Public Swim Etiquette

I posted on Facebook the other day that I was kicked by a slower swimmer while at a free swim at my local pool. It seems like everyone has some type of story of other mishaps while at public swim so I thought I would start creating a code of ethic for the local open lane swim.

1. Fill all lanes first.
2. If lanes marked 'fast, med, slow' this is meant in relation to other swimmers in the pool, not how fast you think you are.
3. Breast Strokers try to stay in a lane with other people doing breast stroke.
4. Pay attention to what others are doing in the lane, if it looks like the faster swimmer is about to start don't go just before them.
5. It does not matter how long you have swam at the pool, you do not own that lane.
6. Wear proper swim attire.
7. Be willing to adjust workout based off numbers in the lane and being courteous to others.
   

That's all I can come up with now, this list is very informal, it is more of just a rant but if anyone can think of any more rules let me know and I will add it.

On another note I had a great bike ride today with Rich Pady we did 118km at 36km/h average on a route we felt simulated the Muskoka course. I felt strong the entire way. I also wore my CEP compression sleeves for the first time riding, it will be something I will continue to experiment with leading into Muskoka.

Ok, that's all for now.

Sean

Weekend Update

This weekend I was supposed to run 2 clinic days in Huntsville for people looking for a preview of the 70.3 course. I did not get the turn out I would have liked but I think those who came on Sunday got a lot of good information about how to have a great day on the course. I am excited about next year and organizing a few bigger events throughout the winter spring and summer to really get people going for the race. More to come on that later as I finalize the plan.

Not a lot more to catch up on, our move in date for our condo was moved back another month, that is twice now where we were less then 2 weeks from move in date only to find out there was another delay. I know the place is done because I have been in it they just won't let us move in. So the new date is Sept 15th but could be earlier but I think that is very unlikely.

Well that's about all, just a few more weeks until Muskoka 70.3 and training hard.

Later

Windsor C3 Dominance and Weekend Muskoka 70.3 Training Days

After another hard week of training back in Caledon I went down to race in Windsor which is always one of the big races in Ontario. I was not sure how my speed was going to be for the short race because of my longer training for Muskoka 70.3. I knew my biggest competition would be from team mate Andrew Yorke who is Canada best U-23 triathlete and is in the best shape of his life right now. The race was the perfect distance to really make our talents even with a shorter swim a flat and fast TT bike and a 6km run. I did not have the swim I knew I could and Yorke had 20sec on me exiting the water and by the time I got onto the bike the gap was around 30sec.

I worked hard on the first lap of the bike but I had only pulled back 30 sec and started the second lap with him. I knew I was in trouble at this point because I knew I needed close to 2 min to be able to hold him off on the run. I went as hard as I could on the second lap and opened a gap but it ended up only being 1 min at the end of the bike.

I ran as hard as I could but Andrew caught me at about the 3km mark and there was no way I was staying with him. I ran steady the rest of the race and finished 2nd. It is always hard to loose but I am glad it was Yorke.

This weekend I am running a training weekend in Muskoka on the 70.3 course. There will be 2 parts. The Saturday will be a more advanced group that will swim in Peninsula Lake (can't guarantee it will be the exact course) then head out and ride the entire 95km bike course. After the bike there is a run on the course. The Sunday will be similar but will be more instruction based. We will swim in Peninsula Lake then bike the first and last part of the bike course and will likely be around 50km. After the bike we will also have a run. Both days are designed to be more training days to get comfortable on the course with instruction and secrets from me throughout the day.

Here is a summary and time line of the weekend.

Time Line:

Saturday: Advanced day

9:30-10:00 - Meet at Deerhurst beach ready to swim first.
10:00 - Start the swim, (may not be able to swim exact course because of boat traffic)
10:50-11:00 - Finish swim and start to get ready for bike
11:30 - Start bike of the course (95km)
3:00-3:30 - Finish bike
3:30-4:30 - Run after bike
4:30 - Post day wrap up.
7:00 - Potential Group Dinner after long day

Sunday: Novice Day

9:30-10:00 - Meet at Deerhurst beach ready to swim
10:00 - Start lesson in open water swimming ( breathing / sighting technique )
10:15 - Start Swim
10:15-11:00 - Swim in Peninsula Lake
11:30 - Ready to ride and start lesson on the bike course
11:45-2:30 - Bike on course (not entire course )
2:30-3:30 - Run off the bike
3:30 - Post day wrap up.

Email me at Sean@personalbest.ca if you are interested.

Update

Just an update from the road, things have been going well for the last couple of months, training has been picking up and I have had a few good races and as always a few bad races. I was able to win the Muskoka Long Course which is one of the biggest races in the Province although 4 years ago I was 3rd there and won $2500, this year while winning only won $250. It does not really keep the motivation high to race. I am training hard now for Muskoka 70.3 and starting to get more involved in coaching. I am planning on running a clinic to help people fine tune for Muskoka 70.3. We will ride and run the course and swim but the swim may not be on the course. We are still fine tuning but if you are interested let me know.