November 7, 2019
So yesterday I went public.
I am officially signed up for IRONMAN Florida November 2020.
Today my friend and Yoga Instructor Kim asked me when I needed to start training or if I was just always training.
So here is the truth for many of us. This is lifestyle. We (hopefully) swim, bike, and run year round, regardless of having a race on the schedule or not, because it is something we enjoy. And while I don’t need to be cranking out ridiculous amounts of mileage at the moment, I am indeed training.
What about Off-Season?
Well…I don’t believe in it.
Let’s look at it for what it really is. A few weeks of Post-Season. A mental reset so you can come back fresh. It’s not taking the winter off from swimming and letting your bike collect dust just because it is cold outside.
Because when your Post-Season starts to resemble an Off-Season…well, it’s not going to be so pleasant when you start up again.
Welcome to PRE-SEASON! This is the ideal time to work on all those little things that will make you a better triathlete.
So let’s talk about the SWIM!
After a few weeks of Open Water Fun with my local tri- buddies, I hung up my wet suit and got back in the pool in the beginning of October. Lots of short intervals and a lot of drills. Working on being more efficient in the water.
Here are 3 of my favorite drills to get you started!
1. CATCH UP. This one is an oldie but a goodie. With both arms extended, complete a full stroke with one arm, not allowing the other arm to start until the first arm returns to the front. This is great to improve your Distance per Stroke and getting your body used to feeling a glide through the water.
2. FINGERTIP DRAG. During the recovery phase, allow your finger tips to drag through the water. For added resistance, keep your hand rigid as opposed to limply dragging it along. This will improve speed of recovery and your hand will feel like it’s slicing through air.
3. CLOSED FIST DRILL. Swim with your hands closed into fists. By reducing surface area, you will get more of what it feels like to use your forearms as part of the pull. When you open up your hands again, it will feel like you are swimming with oversized paddles!
Give it a try and let me know what you think!
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