“Never do anything in a race that you haven’t done in training”
This is sage advice that I have always tried to follow. But, this weekend is my first triathalon. It is a sprint distance, 525 yd swim, 12 mile bike ride, 5 k run. It is being held in Longmont Colorado. I have no clue what I am doing.
I know how to bike. I know how to run. I now know how to swim enough to do this reasonably well. I have no idea how to put it all together smoothly.
I have been asking questions and getting answers. I’ve been reading people’s gear lists and plotting my course. I am still clueless and will be until after I have experienced the event.
To top it off, I bought my first pair of tri shorts yesterday and plan to do the whole event in them. I have never tried to swim in shorts.
So today, to help me feel a little better about how to go about linking different sports and wearing shorts in the pool, I planned a “Try” type workout. Try it all in training, before the event.
I got up about an hour later than planned. Off to a late start, I rode my bike to the gym. I quickly dumped my backpack into a locker and traded my helmet for a swim cap. I hopped into the pool and swam a quick 550 meters without warming up (other than the bike ride). I felt extra winded and assumed it was the lack of warmup in the water. When I got done, it had been only 12 minutes. Perhaps I was winded because I was moving faster in the water than usual.
I swam the rest of my abbreviated workout (30 instead of 60 min). Then I timed my “transition” from pool to bike via the locker room. Including farting around with locks and backpacks and all that jazz, it took me 5 minutes to get back on the bike. I pedalled home. Once I got home, I hung my bike in the garage, ate 3 cookies, made a bathroom stop, and threw on running shoes. Then I ran on the Spring Creek Trail around Overland Park and back in 45 minutes. Smooth, no. Stacked, yes. Happy, definitely.
What did I learn?
1. If I have my gear ready, it won’t be difficult to put this all together.
2. I’ve already gone the distance in less time than I predicted, I’ll be ok.
3. Tri shorts are not much different than a swimsuit for swimming but are a lot more protective on the thighs for chafing. I’m not sure the rubberized stitching holding the chamois in are much better on the girlie bits though.
4. On pavement, in road shoes, running without socks is no biggie.
5. My bike shoes also fit well without socks.
6. I need more work on my swimming.
7. Food, gotta remember food.
8. A trash bag to cover my transition stuff would be a good idea if it looks like rain.
9. Have fun!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
I'll Huff and I'll Puff and I'll blow...
Into each life some rain must fall….and some hail and damaging winds.
Last week Mother Nature was placed on the most wanted list for terrorists in Colorado. Despite being on the “no-fly” list, she wreaked havoc in the Midwest just a few days later. I’m tellin’ ya, for being a Mom this lady has some harsh tactics and not a lot of love.
I’ve heard of PMS but this was over the top. Last time I saw the old bittie behave this way was in Fort Worth where one of her tantrums took out a sky scraper office building. But, last week she spent her wrath on a peaceful part of Northern Colorado near where I’ve relocated.
Windsor is a sleepy little town about 15 minutes southeast of Fort Collins. I’m not sure Fort Collins is large enough to have a “bedroom community” but perhaps it’s a trundle bed community for the Fort. Or maybe the bunk bed community for Fort Collins AND Greeley, in case these two college towns want to have a sleep over. I digress.
Last week Mother Nature unleashed a fury of hailstones on Windsor. As if that wasn’t enough, she set loose a mile-wide tornado to plow into the center of town. Some friends live a couple blocks from the destruction and took a little hail and debris damage. The neighborhood that got a direct hit was decimated. Even a building made from brick four layers thick was blown out.
We went into the neighborhood and parked near the Salvation Army, Biggins BBQ and one of the Red Cross groups. In the neighborhood, we found a bunch of people from a Mormon church coordinating efforts. The Red Cross had water, food, and other necessities. Hundreds of people dressed in light rainjackets, heavy leather gloves, and heavy boots blanketed the area picking up debris, trash, and what was left of people’s lives. Against the fence posts, all that was left of the fences sat stuffed animals, toys, and hanging on the fences were children’s clothes.
Some houses were down to one or two walls left. Others had one wall or half the roof blown away. A few were fortunate enough to have boarded windows where the glass was gone and a few bits of siding missing. Everything in the neighborhood was plastered with tiny bits of insulation as if it had been blown in to the whole neighborhood wet… it was. Vehicles that had been parked in the neighborhood had huge dents, no windows, insulation spray, and often the hoods blown off.
