The barrel

OMG!  I couldn't wait til the end of the weekend to post this.  I just swam my fastest ever 2400 yards in the pool sans wetsuit.  My half ironman swim split was 38 minutes.  This is a minute faster than my previous best.  I was averaging 1:43 per 100.  That's insane for me.  I haven't seen really anything under 1:50 consistently for a long time.  And it all has to do with this:

It all because of the barrel.  Yesterday, I tried making my arm into a "C" like I was hugging a barrel during my pull.  I noticed it was harder and I got some speed from it.  I had been pulling my arm like an oar.  Perpendicular with a high elbow through the water.  I just thought that a flat arm would direct the most propulsion backwards well somehow a "C" shaped forearm and upper arm pulls more water for me.

I decided this morning to use the "C" shape pull the entire swim.  I had forgot to dry my baggy swim trunks last night so I was stuck wearing just my tri-shorts for the swim.  Shedding the baggy trunks cuts about 5 seconds per 100 for me.  Anyway, I hoped in and swam my first 100 in 1:41.  This is almost my fastest ever 100.  Even when doing intervals I've only gone under 1:40 a few times.  I was excited but the next 100 was 1:47.  Crap, let's get focused and see what I can do.  I just kept busting out 1:42s and 3s.  Towards the end I had a couple of 1:45s but overall I averaged 1:43.  Sweetness!!

Maybe a 35 minute half ironman split is in my grasp at Florida.  Combine that with a 2:30ish bike and then if I can just bust out a fast run split, the high 4:30 something range is in my grasp.  That's right in the thick of things in my age group.  Of course that all depends on my run coming around.  My knee feels pretty good today so I'm going to lay off until the first of March and then come back slowly.  The run base should still be there and if I can just build up a little slow and overlay some speed in April I should be okay.

The run is going to be harder this year because my entire cheering section from last year won't be there.  Amber has a conference the Monday after the half so she, Elena and Joe are not coming.  Of course, Orion is participating so he won't be in the crowd either.  I'll just have to stay mentally tough on my own.