Hi Bill,
Here are the details:
In the beginning I decided not to use a rigid breathe-up sequence because I had to admit that I really hadn't found a good routine. I started out doing two warm ups of 3:30 (test to see how I'm doing) and 4:30 with contractions before going for the maximum static. That was my old pattern. This was erratic and I found the contractions difficult and on several occasions I aborted because I was a) too acidic or b) too alkaline. My breathing pattern, was a inhale-hold 5-8 seconds, exhale pattern with some easy purges before starting the static.
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Jan 31: 6'09" blackout 5'54" samba (1:30pm and 3:30 pm)
1st set: I started with a CO2 table on the pool deck for 6min (2min hold, exhale, inhale, 2min hold, exhale, inhale, 2min hold), contractions very uncomfortable, chest and lungs still tender from friday's workout.
First static in water: 3min breathe up, made 5'00" (contraction at 3:45-4min? and they felt way better than dry)
Second static, 4min b-up, 6'09" black out (assisted at the surface, 1st contraction at 4:47--obviously too alkaline, I overventilated). Last memory is at 5'40". Bad recovery technique according to Eric. Wore 3mm Heiwa t
1 hour rest while Eric went***
2nd set: changed breathing to saturation breathing 1 breath/25 seconds
first static: 3'30" (contraction at 2'45")
second static: 4'30" (contractions at 3'40") -- Happier with less alkalinity and earlier contractions
third static: 5'00" min b-up, 3 forced exhalations to finish b-up, 5'54" and a samba (contraction at 4'17") (unassisted) Eric said "don't forget to breathe" I took a gulp of air and held it, which got me through the samba without blacking out.
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Feb 4:
Did 4'30", 4'45" with contractions, max aborted at 3'30"...very tired and contractions difficult (body too acidic?) (Static session at 10pm)
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Feb 7: 5'48", 6'02"
Saturday session: Went first, decided I would follow similar pattern of 3'30, 4'30", max.... figure that my 5'00" first static on Jan 31 was due to excessive alkalinity and that I should use the breathe up I had tried on the more normal 2nd set (5'54" samba). But something cool happened...
1st warm-up (intended 3:30): Spent 4 minutes breathing up in the new way: (3-4 breaths without pursed lips--I open my mouth really wide to inhale without effort and then exhale quickly by letting my diaphragm relax, instead of the long slow prolonged exhale I usually do. Then after 3-4 or four such breaths I hold the inhale for 20 seconds or so, whatever feels good. On each of the 3-4 breath cycles I can feel that I've blown off some CO2 but then the 20 second hold seems to bring things back to normal). I got my first contraction at around 3'45", I think, and I was able to resist the next one for a long time and keep going until I had made 5'00" then I thought, well, it still feels good, and so when Eric announced 5'30" I wanted to put that barrier behind me for good. I came up at 5'48" very, very surprised! This was supposed to be my warm-up!
2nd static: Breathe-up for five minutes or so, contraction at 4'10" or something, 6'02".
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Feb 10: 6'11", 6'26"
Tuesday: Went first again (8:20 pm).
1st warm-up: This time I was feeling confident that I could hit a good time on the first hold. 4min breathe-up as above, first contraction at 3'38", 6'11". Could resist the contractions for much longer than usual.
2nd static: 6min breathe-up after 4 min of rest just talking with Eric and Luc. First contraction at 4'05" (?). Finished at 6'26". I pull my ears above water and put my hands on the pool edge at around 5'45" to make sure I can hear Eric and for an easier recovery. My ears were ringing when I came up so I think I pulled up in time!
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Next time:
-I want to try more statics per set, four or five in a row and see what happens.
-Continue with the intuitive breathe-up patterns
Overall Comments:
-this is the first time I've done regular pool wet static practice on a weekly basis (twice a week) so no doubt that is a factor in my progress
-I seem to have jumped suddenly in my CO2 tolerance
-I am also doing apnea and sprint intervals in the gym twice a week for cross-training with good progress there, too
-No diving this month
-Confidence level is way up
-I'm eating well and trying to be alkaline in general by eating fruits and vegetables leading up to the static sessions, but trying to keep a neutral or slightly acidic blood profile
-no more hyperventilation, purges, or rapid breathing
-much longer intervals between statics makes for a more relaxing training experience without any apparent loss in performance
-I am feeling that wet statics are profoundly more relaxing than dry now, but that could be just because of the positive anchors being established in the last few sessions...
Eric is doing well also: latest results, 6'51 clean, 7'00" surface bo (but he was too alkaline and predicted he would not be clean) I'll let him explain.
Any thoughts? Questions?
I'm really curious to discover how long this improvement trend will continue and when I'll reach a plateau. 7'00" is possible and probably not too far away (I hope!), but we'll see. More experimentation is ahead.
Pete
Vancouver, BC
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