Despite the destruction, many houses were decorated with American flags to commemorate Memorial Day. One house had a large spray painted message saying “God Bless the Volunteers.” And other items such as boats said “Trash, take me.”
After a few hours of cleanup and helping people move/ pack / store what was left, we went back to our friend’s house to rest a bit. It seemed so cozy and safe. We played with their three month old boxer puppy and her mother. We visited. Then we went back to our own house of sticks to live like fat piggies hoping that wolf doesn’t come blowing at our door.
Last week Mother Nature was placed on the most wanted list for terrorists in Colorado. Despite being on the “no-fly” list, she wreaked havoc in the Midwest just a few days later. I’m tellin’ ya, for being a Mom this lady has some harsh tactics and not a lot of love.
I’ve heard of PMS but this was over the top. Last time I saw the old bittie behave this way was in Fort Worth where one of her tantrums took out a sky scraper office building. But, last week she spent her wrath on a peaceful part of Northern Colorado near where I’ve relocated.
Windsor is a sleepy little town about 15 minutes southeast of Fort Collins. I’m not sure Fort Collins is large enough to have a “bedroom community” but perhaps it’s a trundle bed community for the Fort. Or maybe the bunk bed community for Fort Collins AND Greeley, in case these two college towns want to have a sleep over. I digress.
Last week Mother Nature unleashed a fury of hailstones on Windsor. As if that wasn’t enough, she set loose a mile-wide tornado to plow into the center of town. Some friends live a couple blocks from the destruction and took a little hail and debris damage. The neighborhood that got a direct hit was decimated. Even a building made from brick four layers thick was blown out.
We went into the neighborhood and parked near the Salvation Army, Biggins BBQ and one of the Red Cross groups. In the neighborhood, we found a bunch of people from a Mormon church coordinating efforts. The Red Cross had water, food, and other necessities. Hundreds of people dressed in light rainjackets, heavy leather gloves, and heavy boots blanketed the area picking up debris, trash, and what was left of people’s lives. Against the fence posts, all that was left of the fences sat stuffed animals, toys, and hanging on the fences were children’s clothes.
Some houses were down to one or two walls left. Others had one wall or half the roof blown away. A few were fortunate enough to have boarded windows where the glass was gone and a few bits of siding missing. Everything in the neighborhood was plastered with tiny bits of insulation as if it had been blown in to the whole neighborhood wet… it was. Vehicles that had been parked in the neighborhood had huge dents, no windows, insulation spray, and often the hoods blown off.
Despite the destruction, many houses were decorated with American flags to commemorate Memorial Day. One house had a large spray painted message saying “God Bless the Volunteers.” And other items such as boats said “Trash, take me.”
After a few hours of cleanup and helping people move/ pack / store what was left, we went back to our friend’s house to rest a bit. It seemed so cozy and safe. We played with their three month old boxer puppy and her mother. We visited. Then we went back to our own house of sticks to live like fat piggies hoping that wolf doesn’t come blowing at our door.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Eau de Goodyear
It’s not supposed to be a good thing when someone takes out a contract on you. But, when someone takes out a contract on your house THAT is cause for celebration.
On my way back from kayaking I got the messages that someone wants my lovely little home in Colorado Springs. Whee!!!
So I celebrated by going to my realtor’s house sweaty and smelling like a spare Goodyear tire (wet suits make you stink!!) to sign paperwork.
The only thing that could end the weekend better would be snuggling up to Guy after a nice shower… oh yeah, got to do that too!
My life is rich!
On my way back from kayaking I got the messages that someone wants my lovely little home in Colorado Springs. Whee!!!
So I celebrated by going to my realtor’s house sweaty and smelling like a spare Goodyear tire (wet suits make you stink!!) to sign paperwork.
The only thing that could end the weekend better would be snuggling up to Guy after a nice shower… oh yeah, got to do that too!
My life is rich!
Boat Shopping
This weekend Guy and I loaded up the Leopard and headed to Cotopaxi Colorado, just East of Salida on the Arkansas River. Buy was teaching a kayak clinic for the weekend and managed to slide me in to the beginner group. Bear in mind, I’m one of the biggest chickens that ever walked on land. Last I remember, chickens don’t swim, ducks do. But, I am learning to swim so perhaps I’m some part TurDucEn (http://www.chefpaul.com/turducken.html).
Saturday morning the “A” group headed to the pool. I had borrowed a nice Dagger GT from one of the experienced kayakers who was hoping to sell it. The price was good and I enjoyed the boat. However, after 4 hours in a HOT pool (fed by hot springs) learning the basics and trying in vain to get one successful roll, my hips were screaming and I was exhausted.
