Skip to main content

Practice=Progress



       <--------(Before Workout)

Sometimes you have to laugh at yourself as you start trying new things.  As I struggle/swim during these dog days of summer; I think to myself. .." Last summer I would have never considered getting in the swimming pool on a 100 degree day because I was afraid of the water and never swam a day in my life, but now that I am a slow, steady swimmer this is a great summer workout and challenge."   I am enjoying meeting new people at the pool, pool clothing (I love my new Pearl Izumi Tri shorts), "pool culture", burning extra calories and getting a good workout  all while learning a new skill.  Today, I just had to face it. For me, swimming is a skill. I don't really think of it as a sport like running or cycling.  I think of it more like playing my classical guitar.  It is more about tempo, placement and maneuvering...all while breathing underwater--Go Figure:)

This week I was able complete 1200 meters of drills/swimming with kick board and fins then laps with no supports.  I was able to get in 100 meters before I felt beat down tired, but I did it.  It was not pretty, but it was progress.  Two months ago, I could not make it down the pool and would stop half way down the pool.

It was a good week. I managed to run 18 miles outdoors, mountain bike in the sand 6 miles, 1200 meters in the pool and 20 miles road cycling with1 mile run scheduled for tomorrow(Brick workout). 

Practice is progress. It is not always pretty, but it is part of the improvement process. What people normally see is the result not the daily grind of purposeful practice.  I am determined to learn how to swim well enough to complete my triathlon. My goal is to finish the swim! Progress will only come with practice, practice, practice.(Though I must say that I am quite intimidated when I watch 8 yr old boys swimming in the community pool blowing by me.)-- LOL--Sometimes even I have to chuckle.



After Workout---->
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wukxrR-NDMA&feature=relmfu (Stacy Swim practice)

~Stayfitt

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Grit- Road to Chicago Olympic Triathlon

Definition  Grit in psychology is a positive, non-cognitive trait based on an individual's passion for a particular long-term goal or end state, coupled with a powerful motivation to achieve their respective objective. This perseverance of effort promotes the overcoming of obstacles or challenges that lie within a gritty individual's path to accomplishment, and serves as a driving force in achievement realization. Commonly associated concepts within the field of psychology include "perseverance", "hardiness", "resilience", "ambition", "need for achievement" and "conscientiousness".  This is who I am. Stacy the Grit.  Yes, I could spend a lot of time talking to you about my finish time and what I could improve upon yadda yadda yadda but anyone who reads my blog knows that I rarely focus on the outcome.  I focus on the process. I focus on how did I arrive at a specific point and time. I focus on the jour...

Goals: A healthy lifestyle has no finish line

As a coach, I get many questions on exercise, weight loss, running, etc. All are great questions. However, I find myself asking clients the same question. What is your goal? General health and performance goals share many commonalities. To meet healthy lifestyle or performance goals, both require the following: ·       Defined goal ·       Nutrition balancing ·       Exercise ·       Consistency However, there are some key differences between general health goals and performance/sport specific goals.   ·       Goals- Is your goal to “get healthy” What does that mean?   Does it mean lose a few pounds or run a marathon? Be specific. How do you plan to measure your success? This is important. Why? Some people say they want to “get healthy” without defining what that means for them. Define what healthy means for you. Write it down. If ...

Just the Facts…Only the facts.

  General Health Facts. According the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, about one out of three U.S. adults or 31.3% has high blood pressure. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, Diabetes affects 25.8 million people of all ages 8.3 percent of the U.S. population. A 2011 study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found the following: ·       The average male consumes 175 calories a day from drinks containing added sugar (like soda). ·       The average female consumes 94 calories from these drinks ·       About half of the population drinks a sugar-sweetened beverage on any given day. More than 45 million Americans now belong to a health club, up from 23 million in 1993. We spend some $19 billion a year on gym memberships. Of course, some people join and never go. Still, as ...