March 2010

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Mar
30

Super Slow Motion Fun!

Posted by Kevin Doak on Tuesday at: 6:27am (March 30th, 2010)
I had a great practice with some fellow Michigan Masters Swimmers at MSU on Sunday! After a 3,000 yard practice, I busted out the High Speed Camera for some Super Slow Motion Video. If that last sentence was confusing read this:

To Create "Super Slow Motion" Video:
Video is taken at a high frame rate, in this case, 210 Frames a second and then played back at a normal 30 frames a second. The result is very slow video. I uploaded my 50 Back to youtube:
Mar
28

The Joys of a Community Pool

Posted by Kevin Doak on Sunday at: 4:46pm (March 28th, 2010)
It was a rough Saturday as the Scuba Diving class repeatedly swam under, close to, and collided with my body as I attempted to train. I will never understand how the trajectory of lap swimmer swimming within two lane lines can be so confusing for a scuba diver. I basically pass the same area every 15 seconds or so, repeatedly, for an hour straight. Yet, without fail, one of these divers thinks its no problem to surface in the middle of my lane with no regard to his surroundings at all.
Mar
25

2009 All Star Award

Posted by Kevin Doak on Thursday at: 4:17pm (March 25th, 2010)
I was one of 32 Masters swimmers in the United States to receive the 2009 All Star Award! Thank you Masters Swimming!

The "ALL STAR" award is described on the USMS website:

"USMS has been naming All-Stars since 1987 . All-Stars are those who have achieved the most first place finishes in their age group during the year in Top Ten competition. "
Mar
24

Excited about training!

Posted by Kevin Doak on Wednesday at: 5:54am (March 24th, 2010)
I'm unsure if the two are related, but I've taken a break from P90X and I'm swimming really well :)

I know I've been pushing myself more, but I seem to have more motivation than the last few months. I suppose it could have had something to do with cold weather months, but I feel like a new man lately! I've really been tearing it up in practice no matter what pool I'm in. Today I was at EMU and focused on some 50 meter sprints long course. I was swimming 50 meter butterfly in 28 seconds flat and 50 meter backstroke in 29's. Both times are pretty good for me from a push!
Mar
22

Great Training weekend

Posted by Kevin Doak on Monday at: 7:17pm (March 22nd, 2010)
Due to a water polo tournament at EMU, I broke my streak of training in Ypsilanti by choosing to swim at a local community pool for Saturday and Sunday. As expected, there were kids and foam noodles as far as the eye can see. At times it felt like a medieval gauntlet.

Since my recent revelation about the benefits of swimming in an actual training facility, I've avoided community pools because I was so certain I got a better workout when I swam at EMU. My main complaints about typical community pools are:

Mar
16

Awesome ARM Picture!

Posted by Kevin Doak on Tuesday at: 5:02am (March 16th, 2010)
For not being a really muscular guy, this picture took me by surprise!

Look at that ARM! It looks so bumpy! Haha
Mar
16

50 Back SCY 25-29 National Record Broken

Posted by Kevin Doak on Tuesday at: 4:49am (March 16th, 2010)
They're dropping like flies! My 50 Back SCY National Record of 22.78 was broken by "Timothy Liebhold" a 27 year old from Minnesota. His time of 22.71 just barely edged out mine at a meet in January. Looks like he's only done 2 Masters meets but VERY impressive times thus far! He swam a 22.48 in the SCY 50 Fly and a 50.45 in the SCY 100 IM. Congrats to Tim on the National Record!
Mar
15

Best Practice in a LONG time

Posted by Kevin Doak on Monday at: 7:25pm (March 15th, 2010)
I'm happy to report I just had a fantastic practice! I once again drove to Ypsilanti to swim at EMU because I believe it makes the most significant difference in my training.

Ignoring the fact that EMU is a world class facility, I think it boils down to water temperature (no pun intended). Community pools are kept warm because people don't get their heartrates up enough to appreciate colder water. Let me assure you, nothing feels better than cold water during a tough set... At times it doesn't feel like it could be cold enough!
Mar
15

Strained Neck

Posted by Kevin Doak on Monday at: 2:59pm (March 15th, 2010)
During a warmup start at the meet I strained some muscles in my neck. This remains my most consistent injury. I frequently forget to do some brief "head roll" stretches before my races to warm up these muscles.

