Coaxing the Engine

It has been a wonderful 2 weeks for me.

It seems like a burden was lifted off the shoulders after Aviva IM 70.3 S'pore.
Swimming, Biking and Running has been a pleasure sport! =D

Swimming
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Purely focusing on my weaker side, I am able to swim with far less effort than before.
Longer distance without the breathlessness I used to encounter after 100m.
Unfortunately, I am unable to use this advantage in the Open Water Swims.
I totally quashed the notion that Jodan is unable to do > 100m using freestyle.

#10, Coach decided to let everyone have a tough swim.
50m BreastStroke followed by 50m FreeStyle.
It surprised everyone (including Coach, I think) when Peter and I led the field by half a pool length after 50m!

#11, Coach decided to do the tough swim again.
This week, I am in the Advanced Class with far better swimmers in all 4 lanes.
After 50m BreastStroke, Coach's instructions become very specific... "Do not let anyone overtake you".
I have hell of a 50m Freestyle and I now understand why breaststoke/freestyle combi is labelled a tough swim.
The shin/calves are screaming murder...

The two classes brought out something very interesting.
Each and everyone of us had a lot of swimming to improve on.
Even Coach goes for swimming lessons twice weekly!
I am very sure that my strokes, my body rotation, my kicking has plenty to improve on.
But that will take time...
Till then, I am pretty happy with my present swim time. =)

Cycling
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Changing a new pair of racing wheels taught me that the wheels does make a difference!
I always thought that pushing the engine to the limit, you can squeeze every ounce out of the bike...
How wrong can I be...

The wheels have pushed me through boundaries that I do not know exist...
Last Sunday, I felt that I had failed my wheels. =D
Pushing the engine to its limit, the wheels feels like it has even more to give...

Hmm... now I firmly believe that a carbon bike will do me wonders.
If only I have the financial capability to own one =(

Running
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Did a 2.5km run last Sunday.
Again, it taught me something...
Out and back route along Changi Beach.
Went out at a comfortable pace.
My only worry is how long I can sustain the pace.
Reached the U-turn point at CP6.
Pace started to slow a little when I see how far I am from the End Point...
I just wish that I can hold on to the pace for the return leg.
With 200m to go, I start to push a little harder and was surprised that I have plenty of reserve in the tank.
Surprise #1 : 6:14min/km pace. Been a long time since I clocked such a pace
Surprise #2 : Stayed in mid-foot/fore-foot strike throughout the run in my NB904.

Pre-Newtons, I cannot say that I am running a pure mid-foot strike. The knee pain is always present. I must have unknowingly switched to heel strike more often than not.

Newton Days, even when I am tired, I can feel myself landing on the actuators...
Every long run has caused blisters on the sole of the foot, but that is better than knee pain.
Black toenails is a permanent thing now... I cannot get rid of it, just have to live with it.
You win some, you lose some.
During Aviva IM 70.3 S'pore, I wore Newtons and tried to walk in mid-foot as much as possible.
Photos taken shown that I did heel strike.
The strange thing is that I do not feel the heel to toe transition anytime during the race.
A check on the shoes shows very little wear and tear on the heels...
Anyway, that is an investigation for another place another time.

Non-Newton Days, actually only 1 so far...
I am pleasantly surprised at the outcome. And I like it. =)

Conclusion : I have so much to improve on in all 3 disciplines... =D