Eric and I have been "training" twice a week at the UBC (site of the Worlds static competition this summer) with interesting results.
I realized early on that I had a fear of pushing beyond 5:30. So many statics have ended at 5:30 clean and with plenty of air to spare. At the regionals I pulled up clean and the recovery was such that I started talking and goofing around right afterwards. Time? 5:31.
So, I felt like I needed to push beyond that magic mark of 5:30.
Two weekends ago, I went to the pool and did 6'09" with a blackout at the end. I had overventilated (still experimenting with breath up) and although I was able to lift my head out of the water, Eric had to make sure I didn't do a face plant. My recovery was also horrible. But I was ecstatic! (pardon the pun!
) I had conquered the barrier. After a rest, I went again and this time made 5'54" with a samba. Even so, I felt like I had conquered my demons....
Last weekend, I went to the pool and it was unbelievable for me.
I had been experimenting with warm-ups of 3'30", 4'30" etc...
First breath hold of the session: 5'48" a new pb in the pool!
I rested for ten minutes and then went again: 6'02" another pb!
My contractions were much earlier but they were enjoyable because they only very gradually got worse and unlike the previous weekend I was clear headed enough to signal and evaluate my condition as I approached six minutes.
Now last night:
1st breathhold of the night: 6'11" another pb. Elevator man was watching (Canadian static record holder) so it was inspiring to have him around.
2nd breath hold: 6'26". I finally beat my dry static pb of 6'11".
Again the contractions were easy to take and I was completely conscious the whole time, even in the struggle stage.
My breath up was as follows:
1st static: 4min, 3-4 breaths then 20 second hold, repeat, no purges.
Same for 2nd static, except for 6 mins.
Elevatorman wanted me to do a third static after the 6'26" and I think I will next time.
Needless to say, I am stoked!!!!!!
Pete
Vancouver, BC
