Swim Rant

The city pool here closed on the day before Thanksgiving and won't re-open until Jan 5. I've been trying to swim in a hotel pool once or twice a week but every time I swim there I have sinus problems for 2-3 days. I've given up on trying to stay in shape. I'll be starting over again in 2 weeks.

getting put of bed at 4:30 am is enough to rant about.

I sympathize. The pool I go to is closed from today until the 5th.

During the holidays I like to get in extra swimming since I don't have work interfering with my training schedule. But - our Masters team trains at a school district pool which is closed. So, it's Plan B on my own at a nearby health club. I had the whole pool to myself! I was Just Swimmin Along when my nose was assaulted by the distinct aroma of men's cologne. Polo, I think - REALLY strong - almost headachy strong. Some guy just walked by the pool on his way from the hot tub. And this was just one guy who never even got in the pool. There's a reason I try to avoid swimming after Noodle Class. The pool really smells then, and the water tastes bad too from all the scented "products" that people don't shower off. I miss my "normal" pool ...

I hear you Allen. I haven't swum for a week due to this crazy weather. I'm going stir-crazy!

Pool was closed this week and re-opens Friday. Instead I joined some classes--the one i tried today was a step class. The men on this board probably wouldn't put this in the rant section, but for me, it was like stepping into hell. The bimbette in the class (in the front of course, so everyone could "notice") was noticably underweight (anorexic by most standards), yet had 2 very large snowglobes perched on her chest, and since her top was 3 sizes too small, said snowglobes were pouring out the top. She had a full face of make up on at 9:15 a.m., as well as jewelry. When there was time for a bit of conversation she talked about her nail color--actually walked around the room showing each one of us her nails. It was horrifying. Friday can't come soon enough.

Pool was closed this week and re-opens Friday. Instead I joined some classes--the one i tried today was a step class. The men on this board probably wouldn't put this in the rant section, but for me, it was like stepping into hell. The bimbette in the class (in the front of course, so everyone could "notice") was noticably underweight (anorexic by most standards), yet had 2 very large snowglobes perched on her chest, and since her top was 3 sizes too small, said snowglobes were pouring out the top. She had a full face of make up on at 9:15 a.m., as well as jewelry. When there was time for a bit of conversation she talked about her nail color--actually walked around the room showing each one of us her nails. It was horrifying. Friday can't come soon enough. Sounds awful...now, where is this exactly?

Pool was closed this week and re-opens Friday. Instead I joined some classes--the one i tried today was a step class. The men on this board probably wouldn't put this in the rant section, but for me, it was like stepping into hell. The bimbette in the class (in the front of course, so everyone could "notice") was noticably underweight (anorexic by most standards), yet had 2 very large snowglobes perched on her chest, and since her top was 3 sizes too small, said snowglobes were pouring out the top. She had a full face of make up on at 9:15 a.m., as well as jewelry. When there was time for a bit of conversation she talked about her nail color--actually walked around the room showing each one of us her nails. It was horrifying. Friday can't come soon enough. Ouch! At least it's only 1 more day. Although it's snowing here, you just made me not miss SoCal in the best way.... --mj

Coach scheduled a benchmark set tonight and today is the only day that I was going to get to bike-commute to work. I had planned to bike from my house, 17 miles each way, a vigorous ride w/ hills. A cold front blows in tonight for the rest of the week and I missed other days due to a staff meeting and recovering from weekend warrior syndrome. I really want to see if I'm swimming faster since the last benchmark set in November ... and doing bike+swim same day will skew results not to mention the time conflicts. Why does Coach schedule these on the one day with the prettiest weather all week ? Well, here in the "Never Never Land of NOVA" our program almost always schedules a make-up session for practices like this. No crazed responses necessary here that NOVA is so huge - they can afford it - and no body loves me here at my master team! I did a make-up session for a bunch of swimmers who missed the part #2 of the Triple Crown this morning at 5:45am. If it was worth it to a swimmer to make-up, they got out of bed to do it early. But heck... if your coach doesn't / or isn't able to schedule a make-up session for you and you really want to do it - get in a lap swim lane or find a small pool space and find a way to do it. One of the nicest things about being a masters swimmer is that we are all adults. We can make decisions and do almost whatever we want to do to be a better swimmer. As much or as little. Even if there isn't the most desireable of available pool time.

Oh by the way... I am writing from SoCal. Temp is just about 80 -in January. I do know it is easy to find contentment when the sun is out and the air is warm. Even if the palm trees are blowing sideways to the ground and the pool gutters are clogged with all the leaves so the heater shuts down. Serves us right!