My last triathlon swim time was less than stellar. In my age group my light blue cap was one of the last ones out of the water. My good friend is a no-face-in-the-water, doggie-paddle slash breast stroke kind of swimmer and we were in the same age group. She finished the 1500 meters one minute slower than me and she never even put her goggles on. And I'm sure all her conserved energy was the reason her final time was over 14 minutes faster than mine.
The swim was in a lake with buoys outlining our course, and by the first buoy I KNEW I did not have a groove, no flow, no stroke, and I was flailing around but going nowhere. When I saw my time later, I decided I needed help.
I found an adult conditioning swim class offered by the local rec center, $65 for one month of MWF...at 5:45am. Yes I said A.M. I bit the bullet. Its only for a month, right?
June 1st I went into the water in the dark. Whoosh! That's a slap in the face, but I warmed up quickly. My Ironwoman swim coach barked out some drills and I had no idea what they mean. She described them and showed me and off I went. I'm really a model student, doing everything that's asked of me and no stopping to chat or rest much. I only have that hour to give to the workout and I'm using it all.
This is opposed to my loud chatty classmate in the next lane. With his over-sized Ironman tattoo, IronmanBrad bombards our coach with questions about her next race and whines that he "hates" this one or that one. Oh please dude, if you hated a race why did you ask the tattoo artist to enlarge the IM logo to cover your whole calf? I think the race hates you, my friend. I sure am starting to.
I love the improved stroke I am learning. Coach has gently given me pointers and has me racing against myself, watching my pace on my 50s, 100s, and 150s. That's one lap, two, and three laps. I've never worked at swimming like this and it feels so different now. I visualize myself doing it in the open water, which is next on my training plan, and I know my next 1500 meters will be closer to 30 minutes, rather than 50.
The early mornings are a pleasant surprise to me. It only bothers me at that moment I have to leave my bed. After that I am thinking about the cup of coffee I'm about to make and take with me and getting my water bottle and goggles ready, and out the door by 5:30am. Earlier if I want to guarantee to get the lane I like. That hour goes so fast, and by the time I'm ending with my cool-down laps the sun is rising, the sleepy kids who practice after my class are shuffling in, and I feel great.
On my drive home from the pool I see all sorts of folks up walking and running and cycling. All before 7am! Who knew such a busy health-conscious community existed outside my darkened door at such an hour? I'm pleased to join them, and know I've already burned over 400 calories by the time I used to be rolling out of bed.
I think I will sign up for July.
