Nightcrawler's Journey to European Masters Swimming Championships (Slovenia)

Drills that I demonstrated 2 weeks ago in my swim clinic were uploaded to our youtube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNaOIUsESBs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMMHqweKURg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BByyce4c17Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA9PPUoWJ8U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRBVOsHIRww

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNcFUaw8yDc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRm0cxvglxo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obQ6HBcBrDY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty6TUAlZHAI

Last week's sessions:
01.01.2018 0
02.01.2018 4500
03.01.2018 5000
04.01.2018 3400
05.01.2018 4600
06.01.2018 2500
07.01.2018 0
----------------
Total: 20000m

Saturdays are half session due to my swim clinic and Sundays are off(I dong wan to get out, stay at home and watch movies read books, etc...)

Today's morning session:

12.01.2018 - 3300m (Morning session, 18.5m pool)
1100m crawl with paddles (14:26, wearing short with pockets)
1100m crawl  (14:13, wearing slip trunk)
1100m crawl with paddles (14:07, wearing slip trunk)

Conclusion:
- 4 seconds per 100m faster with slip trunk in comparison to short with pockets.
- 1.5 seconds per 100m faster with paddles in comparison to without paddles.

13.01.2017 - 1500m (Evening Session, LCM, 1500m, by wearing slip trunk)
500m crawl with peddals (6:26, 1:17 avg pace)
500m crawl with peddals (6:23, 1:17 avg pace)
500m crawl with peddals (6:19, 1:16 avg pace)
Notes: I did some time trials by wearing slip trunk and using finis agility peddals. Since I was satisfied by the results, had no necessity to continue after 3x500m and cut off the session.

15.01.2018 - 3350m (Morning session, 18.5m pool, by wearing short with pockets)
45 minutes non stop crawl time trial by using finis agility hand peddals and wearing short with pockets: 3440m (avg pace: 1:19)
Notes: quite good for me.

Last week on the 8th of February I registered to 5K which will be on 9th of September in Lake Bled.

Thw workouts are going well, I am swimming average 25km/week with the average 100m paces ranging between 1:22-1:18. Hope to reach a better from soon and can swim always sub 1:20 pace.

14.02.2018
Today I did a 500m time trial before the session, it was amazing to see the 6:18 which refers to average 1:17 pace per 100m. 1st 200m was 2:35, 400 lap was 5:03. I started with a 80-85% effort and try to swam descendingly after the first 200m turn. Seeing that I can maintain the 1:17 pace along a 500m is very nice. I hope to sustain this pace over the distances 1500m. Keeping working!

I registered to Slovenia masters 5k, that will be swum event in Bled Lake on the 9th of September:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfOnY7zhuzt/

This week's yield #1(3km test):
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfYf8kph4aq/

This week's yield #2(4km test):
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfdWETRB8pc/

3km (40:02) and 4km (53:38) by wearing shorts is not bad for a 40-44 age group amateur swimmer i think. If i swim around respectively 39 and 52 minutes in my time trials, that will be fantastic for me.

I dont have facebook account but you may follow my instagram (Marathon Swimming-Turkey).

I will keep sharing my milestones on the way to Slovenia...

---------------------------
Some stimulating remarks from Mahatma Ghandi for motivation:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BaTXNpyhNqY/

Some photoges from Saturday's session:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfnxTZ4B8h3/

Today's session:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfpzGYxBD5E/
(Slide the photos to view the session)

I am continuing my protocol. My progress is going well. I am doing the same training with trying different stroke mechanics and focusing on descending effort in each set.

I have been permenantly swimming 25-30k (6 sessions) per week since October 2017.