I made it through lunch only dozing off once and not planting my face in my hummus and pita. We suited up for the afternoon on the river to run from the KOA campground down to Lone Pine. This part of the river is very flat with only a few riffles. Still, there’s a reasonable current and plenty of chances to play across the eddy lines. We learned to “Ferry” in and out of the eddies and to “peel out.”
By dinner, I was nearly too tired to eat. Too bad the word “nearly” appears in that. Dinner was unrecognizable… pretty much predigested… perhaps that was ok since I was too tired to digest. I also had a screaming headache from dehydration and carrying a kayak on my shoulder. I bummed some advil and laid down about 8:30 for a short nap. That short nap turned into almost 12 hours of sleep punctuated by strange dreams. Something about taking codeine cough syrup, it creates strange dreams for nights on end.
In the morning, I was barely able to walk across the campground with my hips so tight. I’m not used to sitting in a frog positon for hours at a stretch. I opted for another day on the river and borrowed another boat that was for sale. This one turned out to be infinitely more comfy for my hips and though slightly less maneuverable for a novice was fine. This boat was also less than 1/3 the cost… so I bought it.
The section of the river was the same for the first mile. The next two miles offered more opportunities to play. Several in our group tried surfing but I knew my arms were too tired to paddle fast enough to get it. I will try it when I’m fresher. We went through one rapid which was hard for us being beginners but is called “warm up” because it is pretty wimpy for the experienced paddlers.
I managed to find virtually every pour-over and pour myself over it. Then I managed to find a big rock convention and hit it head on. I ended up perched on top of a rock in the midst of the pile. I saw a small eddy to one side and behind a rock so I dove for it, knocking my boat off the rock into the water. It was smooth to get back into the flow from there.
All in all it was a terrific weekend. I’m sure it’ll take a few days before my muscles recover which will be my reminder that I’ve picked up a new sport.
Saturday morning the “A” group headed to the pool. I had borrowed a nice Dagger GT from one of the experienced kayakers who was hoping to sell it. The price was good and I enjoyed the boat. However, after 4 hours in a HOT pool (fed by hot springs) learning the basics and trying in vain to get one successful roll, my hips were screaming and I was exhausted.
I made it through lunch only dozing off once and not planting my face in my hummus and pita. We suited up for the afternoon on the river to run from the KOA campground down to Lone Pine. This part of the river is very flat with only a few riffles. Still, there’s a reasonable current and plenty of chances to play across the eddy lines. We learned to “Ferry” in and out of the eddies and to “peel out.”
By dinner, I was nearly too tired to eat. Too bad the word “nearly” appears in that. Dinner was unrecognizable… pretty much predigested… perhaps that was ok since I was too tired to digest. I also had a screaming headache from dehydration and carrying a kayak on my shoulder. I bummed some advil and laid down about 8:30 for a short nap. That short nap turned into almost 12 hours of sleep punctuated by strange dreams. Something about taking codeine cough syrup, it creates strange dreams for nights on end.
In the morning, I was barely able to walk across the campground with my hips so tight. I’m not used to sitting in a frog positon for hours at a stretch. I opted for another day on the river and borrowed another boat that was for sale. This one turned out to be infinitely more comfy for my hips and though slightly less maneuverable for a novice was fine. This boat was also less than 1/3 the cost… so I bought it.
The section of the river was the same for the first mile. The next two miles offered more opportunities to play. Several in our group tried surfing but I knew my arms were too tired to paddle fast enough to get it. I will try it when I’m fresher. We went through one rapid which was hard for us being beginners but is called “warm up” because it is pretty wimpy for the experienced paddlers.
I managed to find virtually every pour-over and pour myself over it. Then I managed to find a big rock convention and hit it head on. I ended up perched on top of a rock in the midst of the pile. I saw a small eddy to one side and behind a rock so I dove for it, knocking my boat off the rock into the water. It was smooth to get back into the flow from there.
All in all it was a terrific weekend. I’m sure it’ll take a few days before my muscles recover which will be my reminder that I’ve picked up a new sport.
Thursday May 17
The end of anticipation
Six months ago, I gave notice at Strode Family Practice. This was my first position as a full-fledged physician. Over my years in residency and nearly three years as an employee at Strode, I grew to care deeply for many people. Some of them feel much like family.
