used to be.

Aim for the path

Went to fencing for the first time in a month. I was a little rusty at first and my feet and wrist got tired pretty quickly, but I was surprised at how quickly my hand work came back. Because I tired quickly, I had to stay relaxed and use the "aim for the path, not the target" philosphy. I got many touches this way...with almost no effort at all. Fenced Anna, George and Greg. I also went up against a new fencer, Cash, who I had not seen at the club before, but since he had his name on his uniform, had obviousely fenced at high levels in the past. He had a very different style, was much quicker, longer and energetic than people I've fenced prior. I did get several touches though, so I was pleased. Not too bad for a month off.

Erg = Yuck!

Went over to the Pocock Rowing Center to do an erg in order to slowly get back into rowing. YUCK! I did a 1000m warm up and then a 10 minute piece. I lost everything! I will certainly be able to look forward to improvement here. In the end, I do think rowing will be a great cross-training...its just getting back to where I was a year ago.

Swim 0, ride 1

The swim was so-so this morning. I did go up to 5 laps each stroke, and I did feel like I was able to stretch out a lot more, but overall, my cardio still needs a lot or work. The ride was a different story however. Pet was very strong and had a lot of energy. It took a lot of effort to keep him under control, but this skill will come in handy if I happen to get a horse in the pentathlon that is similar. I spent most of the training at the canter and ended up as exhausted as Pet was by the end. A really good night of riding though.