I'm finding more confidence in the water. This morning after warming up, I did what I'm calling a half-mile time trial, albeit, the distance was really 900 yds. I was committed to bilateral breathing during this time and it seemed to go well. Granted, in the last 200 yards, I determined that more air would be good, so I "cheated" occasionally and took air from the right on consecutive strokes. However, I went back to bilateral breathing because the quick "cheating" gave me the reprieve I needed to get back at it. It was a failry challenging swim, but I wasn't just putzing back and forth either...well for my ability anyway. I managed a time of 14:33. I looked back into my training logs to see what time a "typical" effort for this distance was but, in my brief search I didn't see anything. Apparently, I mostly went to time trials of 1000 yards in the past couple years.
Regardless, when I left the pool in the darkness of 6:00 a.m., I walked across the parking lot in the crisp winter air, with a smile on my face. I had gone farther and more comfortably with bilateral breathing than ever before. Was it far?...no. Was it fast?...maybe not. Was it a step in the right direction?...I think so.
I'm not sure if bilateral breathing in and of itself is making me a faster swimmer per se, but I can tell a difference in the efficiency of my stroke mechanics. It is an interesting new challenge for me and I'm enjoying the transformation.
Peace,
~Sam
Incidentally, I've noticed that I have a few more followers. Thank you for taking an interest. I hope my posts are reasonably entertaining, inspiring, and/or informative.
Check out the most recent interview with John Hibler below if you get a chance.
Congrats on a great swim!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lora, the encouragement is appreciated.
ReplyDelete