This past Sunday I got right back into the longer swims with a set of 30 x 300m on 5:00 (SCM), every 6th backstroke with fins. Yesterday I did what I call a "parking lot workout." I arrived at the pool and scribbled down the main set on paper, while sitting in my car. I knew if it was written on paper, I had to finish it. There was no backing down and I had no excuse to get out early. Accountability. I knew I wanted to do between six and seven thousand meters, so I did a 1100, 1000, 900, 800, etc. ladder down to 100 (6,600m). I've always done 1000-down so I added a bit more distance.
There's also cyber accountability. When in doubt, a brief Facebook posting of your intentions (status) to plunge into a freezing lake in April to acclimate always seems to do the trick. Knowing that your teammates will ask about the water will trigger follow through. So I played for over 20 minutes in the 41 degree lake on Saturday afternoon while Noah took video clips of me screaming and the dog having a fantastic time.
The 2011 USMS 25k Solo National Championship is only 7 weeks from this Saturday. This weekend I ordered two tubs of Maxim, the nutrition of choice for marathon swimmers. Feeding during the 25k won't be too difficult, with a kayak closer to my level. Salt water, gigantic swells and fishing vessels will make the Channel feeding more interesting. Right now I can only control my training, nutrition on land and sleep. G'night.