on february 2 i will be celebrating my 57th. i am in horrid swim shape right now. furthermore, i am at that point in the year that whatever my swim shape, it’s only going to get worse between now and the middle of january, because we have no indoor pools where i live, but we do get a winter where i live; furthermore our pools tend to close from the middle of december to the first week (or second week) of january. plus, i tend to get 1 or 2 colds/flus during the winter.
that’s my sob story.
but i shall take a lesson from “the outlaw josie wales,” where we hear that infamous exhortation; endeavor to persevere. this is the season where i must endeavor to persevere. consequently…
i shall set down in writing, today, my birthday set, which i have reduced to writing for about the last 7 consecutive years in vain, that is, i write it, i plan it, and i fail to endeavor to persevere. nonetheless, here it is. simple. 57 x 100yd repeating on the 1:30 base. which i could do now, if i divided it by 7 and did one-seventh of my birthday set each day for a week.
i have my ace in the hole. my secret weapon. i acquired for myself a vasa ergometer. i therefore intend to augment my pool segments with vasa segments, as well as driving to various pools out of the area the second half of december and first part of january.
i cannot say that i will be attempting my birthday set on feb 2. i’m approaching this like a big wave challenge, where, when god provides surf, i shall surf. except, it’s when god provides fitness. i reckon any day within 2 weeks on either side of the actual birthday fulfills the spirit of the birthday set. you are welcome to get in shape and try this with me. no guarantee i’m going to actually attempt my birthday set. but i’m going to attempt to attempt it. i shall endeavor to persevere. i’ll let you know how my progress goes.
That is quite the endeavor. I don’t think I’ll be able to do a 1:30 base, but I’ll give it a shot at maybe a 1:45? Look forward to hearing how your training goes!
since i am a guppy, and usually get lax on my swimming in the winter for somewhat similar reasons (excuses?) to yours - i will do 56 x 50 yards on 1:15 base.
count me in!
Hi Dan! I hope you’re well. I actually used to live in Vermont, where VASA, Inc maintains its operation. As you can imagine, it’s COLD there, and walking to the pool provided quite the task for me. When I was there, I used my VASA trainer and had tremendous results and drops in my time. I recently acquired an Ergometer, and I commit to doing this challenge with you. I suffered a rough back injury in March/April of last year right in the middle of training for Oceanside 70.3 and Ironman Cozumel which happened yesterday. Unfortunately, I could not run or bike at all until two weeks ago (give or take), but the doctors did clear me to use my VASA trainer and Ergometer. if you’re on facebook/linkedin, add me. or just email me at david.nijhawan@gmail.com and I’d love to keep each other accountable! I look forward to this!
I’m down. Although I’m mainly focusing on bike fitness this winter, a good day in the pool will help make sure I don’t lose too much feel for the water. I do think the birthday set needs to be reversed for us younger folk, especially coming from competitive backgrounds. So, my approach (and proposal to all the fishes out there) is to make this 100 - my birthday, on a reasonable interval. 75x100yds for me, at least on 1:30 for all swims, some will be faster; kick will be slower.
I will have to mark down 44x100 for two weeks later. On 2:00 though. Unless that guppy challenge can knock 20 to 25 seconds off my 100 time. I expect results from the challenge, but not those kinds of results.
feel ya!
turned 53 on Saturday and did 53 x 100 yesterday. Haven’t been swimming since last May but did do a 3000m workout last Monday and another 1000 on Friday to get ready for Sunday.
I’ll join you on the 57 x 100. The new Carlsbad 50m pool is opening later this month, you should come down here to do it.
I don’t really plan on doing 47 x 100 on the 2nd. I’m just glad I found a decent celebrity with the same birthday as me. Once you get past Shakira the picking get slim.
Dan, if you really plan to “endeavor”, some like Jordan could find a pool and you could invite everyone to join you for the set. I’m sure you’d get a good turnout in SoCal.
And if I do my race age, I’ll be pacing you right up to 57.
OK… March 1 (or 2) I will go for 37x100 @1:15 if SCM or 1:20 if LCM.
That’s pretty much just your normal warm up, isn’t it?
I’m up for it. It’ll will be 54 for me (damn, I’m old) … my intervals are measured with a sun dial.
On Dec 22, our swim group in Nashville will be conducting a 100x100m swim (or as much as you can do). I’m shooting for the 60+ range. Last month marked my 1 year anniversary for this sport…I’ve come a long way distance-wise…need to pick up the speed.
