Well, my coach wants me to increase my yardage for training for the big meet in August. His goal is for me to swim 10,000 yards/week, 2 days focusing on free, and the other on some strokework, back & breast. I have increased my distances and their frequency, though yesterday my legs cramped up big time during my set of 400s.
Being a transplant recipient creates the situation to push your limits to the max, while respecting where they end. Overdoing it requires longer recovery and throws off the training schedule. When that happens, recovery time is longer than non-tx folks, generally. The immunosuppressed system doesn't have the full capacity to get back up to snuff. That is probably what happened yesterday, so I am going to let go of something, maybe some work. It is time to being more focused on being fully prepared to go for the gold on the Gold Coast!
Thank you to those who have contributed so far! I am getting closer to the goal to make the trip!! It is wonderful to have many friends and supporters for this pursuit and opportunity to display the miracle of organ transplantation.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
WTG pt 2
Things are falling into place for Australia. I have registered, got some paperwork together, made doctor appts, obtained a coach, and chosen my swimming events. At this time, I am signed up for:
400 meter freestyle
100 back
50 breast
50 back
Medley and Free relays
I am allowed 5 individual events and 2 relays. After meeting w/ my coach, Andy Martin, we decided to focus on the above listed events, and drop the 50 fly. I do want to become a flier, though it is not my strongest. Also, it is difficult to choose events that are consecutive, not knowing how close they are to each other, timewise. I may select a 5th event.
I will also be consulting with Terry Laughlin of Total Immersion Swimming, in order to implement TI technique to the maximum degree, specifically focusing on the 400 freestyle. This is no small task for me, since I never swam distance freestyle until last year, upon learning TI. Since TI has opened this door for me, it only makes sense to have the "Master Coach" help me swim to success. And, these Games will include a 50 meter Long Course pool, which is another big adjustment.
Thank you for reading my blog, and your support in spreading the news of the miracle of organ transplantation, and the urgent need for organ donors!
400 meter freestyle
100 back
50 breast
50 back
Medley and Free relays
I am allowed 5 individual events and 2 relays. After meeting w/ my coach, Andy Martin, we decided to focus on the above listed events, and drop the 50 fly. I do want to become a flier, though it is not my strongest. Also, it is difficult to choose events that are consecutive, not knowing how close they are to each other, timewise. I may select a 5th event.
I will also be consulting with Terry Laughlin of Total Immersion Swimming, in order to implement TI technique to the maximum degree, specifically focusing on the 400 freestyle. This is no small task for me, since I never swam distance freestyle until last year, upon learning TI. Since TI has opened this door for me, it only makes sense to have the "Master Coach" help me swim to success. And, these Games will include a 50 meter Long Course pool, which is another big adjustment.
Thank you for reading my blog, and your support in spreading the news of the miracle of organ transplantation, and the urgent need for organ donors!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Supporting Organ Donation World-wide
I am posting a copy of the fundraising letter for my trip to the 2009 World Transplant Games from August 22-30th. Feel free to share with anyone who may wish to join the cause to promote organ donation and help display the miracle of transplantation.
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Heart Transplant Greetings!
I am writing this letter to share with you a fantastic opportunity to promote organ donation and display the success of transplantation across the world! I recently was given the honor of becoming a member of Team USA, joining other American transplant athletes to compete at the 17th World Transplant Games in Australia, from August 22-30, 2009.
The World Transplant Games have been in existence for more than 25 years. The first Transplant Olympics were held in Portsmouth in 1978-an international event with teams from France, Germany, Greece and the United States competing. Since these early beginnings with some 99 competitors, the Games have grown and now attract up to 3000 competitors from up to 70 countries. The World Transplant Games are the single biggest organ donation and transplantation awareness event in the world, and the ideal way of showing the world what a difference organ donation can make!
After receiving a life-saving heart transplant on July 25, 2005, I have been privileged to win seven gold medals and set four American records in swimming, at the 2006 and 2008 U.S. Transplant Games. It is my earnest desire to compete, and be victorious, against the best transplant athletes in the world. My purpose is to display the miracle of organ transplantation, promote the urgent need for everyone to donate life, as well as honor all the donors and donor families in the United States.
