The no-plan training plan- Alcatraz Edition

Historically, when I've set a goal for a sporting event, I've created a detailed training plan and followed it to the letter. I've done heart rate training for running, and tracked my zones with precision. In prior years I set training goals for various events.   For reasons I won't get into here, that rigid planful type of training doesn't fit my current life and psyche. 

So for Alcatraz, I've set a no-plan training plan. Instead of rigid goals, I've set mild benchmarks that if I make them, I know I'll be on track for the swim.

The first benchmark is to swim three or more days a week, except when I can't. (How's that for a non-rigid goal?) Last week I was in Victoria, BC with the spouse for four days. I didn't swim at all. That's ok. When I came home I picked up my Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday swim routine, having only missed one Tuesday.

The second benchmark is to make a mile an easy swim. I've accomplished this. It is about a mile from the swim beach to the dog park and back at Magnusson park, where I swim most often. That is now my "daily" swim or my "easy" swim.  When I don't feel like swimming, I do that mile. Easy peasy.

The third benchmark is to make a mile and a half an easy swim. I've pretty much accomplished this. I've done the mile-and-a-half swim three times, and only the first time did it feel hard. It is worth  noting that the first time was also the worst conditions I've swum in so far this summer.

The fourth benchmark is to swim to the Lighthouse and back every time I swim at Alki in July and August. I've done this this last two times I've swum at Alki (so far every time in July and August). The distance is almost identical to Alcatraz, though the conditions may be different. 

The final benchmark is to make a two mile swim a reasonable swim, if not "easy". I'm still working up to this, but plan on doing my first two miler of the season this Thursday. If I can do it once a week between now and Alcatraz I'll consider the benchmark met.

Just over a month until the Alcatraz swim, I've made four of my five benchmarks. I'm on my way!

Practicing the Jump- Part 2

 Those who read here regularly may know that I have a bit of anxiety about the start of my upcoming swim from Alcatraz. So a few weeks ago I practiced jumping from a four foot height into the water. The other aspect of the jump that has me anxious is the temperature.  I swim in Puget Sound year round, so the water temperature isn't such an issue. But I generally take my time getting in.  In fact, my spouse has recorded me taking over 20 min to get in!  I'll wade in up to my waist, then procrastinate. Splash myself. Procrastinate more. Question all the life choices that led me to this moment, and procrastinate more. Then slowly ease myself into head up breast stroke, only putting my face in the water when I've warmed up.

The Alcatraz swim will be a jump, from the boat, followed by immediate swimming. No 20 min warm up and gentle head up breast stroke.  So although I'm used to cold water, I was a little worried about the cold water shock.

So my partners in crime for the swim, A and E, and I decided to practice jumping in to cold water.  We couldn't find a safe public jumping dock in Puget Sound, so we decided a paddle board would work.

A brought his inflatable and went first.  He paddled out to a reasonable depth, stowed the paddle and jumped in. E went next. I waffled over doing it or not, changing my mind about 12 times. It wasn't that I was afraid of the cold water shock, though it was a little that, but rather that I wasn't sure about the paddle board, as my knee is not great for getting up off the floor.  Then I realized, the whole point was to fall, so if I fell while getting up, well, I'd get the cold water shock experience just a second or two earlier than planned.

So I paddled out, stowed the paddle on the board, and jumped from my knees (a compromise on the "can I get up?" issue). The water was cold, but refreshing. It reminded me of my childhood, jumping into spring fed creeks. And ultimately, like the jump from height, it just wasn't so bad. The water in San Francisco Bay can be as much as 10 degrees warmer than Puget Sound, so that jump will be even easier than this one was.

I'm one step closer to Alcatraz.