A post actually about training!

Imagine that!

:D

Have you ever heard of that urban myth about getting a splinter in your foot and if you don't remove it, it absorbs into your skin and passes through your body and pops out somewhere else?

Yes, you know where I am going with this...

Now I can't say for SURE if the above scenario is indeed what happened, but I have had 2 splinters show up in the oddest of places.

1. Splinter #1: Made its debut in my gums!!! I am not kidding! I felt something with my tongue above my front teeth one day. I kept feeling it, and when I peered in the bathroom mirror, I saw this little bump and pulled out a splinter. WTF?
2. Splinter #2: This splinter appeared last week as a nasty red bump on my collar bone, just a bit away from where my swim suit strap rests on my shoulder. I thought this thing was a zit, but it hurt and wouldn't pop. So, I thought it was a spider bite. (Anything I can't label, automatically is a "spider bite.") Then, a few days later, I tried squeezing it again and a frigging splinter comes out! Again...WTF???

OK, so what have I been up to lately? Lots and lots of training! My focus has been training to train. Train consistently with increased volume. Currently, I am sitting at about 17 hours/week.

I've been including a number of *bonus swims* too! I am always scouring the internet for new drills, videos, programs to help me become a better swimmer. I found one that I ran by Coach Sara (who approved it) and have been doing it in my spare time. Plus, when I do "bonus swims" I feel I don't have to do core. :P

It's funny, I used to love core sessions. Really enjoy them. But for some reason, the pendulum has swung and I go out of my way to avoid doing them now -- Even though I asked Coach Sara to schedule them in for me. It's not like they are difficult or anything..I just would rather NOT do them.

Here is a brief summary of what I've been up to:

Swimming: Really, really awesome stuff. When I compare myself to last year, it is a huge difference. Last year, I would go 10x50m @ 70 sec, and all would be 55 sec and then creep up to a minute. This year, I HOLD 50 sec for all. Same thing goes for my 100m sets. :) :) :) You have no idea how immensely gratifying this is! Or maybe, fellow adult onset swimmers, you do!

Biking: I love my Computrainer. I LOVE going down into my basement and hopping on the trainer. It's funny, because a glance at my training environment would probably make most people flee back up the stairs in terror. I face two litter boxes, and I have to be careful when I stand on my bike not to hit my head on the stairs overhead, but there is just something about being on my bike that I love. I don't care if I am on a trainer or on the road (although the road is way more preferable!) -- I love my bike and the time flies! Training by watts and HR is really teaching me about control.

Running: My God I am turning into a runner. I guess that's what running 5-6 days a week consistently does for a person. :) I used to always feel clunky and out of place running. Now, dare I say it? I feel like I am flowing now. I was a doubter...but now I am a believer. Haha!

Core: MEH. Hahahahahahaah!

What I would like to learn: Breast stroke and Butterfly. I really have no idea how to do these strokes and the only reason I keep up with my Masters group for these sets is because of my fitness level. Hahahaha!

One big thing I've learned: You can have a sh!t swim stroke, but with a decent body position and plenty of fitness, you can be faster than you think! :)