achilles track club -- triathlon team

NYC Achilles Triathlon Team
in partnership with
Accererade
welcomes athletes of all ability levels.

Any person with a disability
is invited to participate.

The 2008 Triathlon Season for Achilles
will begin SOON in New York City

For more information about the triathlon team
please contact Eddie Montanez
e-mail: eddie.montanez@verizon.net

TRAINING
By Nina E. Cerfolio, M.D.
By way of introduction, I am a psychiatrist in private practice in Manhattan and a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at New York University Medical School. A second life is as a triathlete. My introduction to the sport came as a result of participating as a National Class Ultra-marathoner with limited cartilage in both knees. Although swimming competitively as a child, thirty years have passed, and the swimming aspect of triathlons became "something to get through." The experience of an Ironman in Florida during 2005 was exhilarating. However, there were times in both a Half-Ironman and Olympic races where there was a feeling of panic during the swim. There was overheating and becoming claustrophobic with a wet suit which enhanced my sense of isolation. These experiences left me feeling anxious and apprehensive about my next swim.

By good fortune, I was introduced to Professor Jane Katz during her Fitness Swimming and Triathlon Class. Since 1964, she has taught swimming to thousands of students at City University of New York. Jane was voted Women's Swimming Coach of the Year at CUNY, Division III Athletic Conference. On a cold, early morning, the awards and recognition became apparent. After swimming a 50-yard crawl, Jane suggested rotating my shoulders on an axis, similar to a punching action. She also helped me extend my arms on finishing the stroke. It caught the water and provided a triceps workout. Incredibly, my next 50-yard crawl was eight seconds faster. Professor Jane suggested we bob under water five times after each 50 yards to exhale. This helps the medulla oblongata to breathe more efficiently while swimming. Previously, I was holding my breath while under water and therefore was unable to take a full inhale while trying to breathe and rotate my head to the side.

Next, Jane worked on the swimmers' turn. She pointed out a need to fully extend both arms over my head, covering the ears. On the next turn, my resurfacing was almost a third of the length of the pool. I panicked as a result of the unexpected increase in length and time under water. "No need to panic," Jane told me. Simply point my fingers to the surface if there is a need for air. Unbelievably, it worked.

Jane Katz's aquatics publications include Swimming for Total Fitness and Your Water Workout. In 2005, she was selected by Aquatics International Magazine as one of the twenty-five most powerful people in the world of aquatics. Her knowledge and passion for the sport has changed my attitude from one of fear and trepidation to excitement when looking forward to the next swim practice. Professor Jane's dedication and contribution to the development of the sport of swimming is not only in coaching, but as an athlete. She moves through the water like a dolphin and recently won the 2005 USMS Long Distance One Mile Swim Championship.

Finally, Jane led us through a series of stretches while in the shallow water. This helped relax my tense leg and back muscles and create a deeper psychological state of calm. The muscle memory has served me well. When I become anxious, I can use the breathing and stretching techniques to center myself. Professor Katz ended the class on a high note, "See you in the bubbles." Jane's talent as a coach as well as her enthusiasm and love for the sport is contagious. Her easy confidence is comforting and supportive

For further information on swim classes, go to www.jjay.cuny.edu/ce