This time round, I broke mine up into batches of 1k. The first time I attempted them a month or so back at Garons, Southend, I paused for 30 seconds after each 1k to take on nutrition. I focused on taking enough rest after each 100 too so that my actual time for the 100 was consistent. I am trying not to allow myself to become a progressingly slower plodder. Stay focused, keep looking at the clock, and keep swimming at the same pace. However, for me, taking too much rest between each 100 (15secs first time round), leaves me bored and just wanting to get on with the next one. Although I made the first 10k relatively comfortably, I realised that I should be training harder during the 10k in order to get my stamina/endurance levels up, so this time round, I am on a mission.
I am going to do this 10k at speed. (well - fast for me!). My programme was as follows:-
10 x 100 off 95
5 x 100 off 90
5 x 100 off 1.40
10 x 100 off 95
5 x 100 off 90
5 x 100 off 1.40
2k done. Take 1 minutes rest for nutrition and repeat the above 5 x.
For me, going off 90 is a killer as it only ever allows me about 7 secs rest maximum - to begin with. But, after doing 5 or so, this 7 seconds rest drops to about 2secs rest. I can keep going at this pace. I just look up at the clock as the hand flows up to the 90 bit and just go again. I'm OK doing it like this, but I only have to loose concentration on one of them and that hand scoops past the 90sec bit and then I have no chance of pulling it back. This is why I was realistic and only put 5 of them in at a time. Do 5, then go into recovery mode for a while, then back into comfortable mode for a while and then bring on those 90's again.
It worked brilliantly until nature called at the 7k point? Damn, I purposly did not drink too much before I left home and I also visited the loo before I entered the water, but unfortunately, when you are taking on the fluids during the long swims, the inevitable happens. When you've gotta go, you've gotta go. Even in the open water, I find it impossible to pee whilst swimming fast, but when you are in a swimming pool, I daren't ignor the signs just in case! What followed next was a split seconds stupidity. I did a big push up in the shallow end to get out quick and then wham!! both calves cramped up. I actually fell back into the water with the pain etched on my face. I was in so much pain, I couldn't continue to climb out. I just fell back in with no control over my legs. I wasted about 3 to 4 minutes rolling about in agony then eventually hobbled to the loo. Damn, damn, damn. I was so angry, why didn't I just swim over to the steps ?
The next 1k saw me swimming with flat feet, toes pointing to the bottom of the pool trying to send the cramp away, so needless to say, the 90's didn't happen. It was now all down to mind games. Don't let that little man in the back of your head that keeps saying "You've messed up, go home" get the better of you. I wanted to listen to him, but being a woman - I didnt !!!! I had to settle for 1.40's for the rest of the 10k as not only had I lost my mo-jo, but I had also lost my pace-maker, Mr Ben Jacques - whom I am convinced that without him, I would not even have got to 7k at the pace I was doing. It's so much easier drafting.
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| See you in 3 hours time ! |
Overall, my pace was a lot faster than the first time I attempted it and there were factors that prevented me from completing my target schedule. I will attempt it again in a months time. Eton 10k is just round the corner and I need to get everything right for that one. 2011 Eton saw me having to stop for a good 10 minutes with terrible cramp, hanging onto a support kayak so I really want to get my nutrition right so I can get round this time in record time.
