Runner Leana

...sometimes with a little swimming and biking thrown in...

Flipping Out

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I arrived on deck at the pool today and looked over our workout. Part way down the board we had 4 x 150 with flip turns (?). Yup, complete with the question mark at the end. I guess this was our chance to try out flip turns.  Apparently all of those line on the bottom of the pool mean something. Who knew? In order to execute a flip turn I was told to:
  • Take my final breath just as I was at the T on the pool floor.
  • When I am almost at the wall, execute a half somersault.
  • Keep your eyes open, otherwise you will get disoriented.
  • Breathe out your nose.
  • Aim for a tight tuck, and push off the wall, at the cross on the wall, with your feet.

Sounds pretty easy, eh? I did wind up getting disoriented on the first few flips and one time almost wound up going underneath the rope and landing in the lane next to me. But after trying it out more and more I started to get the hang of it. I’ll definitely keep practicing at swim club from now on.

The first few flips also really affected my breathing initially. I guess it totally threw me for a loop because I started holding my breath on my stroke, and doing a quick exhale/inhale when I was supposed to be coming up for air. It didn’t exactly help with the dizziness from doing the flip turn! After executing a few flip turns I was able to calm down and get back to my regular breathing pattern. Success!
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When lunch time came around today it was time to get out for a run. A Chinook blew through town and it was a glorious 6C (43F) out, and I figured for sure it was time to bust out the capris for my run. It was still pretty windy out, but not nearly as windy as yesterday, and the wind wasn’t nearly as cold. Capris were exactly the right choice. When I started running I felt so…out of shape…and fat… It felt like such a struggle. And yesterday felt so good! I’m guessing my legs are still a bit tired from the marathon and they were probably a bit tired from yesterday’s run. Once I was about 2 miles in things started to click and the rest of the run felt awesome. I even ran into Making Waves out there! 5 miles done, and at a half decent clip, especially for an easy paced run!

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Comments

  3. 3

    Flip turns serve so much purpose when correctly excuted. I totally need to practice. Then coach says if it is complicating my life to fuggettaboutit. i always smile and say cool since most tris are open water. LOL!

    I am glad you are getting some warmer times ya need it.

  4. 4

    I never even thought about what those lines mean before! Flip turn sounds terrifying for someone like me who is not a strong swimmer..Once again – validation for why I will likely never do a tri and why I am so impressed by those that do. Good for you – sounds like you were getting better!

  6. 6

    I want your energy and time to be able to do everything. I only get 12 hours in my day, maybe it’s the Canadian exchange that allows you to get more?

  8. 8

    There’s a good video at Beginner Triathlete dot com on how to do flip turns. I rather like their simplified method.

  9. 9

    Haha! It’s funny, I grew up as a competitive swimmer, then abandoned swimming for years. In grad school I took up swimming again, but never mastered flip turns again. Maybe I’ll give it another try sometime…

  10. 10

    Those lines have a purpose? Who would have known they were meant to do anything other than guide me in a straight line. But the flip turn? That sounds terrifying. And complicated.

  11. 11

    Thanks for documenting your experience with learning how to do flip turns. I want to try that.

    My next tri is likely in open water and not a pool, but being able to do flip turns while training in a pool would make me feel so smug 🙂

  12. 12

    GoSwim.tv also has some good videos on how to learn to do flip turns. That said, my new coach actually doesn’t think they’re important enough for me to worry about so I’ve not been working on them. I can still only do them when swimming easy, not when I’m pushing my swim pace.

    Enjoy the warmer temps!

  13. 13

    Congrats on your beginning mastery of the flip turn! I’ve tried them, but find they leave me a little breathless. Plus, the lazy in me appreciates the tiny rest at the end of the lane, so now I’ve convinced myself that the flips are for the ‘real’ swimmers. Oh, and thanks for stopping by my blog!

  14. 14

    Flip turns are NOT easy to master! Great job! And yeah, I’m sure you were also tired from all the SWIMMING, my dear…great job getting out there, especially in such great weather!!!

  15. 15

    I remember avoiding some wall hits when I was doing flip turns on the swim team. I haven’t had to do one in like 10 years, but am still glad that I have learned how to do them.

  17. 17

    Good job on the flips! I’d love to learn! Even if I read what you wrote it still doesn’t help me do it in the pool…. guess I am challenged like that.

    I so wish we had that Chinook here….. SO COLD!

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