Day 1: Swim, Kickboxing, and STRETCHING!

It has taken me some time to get past just an outline for the training that need to be done, but I finished the first 6 weeks last night and by the end of this coming weekend I will have then entire 28 weeks finished. 

So today was the official FIRST day of training and that included a swim day and kickboxing (for cross training) along with a nice long flexibility and foam roller session to round out the day.  The plan for swim was to do a 200 meter warm up followed by 4 x 100 going at a 25 fast (or 75% effort right now) and 25 easy, then a full recovery between each repeat.  After the efforts I was to do another 2 x 200 practicing alternating breathing, or a breath every three strokes to allow me to breathe both directions.  I learned that in doing these efforts my stroke count went from 16 strokes per 25 up to 24 strokes per 25 for the effort lap and was just about 18 strokes for the recovery 25.  I was also trying to be aware of my catch phase in the water on the recovery laps.  Basically I was trying to be aware of keeping my elbow bent and pressing my hand back toward the wall and not down toward the bottom of the pool.  WOW what a difference it makes to pay close attention to the direction of push. 

Off to kickboxing...brings me back to my karate days.  I love the high intensity kicks and twisting punches and all that stuff.  Well good thing I like it cause working core and rotatory stability is going to be very important in keeping me strong and injury free during my training.  About 40 minutes into class I decided I have been pushing the tempo pretty hard so it was time to dial back and go through the motions without the intensity.  I was so happy when class was over as I was completely drenched in sweat.

Back at Evolution Trainers I had another trainer video me running.  Since I will do my first run tomorrow I wanted to have something to think about as I was running.   We noticed in my video that I run like a sprinter, wide stance pushing my feet side to side with wide elbows, see for yourself... http://v.coachseye.com/5yPc ...YIKES!  But it is very early and I have something to focus on for these first few weeks or more.  We also noticed that my foot strike is pretty darn good, not getting too far forward and a nice upright body with good upper body rotation.... http://v.coachseye.com/do8l ... And last we noticed that my right hip swings up and away from my center which is caused by my left foot.  See if you can see whats going on... http://v.coachseye.com/xBve ... don't mind the chatter in the background.

Well that's all for today...tomorrow is Running and lifting for my legs and core.