I really recommend any swimmer add these stretches before racing (or even practicing). I've pulled muscles in my neck and upper back to the point its difficult and painful to move my head at all for a solid week.

Mar
15

Milford Meet Results and Pictures

Posted by Kevin Doak on Monday at: 6:55am (March 15th, 2010)
Mar
14

Milford in the morning

Posted by Kevin Doak on Sunday at: 5:30am (March 14th, 2010)
The Annual Milford Masters Meet is in the morning. It should be a fairly good turnout from the sounds of it. Lots of relays going for National or World Records in Short Course Meters. I'll probably be competing in the 400 Medley, 800 Freestyle and 400 Freestyle Relays. Since I'll be doing so many relays I'm not sure how many individual event's I'll have the energy for! Should be fun to reunite with the guys from the State meet!
Mar
12

Dryland workout issue

Posted by Kevin Doak on Friday at: 4:52pm (March 12th, 2010)
I've noticed an issue I'm having while on this P90X workout program. There have been quite a few days lately that I haven't been able to squeeze a second workout into my day after swimming. The P90X takes a minimum of an hour and 15 mins to complete. That's a long time if you're busy or tired.

The issue I notice is that when I DON'T do P90X is that I do nothing dryland related that day. In years past I would always do something outside of the water each day. Rarely would it be over an hour of exercise but at least I was working my muscles somehow.

Mar
11

I needed that!

Posted by Kevin Doak on Thursday at: 1:11am (March 11th, 2010)
For the last week now I've been training back at EMU. Its revolutionized my work ethic and given me some much needed confidence in my swimming. Today I was in the pool at the same time as a few EMU swimmers who have just finished up their big conference meet. A few of them put on some tech suits from last season and jumped in for some time trials long course meters. I had swam about 1,200 meters and was warmed up just as I received a challenge from one of the swimmers to race a 50 meter fly.
Mar
10

Like Night and Day

Posted by Kevin Doak on Wednesday at: 8:26am (March 10th, 2010)
I've often discussed how much a nice facility meant to my training. Lately I've realized how much this opinion has to do with my current training situation.
Mar
8

EMU Wins the Mid-American Conference Meet!

Posted by Kevin Doak on Monday at: 5:01am (March 8th, 2010)

What an incredible weekend of swimming, soo many pool and conference records broken! Congrats EMU! I was onsite taking 4,573 Pictures (30 GB) and 1.3 Hours of Video!
Mar
8

MAC Championship Meet 100 Back Record Broken

Posted by Kevin Doak on Monday at: 4:55am (March 8th, 2010)
I was onsite at EMU for the MAC meet this past weekend and watched my 100 Back Championship Record of 48.51 DOMINATED by a swimmer from Missouri State, Roko Simunic. He swam a fantastic race at 47.67. He took out the first half of his race exactly as I did with a high 22.xx but really turned up the heat on the 2nd 50 yards. He broke the Meet Record, Pool Record and Conference Record. It was a really impressive swim, Congrats Roko!
Mar
5

Exciting night at EMU

Posted by Kevin Doak on Friday at: 5:51am (March 5th, 2010)
Eastern Michigan University is hosting the 2010 Mid American Conference Championship Meet. this year. I'm helping out in a few different capacities as usual.
Mar
3

My World Record Was Broken!

Posted by Kevin Doak on Wednesday at: 9:31pm (March 3rd, 2010)
I got an email from Skip today informing me that my 50 Back Long Course Meters World Record of 26.64 was broken by an Olympian from Japan. Here is his Wikipedia information:
Mar
2

The Rut I'm In

Posted by Kevin Doak on Tuesday at: 4:45am (March 2nd, 2010)
I wish I had better swimming related news to blog about. I'm disappointed to report that to compare my swimming to the last few years, I've fallen off quite a bit.

A few quick facts...

Facility