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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No practice today...
We had the men's soccer game this afternoon. It was Chicago V. Rochester. Unfortunately, we lost in overtime. Sad :(. Most of the girls team was there cheering on the men's soccer team (see above post explaining exactly why if you're curious...). It was kind of funny because a lot of us don't really know a lot about soccer. I played when I was very little, but have no real idea of the actual rules...regs...or anything like that.
It was kind of weird sitting in the athlete section. There arn't actually a lot of stands out at Stagg field (maybe like room for 100 people..) but one of the bleacher sets is meant for athletes/coaches who come to the games. Fun times. I saw a girl who I take German with who's on the track and field team. I think she was a little surprised to see me there - didn't know I was a swimmer...haha.
After the game I hit up the training room. The male trainer was there again...and I managed to sneak in and meet with him without interacting with the evil female head trainer. I'm not sure if she would have actually been mean to me again...but I didn't want to risk it.
I had a heat pad and electro stim on my back for half an hour. First time I've ever had stim stuff done! It's freaky! After that I was stretched...and now I feel a lot better. I'm guarding my optimism though...I know that just because it's better one day doesn't mean it's going to stay that way. *Sigh*
Came back home...bought myself a Ben and Jerrys ice cream bar...don't know why...it's a beautiful day outside...kind of hot...and I just felt like ice cream. Haha. It tasted yummy.
Apparently the girl's team is doing a Big sister / Little sister program. It's kind of funny...because I'm a soph. so I'm not like...a freshman. I'm not new. Being the "little" one...is weird. I almost feel like I should be a big one...but obviously that makes no sense if it's my first season with the team! Oh well.
The girl who's assigned to me is very nice and I'm excited. Yey.
Well, today is Friday...which means...excitment on some level tonight. I have very little work until Sunday, finally some free time! Yey!
No practice today...
We had the men's soccer game this afternoon. It was Chicago V. Rochester. Unfortunately, we lost in overtime. Sad :(. Most of the girls team was there cheering on the men's soccer team (see above post explaining exactly why if you're curious...). It was kind of funny because a lot of us don't really know a lot about soccer. I played when I was very little, but have no real idea of the actual rules...regs...or anything like that.
It was kind of weird sitting in the athlete section. There arn't actually a lot of stands out at Stagg field (maybe like room for 100 people..) but one of the bleacher sets is meant for athletes/coaches who come to the games. Fun times. I saw a girl who I take German with who's on the track and field team. I think she was a little surprised to see me there - didn't know I was a swimmer...haha.
After the game I hit up the training room. The male trainer was there again...and I managed to sneak in and meet with him without interacting with the evil female head trainer. I'm not sure if she would have actually been mean to me again...but I didn't want to risk it.
I had a heat pad and electro stim on my back for half an hour. First time I've ever had stim stuff done! It's freaky! After that I was stretched...and now I feel a lot better. I'm guarding my optimism though...I know that just because it's better one day doesn't mean it's going to stay that way. *Sigh*
Came back home...bought myself a Ben and Jerrys ice cream bar...don't know why...it's a beautiful day outside...kind of hot...and I just felt like ice cream. Haha. It tasted yummy.
Apparently the girl's team is doing a Big sister / Little sister program. It's kind of funny...because I'm a soph. so I'm not like...a freshman. I'm not new. Being the "little" one...is weird. I almost feel like I should be a big one...but obviously that makes no sense if it's my first season with the team! Oh well.
The girl who's assigned to me is very nice and I'm excited. Yey.
Well, today is Friday...which means...excitment on some level tonight. I have very little work until Sunday, finally some free time! Yey!
