Taking a shot at the 500

Well, since the 200 free didn't go as well as hoped, time to move on to the next thing, the 500 free. Not sure why I feel the need to swim this, maybe just for achievement's sake, as well as a having a fuller integration of TI technique into a distance event, enjoying efficiency, endurance and speed. While both of these objectives are true, I mostly hope to be able to identify if the 500 is a good fit for me & Team USA at the 2009 World Transplant Games in Australia this August. There is a 400m event, that may be a good opportunity to be competitive in my age group, 40-49. And, it fits nicely into the 2 day swim schedule.

Anxious, yes, but so tired that it's all good either way. I've been reminded this week of how grateful I am to simply be able to well enough to race in swim meets. 2006 was the first year of competitive swimming in 18 yrs, since my diagnosis of congestive heart failure. I don't want to forget that in the big picture, swimming a personal best is exciting, but certainly not the answer to fulfulling my purpose in the grand scheme of life. God has allowed me to experience new life in the water w/ my new heart, and I plan to swim as long as it is pumping!

Don't forget to be an organ and tissue donor. Thanks for reading.

Meet results

I had a great time swimming at the Frank Clark Masters meet in Greensboro this past Saturday. I swam four individual events, and went 2 for 4. Meaning, I am pleased w/ my 50 backstroke and 50 breastroke swims, not so much the 100 back and 200 free. The 100 back would have been a decent race, since the seeded times in my heat were close to be competitive. Unfortunately, my feet slipped on the wall, resulting in no push off whatsoever from my start!!! Yes, that is about 5 seconds down the toilet. Nice.

The 200 free was a disaster. While my hope was to engage my TI technique into better endurance for this mid-distance event, this was dashed to bits on the rocks below at the 100 yd mark. Though I was thinking wide tracks, arm recovery & relaxed hands, my body was saying, "I don't think it matters, Brian." Muscles were burning something awful and I was totally gassed out, which was a surprise. In hindsight, my heart rate was either not up high enough at the outset, or the issue of deinnervation was too much an obstacle.

Deinnervation means that my transplanted heart cannot be told by my brain to speed up prior to the body's need for more oxygen, such as when beginning up a flight of stairs. This is due to the nerves being severed when my original heart was removed, and their not re-attaching with the new one. Only when the muscles demand more O2, while adrenaline is pumping, does my new heart catch up. It is a strange dynamic to work through, and timing is critical. Not an excuse, just the reality.

So, my fantasy of becoming a 200 freestyler may not be realized in this life, and that is ok. At least, I know what event not to register for at the World Games :-) I am still considering the 400 free and 200 IM, in addition to the 50 and 100 backstroke events, my best chances for a medal.

Had a great time, met some cool people, including the Executive Director of United States Masters Swimming. Back to the drawing board at Masters this Saturday.

200 Freestyle??

Yes, it's true. I am going to swim the 200 yd free in a Masters meet on Saturday. Not too big a deal for most competitive swimmers, but it is for me. Reason being is I never race freestlye events, except in relays. I've always done better with strokes, particularly backstroke. Because of recent "success" in my Masters swimming utilizing TI technique, time to test the freestyle waters.

I am more excited than anxious about attempting the 200 free, which is notable since the last time I swam it competitively was in my freshman year at Monmouth College. I was the only swimmer for our team, against three beasts from Villanova. Great memories. And, since having more efficiency and less resistance in the water, I don't fear running out of air. Nice.

I am also swimming the 50 & 100 back, and 50 breastroke. We'll see what Saturday brings!

Arm Recovery and Speed

As I've documented previously, I have been swimming on the Masters team at the Kerr YMCA. It seems I am continously learning how to utilize TI technique into these workouts, which run about 2250 yds. One continuous challenge for me is to maintain good body position, rhythmic breathing, and avoid returning to the old ways of pulling and kicking for propulsion.

Today was focused on freestyle, while last week was IM. Thought last week would have been exciting doing all the strokes, but negative. I attempted to swim in the fast lane and struggled just to make intervals. Today, back to lane 7, where I belong. After some 200s, Coach Andy had us swim some 50s. I really enjoyed these, since it felt like the first time I was able garner some speed utilizing my TI. I was able to lead the lane in several of the sets, and felt a genuine sense of accomplishment.

The focal point that seemed to do the trick was arm recovery, or lifting my elbow out of the water before my arm is full length by my leg. Holding skate and bringin up the elbow and spearing to target before beginning to pull on skate arm, was what enabled me to feel a sense of turnover. w/ TI strokes. I haven't been able to achieve this feeling until now. I was mindful of my SPL, and though they tended to increase when I was sprinting, they often stayed within my range, 11-13.

Good day of swimming. Hello to hip drive.

Swimming Heart

This post is to share the good news that my mid-year heart transplant appointment went well. My labs were all within normal limits, and my echocardiagram revealed my heart's pumping function remains strong. This being the case, preparing for the World Transplant Games is the plan! I will continue to practice w/ the Masters at Kerr Y on Saturday am's, and begin some competition events at swim meets.

God is good.

A Beginner's Success

This post includes an excerpt from one of the graduates of the January TI lessons at Kerr YMCA. She came with a very limited swimming background, including a near drowning experience as a child at a water park. Breathing was a significant concern for her at the outset, which is common for many of the adults Bridget and I teach. By the end of our six lessons, she was able to swim a full length of full stroke freestyle, utilizing advanced breathing skills! This stay-at-home mom has inspired me as an instructor, and I know her comments will inspire other swimmers, and those who want to begin swimming.

