Week ending 11 June

Well, well, well. An interesting week. I have no idea what I did as it was so long ago - maybe it'll come back if you can keep reading through my waffle. Again I was tired and no more break throughs for me - perhaps the opposite. Finished up altitude training (15th session) on Thursday morning. It was so nice to "sleep-in" on Friday. I had Friday off before the competition - probably needed more - that's a seperate blog entry... Anyway, it's all a build up for three weeks from now. Had a good (hard out) swim on Wednesday, and did 10x1:20s dry statics in the evening. Tuesday I did some shocking dynamics, I think I did about 95m max followed by about 5 swims between 75-80m each - feeling a bit wobbly after most of them. Monday I missed yoga but can't remember why - oh yeah, public holiday, I had a rest day after a big weekend of too much training.

I'm pulling back on the fitness stuff now and will have a few rest days before pushing anything again. Will see what the weekend brings, but the diary pages are almost full, so it's not looking good for catching up on sleep and relaxing...

I'm being called off to bed by Braedon (and Minnow) now and feel I should probably listen.

Wellington Winter Champs

• Freediving Pool Competition, Naenae Pool, 9-10 June


• This year the comp went smoothly - organisation wise for me anyway. We had eight competitors, three of whom had not competed before. Judges (Fran & Tracy) and our medic (Karl) flew down from Auckland for the event and did a fine job. We managed to get the 50m pool for the Saturday morning dynamics events, and the 25m for the no fins. A number of personal bests were swum, as the guys enjoyed not having to turns so much. Thanks to everyone who helped out - the level of delegation worked much better for me this year!


• The comp for me didn't go so well. It was my worst one ever. :( I miscalculated a few things and ended up falling over after standing up at the end of my DYN event at 102m (done without fins in the 50m pool), and again after my static performance at 5:07s. The first meant that I was unable to compete in "my event", the dynamics without fins. I've spent a lot of time analysing every aspect and I feel there were a number of factors that can pretty much be summarised as: physical & mental fatigue and a poor warm up for both events.


• Thanks to those who came to support me: mum (sorry it was such a poor introduction to freediving for you) and Miriam who came out to the pool when I didn't even get to compete.
• This photo pretty much sums up my weekend, then there's a link to a video of my DYN (done without fins):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GAprdUiKOU

Week ending 4 June

• Getting a bit late with this entry - not sure how much I can remember. I haven't made any huges improvements over the last week, unlike the fortnight prior. I'm still on track though (I think). I'm still pretty tired from training so much, organising the holiday and working pretty hard. I need an extra 6 hours a day: 3 for sleeping, one for training, two for working and maybe another for a rest period... It's one month exactly until the commencement of the world champs, two and a half weeks until we leave. I keep thinking that I only have the two and a half weeks left for training - won't really get another decent dynamics session until the WC training days, when I'm supposed to be taking it easy! I'll be doing dry statics in Shanghai and Vienna though (and perhaps on the plane if there's not much going on - I wonder if that would increase the chances of blood clotting!). Looking forward to catching up on some sleep and actually getting a decent rest prior to competing. Hope Maribor isn't too much of an interesting place... Next weekend will be a good trial - we have the Wellington Winter Champs.

• Tuesday: Altitude training: 8% O2, min SPO2 73% (I think), 7/3mins, 2 break outs. Statics: short CO2, 12 x 1:30s (one breath between) - it was easier overall than the 9.5 repetitions I did 12 days before. I focussed on relaxing completely and took my time getting into the pool, and it always feels better earlier in the week!
• Wednesday: Altitude training: 8% O2, min SPO2 73%, 7/3mins, 2 break outs. Lunch time swim: I was a bit tired so just took it easy: 20 lengths warm up, 10 x breaststroke, 10 x backstroke, couple of medleys and a warm down.
• Thursday: Altitude training: 8% O2, min SPO2 72%, 7/3mins, 3 break outs. Dynamics: but can't remember - can't have been too startling!
• Friday: Altitude training: 7% O2, min SPO2 72%, 8/2mins, 15 break outs - it made a bit of a difference dropping down to 7%! Got an early night - got 11 hours sleep. :)
• Saturday: Dry statics: long CO2, 3:30s - was OK, then tried a longer one, but it wasn't my day - gave up at 4 mins, not feeling like I'd get past 5. Altitude training: 7% O2, min SPO2 72%, 8/2mins, 14 break outs.
• Sunday: Gavin was up so we had a couple of sessions (although I think I probably was due for a rest day!) Statics: short CO2, did about 5 x 1:40s - wasn't really there, but had had a couple of stressful sessions the day before. Practiced statics entries for the comp. Dynamics: no warm up, 88m then 82m, then just some 50m swims and coached the others a bit.
• Monday: I decided to have a full rest day. :) Caught up on a bit more sleep.