I was honored by many patients wishing I would not leave, some even crying. Several vitually ripped my heart out with the conviction with which they wished me well and simultaneously wished I would stay.
I will miss my patients. I will also miss some of the staff… especially Craig and Dr. Mandell.
I will not miss the cattiness. I will not miss the drama. There are a few other things I will not miss.
On the whole, I am glad to be starting fresh in Fort Collins. I just wish I could bring a few of the most special of my patients with me.
Six months ago, I gave notice at Strode Family Practice. This was my first position as a full-fledged physician. Over my years in residency and nearly three years as an employee at Strode, I grew to care deeply for many people. Some of them feel much like family.
I was honored by many patients wishing I would not leave, some even crying. Several vitually ripped my heart out with the conviction with which they wished me well and simultaneously wished I would stay.
I will miss my patients. I will also miss some of the staff… especially Craig and Dr. Mandell.
I will not miss the cattiness. I will not miss the drama. There are a few other things I will not miss.
On the whole, I am glad to be starting fresh in Fort Collins. I just wish I could bring a few of the most special of my patients with me.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
of History and the Present
I am currently listening to Bill Bryson’s “A Short History of Nearly Everything.” It is the history of scientific exploration into whom and/or what we are, how we got here, where ‘here’ is, and how tenuous our grasp may be. It is probably the most fascinating thing I’ve ever heard.
Nothing I have ever heard or read from science or religion has made me so amazed nor made me consider how incredible it is that we exist at all. Every minute of this work reminds me what a fantastic and complex world we live in. It also reminds me to appreciate, savor, and be amazed at every second we have.
In looking at the history of the universe in this time-lapse view, I am struck by the ridiculousness and arrogance of humans to think we are so important that we could cause global warming and that we could somehow fix it. And I am also encouraged that so many people would dedicate their life’s work to working for the betterment of the planet whether or not it is an achievable goal.
When I think of it from this perspective, I have to ask myself what part of this experience of existance to I appreciate the most and what does it mean to me. And surprisingly, only one word comes to mind… Love.
If I knew the world was going to end tomorrow, or even in a minute, what would matter to me the most is that the people I love would know with absolute certainty that they were loved. I don’t know why that means so much to me but it does. Perhaps that is a universal thing… or nearly so… since what I know of world religions (apparent foundations for people’s functioning/beliefs) includes Love as the basic principle that guides everything.
Maybe this means so much to me because today was a virtual love-fest. I saw many people today who expressed gratitude and love to me for the last 4-5 years of listening, looking, and caring that I have given to them.
Whatever the reason (if there is one) that we are here on this tiny planet in this vast, expanding universe… which is at once incredibly fragile and fierce… I am thrilled to experience this moment.
Nothing I have ever heard or read from science or religion has made me so amazed nor made me consider how incredible it is that we exist at all. Every minute of this work reminds me what a fantastic and complex world we live in. It also reminds me to appreciate, savor, and be amazed at every second we have.
In looking at the history of the universe in this time-lapse view, I am struck by the ridiculousness and arrogance of humans to think we are so important that we could cause global warming and that we could somehow fix it. And I am also encouraged that so many people would dedicate their life’s work to working for the betterment of the planet whether or not it is an achievable goal.
When I think of it from this perspective, I have to ask myself what part of this experience of existance to I appreciate the most and what does it mean to me. And surprisingly, only one word comes to mind… Love.
If I knew the world was going to end tomorrow, or even in a minute, what would matter to me the most is that the people I love would know with absolute certainty that they were loved. I don’t know why that means so much to me but it does. Perhaps that is a universal thing… or nearly so… since what I know of world religions (apparent foundations for people’s functioning/beliefs) includes Love as the basic principle that guides everything.
Maybe this means so much to me because today was a virtual love-fest. I saw many people today who expressed gratitude and love to me for the last 4-5 years of listening, looking, and caring that I have given to them.
Whatever the reason (if there is one) that we are here on this tiny planet in this vast, expanding universe… which is at once incredibly fragile and fierce… I am thrilled to experience this moment.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Courage atrophies from lack of use
I read that once on an ad in a magazine. It showed a woman at the top of a particularly gnarly downhill on her bike.
I'm about the biggest weenie that ever rode a mountain bike. I can't come near a drop off without holding my breath or making some unbecoming sqawk. Rocks and sharp turns make me so tense I can't possibly deal with them effectively. By the end of any kind of technical section I'm exhausted and frustrated. Enough of that!
