April Numbers

The only interesting nugget (well interesting to ME any way) about my training is the increase in yardage that I've devoted to kicking and kick sets during my swims.  From December through today, I've amassed 13,450 yards of kicking.  During the same time frame, In 2010, I had 7700 and in 2012 I had 6050 (I didn't keep an accurate account of my kicking yardage in 2011).  In fact, I had a TOTAL of 12,800 yards of kicking in my 2012 IM training season.  This month, I totaled 5900 yards (new record) while my previous record came in at 4100 (February 2010).  Keep in mind, both the 2010 and 2012 seasons were for IM training while this season it's for my national championships.  The reason for the lower output in my IM years is do to the fact that, while kicking is important in a 2.4 mile swim, it is equally important to keep your legs fresh for the bike and run.  As a result, kicking sets were far less prominent.  In a 50 yard sprint, a strong kick could mean the difference between a podium spot and last place.  In a short sprint, everything needs to go perfect and firing on all cylinders for a successful race.  In a 2.4 or 1.2 mile swim, mistakes can be made up because of the distance traveled.  If I forget to kick in an IM, no big deal, I just start.  If I don't kick in a sprint, it's over before it started.

Interesting stuff, right?!?

APRIL 2010 TOTALS:  
SWIM = 25800 yards
BIKE = 644 miles  
RUN = 51.5 miles

APRIL 2011 TOTALS:
SWIM = 25678 yards  
BIKE = 437.72 miles  
RUN = 6.11 miles (3.1 on a treadmill)

APRIL2012 TOTALS:

SWIM = 30206 yards
BIKE = 135.79 miles
RUN = 18.1 miles

APRIL 2013 TOTALS:
SWIM = 44150 yards
BIKE = 58.96 miles
RUN = 0 miles