Training for 113 Aquathlon

Last Friday night after bible study we had some time for fellowship and in the midst of discussion about the unearthly swim squad my swim coach organized, I realized I could well head into the pool at the same time without the mind boggle to set my head in its place. 🤣

So because I was honestly inspired to do so, I'd posted I was back in action for my first swim the next day and my friend said about joining the 113 Aquathlon. (Aiks!) So I did (has she?). I sure hope so... We are going to attempt the standard distance excluding the bike leg, so that would give me an opportunity to fine tune my swim technique and probably improve on my run before I decide if I would join the standard distance triathlon... (next year?), but out of the blue yesterday I got volunteered to participate in Ironman (70.3) events next time.. (SURE.) 

To cut the story short, my intention for this post is to establish my (training) periodization program. When I sign up for events, I always plan for success (to complete comfortably) even if competition is secondary. I feel that keeps me in the game for a longer period of time, and to understand the athletes under my charge better.

So because I have exactly 3 months before the race on 20th October, an initial goal/training platform (mesocycle) would look something like that:

• first month (20/7-20/8): work on 5-km runs (current at 27min, aim to complete 5km in 25min), progressively maintaining speed for an increment of 500m; fine tune swim technique (currently employing the total immersion swim style) and work my way back up to 1-km consecutive laps.
• ~1 week recovery, maintain routine of regular Pilates practice and strength training^ and complete a short brick at the end of recovery week (25/8): 5-km run, 750-m swim

So exciting. I always believe in the potential of marrying sports training and Pilates for athletic conditioning!

Alright! Off to train! 

A renewed mind

I taught my first class today after almost a month of retreat to Boulder to recharge, and learn from the teacher mentor, Pat.

I was hoping for some time to sit myself down and do class plans on how I would integrate concepts into my current classes. That didn't materialize of course, of all things I had to do (or chose to do)- I shouldn't give myself excuses. I was playing out ideas in my mind, with no skeleton program in my head, just a bag of exercises. How would I inject that life into classes?

Although I'm not feeling like I just got hit with a hard rock, I'm certainly not 100% present in my head space. I don't know how I'd thought my class was at 12.15pm instead of noon! Thankfully I am usually early otherwise... DEAD. But because of that, I was focused not to complicate things, and just work on the fundamentals - keeping simple. I listened to my own words (I tried to), I injected in concepts (as Pat taught) to exercises they already knew and linked the pieces together for them. I stayed on to help Ailin understand better then essence of footwork - she didn't feel her knees as she usually did (she has hereditary osteoarthritic knees) and when she focused on drawing in from the hip joints, she felt the work coming from her deep core. 😍

Back to the usual Pilates practice with my mates every Tuesday. We did exercises on the chair. It feels like Pat's voice was still resounding in my head, reminding me how the body should be moving, and logically making sense why I am feeling that way. It clicked. I'm happy. I think many times that heartfelt sense of achievement and understanding show. I think my friends know. I think I say it too much sometimes.

Sometimes you can't hide joy. I am grateful, and excited at the same time. What more will it unveil? It's only the beginning, my gosh. Suddenly 7 years of teaching Pilates doesn't count at all.... The scientist in me says, "keep questioning". That's the beauty of this work. ♡

Still wandering..

Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn. 

Benjamin Franklin

I wouldn't trade anything for this trip down to Boulder. It truly has been insightful, the people I have met (DISCLAIMER!) are warm and inclusive, open and honest. No fancy tricks, just time spent to understand Pilates better, in depth. Why I love Pilates? Because it's just plainly logical, Debora agreed. 

I am grateful to have met teachers who are ever so willing to share and pass on their knowledge. Although, I wouldn't have revealed that I was teaching Pilates back home in Singapore... because HOW ODD and how on earth this Asian girl managed to get an accommodation at the University when she's just visiting, HAHA!

I've barely scratched the surface of the rock, I know. It's exciting, AND scary. I've met teachers who have guided me to be body-sense more aware and inspired me to keep learning and be a better teacher, but I haven't met one who truly inspires me to understand WHAT I am teaching and WHY, not just HOW. Specific as she can be, yet she makes it plain simple and digestible. It just takes time to unlearn (and relearn) and reprocess information. Change doesn't happen overnight. But I'm glad I made this first step because... well, I can't explain, maybe it's just a personality thing. 

I also wanted to share Eve Gentry's work, which I thought would actually clear doubts and allow my peers and fellow Pilates practitioners understand the idea of "Imprint" better.

Part 1

Part 2

Though I mostly teach 'neutral spine', I am just saddened at the fact that for years my idea of imprint (as was delivered), was actually not what was intended. I'm glad that has been clarified earlier.

Never take the information given to you for granted and accept it. Question it and reacquaint with it if it makes sense...

That being said, last 4 days in Boulder! :(

It's been a week!

and particularly today, I began to think "How am I going to integrate Pat's teaching into my work?" She makes things simple enough to understand, to feel. How would I convey the same information to my clients without shortchanging them the information that they need to know?

The simplest answer I got was to practice- to embody my practice as a student. I cannot be more grateful to have Pat mentor me, and guide me along this journey to be a better teacher.  Her deep conviction touched my heart and inspires me. There always comes a point in time, a phase in your journey, a particular kind of teacher resonates deeply into your heart who brings out an element in you that you desire to be. 

For me, it's not just about exercise choreograph or exercises, but the meaning and intention- "the life" you give these exercises... Such make me think and connect deeper into what the body needs to stay mobile.

It would be my desire to learn her work well and pass on the torch...