I can only accomplish this goal with your support! Would you consider making a contribution to help me “Go for the Gold at the Gold Coast?” If you would like to join this life-giving cause, you can make a non-tax deductible contribution to “Brian Barndt” and write “2009 World Games” in the memo. Details of all expenses will be available upon request. My contact information is listed below, along with the website of the 2009 World Transplant Games.
My heartfelt thanks for your support!
Brian R Barndt
325 Tillamook Drive
Wake Forest, NC 27587
919/757-1230 c
bbarndt@gmail.com
www.worldtransplantgames09.com
-----------
Heart Transplant Greetings!
I am writing this letter to share with you a fantastic opportunity to promote organ donation and display the success of transplantation across the world! I recently was given the honor of becoming a member of Team USA, joining other American transplant athletes to compete at the 17th World Transplant Games in Australia, from August 22-30, 2009.
The World Transplant Games have been in existence for more than 25 years. The first Transplant Olympics were held in Portsmouth in 1978-an international event with teams from France, Germany, Greece and the United States competing. Since these early beginnings with some 99 competitors, the Games have grown and now attract up to 3000 competitors from up to 70 countries. The World Transplant Games are the single biggest organ donation and transplantation awareness event in the world, and the ideal way of showing the world what a difference organ donation can make!
After receiving a life-saving heart transplant on July 25, 2005, I have been privileged to win seven gold medals and set four American records in swimming, at the 2006 and 2008 U.S. Transplant Games. It is my earnest desire to compete, and be victorious, against the best transplant athletes in the world. My purpose is to display the miracle of organ transplantation, promote the urgent need for everyone to donate life, as well as honor all the donors and donor families in the United States.
I can only accomplish this goal with your support! Would you consider making a contribution to help me “Go for the Gold at the Gold Coast?” If you would like to join this life-giving cause, you can make a non-tax deductible contribution to “Brian Barndt” and write “2009 World Games” in the memo. Details of all expenses will be available upon request. My contact information is listed below, along with the website of the 2009 World Transplant Games.
My heartfelt thanks for your support!
Brian R Barndt
325 Tillamook Drive
Wake Forest, NC 27587
919/757-1230 c
bbarndt@gmail.com
www.worldtransplantgames09.com
Sunday, April 5, 2009
500 free w/ a smile :-)
Well, it would seem about time for the results from my 500 free at the Masters meet at Duke. I must admit I had a significant amount of anxiety, so what's new?, about having "success" w/ this event. I tend to add a ton of pressure, and I was right on schedule at the outset of the meet. Since I am swimming for Team USA at the World Transplant Games in August, I "needed" to find another event where I hope to be competing for a medal. In February, I swam the 200 free w/ the same hopes, and it was a disaster (no need for quotes). Freestyle sprinting is out, so maybe I can go for distance.
Using my ever evolving TI technique, distance events are now an option for this transplant recipient. Smart and efficient swim strokes lead to less resistance from the water, less energy used, and greater endurance gained. To my delight, my time was better than I had expected, 6 min 51 sec. I am thrilled to have broken 7 minutes! In addition, I was able to hold pace, and not run out of gas while barfing up a lung at the finish. So, yes, distance will become a new swimming hobby w/ goals, starting w/ medaling in the 400 meter free at the Worlds, long course.
Technique holds true, since one goggle filled w/ water after my start, along w/ the straps moving too far down the back of my head. I just thought to myself, swim your stroke, don't worry about anyone else, whether swimmers in adjoining lanes or Coach Andy cheering me from the deck.
Using my ever evolving TI technique, distance events are now an option for this transplant recipient. Smart and efficient swim strokes lead to less resistance from the water, less energy used, and greater endurance gained. To my delight, my time was better than I had expected, 6 min 51 sec. I am thrilled to have broken 7 minutes! In addition, I was able to hold pace, and not run out of gas while barfing up a lung at the finish. So, yes, distance will become a new swimming hobby w/ goals, starting w/ medaling in the 400 meter free at the Worlds, long course.
Technique holds true, since one goggle filled w/ water after my start, along w/ the straps moving too far down the back of my head. I just thought to myself, swim your stroke, don't worry about anyone else, whether swimmers in adjoining lanes or Coach Andy cheering me from the deck.
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