dynamics-preparing for a competition

[aris ioannidis]

hello freedivers, how do you train the week before a major competition in dynamics? do you carry on doing max attempts or do you save your energy (mental and physical) for the competition?

Up to last year i never did max attampts in dynamics in training. I was saving it for the competition. Think i did that b/c that was the way i was preparing for my swimmng competitions many years ago. Not sure if this approach is right for dynamics though.

This year I started doing no warm up max attempts and gradually improved to new PBs . A week before our nationals i am concerned that if i keep doing it i might tire myself, not physically so much, but mentally and psychologically...:crutch

any thougths, experience on that please? :chatup

 

[Simos]

I have no relevant experience Ari but my opinion is that at least the last 48 hrs before the competition you should rest.
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[aris ioannidis]

thanks Simo. I did a 90% dyn max yest and will do a 85-90% dnf max tomorrow with some easy 50s and drills after to keep the feeling. Thinking some dry statics today and thursday and an easy pool session on friday. Will sleep on Saturday to feel nice and fresh on Sunday.

On another note, i wonder how much performance is affected if you do more than one disciplines in a day. I am thinking to skip static as i have not trained in it much and just do the two dynamice. Shedule works to a discipline every 2 hrs which means that performance on the 2nd and 3rd discipline may be affected... wonder by how much - maybe 80-90%?

 

[Simos]

Ari I'm really no expert by any stretch of imagination and don't have much comp experience, but your approach sounds reasonable and makes sense. best of luck with the comp.

Regarding your question - I suggest that you skip static if what you are really going after are the two dynamics. For me, it's only only the fact that you will do a max static that's the problem. Moreso, it's the fact that you'll have to stress for 3 events (even a bit, everyone stresses), then wait around, prepare, get in and out of the suit etc. chances are by the 3rd event you will be a bit tired (depends on schedule). Of course it depends how much you train etc but I believe everyone is affected, even a bit...

I remember my first comp - I had static around 5pm and then had to do my dynamic around 8:30pm if my memory serves me right. Inscription was around 2pm-3pm which meant that i left the house around 1pm... I did ok at the static, did a table to prepare, stretching etc. Then i helped another diver with their static etc, then had to wait around, got hungry, wasn't sure what I should eat and how much. then I did more stretching, another table and I remember really vividly sitting by the side of the pool 10 mins before my top time and wanting to do some warm up holds and I was so tired I couldn't hold my breath for over a minute! Needless to say the dynamic didn't go very well.

If your static was last I'd say do it. But since it's first i think it will be a little tiring. How much it will affect, it's hard to tell as it depends how much you train, what training you do etc. If you manage to get some rest between the static and the others and it not affect THAT much... Then again, since you haven't prepared much for static any reasonable performance will probably make you happy

Keep us posted Ari - all the best

 

[dimitris33]

Kalimera Aris,

I'm not the right person to give you an advice because I'm on a beginner level but the only logical thing I can say is that unless you are 100pct sure that you can break the current static national record dont go for static. I can imagine that will definitely affect your performance in the next two harder disciplines.

Is there any reason to risk your DYN and DNF performance by doing static just for the participation? No, unless you are sure you can break the current record.

Just my logical though.

On the other hand, I can understand its not everything about records but records is a motivation at max attempts. You know your body and mind better than everyone and I think nobody can submit statistics about how much one discipline affects the other and so on. Each one of us is very special in body and mind and statistics might be a wrong guide to decide whether to go for all disciplines or not. If you dont try you will never know.

Do you feel strong in body and mind? Do u trust them? Go for all.

Best of luck Aris!

 

[aris ioannidis]

thanks for the replies guys!

I did yest a no-warm up dry static and it went suprisngly well, very close to my season's best. The great thing about no-warm up dives is that you save mental and physical energy and you finish your dive with a relatively clear head. So far i have used them with success in dynamics but it seems there is potential for no-warm ups in statics as well! I think i will do another no-warmp dry static tomorrow and if it goes well i might do it in the event too.

The static national record is qute far away but a no-warm up static before my no-warm up dynamics could be a nice way to warm up

 

[Kars]

Announce your time and distances well, so you have the maximum preparation time in between. Bring a mat and blanket, apple juice-water and maybe some bread with honey for in between, to be consumed right after the performance, 2h before you next OT. Do some massage to get rid of the build up acid. Put your stuff ready and be nice and a-social and sleep in between.

If you have not got much of a chance for any sort of special record, and have not a strong dislike for any discipline, why not go for a nice over-all competition result. Usually it's not a good idea to enter the first discipline with 'reservations'. Giving up easily usually leaves me with sensation that the other dive won't be much either.

