Back into Routine

It feels good to be home and to slip back into routine.

This morning's main swim workout was:
Four times the following set--
1.  25yds non-free FAST, diving off the start blocks
2.  25yds easy free
3.  25yds free FAST, no breath
4.  25yds easy free
5.  25yds easy flutter kick with board
6.  25yds flutter kick FAST with board
Followed by 3x100yds freestyle pull with pull buoy, breathing 3-5-7-9 strokes per lap

The first set with all the different 25yds was fun and a change of pace to our normal sets.  In the middle of the first set, however, Marcia reminded us that she was still going to work us hard.  She said, "There are only three fast laps in each set and you had better be swimming them FAST!  Because if you aren't swimming fast, it'll be like...gaining weight!!"  Hmm, I have never heard that one before.  I think she was implying that slacking off was the equivalent to sitting on the couch, watching TV, eating potato chips, hence the gaining weight!  Someone in my lane retorted, "She must be talking about muscle, gaining muscle!"

As Marcia talked about at the end of practice, the first set was designed to train us for race day; it had everything we needed to remember.  First, we practiced dives, trying to keep our goggles, swim caps, and swimsuits on.  Next, we practiced breathing or rather, no breathing.  As Marcia exclaimed, waving her arms around, "You can't just breathe whenever you want in a race.  You must practice having no air!"  Last, we practiced kicking, remember to kick hard the last 25yds of a race like how rowers sprint the last 250m in a 2,000m race and how track runners sprint the last 100m in a 400m race as they come out of the turn.