Thursday, September 27, 2012

Dryland: Running outside the Comfort Zone

So, my group many times runs once or twice a week. We typically only do 3/4 to a full mile of running. It is a short aerobic warm-up before getting into the pool, and a good cross training exercise that can pay off in swimming.

Yesterday the group did a mile and a half run for time. It was challenging, as many of them aren't great runners, and it is easy to go outside their comfort zone in running as they aren't trained runners. Afterwards I told them all that they did a great job as many were winded. Most missed the goal time, but most gave their all to reach that goal.

I talked to them about how most of them went outside their comfort zone, and that they must push the same way when they are in the water. My group has become better at swimming, so to just do what they once did is easily done, and they get used to training inside the comfort zone. The question would be, when was the last time you felt this tired from a swim set? I think the answers would vary.

Moved to the water and at the end of practice we did a 600 IM for time. The effort was there, as many ended winded the same way they were winded from the run. Most of the group took the lesson from the run, and applied it to the pool. I am not saying that my group swims in their comfort zone all the time, but sometimes they need that reminder that you must always push outside that comfort zone to continue to get better. It's part of the doing the "extra" on daily basis to become extraordinary, and not just ordinary.

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