As preparation in the week before, I see only benefits in trading in heavy training for relaxation swims, practising the technicalities and extra sleep.

Arrive in time, set up camp at the pool lay your stuff ready, set an alarm and have a nap. Sure you can the 'no apnea warm-up' method, just be sure that your muscles did have some light warm-up, being warm and flexible. Try to kill your expectations, and since you're doing something experimental it's all up in the air anyway. Be calm and enjoy the feelings.
If you can, a coach-buddy is nice to have.

Love, Courage and Water,

Kars

 

[Simos]

Yes agree too, if you are not going for any records why not enter all 3 and have fun, with no expectations. Kars' suggestion to take a yoga mat and food and try to get some sleep in between (or at least lie Dow and rest) is excellent.

For me competitions are mainly a way to have fun and see other people in the club that I haven't seen in ages which is great but REALLY tiring. I think Kars' suggestion to be a bit anti-social is great if you want to focus on performance...

Sounds to me that you want to give static a go so... Just do it!
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[dimitris33]

Just for the records, Aris is the current National record holder in DNF.

 

[aris ioannidis]

thanks Kars -great advice and nicely put!

As Dimitri mentioned, my goal is to break the DNF NR which is the last event but at the same time would like a go at the other 2.

Simo, the event should be fun - we normaly have 2 per year organized by AIDA Hellas, one in the pool and one in the sea (sheduled for July this year I think). 20 divers have enrolled so far and we have 4 coming in from Serbia. Maybe u can join us next time!

 

[Simos]

Hi Ari

Firstly all the best with the competition, I am sure it'll be fun for you! hopefully we'll be treated to a record or two too ;-)

As for me, I live in London but have started coming to Athens for work from time to time, so if timings work I would love to come watch a comp and maybe even join.

I am mostly a recreational freediver though and I usually just dive until the point where it's fun and i'm really relaxed. So comps are not really my thing but I do enjoy the occasional club comp etc.

Will be great to meet you regardless so hopefully we'll be able to sort something out.

Enjoy the comp!!!
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[aris ioannidis]

The event was fun overall and the organization by AIDA Hellas was great as always.

I started with a no-warm up static (just relaxed for 20 min w/ easy breathing). Did not want to push it as i have not trained much in it and since my focus were the dynamics. I exited at 6.01 with a clear head.

Had a spoon of honey, much water and rested for 1hr30 till my DYN. Again, no warm up, just relaxed for 20min (only a full pack 10min from OT). Used an armstroke at the start and after the 50, 100 and 150 turns to reduce the leg burn at the end. Went a bit faster than planned b/c i was slightly nervous but ended the dive at the right time. Was happy as I improved my unofficial PB by 2m to 182.

Again a spoon of honey, lots of water and much rest till my DNF 2hr30 later. Relaxed again for 20min (a full pack 12 min to OT). Used again 1mm full-suit, 5k in neck and 1k in belt. Belt was not tight enough and at each wall-push the weight moved a bit! :duhOther than that, felt fine and had a goal in mind for 163m to make a new NR; and was hoping to even push for a new PB (unofficial is 175m). But after the 125 turn my head was not too clear and thought i better save it b/c i was not sure how my body would react to a 3rd max within 4hrs - in training i only did 1 max per session. So i exited, sort of expectations at 140m.

Overall, i was happy with my performance as i decided to go for the all around instead of just focusing on my best event. In conclusion, I found the 2nd event (DYN) not to be affected much by the 1st (relatively not-all-out STA). On the other hand, the 3rd event (DNF) was affected as i ended up c.20% below unofficial pb.

 

[dimitris33]

Aris is a great athlete and his overall performance was superb yesterday! Very elastic body, he is moving like a torpedo at his dynamics, straight, balanced and silently!

Well done Aris! :friday

 

[dimitris33]

Forgot to mention, he left no medal for the poor... :crutch

 

[aris ioannidis]

haha - Dimi is my buddy :friday

Congrats for the nice personal best in Dynamic! :martial

 

[dimitris33]

Thanks Aris! :thankyou

 

[Simos]

Many congrats Ari - great performance and thanks for sharing your learnings and experiences. DYN in particular - wow, great result! I know you wanted to go a bit further in DNF but it's still a truly great performance especially given that you did all 3 disciplines! I am sure the DNF NR is just around the corner

 

[aris ioannidis]

thanks Simo! Just need to find a comp to attend for DNF... May go to Thessaloniki - they have an event on May 29th - but i think it will be unded CMAS not AIDA

and regarding DYN - I managed to break my fin! :headNot b/c of the speed but b/c the foot pockets were to small and gave me hell each time i wanted to take them off! So now i am looking to find a new (or used) one...