I did the Masters workout this morning.

In the course of the workout I did 3 X 100 meters @ 1.35 seconds per stroke. My times were 2:11, 2:11, 2:13.

I also did 6 X 50 meters @ 1.20; 1.25; 1.30; 1.35; 1.37; 1.38 seconds per stroke. My first repeat took about 57 seconds and 45 strokes. I did pretty well sticking to about 45 - 47 strokes per length on the other repeats. My time ended up being somewhere around 1:03.

(Note: I'm creating this entry on Monday and dating it back as though it's written on Saturday.)

There was a lot of information to absorb during the day. So, I'm a bit tired and overwhelmed. Nonetheless, I do have a few good focal points to practice.

Doing the knee lift drill was really helpful for me. Keeping that idea of lifting my feet like that and letting my wheel spin behind me helped to eliminate my small bit of dorsiflexing.

I swam 10 X 100 yards @ 1.35 seconds per stroke and 2 X 100 yards @ 1.25 seconds per stroke.

My strokes per length ranged from 18 - 21. My stroke length clearly slipped as I swam more. It slipped within a 100 yard repeat and it slipped throughout the practice.

I don't know how many total meters I swam today. The workout involved a lot of kick type sets. There was one pull set. There were swim 100 fast in between the drill sets.

I found the kick sets to be really exhausting. But, I think that my kick is much better than it was before.

I decided to use a pull buoy for the pull set. The buoyancy threw off my body position a little bit, particularly with regards to rotation. But, I felt really good with regards to my arms. I probably should have set the stroke rate faster than 1.35 seconds per stroke.

I swam 10 X 100 @ 1.30; 1.29; 1.28; 1.28; 1.29; 1.30; 1.29; 1.28; 1.29; 1.30 seconds per stroke.

My fastest time was the first repeat and it was nine seconds faster than my last repeat, which was my slowest repeat.

The best-fit line would have a relatively steep positive slope. However, if I drew a curve then it looks like it would level off at about 118 seconds per 100 yards.

I wasn't sure how I was going to be able to maintain my stroke length at the workout today since I knew I was going to have to do longer repetitions.

I got to the workout in time to do my warmup and I did 2 X 100 meters. I think I did the first at 1.40 seconds per stroke and the second at 1.39 seconds per stroke. I think I took about 45 strokes per length (The truth is that I don't really remember how many strokes per length I took. I might have swum some at 42 strokes per length). Then it was time to start the workout.

First I have to say that I was not looking forward to getting out of bed and going to my swim practice today, even though I had yesterday off. I think it's really good that I'll be starting my full triathlon training program next week. I think I've had enough of swimming every day.

I swam 21 X 50 meters @ 1.38 seconds per stroke.

I would say that the best fit line for today's times would have a zero slope. My strokes out (20) and back (21) were also consistent.

Assuming that I punched out accurately and consistently, my fastest repeat was actually the 11th repeat today not the first repeat. The first repeat was the second fastest, though.

I was feeling a bit tired today and took a bit longer rest in between each repetition, including a few that were for much longer periods.

I swam 23 X 50 yards @ 1.38 seconds per stroke.

Once again my best time was the first repeat.

Even removing the first two repeats from consideration, the best-fit line for my times shows a positive slope. But, I think that 1.38 seconds per stroke is a good rate for me to practice at right now.

I did much better at maintaining a softer feel and relaxed stroke. I also started to become much more aware of what my weightless arm was doing as I took a breath.

I swam 22 X 50 yards @ 1.40 seconds per stroke today.

Even filtering out the obvious outliers from when I didn't punch out the lap time on the first try, there is a clear positive slope to the best-fit line of my times. Once again my best time was the first repeat. I didn't do anything special or put any additional effort into it, but it was better than my last repeat (which wasn't my slowest) by almost 6 seconds. So, it might be reasonable to consider that first repetition an outlier as well. But, my second and third repetitions were four seconds faster than my last.