The Rut I'm In
Mar
2The 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
Since moving away from Ann Arbor I've lost one of my greatest training tools, The Michael H. Jones Natatorium at EMU. That in itself might be the biggest reason for my poor swimming lately. I've gone from a world class Olympic size pool with perfect temperature and ideal availability.... all the way to getting beaten with foam noodles, children wandering into my lane, warm water temps and brief availability in the community pools I train at now.
Body Weight
In August 2009 I weighed 166 lbs, today I tipped over the 180 mark for the first time in my life at 180.5 lbs. I feel ok in the water but I'm not fast whatsoever. I've finally lost some of the pudge in my abdominal region by beginning more intensive dryland workouts. Still, it hasn't seemed to stop any of this weight gain. To clarify, my weight doesn't really concern me just yet, but I think it's healthy to keep an eye on it. I would be silly not to think that a 15 pound weight gain isn't significant in some way. Still, I work out every day, and chances are that I'm gaining muscle, which is heavier than fat. My diet hasn't changed in the last year other than the addition of a daily vitamin.
Benchmarking
I've done some all-out 100's during practice lately and I can't even break 56 seconds in a 100 yard backstroke. 8 Months ago I was clocked from a push at 50.2 seconds.
My point is that how I was living and training was working well for me before, but I've changed something, and it's had negative effects on my swimming and body weight. I need to train harder and gain back some of the speed I lost. I've been saying to myself for months now, that if I can get out of this rut, it will be my greatest triumph in my swimming career... that's how far gone I feel I am.
Since this blog is dedicated to my Life/Swimming balance, I have to report that the "Life" side of things is fantastic! I have an intense, yet rewarding work schedule and although it's always a challenge, I feel I'm balancing it well with all other aspects of my personal life.
A few quick facts...
Facility
Since moving away from Ann Arbor I've lost one of my greatest training tools, The Michael H. Jones Natatorium at EMU. That in itself might be the biggest reason for my poor swimming lately. I've gone from a world class Olympic size pool with perfect temperature and ideal availability.... all the way to getting beaten with foam noodles, children wandering into my lane, warm water temps and brief availability in the community pools I train at now.
Body Weight
In August 2009 I weighed 166 lbs, today I tipped over the 180 mark for the first time in my life at 180.5 lbs. I feel ok in the water but I'm not fast whatsoever. I've finally lost some of the pudge in my abdominal region by beginning more intensive dryland workouts. Still, it hasn't seemed to stop any of this weight gain. To clarify, my weight doesn't really concern me just yet, but I think it's healthy to keep an eye on it. I would be silly not to think that a 15 pound weight gain isn't significant in some way. Still, I work out every day, and chances are that I'm gaining muscle, which is heavier than fat. My diet hasn't changed in the last year other than the addition of a daily vitamin.
Benchmarking
I've done some all-out 100's during practice lately and I can't even break 56 seconds in a 100 yard backstroke. 8 Months ago I was clocked from a push at 50.2 seconds.
My point is that how I was living and training was working well for me before, but I've changed something, and it's had negative effects on my swimming and body weight. I need to train harder and gain back some of the speed I lost. I've been saying to myself for months now, that if I can get out of this rut, it will be my greatest triumph in my swimming career... that's how far gone I feel I am.
Since this blog is dedicated to my Life/Swimming balance, I have to report that the "Life" side of things is fantastic! I have an intense, yet rewarding work schedule and although it's always a challenge, I feel I'm balancing it well with all other aspects of my personal life.