We observed her swim while we had out lessons this past Wednesday, at approximatley 7:30 pm. Of course, we cheered congrats to her.

"I only heard a little because I had my MP3 player on. The thing is wonderful for doing laps! I didn't stop until 9:00, and I felt great! I never thought I would be able to swim that long. I probably could have kept going, but decided I was getting a little tired. Thanks to you and Bridget for helping me learn a better way of swimming."
PS. "I've dropped 10 lbs so far swimming 2-3 times a week. Yay ME!"

Yay for her, and for Total Immersion!

Breakthrough TI Swim

I'm very excited about the workout I enjoyed this am at Kerr Y Masters. It was a long set of 2000 yds. I joined the faster half of the group, in the slower of those two lanes. The set was 5x100s, then 4x125s, 2x250s, & 1x500 yds. I swam last of the four swimmers, maintained TI technique and balance, counted my SPL, and wasn't overly concerned with fast times. Yet, I did not fall behind, nor gas out.

By the end of the 125s, the other gents were huffing a little, yet I felt good. I swam second in the first 250, then led the second 250. It was awesome for me to lead the lane, and not be compromising my balance whatsoever, in order to maintain the pace. I continued to think over and over how fortunate I am to have just some level of mastery in TI technique, which guarantees efficiency, and produces endurance. Arm recovery, wide tracks, hip drive...and many other focal points echoing in my head.

The final part of the set was the 500, and it was the most enjoyable 500 I've swum in over 20 years! TI provides yet another breakthrough.

WORLD TRANSPLANT GAMES 2009!!

I am excited to share that I have become a member of Team USA, that will compete at the World Transplant Games in Australia. The Games are August 22nd through 29th, and the team will fly out of Los Angeles on Aug. 19th, and return on Aug. 30th. I am more than thrilled to compete on an international level, and especially represent our country.

My events will be in swimming, of course, and include individuals and relays. The
50m and 100m backstroke will likely be my best events, though I may also swim butterfly, breastroke, and the IM. My hope is to also participate on the men's medley and freestlye relays.

I will need lots of support, and will have information available soon on how you can help me and Team USA compete at this elite level. Our heart's desire is to magnify the message that "Organ Transplantation Works!" There are approximately 100,000 people on transplant waiting lists nationwide, and multitudes will never make it to transplant, unless people choose to become organ and tissue donors. Those of us blessed to be given new life, desire to maximize our gifts through athletic achievement, show the urgent need for organ donation, and to honor all those who gave the precious gift of life!

Integrating TI into Masters, II

During the masters workouts in which I've participated, the key has been not reverting back to traditional swim methods, when everyone else utilizes them. What has helped is the coach, Shannon York, is into TI and understands why I am not using kickboards and pull buoys. During the kick set, I got in skate position and kicked, trying not to negatively affect my balanced position.

I also do not use paddles or buoys, since they are based on a stroke cycle emphasizing pulling w/ arm strength, and not hip drive. Why not? To maintain balance and body position. The TI stroke cycle does not begin with an arm pull, rather the hip drive. Not engaging the arm muscles to pull saves energy and oxygen, while providing more efficient propulsion.

Thankfully, the coach gives me the space to continue to learn and practice TI in a Masters atmoshpere. Admittedly, it is somewhat awkwad, but a good way to engage other competitive swimmers. Several observers have commented how I make it look easy compared to other, and faster, swimmers. One comment is for every stroke I take, they take one and 1/2 strokes.

Each new step I take with TI, only serves to renew my faith in its methodolgy and practice. Thanks for reading.

Integrating TI into Masters

Finally, a blog post. I will blame the holidays, like everyone else. Quickly, the second TI group finished up Dec. 20th. It was a great group, and close to max capacity. Bridget and I learned a great deal about working with such high level swimmers/triathletes. We received a fair amount of feedback, mostly positive, and will implement what we learned to make future groups at Kerr Y even more productive.

Now, the present. Today was a significant day for me, and maybe TI Raleigh. I swam with the Masters team at Kerr Y today at 7:30 am. This group consists of many swimmers from the triathlon club. I had some anxiety about getting into sets and intervals, hoping not to take away from the progress I've made using TI principles and focal point drills. I was delighted how well things integrated together, swimming close to 2000 yds. Truth be told, I fell down my icy front steps immediately after walking out the front door, and had to lighten up. Ouch. Then my car wouldn't start. Grrr. Took my wife's minivan, determined to swim. Glad I did.

I was pleased with several things. First, my workout wasn't about speed, rather using good stroke technique, and learning how to hold pace during the
6x100s, then 4x200s. My pace, not everyone else's. I swam in the C lane, slower than A or B, of course, yet was able to stay close to the B's. Now I know my ABC's. OK, not funny.

It was also rewarding to feel refreshed in the second half of our practice. This is not to say I didn't exert myself, because I did, but swimming efficiently pays huge dividends. Maintaining the same SPL was the name of the game, and I stayed right around 12. I wasn't huffing and puffing, and gasping for air. Rather, a good sense of satisfaction after knowing my body got a really nice workout.

Finally, to hear from a lifeguard that my TI stroke looks so easy and natural, is so confirming. The whole point of beginning TI swimming, before TI coaching, was to swim gracefully, smarter, and faster. And for me, as a heart transplant recipient (2005), endurance is not easily attainable. Yet, TI is making it real, and I am pumped!