8th August, 2009
WATER CONFIDENCE
I worked on base today with Master Chief. I first worked on underwater stroke technique. He told me I basically suck ass and that I need to cut down my stroke count. Right now, I clear the bottom at 12 strokes. He said that if I don't get down to 7 strokes I will never make it past Indoc.
His main emphasis was my legs. They weren't doing anything for me, just kicking in the water. I need to get more push from my frog kick. Right now I am scissor kicking and that's no good.
He said I need to "learn to feel" the water moving around and along side my hands, arms, and feet. I need to learn how to manipulate the water around me to propel myself successfully. Remember that.
Everything in and underwater is done very SLOWLY. You cannot rush or beat your way through water. You cannot beat water, it will always win against you. Efficiency is key and using the least energy possible for the most forward movement or acceleration is what I need to strive for.
Do not focus on "getting to the end of the pool", or "touching that damn wall". Focus on "feeling the water move around you." Don't waste all your energy racing across the bottom because it is NOT a race.
BUDDY BREATHING
This is my weakness. I MUST learn to get past this weakness or I will not get past Indoc. Chief instructed me that you MUST learn to breath through the snorkel "while there is water still in the tube". There is ALWAYS some water in the tube. So do not get EXCITED and inhale too hard, or you WILL be sucking in water into your lungs. "Once you get water in your lungs, it's over man. You're done." DO NOT let water get in your lungs.
Therefore, take shallow light breaths. Never let more than HALF of your breath out. You always want to keep half or more of your breath in so you can remain afloat.
Remember to hollow your back like dead man's float while buddy breathing. It will keep you in good position.
RELAX. You MUST learn to RELAX while buddy breathing. This is your BIGGEST PROBLEM. The thought of "Not knowing" when or where your next breath will be is the scariest part of this exercise. This exercise is meant to wigg you out. Today, I wigged out. Big time. I was fine until Chief flooded my mask with water, then I couldn't see shit. I started breathing faster and he capped my snorkel. On the next breath my snorkel dipped under water and I sucked in a lung full and choked hard. I popped and ended the exercise.
I tried again, same thing. I wigged out when my mask became flooded and couldn't see anything. The sense of tunnel vision and claustrophobia kicked in and freaked me out. I popped to the surface for air. This is something that I MUST overcome. Or I will never make it through the course.
WATER CONFIDENCE
I worked on base today with Master Chief. I first worked on underwater stroke technique. He told me I basically suck ass and that I need to cut down my stroke count. Right now, I clear the bottom at 12 strokes. He said that if I don't get down to 7 strokes I will never make it past Indoc.
His main emphasis was my legs. They weren't doing anything for me, just kicking in the water. I need to get more push from my frog kick. Right now I am scissor kicking and that's no good.
He said I need to "learn to feel" the water moving around and along side my hands, arms, and feet. I need to learn how to manipulate the water around me to propel myself successfully. Remember that.
Everything in and underwater is done very SLOWLY. You cannot rush or beat your way through water. You cannot beat water, it will always win against you. Efficiency is key and using the least energy possible for the most forward movement or acceleration is what I need to strive for.
Do not focus on "getting to the end of the pool", or "touching that damn wall". Focus on "feeling the water move around you." Don't waste all your energy racing across the bottom because it is NOT a race.
BUDDY BREATHING
This is my weakness. I MUST learn to get past this weakness or I will not get past Indoc. Chief instructed me that you MUST learn to breath through the snorkel "while there is water still in the tube". There is ALWAYS some water in the tube. So do not get EXCITED and inhale too hard, or you WILL be sucking in water into your lungs. "Once you get water in your lungs, it's over man. You're done." DO NOT let water get in your lungs.
Therefore, take shallow light breaths. Never let more than HALF of your breath out. You always want to keep half or more of your breath in so you can remain afloat.
Remember to hollow your back like dead man's float while buddy breathing. It will keep you in good position.
RELAX. You MUST learn to RELAX while buddy breathing. This is your BIGGEST PROBLEM. The thought of "Not knowing" when or where your next breath will be is the scariest part of this exercise. This exercise is meant to wigg you out. Today, I wigged out. Big time. I was fine until Chief flooded my mask with water, then I couldn't see shit. I started breathing faster and he capped my snorkel. On the next breath my snorkel dipped under water and I sucked in a lung full and choked hard. I popped and ended the exercise.
I tried again, same thing. I wigged out when my mask became flooded and couldn't see anything. The sense of tunnel vision and claustrophobia kicked in and freaked me out. I popped to the surface for air. This is something that I MUST overcome. Or I will never make it through the course.
SUMMARY
Remember, take shallow breaths. Exhale only half of your breath, inhale slowly. There is always some water in the tube.
Rule of thumb: Take 2 breaths, then hold the 3rd. Chances are you will get splashed or capped then.
If you have to, wait for the perfect and uninterrupted opportunity to take that breath. If you think about it, "You're only holding your breath for 20 seconds or less!" Chief said. "Then you get a breath!" "Whats the big F&$king deal man?" Very true.
It's all psychological. All in your head. Don't start folding into a vagina out there. Stick it out and become a real man under that pressure.
Once you can get past the fear of buddy breathing and become comfortable with under waters, then "You will be able to deal with just about anything we will throw at you in the pipeline." Chief says.
Well F#$kin A man. I know what I need to do. so DO IT.
11th September, 2009
Today I had one of the greatest pool sessions to date. This is what I did:
1. 25 meter underwaters 7X @ 2:30 rest (starting from underwater).
2. 20 meter mask and snorkle retrieval 3X @ 2:30 rest (starting after retrieval).
3. Practiced "Frog Kick" with mask and snorkle. This is to help with my underwaters. The Chief
told me that all of your propulsion comes from the kick. Remember to "feel" the water moving around your feet and arms. I frog kick about 10 laps or until my legs are burning.
4. Tread water for 2:10 hands up, then tread until 9:00 and put hands up again for the last 1:00 for total of 10 minutes. Next time lets up this to 2:30 and put hands up again at 8:00.
5. Buddy breathing by myself. I start in the deep end of the pool, take off my mask and pass the snorkle back and fourth all the while egg beating to the other side of the pool. I try to pass up every 2nd breath.
This workout takes roughly an hour. I am pretty tired afterwards, but feeling great.
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