Friday, May 09, 2008

Training continues.


Well I'm continuing with the swimming. The kids being off this week has meant getting up at 6am to swim before Tony goes to work. This has left me knackered because I'm not going to bed early to make up for it.

I have improved but I'm unsure if I'm on track with the deadlines I've set: 400 metres in 4 weeks. I've enlisted the help of a triathlon/ swim coach and I'm meeting him for the second time on Tuesday. He's going to make me up a training programme for the ironman suited to my strengths and weaknesses i.e. lots of swimming and probably winging the other stuff for the time being!! Like he said, it won't be pretty, I'm not looking to break any records, just to complete it. I've already agreed if he thinks it's not do-able I will scrap the idea and continue training, but for one next year.
I won't be wallowing in disappointement; if it doesn't happen I'll pick an Autumn marathon or maybe even an adventure race and try learn new skills.

Until the decision is made though it's all swimming, swimming, swimming....

12 comments:

Sinéad said...

Iron Man? WOW! That's great. Good luck with it.

aquaasho said...

Cheers Sinead nice to have you over here!

Journey to a Centum said...

Oy,

Will you get swimmers ear? What is that anyway? Do your ears grow webs or something?

I'll bet you can't wait for your first open water training swim! I discovered that there are no lines on the bottom of the lake so tracking becomes an issue. I also found that having a wave wash over your face is probably the equivalent of self inflicted waterboarding.

aquaasho said...

Aw Eric you're scaring me now talking about OPEN WATER!!!

Anonymous said...

Go for it ! IronWOMAN

Anything is possible!

Good luck with your swimming training. Like everything you take on, it's hugely impressive!

Grellan said...

Best of luck with the swimming - should be no problem. As for the rest of the Ironman - fair play to you - a formidable challenge.

A couple of years ago I went back swimming and went back to basics and started from scratch using a DVD "Freesyyle made easy" purchased from this site - http://www.totalimmersion.net/index.html

It certainly helped me with breathing more efficiently and swimming more effortlessly.

Anonymous said...

Hey Aisling,

Can you put up a post about a couple of new blogs by some Kildare guys...

http://fsspvocations.blogspot.com
http://tradvocations.blogspot.com

Slán!

Tom

FINN said...

i second grellan's Total Immersion recommendation. i did a weekend workshop with TI, and they do take you back to the basics to develop a comfort & feel for the water. TI won't make you fast, but it will make you more efficient and relaxed... which eventually translates into speed, even if it's simply more energy for a faster bike leg.

good luck!!

FINN said...

i second grellan's Total Immersion recommendation. i did a weekend workshop with TI, and they do take you back to the basics to develop a comfort & feel for the water. TI won't make you fast, but it will make you more efficient and relaxed... which eventually translates into speed, even if it's simply more energy for a faster bike leg.

good luck!!

John Mc said...

Good on ya! Ironman is a big commitment. I'm sure you are up to it. I've toyed with the idea, but its the time commitment, I am doing another Olympic next week, and might do a half before the end of the summer, again its the time!

Most people I know who have done an Ironman said the swim is a small part of it, given how long you are on the bike and the run relative to the swim.

Highly, highly, highly recommend a bike class focused on technique. Conserving energy is essential on such a long event, and improper bike technique wastes huge amount of energy. Get a proper laser fit for comfort if you can find a place that does it, (don't trust the bike shops fit).

aquaasho said...

Thanks Steph, it'll only be impressive if I get through it!
Cheers Grellan I will check it out, think I have heard of it.
Finn I must watch out for workshops that sounds like a good idea.
John your recent pursuits have been an inspiration, the first time I swam, cycled and ran in the same day was when I read your account of your triathlon!

chaChaussures Air Max 90 current said...

I could swim 400 metres in 4 weeks I would be capable of continuing with the ironman training. That sounds like a plan to me. So I will give that a shot. My technique aopparently isn't too bad but my biggest problem is the breathing. I can't get it right. I swallow tonnes of water. I panic and keep my head up or if anything upsets me in the water I stop. I can just about make a 25 meter length without stopping. But one length is it.