film event

I'm uncertain as to whether or not Pirates of the Caribbean lived up to everyone's expectations - perhaps that no-brainer is what we expected! It was however, rather entertaining, and I was pleased to see the freediving demonstration when the boat rolled upside down - must have been a good 45s breath hold after running around - fairly impressive... Anyway, I'd like to thank everyone who came along for their support - it was hugely appreciated. It was great to have a quick catch up with people I haven't seen for ages and I must apologise if I didn't manage to get to talk to you. We raised about $1000 total.

Film event of the year

Two more days of sales, and I'm almost sold out! Thanks for the phenominal support guys. We went from wondering if we could fill one cinema to booking and almost filling two (120 seats total). The ticket sales will cover all the competition expenses (transfers, accomodation, hostel food, entry fees), which is so much more than I hoped for. Thanks. I have to warn you that I'm also going to try to sell you raffle tickets on the night. We've got yummy nibbles to make up for it though!

week ending 28 May

It's been a tiring week. Life feels like it has now been put on hold. I'm just sleeping, training, working, training, and repeating it all over and over again... Not much longer now though.

• Tuesday: Altitude training: 13% O2, min SPO2 88% (I think), 7/3mins, 5 break outs (I'm still getting my head around this so you'll have to bear with me). Dynamics max attempt night: 110m DNF, clean and easy-ish :)
• Wednesday: Altitude training: 12% O2, min SPO2 85%, 7/3mins, 2 break outs. Lunch time swim: 5 x 100m free on 1:45s then 5 x 50m breast on 1 min. Poor attempt at dry statics (might have been a bit much doing 3 sessions in one day): 3 min long CO2 tables, only did 5, but skipped down to 30s breathe up before last one - probably shouldn't have bothered.
• Thursday: Altitude training: 11% O2, min SPO2 82%, 7/3mins, 2 break outs. Dynamics: was a bit shattered so did a few 66m swims and then worked on technique.
• Friday: Altitude training: 10% O2, min SPO2 79%, 7/3mins, 2 break outs.
• Saturday: Altitude training: 9% O2, min SPO2 76%, 7/3mins, 3 break outs. This was finally a bit of a push - got a blood shift (tingly fingers and toes) and emptied the bag a few times. Also had a few head rushes when I went back to normal air.
• Sunday: Dynamics: 6 x 80m DNF with 3 min recovery. Tried out Porirua pool (25m, decent depth, good temperature) - would highly recommend, felt good.
• Monday: Altitude training: 8% O2, min SPO2 73%, 7/3mins, no break outs (conquered it!). It was much easier than Saturday, despite dropping the O2 level. I suppose I was more mentally prepared and had had a rest day from it. I had a very minor blood shift at about 16mins to go, but no tingly extremities. Bikram Yoga: always good - still improving every week - I can bend to places I never thought possible... Still plenty of room for improvment in my balance though.

It was a pretty good week. I need to accept that I need rest days though... I figure I'll sleep on the plane. :)

week ending 21 May

What a great week - I've had a number of break throughs in all areas of my training over the past 10 days! Long dynamics and statics, extreme yoga poses, comfort in swimming... Here's how it went:

• Tuesday, dynamics - 93m DNF, few 66m, bit of coaching
• Wednesday, swim - mixing it up a bit: did 1 length fly sprint on 30s, 2 x back on 1 min, 3 x breast on 1:30s, 4x free on 2 mins then in reverse. Then a bit of easy backstroke to try to fix the knot in my shoulder.
• Wednesday, dry statics - long CO2, stepped it up to 3:20s - was a challenge (I did take the dog for a walk first)
• Thursday, statics - short CO2, 1:30 x 9 and got 1 min into 10th.
• Friday, rest day - yay
• Saturday, awesome dry statics - long CO2, 3:20s, felt good after so tried a long one and got to 5:30s! That's my best dry static ever by 1 min!!! :)
• Sunday, dynamics - 6 x 75m DNF with 3 mins break between. One was longer to practice coming up on the lane ropes. Felt good. Need to reduce breaks or turn...
• Monday, first altitude training session (at the bottom of the Ngauranga gorge - it's simulated) with Gemini Power Training. Was starting to figure it out by the end... Have to sort it out in my head a bit more before I start posting my results... Was breathing 13%, 7 mins on and 3 mins off.
• Monday, yoga - had break throughs in 3 poses tonight: toe stand (I held it for about 3s before falling over), standing bow pulling pose (I got heaps deeper and held right through), I can't remember the name of the one at the end where you touch your toes, but I got pretty deep.