Here are yesterday's and today's sessions:

01.04.2018 - 4000m (18.5m pool, morning session, with drag short)

Set1: 3x550m freestyle with finish agility peddals, 1-3 descending (7:21, 7:17, 7:01-personal best in this pool)

110m easy choice

Set2: 2x550m freestyle hand drag drill, 1-2 descending (7:56, 7:53)

110m easy choice

Set3: 10x55m freestyle, R:5" (recoveries included total time: 7:23)

550m easy freestyle 6-1-6 drill

-------------------------------------------

02.04.2018 - 3300m (18.5m pool, morning session, with drag short)

Set1: 3x550m freestyle with finish agility peddals, 1-3 descending (7:24, 7:18, 7:14)

110m easy choice

Set2: 2x550m freestyle hand drag drill, 1-2 descending (7:55, 7:51)

110m easy choice

Set3: 10x55m freestyle, R:5" (recoveries included total time: 7:29)

10.04.2018 (3300m wearing short with pockets)
6x550m crawl, with pedals, 1-6 descending (7:23-7:19-7:17-7:17-7:16-7:08)

Hi Guys,
On the 19th-20th of May we had a 5000, 1650m and 4x600m relay(with my students) open water races in Marmaris.
I hit
- 5000m 1:06:10 (1:18.5/100m pace)
- 1650m 21:44
- 600m 7:30

It is quite good for me on my way to Slovenia FINA Masters EU Championships, 66 minutes is not bad for masters for 5K.
Also still some improvement is going on and can swim my PBs in my workouts nowadays.

Here are some of race photos:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjOyRThn7d0/?taken-by=maratonyuzme
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjP18vbHmHe/?taken-by=maratonyuzme
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi-OL6uH8_l/?taken-by=maratonyuzme
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi_-c86HTXd/?taken-by=maratonyuzme
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi93bN3nyBU/?taken-by=maratonyuzme
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi9XNO6H_-F/?taken-by=maratonyuzme
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi9VDHRHrLY/?taken-by=maratonyuzme
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi9UWp7nOCF/?taken-by=maratonyuzme
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi92-psnj0J/?taken-by=maratonyuzme


Here are yesterday's and today's workout sessions:


04.06.2018 - 3300m (18.5m pool, morning session 7:00-7:50, with brief trunk)

Set1: 3x550m freestyle with finish agility peddals, 1-3 descending (7:10, 7:01, PB:6:50)

Set2: 2x550m freestyle hand drag drill, 1-2 descending (7:23, PB:7:21)

Set3: 10x55m freestyle, R:5" (recoveries included total time: 7:01)

Note: Session ended up with 2PBs.
--------------------------------------

05.06.2018 - 3700m (25m pool, morning session 6:30-7:30 with brief trunk)

Set1: 3*500 crawl with paddles, 1-3 descending, R:15" (6:26, PB:6:23, PB:6:21)

100 easy

Set2: 1500 hand drag drill (PB:21:32)

100 easy

Set3: 10*50m crawl >90% R:5" (PB:6:40 recoveries included)

Notes: Today's session ended up with 4 PBs.

Hi NC,
Thanks for posting photos and inspiring results.

Have you got a decent pool yet to practise in?

The Turkish has us baffled, for example what does "aarevyan Tebrikler Emrah super derecelin" mean. I expect it's a compliment.

How are your work plans going?

Hi Cotty,

In the week days I am going to the Federation's pool which is 25m. On Sundays and Mondays I am training in 18.5m hotel pool because the Federation's pool is closed. On Saturdays I am training my masters squad (15-20 guys).

My own sessions are going well, I am also sharing some of my daily sessions (in English) on my instagram page, you can follow my community from: https://www.instagram.com/maratonyuzme/

I am doing 5-6 sessions a week with a total amount around 20km. 2 months ago I resigned from Municipalities of Istanbul, changed my job, working as a Product Manager in a global company dealing with the non governmental organization management, humanitarian and card payment sectors. I am frequently travelling to Africa and South America. I swim there where I can find any pool I am intending to perform the 1:15 pace over the distances 3K in a year (my pace is currently 1:17-1:18), a reasonable goal I think.

By the way, my wife is pregrant for 2 months, the gender is not certain now, but no matter what it is if everything goes as expected, a future champion may be born in January 2019

13.06.2018 (SCM 4500m)

Today's session is on my instagram page:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bj9MFA5HD8s/

Slide the photos to see the workout session.

