Last week was about familiarizing ourselves with the pool and lane assignments, and just getting some distance in on the swim (or so I'm told, I was just trying to not swallow the whole pool). This week, we began with some form work, to try to become better swimmers. In my case, it's to become "A swimmer".
After a warm-up (which for me is still almost a workout unto itself), we started learning to do flip-turns. I don't know how much I would put this to use in the future, but I guess it's a useful skill. We worked it as a progression: once we could prove that we could do a somersault in the water, we moved onto doing the somersault with about three strokes lead-in. Once we mastered that skill, it was doing lengths with a somersault every 5-6 strokes. I had just moved to the last part when time was up, so no real attempts there.
Then we did some balance drills (read: lots of kick sets). I'm getting pretty good at the face-down kicking (I'm not being yelled at anymore, so I'll take that as "pretty good"). After a few of those, we did side kicking. These are not pleasant. I have a lot of work to do here to improve my balance. I was exhausted midway on each length. I won't usually touch the bottom on any lengths, but I had to on occasion here. So there's something to work at.
After all that, we got to finish up with some longer sets (2x200 free) and a breast/back cooldown. Here's my small victory for the day. For the 2x200, I was moved up a lane! I was no longer the fastest of the slow, I was slowest of the medium. I know I'm not quick by any standard, but on more than a few lengths, I could really feel things coming together. My balance is better, I feel like I'm catching more water and really propelling myself with each stroke. Maybe in a few weeks I'll move permanently to lane 4 (if 1 is the fastest and 6 is the slowest). My endurance is still improving, and I can swim more relaxed, extending the sets (although I have to admit that the 2x200 was more of an assortment of 50s and 100s, as I was plum-tuckered.
I don't ever see myself getting used to the 4:50 wake-up call, but days like today make it worthwhile.
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Congrats on moving up a lane! Like you said, it's the little victories that keep us motivated. Like the day I decided to do the 'B' race instead of the 'C' race.
Regarding flip-turns... I know you're an open water swimmer but as an ex-swimmer and coach, I can give you two really good reasons to stick with 'em:
1) helps to develop your proprioception in the water. You can't fix technique errors if you can't tell where all your limbs are.
2) (and this one is even more important...) when you start doing 2k, 3k, 4k swims in the pool, you'll be glad you know how to do flip-turns. Flip-turns are more economical than open turns and allow you to focus your energy on the swimming rather than hauling yourself around at the edge.
Unless, of course, you're stopping at the edge for a little break every time you turn; and that's even worse!
And, hey, maybe you'll try a closed-water race some day? In which case, flip-turns will be mandatory.
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