I’ve finally gotten into the pool to train for the 2013 NYC Triathlon on July 14 (better late than never right?).
Considering that the swim training I did for the race in 2012 consisted of participating in the race in 2011 (meaning, none) I am way ahead of the game. In fact, I feel pretty strong in the pool, which is great, but will mean nothing come race day. I am so scared of open water swimming that my strength is sapped from all the fear and hyperventilating.Back when I first started doing this race, the swim start was organized so that if you were an age group participant (as opposed to Professional or Elite) you didn’t jump or dive off the barge. Participants jumped in the water and hung onto a rope until the horn went off. I was able to jump in and calm myself before the horn and have a great swim. Unfortunately, the race organizers have gone to a Time Trail start to speed up getting everyone in the water. What this means is that every 20 seconds a group of about 40 age group participants jumps in and starts swimming down the Hudson River (with no time to acclimate).
But I digress.
I am actually enjoying the pool laps. Well, let me rephrase. I’m enjoying the benefits of swimming, I find the laps interminable. Because of the swims, my runs are more enjoyable with a new kind of cross training, and I’ve found I don’t need to take a day off from exercising each week. My “rest” days are relatively easy swim days.
But I digress again.
I usually get so bored in the pool that after 15 minutes I need to get out. The gym I belong to has a TINY pool and I’m I’m hitting like seven strokes before needing to turn. And it just seems to go on forever.
So, how do I make it better? Well, music made running better when I needed a kick in the pants, so I started looking around for how to get music in the pool and I think I found the perfect answer! Enter the X-1 Interval 4G Waterproof Headphone System (when I bought mine, the company was called H2Audio).
And It. Is. Awesome!
I originally bought this so I could listen to music while running in the rain, but today I put it to use for it’s original purpose. After futzing around, trying to figure out the correct size elastomer ear plugs to use I dove in and was 29 minutes into my swim before I knew it.
The curved back of the unit was pretty comfortable against my head. I didn’t even notice it and it was super easy to weave the goggle straps around it.
I was able to listen to music and get so distracted by it I wasn’t aware of how much time was going by. And, I had my strongest and one of my longest swims to date!
Needless to say, I will be using this for every swim workout moving forward!
The unit fits the current iPod Shuffle. If you already have one (which I did) you can save a few $$ and just purchase the case, if, however you need one, the company conveniently sells an integrated unit.
What a cool idea, I had no clue these things existed. I don't mind the laps yet – but I've just had my first swim session of my training!
Makes it some much more enjoyable!
That is an awesome device for the pool laps…great post!
Shannon at I Survived and Now I Run
Thanks Shannon!
I hated swimming when I did my tri training, especially because there was no music. But I figured it was part of the training since music wasn't allowed during the race anyway.
Good luck next month!
Thanks man!
I don't swim enough to justify a purchase like this, but it is a great idea, and if it motivates you I'm all for it.
I'm triathlon training as well, and I seriously lack motivation to train in the pool! You mentioned a fear of open water. I'm a decent swimmer, but I've never really swam in the open water for a race, what sparks the fear? How do you get over that?