My knee is acting up again. I have been taking a break from running for a planned week. I am focusing on swimming in the mean time.

I am sure this is not anything new for the swimmer who started when they were 7 and are doing Triathlons now as adults. But this site has radically changed they way I swim. Total Immersion is a very simple method for swimming efficiently and it is aimed at people like me who did not grow up competitively swimming.

I have changed my stroke completely and I finally understand in my head what the "goal" is: Efficient not fast swimming. It makes perfect sense particularly in the Triathlon context where you are trying to conserve energy just to finish this endurance sport.

I watched all of the free videos and even read as much of Terry Laughlin's book online at Google Books as I could. Sorry Terry, I haven't paid for anything yet. That is why I am plugging you here :). I plan to buy the book.

In the meantime, it has given me much better focus in training for the swim. I can actually feel the water rushing past me as I glide along. I am taking several fewer strokes per lap and I am beginning to feel like a real swimmer.

Not sure when my next Tri will be because I am laser focused on the marathon now. But I can't wait to put it into practice.

David

Vancouver All American Triathlon

I trained for and swam, biked and ran in the Vancouver All American Triathlon.
Results

I held my own with the swimming, coming in around mid pack. I only have a mountain bike so the cycling section was like watching other cyclists in sped up motion. I did not train as well on the bike as I would like. And I have had a number of injuries to overcome this summer on the run. I ran 23:04 5K which is not impressive but was the fastest I have run one this injury plagued summer. I was 51/93 on the swim 65/93 on the bike and 22/93 on the run.

It took about one hour and twenty five minutes and was one of the more exhausting things I have ever done. In my head, once I got to the bike I could take in the fluids and food. But the start of the bike was uphill and I did not get my first drink in until a couple of miles later.

It was a good learning experience. I think I will do more triathlons once I get a marathon under my belt.

David