This weekend I signed up for a mountain bike clinic through Women's Wilderness Institute. We did skill drills all morning and then went out for a loop. Mind you, this was on a very popular trail in Boulder where mountain bikers wear those trendy color matched sets that you usually only see in road races. One guy was decked out head to toe (literally) in powder blue. I'm not sure that would make me feel more courageous but he was out there riding it much better than I was so maybe I need to go shopping.
The loop was very rideable. It did have a few nice dropoffs to make me deal with that demon. And there were rocks and hairpin turns and creek crossings and big knobby roots all at the same time. So, we found section after section and rode back and forth through it again and again until we either got it or lost sufficient blood to move on. It helped. Well, not the bloodletting part.
So, I learned a little about mountain biking and a lot about fashion. Don't worry, you won't catch me in all powder blue. I don't have the courage for that!
I'm about the biggest weenie that ever rode a mountain bike. I can't come near a drop off without holding my breath or making some unbecoming sqawk. Rocks and sharp turns make me so tense I can't possibly deal with them effectively. By the end of any kind of technical section I'm exhausted and frustrated. Enough of that!
This weekend I signed up for a mountain bike clinic through Women's Wilderness Institute. We did skill drills all morning and then went out for a loop. Mind you, this was on a very popular trail in Boulder where mountain bikers wear those trendy color matched sets that you usually only see in road races. One guy was decked out head to toe (literally) in powder blue. I'm not sure that would make me feel more courageous but he was out there riding it much better than I was so maybe I need to go shopping.
The loop was very rideable. It did have a few nice dropoffs to make me deal with that demon. And there were rocks and hairpin turns and creek crossings and big knobby roots all at the same time. So, we found section after section and rode back and forth through it again and again until we either got it or lost sufficient blood to move on. It helped. Well, not the bloodletting part.
So, I learned a little about mountain biking and a lot about fashion. Don't worry, you won't catch me in all powder blue. I don't have the courage for that!
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Cleaning the Pantry
I'm trying to use up a lot of food in the pantry. Combining two pantries makes for a lot of eating to be done. Yesterday we used up a box of roasted red pepper and tomato soup by adding pureed roasted pine nuts, onions, garlic, thyme, and cumin. It was decent but I wouldn't use that soup as a base. Making fresh red pepper soup would be infinitely better even if you didn't know how to make the soup.
Tonight I used a box of butternut squash soup. This one is worth making again.
Curried Butternut Squash Soup
1 lb lamb stew meat (or beef if you don't like lamb - I like the taste and let Guy eat the meat)
1 box chicken broth
1/2 sweet onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp (heaping) curry powder
1 Tbsp yellow curry paste (if available)
1 box butternut squash soup
2 C frozen mixed veggies
Saute onion and garlic in oil. Add meat and sear until browned. Add curry and saute 1-2 minutes more. Add chicken broth and cook at least 1 hour. Add squash soup and heat until nearly boiling. Add veggies. Continue cooking until hot through. Serve.
Tonight I used a box of butternut squash soup. This one is worth making again.
Curried Butternut Squash Soup
1 lb lamb stew meat (or beef if you don't like lamb - I like the taste and let Guy eat the meat)
1 box chicken broth
1/2 sweet onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp (heaping) curry powder
1 Tbsp yellow curry paste (if available)
1 box butternut squash soup
2 C frozen mixed veggies
Saute onion and garlic in oil. Add meat and sear until browned. Add curry and saute 1-2 minutes more. Add chicken broth and cook at least 1 hour. Add squash soup and heat until nearly boiling. Add veggies. Continue cooking until hot through. Serve.
Keeping my head above water
I started swimming in November. I have had a few lessons in the past but could never seem to get it. I considered myself a sinker (no T in that). I couldn’t swim 25 meters (one length) without stopping midway to gasp and pant.
In the past, I’d try to learn and would give up as soon as whatever had stopped me from running was resolved. But in November, I decided it was time I really learned. I’d been off running for a full year and though I was starting to run again, I knew I could have been doing a lot to stay in shape if only I had known how to swim. I would not be starting at such a deficit.
So, I decided I had to put my money where my mouth was. I plunked down five hundred smackeroos on Ironman Florida next November. Within one year, I would have to be able to swim 2.5 miles or become shark bait off the coast of Panama City. [Don’t worry Mom, there will be no sharks around with that many swimmers and they have many boats and also divers underwater to fetch any ill-prepared swimmers]
A week ago, Guy and I were swimming at EPIC the local pool and ice arena. Guy made the novel suggestion to see just how slowly I could swim without sinking like a stone. He suggested I use this to try to swim 100 meters. So I did. By the time I finished the 100 meters, I was laughing at how ridiculous I felt going so slow but how successful it was. I decided to challenge myself to add 50 meters every time I swim.
