How did you do in the One Hour Postal?

I was pleased with my time. Now that's funny! I've been out of the water for the last week on a ski trip. I finally got in today and boy did it feel pitiful. I guess I've got a few more days to do this thing, but after swimming today it could be ugly.

I can't believe that Kristina calls herself a sprinter! That's an incredible distance. I'd like to have her for a training partner. Kristina is an AWESOME training partner. She pushes herself every yard along the way in practice....which in turn makes me push myself. Kristina, I MISS YOU! Hopefully I will be back very soon. I used to be able to stay up with her somewhat....now she blows my doors off. I think she is more of a distance swimmer than she realizes!

Hi Kristi, You know, I realized who you are! I look at the top 10 and I see your name up there with Lori Z Dodd. It's great to put a name with a face. You're Kristi D Lee, right? Your times are very, very inspirational to me!! Just to clarify, I *mentally* broke up the swim into 4 15 minute segments. My plan was not to stop at all. Counter simply put in a kickboard for me for each 15 minutes. Sorry for not explaining it correctly. So, I made it through the first 3 15 minute segments without stopping. At the very end of the swim, I got some really bad leg cramping (which scared me b/c in my sprints and even 500s, that NEVER happens). I kept picturing the Ironwoman who crawled to the finish at Kona some years back. . . anyway, I digress. My coach did fill me in that you have to hydrate beginning the day before on these kinds of things. Sheesh. Who knew?! The last 10 minutes, I stopped to drink water and held a conversation with my counter to let him know that if I sink to the bottom of the pool (from cramping), please rescue me. Fortuantely, no rescue was needed! I'm guessing I lost about 30 to 45 seconds with that stop. :laugh2: In looking at my splits, in the first 15 minutes I did 1300 yards; at 30 minutes I was at 2600 yds; at 45 minutes, was at 3850; then finished up with 5080 or 1230 yds the last 15 minutes. So, you can see where I slowed and took the break during that last segment. But, I did not stop at each 15 minute segment - no way! Counter just notified me of it. Was happy to break 5K for a first effort. There are some pretty fast distance gals out there?! Lord, how they do 5300 and 5600 - that's amazing! Awesome job on converting a sprinter!! Miracles can happen! Yea, it's always a treat when there's a gal to join in the practices with us. But, I hope to see you at Nats! I think I may go. Again, super job!!

I managed to deliver five letters, two large parcels and a small package within the hour. I was relatively happy with my performance, but hope to do better next year. :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: That sounds like my kind of postal performance!

I swam it yesterday morning during my regular practice time, 5:15 a.m. This was the 3rd time for me. All of the previous times, my goal was to hit 5000, and every single January, I was sicker than sick. I always did the swim anyway, and always fell shy of 5000 (4995 in 2005 was particularly frustrating!). Way to go Kristi!!:banana: :banana: :banana: I wish I could have come up last Sat. and swam it with Jill's group. KIDS!!!:mad: Now I have to do it by myself and that will make it soooo much harder to do because so much of it is mental. BTW: Are you guys planning any fun meets this spring? I could sure use some time trials before Nationals.

Awesome swim Kristi!! Congratulations! You are tough. :applaud: I feel a bit better knowing that super strong free swimmers (like you!) also have to power through it and "gut it out." Yea - as a kid I would cry and whine so as not to swim anything over a 200 (and I really did prefer 100s and 50s - 200s were getting into too long of a race for me). So, things haven't changed too much. Just trying something new to get in better shape (and trying to disprove that sprint OR distance mentality) -and attempting not to cry (as much) about it. It's funny that missing out on the distance stuff as a kid, I really missed out on a huge part of the sport! I mentioned to my coach that distance free is like a completely different sport. There appears to be prolonged pain?! :dedhorse: :dedhorse: :dedhorse: When first getting into a bit of distance last year I was really like, "How do people do this?" It's better now. . . It would be great to practice with eachother. But, your being in Idaho. . . Do you find yourself with mostly boys/ men as your training partners? That's what I have here in GA. They are frustrating at times (although I've found a good group now), but I'm thankful for it come competition time. Thanks for posting! I hope to have the guts to try it again next year.

I managed to deliver five letters, two large parcels and a small package within the hour. I was relatively happy with my performance, but hope to do better next year.

I will carry on with my boycott until the rules are changed. It's flat out discrimination. ;) Good luck in that 100 fly, FlyQueen! Use those SDKs you've been working on!! Report back! I shall join that boycott. And good luck FlyQueen; may you go fast, but not as fast as me!

Poolraat, I think you deserve kudos for doing that swim. I've been w/ masters for 5 years and it took me 5 years to show up to do it - I was chicken for those 5 years. So, I think you are way ahead of the game. Great job!! Now, isn't your threshold to handle pain higher? I won't say that after swimming this that the 1650 looks like a walk in the park - but the 500 sure does!! I hope you can agree. Now go get yourself some :drink: and/ or :hug: Thanks Kristina. I was a bit disappointed though as I had hoped to do better than I did 2 years ago (over 4000). I'll get :drink: :drink: tonight after the HS basketball game.

Poolraat, I think you deserve kudos for doing that swim. I've been w/ masters for 5 years and it took me 5 years to show up to do it - I was chicken for those 5 years. So, I think you are way ahead of the game. Great job!! Now, isn't your threshold to handle pain higher? I won't say that after swimming this that the 1650 looks like a walk in the park - but the 500 sure does!! I hope you can agree. Now go get yourself some :drink: and/ or :hug: Kirk Nelson: Hope your swim went okay!