29.06.2018 (SCM 3000m, morning session 6:00-7:00)
6x250m crawl with paddles, 1-6 descending, int:4' (3:22, 3:18, 3:15, 3:12, 3:09, PB:3:04)
1500m easy swim with different strokes and drills

Notes:
Today I did a personal best 3:04 for 250m, my 50m lap splits were: 35, 36, 36, 36, 35.
This was my last workout before Megisti-Kas marathon (7.5K) which will be held on Sunday, 1 July 2018.
It is the longest swim marathon in Turkey, the race is from Greek Island Meis to Turkey (Kas) in Mediterranean Sea (Antalya).

Some photoges of Megisti Kas Marathon:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TjD7rDRpNs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7VX2NOO100

About the race:
http://www.bougainville-turkey.com/megisti-kas/

I am targeting the 1st place in general ranking, hoping to swim the 7.5K sub 1:40(by sustaining the 1:18/100m pace) if the weather conditions are available on race day.

That all sounds excellent.

We all wish you the best of luck for your competition!

Dear all,
I swam in the competition(Meis-Kas, 7500m) on the 1st of June with smashing time: 1:37:02 (1:17 pace). Became the 1st in overall general ranking.

http://racetecresults.com/results.aspx?CId=16389&RId=177&EId=1&st=CG9OV8HIYGkAl%2bmZnziI4A%3d%3d

Here are some photos, slide the frame to see the photos:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkwjCV7nwhG/

That,s marvellous!

You look thinner.

What was the water temperature?

The temperature was various, there werestreams, ranging between 21-26 C. We all had cramps in hamstrings during the race.
I am 70kg at the moment, but I have to be stronger, I will increase the amount of dry lands during July.

My interview with Turkish Radio Television (TRT) Sport channel during the race. As soon as get out of the water they took me to the veranda for interviewing. ı know it is in Turkish but guessed that it might be good for you to hear my voice and see me on the TV. I was tired and excited during the interview, couldnt speak fluenlty without a prompter )

I dedicated (on 3:15 - emotional moments) my success to my future born baby in 5 months and to the people suffering from hunger worldwide.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8_E8TLehkU&t=5s

It came over very nicely indeed!

I only recognized the word Istanbul.

))) Cottmiler you are funny.

A video from today's morning session (18.5m pool, 3300m):
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlCgnnqHWI1/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1ugkeiw5nngeh

11.07.2018 - 3500m (18.5m pool, 7:00-7:50AM)

Set1: 3x550m freestyle with finish agility peddals, 1-3 descending, 80-85% (7:01, 6:53, *PB:6:43)

110m easy choice

Set2: 2x550m freestyle hand drag drill, 1-2 descending, 80-85% (7:50, 7:37)

110m easy choice

Set3: 10x55m freestyle, Int45", 90% (40" average)

I've just 60 minutes (50 minutes for swim + 10 minutes to change off and shower). Today's session ended up with a PB 6:43 for 550m. Preparing for the blow races in a row which are quite tough:
- 09.09.2018: 5K FINA Slovenia Masters Championships (https://www.emc2018.com/)
- 29.09.2018: 10K Aqumasters Turkish Championships (https://www.arena-aquamasters.org/)

I am focusing on quality not quantity, at the moment my sustainable pace is around 1:17 for 5K races and around 1:19 for 10K races. Hoping to swim sub 1:15 at the end of August.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ouw_wfRIs3Q

Hey Nightcrawler. That stroke looks great man!

Always loved your kick, but now the front also looks good. Maybe the straigt arm gives that ballistic entry energy which just gives that extra help to get to catch smoothly. Swinging arms to core connection also looks nice.
I think you found your stroke.
repetition repetition repetition. Thats where that swimming machine impression comes from.

what do think of this style?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj4mHHTxruE

Ever experimented with adding a little bending into the  swimcocktail?
Goes against coaches  stay straight mantra, but you see here  how it can work if its used in the right way.
I love the feeling of pulling yourself forward with the obliques, but it can throw your stroke out of whack if going too far. Staying streamlined and taut is very important too
And its tiring also. The guy is in topshape.