Wednesday at work my friend Eve stopped by. Eve had been giving me some early coaching in December and knew what a miserable swimmer I was; good technique, lousy endurance. I told Eve of my progress. She was happy for me but was not impressed with my plan to add 50 meters. She challenged me to swim 250 in the morning. So, I did. In fact, I did 300. Seems I do well with these challenges.
Today Guy and I headed back to the pool. We went to my gym for the saline pool as the pulmonologist suggested I stay away from the chlorine. However, the pool was full of little old ladies doing water aerobics. So we drove to EPIC for a workout. When we arrived we were greeted by a sign saying the pool was closed for the weekend for a swim meet. By now the aerobics class would be over so we went back to 24 fitness. Now the pool was filled with swimmers who, like us, had been waiting for the class to end. Foiled again!
Next we tried the Mulberry Pool. This city has a lot of pools. Mulberry is obviously older and caters to the small swimmer. There is a large slide complex in one end and lanes in the other. The locker room was innundated with half-pints screaming, crying, and otherwise throwing tantrums. I arrived at poolside on the verge of a headache.
Guy immediately started challenging me to push my workout beyond learning the basics. After a warmup we swam 5 repeats of 50 meters. I did mine every 1.5 minutes. We repeated the set after a few minutes. He wanted to do 100s next but I wanted to do my 400 meters so that I would meet my goal of increasing by 50 meters every time I swim. So we did that next. Then we did 100s every 2:45 but I only had enough juice left for 2 of them followed by a 50. I finished up with a very long gentle warm down to finish out 2000 meters.
Progress!
In the past, I’d try to learn and would give up as soon as whatever had stopped me from running was resolved. But in November, I decided it was time I really learned. I’d been off running for a full year and though I was starting to run again, I knew I could have been doing a lot to stay in shape if only I had known how to swim. I would not be starting at such a deficit.
So, I decided I had to put my money where my mouth was. I plunked down five hundred smackeroos on Ironman Florida next November. Within one year, I would have to be able to swim 2.5 miles or become shark bait off the coast of Panama City. [Don’t worry Mom, there will be no sharks around with that many swimmers and they have many boats and also divers underwater to fetch any ill-prepared swimmers]
A week ago, Guy and I were swimming at EPIC the local pool and ice arena. Guy made the novel suggestion to see just how slowly I could swim without sinking like a stone. He suggested I use this to try to swim 100 meters. So I did. By the time I finished the 100 meters, I was laughing at how ridiculous I felt going so slow but how successful it was. I decided to challenge myself to add 50 meters every time I swim.
Wednesday at work my friend Eve stopped by. Eve had been giving me some early coaching in December and knew what a miserable swimmer I was; good technique, lousy endurance. I told Eve of my progress. She was happy for me but was not impressed with my plan to add 50 meters. She challenged me to swim 250 in the morning. So, I did. In fact, I did 300. Seems I do well with these challenges.
Today Guy and I headed back to the pool. We went to my gym for the saline pool as the pulmonologist suggested I stay away from the chlorine. However, the pool was full of little old ladies doing water aerobics. So we drove to EPIC for a workout. When we arrived we were greeted by a sign saying the pool was closed for the weekend for a swim meet. By now the aerobics class would be over so we went back to 24 fitness. Now the pool was filled with swimmers who, like us, had been waiting for the class to end. Foiled again!
Next we tried the Mulberry Pool. This city has a lot of pools. Mulberry is obviously older and caters to the small swimmer. There is a large slide complex in one end and lanes in the other. The locker room was innundated with half-pints screaming, crying, and otherwise throwing tantrums. I arrived at poolside on the verge of a headache.
Guy immediately started challenging me to push my workout beyond learning the basics. After a warmup we swam 5 repeats of 50 meters. I did mine every 1.5 minutes. We repeated the set after a few minutes. He wanted to do 100s next but I wanted to do my 400 meters so that I would meet my goal of increasing by 50 meters every time I swim. So we did that next. Then we did 100s every 2:45 but I only had enough juice left for 2 of them followed by a 50. I finished up with a very long gentle warm down to finish out 2000 meters.
Progress!
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