Went to the pool last night with Tyler and Eric. Still feeling a little under the weather.
Eric proposed that I try to do a short warm-up instead of going for max on the first attempt in order to try for a longer time on the second one, without getting depleted and having to recover for so long (if it is possible to fully recover).
Got in at around 8:30pm.
Breathe-up: none
1st static: 3'30", first contraction at 2'50" I was thinking at that point that it was going to be a bad day. My lungs didn't feel too good and it was disconcerting to get the contrations so early (relative to 1st statics with breathe-up).
Breathe-up: 2 minutes rest + 5 min of my usual pattern, but more like 2-3 breaths / 25-35 seconds hold per cycle
2nd static, max attempt: 6'49" (new pb!), first contraction at 3'55" for 2'54" of contractions (another pb)
What I wanted to try this time was being way more relaxed. Trying to use only my diaphragm to resist contractions and leaving the rest of my body out it. Usually I put my hands on the pool deck at around 5'30"--this time I didn't do that until just after 6'10" (I think).
I also packed to the max and it was almost painful to hold it in for the first four minutes. I let my cheeks bulge out with air until then.
I came up when (I think) I heard a change in my hearing. After every max static so far, my ears ring for about a minute afterwards. This time I'm pretty sure I became aware of the start of the ringing and that's when I came up. Because I remember clearly thinking at 6'45" when Eric gave the signal that I could make 7'00". But then the chimes started up and I wisely pulled up. If that's the case, it would make a great failsafe signal for competitions! Like an warning bell. And this time, my ears rang for less time than usual and not as strongly, meaning (I think) that I pulled up a little earlier than before.
Well, I am looking forward to Saturday...
Pete
Vancouver, BC
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