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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Former Member
Hahha....but then how will I ever get my poli sci reading done?
Morning Practice todaaay:
Woke up...back was feeling not so bad. Got a little bit sore as I was bending to get my suit on and everything...but still wasn't horrible. I think I'm healing! Yey!
We started our dry land training today. Thank god. I'm so happy to be doing dry land in the mornings three times a week...it's nice. I much prefer doing hard workouts in the afternoon than in the morning. At least in the aftenroon I'm awake and I've eaten and I just feel better....
We spent a while going through stretches, and then some ab workouts, followed by plyometrics, and a trip to the weight room. In the future we'll also be adding in medicine balls and cord work.
I was able to do most of everything we had to do today, although a few of the stretches and ab work I had to not do because it caused pain....
Technically we're supposed to hit the pool after our dryland for a short cool down - 500-1000, but the intros today took quite a while and so by the time the other girls and I were done with our weights it was already about 8:05...and we just didn't feel like getting into our gear only to have to get out of the pool by 8:20. So we went home instead.
Well....this afternoon I have a short NCAA meeting and then afternoon practice! We'll see how that goes..hopefully I have a good workout.
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Former Member
Hahha....but then how will I ever get my poli sci reading done?
Morning Practice todaaay:
Woke up...back was feeling not so bad. Got a little bit sore as I was bending to get my suit on and everything...but still wasn't horrible. I think I'm healing! Yey!
We started our dry land training today. Thank god. I'm so happy to be doing dry land in the mornings three times a week...it's nice. I much prefer doing hard workouts in the afternoon than in the morning. At least in the aftenroon I'm awake and I've eaten and I just feel better....
We spent a while going through stretches, and then some ab workouts, followed by plyometrics, and a trip to the weight room. In the future we'll also be adding in medicine balls and cord work.
I was able to do most of everything we had to do today, although a few of the stretches and ab work I had to not do because it caused pain....
Technically we're supposed to hit the pool after our dryland for a short cool down - 500-1000, but the intros today took quite a while and so by the time the other girls and I were done with our weights it was already about 8:05...and we just didn't feel like getting into our gear only to have to get out of the pool by 8:20. So we went home instead.
Well....this afternoon I have a short NCAA meeting and then afternoon practice! We'll see how that goes..hopefully I have a good workout.
