EDITOR’S NOTE: Meet Veronica McHugh, a participant in the locally-based Killer Tri Program. Veronica is using the Killer Tri Program to help prepare and train properly for her first triathlon — the Strawberry Fields short course in Oxnard on July 17.
After making the decision to do it, Veronica is currently attacking her training six days a week. We will be following her progress throughout her training so check back soon for more stories from Veronica as well as all relevant triathlon news in Santa Barbara throughout the summer.
Veronica is working on moving her training from the friendly confines of a lap pool into the ocean.
The swimming portion can often be the toughest leg for beginning triathletes. The beginning of swims can be difficult to navigate because of the large number of competitors released at once.
When I first started Masters Swimming at Los Banos Pool, I was nervous. I had not been in a lap pool in years, and didn’t know how many laps I could swim before I died from lack of oxygen as I forced my untrained lungs to sneak a breath in between strokes.
Was my freestyle going to look sloppy and embarrassing? I knew there was no way I could participate in a triathlon without swim training, so I sucked it up and signed up for Masters Swim.
My first time at the pool, the coach evaluated my ability. I was given a warm-up so that the coach could assess me, followed by a simple workout. I was told to swim 10 laps at a consistent speed and take a minute break in between each lap. After these laps, the coach asked me for my average lap time. I was told to maintain this lap time for another 8 laps with a shorter break in between. This workout helped determine my lane speed. This speed is the basis for all Masters Swim workouts.
Each time I arrive at the pool, there is a different workout provided by the coaches. This workout is an outline of what to do during that workout. Each swimmer follows the outline and applies his or her own base speed to the workout.
As the weeks have gone by, I have started enjoying my time in the pool. I have become more comfortable in the water and feel that my stroke and breathing has improved. While I am still a beginner, I feel that each time I get in the pool, I can sense a change in my ability.
The great thing about Masters Swim is that it caters to all levels of swimmers. Swimmers of like abilities swim in the same lane so that no one gets run over and advanced swimmers don’t have to slow down for those of us who are less advanced. The coaches are extremely helpful and provide technique tips throughout the workouts.
My next challenge to tackle in the month before my race is to become comfortable swimming in the ocean. I have no doubt that my first ocean swim is going to be slow and uncomfortable. I purchased my first wet suit, so now I have no excuse to get out there and give ocean swimming a try. There is something about the lack of lanes and the inability to see the bottom of a pool that makes me nervous.
With only one month left until the Strawberry Fields Triathlon, I am starting to become aware of how little time I have left to improve. I’m just going to keep putting everything I have into the workouts given to me by Kyle and Bob at Killer Tri and hope for the best!
