Swimming Breakthrough
/It's late and I'm tired, but I'm still on a bit of a high after my first time-trial of the year. It came in the pool, and though it was only 1,000 yards I'm very excited. Maybe all this time off has actually paid off!? From a technique standpoint, it seems the breathing breakthrough from my Tuesday swim is paying immediate dividends. I beat what I think was my previous best 1,000 in the pool by at least 23 seconds. I accomplished this by breathing every four strokes instead of every two-three strokes, and generally from being more relaxed in the water. Once I learned that I could swim more efficiently by holding more air in my lungs and letting it out gently, I realized how intensely I was swimming before -- and what that was doing to my oxygen intake and output.
If any of you are having a hard time swimming, I highly recommend this approach. Though I think it's something you have to feel for yourself. Trust yourself. And I honestly think the more you enjoy being in the water, the easier it is to swim faster. I know this because I used to fight the water, so to speak, and it showed in my splits.
I also think there's more going on here besides swim technique. Perhaps it has something to do with nutrition and a new "super food" I've been experimenting with. More on that tomorrow.
Right now I'm exhausted and need to go to bed.
166 days and counting.