happy valentine's day

for valentine's day this year, i had a date with the pool. hahaha...did you all think i was gonna get mushy? today was one of the hardest days i've had in the pool. our training is getting longer and harder and it is definitely pushing me to limits that i've never thought i'd hit. but, finishing the olympic distance triathlon and the half marathon has boosted my confidence. and, although i am still very nervous about the big big big race, i'm happy with how far i've already come.

today, the hardest thing i had to do was swim 2 x 500 meters (20 laps, 40 total) non-stop. so i couldn't take my usual break after every lap. and, I DID IT! i was really really happy when i was finished.

here's what my whole workout looked like:

Warm Up

300 L3

6x50 (choice drill,s) 10" RI

2x50 L5 15"RI Concentrating on accelerating the hand through the pull

Main Set

4x100 L5 15"RI Use tempo trainer and concentrate on one skill in each 100to see if it makes a difference in how hard or easy it is to maintain thecorrect pace. If you don't have a tempo trainer, time yourself and see ifyour time varies with each emphasis

1-balance (press the chest in)

2-front quadrant (or ½ catchup)

3-power (hold the water throughout the pull)

4-extension (extend the reach in front, feel it in your armpit)

2x500 L4 20"RI (G2=3x500 G3=4x500) Relaxed steady swim but you can go through your mental inventory ofskills DO NOT rest on the walls at all - no extra breaths - touch and go.If you need a "breather" do a couple of strokes alternate swim (head upfree, sculling, breast, or back) but do not stop forward progress, and continue right back into regular swimming

Warm down

200 perfect