So since at least two people on this board are interested in my adventures in joining my University's team I thought I'd create a thread (much like ande's swimming blog) to detail all of it. Yeah.
Since the season doesn't actually start regular practice for another week and a half, this is mainly an intro post - and I'll update it with what happens when I go meet the other girls on the team and such! Stay tuned! It'll be better than any general hospital or passions!
Today I actually swam for the first time (since my freshman swim test last year) in the University pool. It was huge. And cold. Over the summer I got used to swimming in health club pools with water hovering around 80-85. Not exactly the most comfortable water at times, but at least nice and warm. The Ratner pool here is...freezing by those standards. I'm guessing the water temp is 75 at the warmest. Gives new meaning to the term "warm up".
I was really nervous when I first got in - the girls and guys returning members were having informal practices and I was sort of afraid they'd notice me. Although, I don't think they did. Or maybe they did and I just didn't hear what they said about me. Haha.
I also swam a 600 for the first time in a long time. I mostly stuck to 400s and below in my summer workouts (yeah, I know, I'm a little bit of a wimp). Unfortunately, that couldn't last. The coach suggested when I met her that I get in the water and swim 6-800 straight every day this week as part of my workout. It kind of hurt. Actually, it was one of the odder experiences of my life. For the first 200 or so my chest was tight from my asthma and I was freaking out about the distance (I was also really cold). Then all of a sudden I started to get really into it and just kept on going. I probably could have done 1000 if I wanted to.
The workout was cut short - only about 2300yds - because I promised my friends I'd come home and cook dinner for them tonight. And that's where I leave it tonight.
Background: For those who didn't see my posts on the board throughout the year, I'm a soph. in college who has been going through the prepartion to join my school's team. I attend the University of Chicago (a div 3 school) and was a competitive swimmer for seven years before high school. Burnout put me out of the water for almost 5 years, however, and I'm only recently getting back into it.
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I'm feeling kind of depressed right now...
We had morning practice at 6:20. I woke up on time and overcame the "I'm tired how about I just go back to sleep" feeling...forced myself to drink some coffee and eat and go out to practice.
Got to practice okay and was feeling not so bad. My back was so-so and I told this to my coach when she asked. We started the warmup and my back was pretty much feeling the same. Then we did a pull set. For the first 400 of the set I was feeling pretty good. My back seemed to loosen...it was okay. Then at about 500 of the set my back just tightened up. I slowed down. I felt myself having to use my shoulders more to pull myself...I was barely rotating at all. It was like I was swimming through cement.
I stopped at the wall and my coach came over and asked how I was doing. I told her that the last part of the pull had made my back ache so I was resting fo the last 200. She told me that she wanted me to cool down and hop out for the morning. I did so...but feel so bad about doing it.
If it was up to me I would have kept swimming...even if it meant my back hurt more today. I don't like working less than the other girls!
I'm afraid of becomming the injured girl on the team. I try not to talk about it a lot to my teammates...but when its really hurting or when I have to rest during a set or get out early (like today) I feel a need to explain it when they wonder what I'm doing....
But all the same...I don't want them to think I'm complaining about it.
I have to visit the training room this afternoon. My coach wanted me to go before practice this afternoon, but I have a packed schedule of class + homework + lunch. Technically if I skipped out on the homework for my second class I could go up to the training room...but I think my classes come first. So I'm planning on going during the afternoon practice and maybe getting in the water if I have time.
I'm just trying as hard as I can right now...but it feels like it's not good enough.
I'm so depressed......
Today's abbreviated workout:
Warmup:
300 choice
Warmup Set:
6 x 25 drill (6 side kick, 3 free pulls) on the :35
6 x 50 drill (6 side kick, 3 back pulls) on the 1:10
6 x 75 step down 1-3, 4-6 on the 1:40
6 x 100 IM (I had to alternate free/back) on the 2:10
100 easy swim.
Main:
6 x 200 Pull (alternate 50 long & strong, 25 sprint) on the 4:10
(I finished about 600 of the pull set before being told to cool down and get out...)
Cool down:
300 easy swim.
Total this morning: 2800yds
I'm feeling kind of depressed right now...
We had morning practice at 6:20. I woke up on time and overcame the "I'm tired how about I just go back to sleep" feeling...forced myself to drink some coffee and eat and go out to practice.
Got to practice okay and was feeling not so bad. My back was so-so and I told this to my coach when she asked. We started the warmup and my back was pretty much feeling the same. Then we did a pull set. For the first 400 of the set I was feeling pretty good. My back seemed to loosen...it was okay. Then at about 500 of the set my back just tightened up. I slowed down. I felt myself having to use my shoulders more to pull myself...I was barely rotating at all. It was like I was swimming through cement.
I stopped at the wall and my coach came over and asked how I was doing. I told her that the last part of the pull had made my back ache so I was resting fo the last 200. She told me that she wanted me to cool down and hop out for the morning. I did so...but feel so bad about doing it.
If it was up to me I would have kept swimming...even if it meant my back hurt more today. I don't like working less than the other girls!
I'm afraid of becomming the injured girl on the team. I try not to talk about it a lot to my teammates...but when its really hurting or when I have to rest during a set or get out early (like today) I feel a need to explain it when they wonder what I'm doing....
But all the same...I don't want them to think I'm complaining about it.
I have to visit the training room this afternoon. My coach wanted me to go before practice this afternoon, but I have a packed schedule of class + homework + lunch. Technically if I skipped out on the homework for my second class I could go up to the training room...but I think my classes come first. So I'm planning on going during the afternoon practice and maybe getting in the water if I have time.
I'm just trying as hard as I can right now...but it feels like it's not good enough.
I'm so depressed......
Today's abbreviated workout:
Warmup:
300 choice
Warmup Set:
6 x 25 drill (6 side kick, 3 free pulls) on the :35
6 x 50 drill (6 side kick, 3 back pulls) on the 1:10
6 x 75 step down 1-3, 4-6 on the 1:40
6 x 100 IM (I had to alternate free/back) on the 2:10
100 easy swim.
Main:
6 x 200 Pull (alternate 50 long & strong, 25 sprint) on the 4:10
(I finished about 600 of the pull set before being told to cool down and get out...)
Cool down:
300 easy swim.
Total this morning: 2800yds