Resting pulse is back up around 60s.

Starting Simulated Altitude Training intensively for the next three weeks. Have to get up early in the mornings, but it'll be interesting to see the results.

week end 14 May

Whoops, forgot to do this so might be struggling to remember...

• Tuesday: statics, short CO2 8 x 1:30s, one breath between.
• Wednesday: swimming, 5 x 100 free on 1:45s, 5 x 50 breast on 1:00s
• Thursday: dynamics, not my greatest session
• Friday: REST DAY!
• Saturday: 108m DNF, then some long slow ones.
• Sunday: statics - was going to do a long one but got cold in the warm up. :(
• Monday: yoga - was a bit chilly by the door, but good as always.

Pleased with long dynamic - felt pretty good - probably worth having the rest day beforehand.

sponsors

• I have been very lucky this year to gain the support of sponsors to assist with getting to and having me well kitted out at the world champs:
  


• Orca has provided me with a flash new wetsuit (Apex 2) - it's pretty fast and flexible, and looks and fits great, and is nice and warm so I won't have to take multiple suits away with me. They also gave me some flash swim gear and helped fill up my virtually non existant sports wardrobe. It's great to be promoting a NZ company overseas - hopefully they'll make a few sales when people see how much further I go with a wetsuit and weight on... www.orca.com

• Splash Gordon (local dive shop in Island Bay, Wellington) have been involved all the way through my dive training in scuba and freediving and are supporting me by providing merchandise to help out. They are great supporters of the Lazy Seal Freediving Club too - it's origins are from when Splash used to book training lanes for us. www.splashgordon.co.nz

• Gemini Power Training - (simulated) altitude training at the bottom of the Ngauranga Gorge. Thanks Martin for giving me the opportunity to try this out. Check out the website link below for more info on this training technique. You'll have to check out my training log to see how it's making a difference... www.geminipowertraining.co.nz

• Foster Architects Limited (the company I work for) have also helped out in getting me over there, giving me lots of time off, and being very understanding when I come to work fatigued and leave early to hold my breath! Thanks Ang!

• The Southern Cross garden bar and restaurant has donated a voucher for me to raffle off at my film fundraiser. Much appreciated. Hope lots of people buy lots of tickets!

week ending 7 May

• Tuesday - dynamics session: warm up then 102m followed by 4 x 70m + with about 4 mins in between. Need to practise coming up on the lane ropes - would have been disqualified when I grabbed them prior to coming up and my head went back under on the 102m - felt good though. Kerian got some film so I'll try to put that up on here somehow...
• Wednesday - lunchtime swim: 5 x 100m freestyle leaving on 1:45s, 5 x 50 breaststroke leaving on 1:00 for the first three then 1:05. Did dry statics in the evening after walking Minnow: long CO2, 3:05s - it's pretty hard, but I think I should be alright to step up to 3:15 next week.
• Thursday - dynamics session: 8 x 66m relay with Chris - got about 2:30 break between each while he swam and came up safely - felt nice, perhaps I should have pushed it more...
• Friday - lunchtime swim: 5 x 100m freestyle leaving on 1:45s, 5 x 50 breaststroke leaving on 1:00. Had extra time so did a couple of 200m medleys at an easy pace and a bit of backstroke in an attempt to iron out the knots in my shoulder.
• Saturday & Sunday - didn't train and ate too much decadent food. Had a bit of red wine over the weekend, but have been fairly well behaved for a long time now - it's still proving challenging, but not much longer now - looking forward to the party after the WCs! I did help out on the beginner's freediving course, though it's hardly challenging - worst thing was wearing fins again after so long going without.
• Monday - good yoga session. Forgot my stopwatch so didn't get to train at lunchtime. Was good to have a bit of a break from it all though.
• resting pulse has been about 53 beats/min - might be due to the wine...