I thought I'd try an experiment here. I propose that anyone of any swimming level can use this thread (or not) when, whether in a small way or earthshaking manner you've done something in the pool that you're proud and/or pleased by. Anyone is welcome to add encouraging comments (or not) or ask for more info., but please no grandstanding or feuding.
Okay- I'll go first (and I'm just as hesitant as anyone else). Context: last few months hellish: collapse of my dream business, death in family, huge money troubles etc. result months out of water & exercise & 30lb gain. Further, I just went back over the last 10 yrs, averaged 1 meet a year, no more than 4 months training in any one year. So- been back in water 4 weeks, 2-3 times a week and mostly feeling like chopped liver. Monday night coach say we're going to do dive 25's (meters) from blocks, starter's instructions. Now I haven't done this in years 'cause I have a very bad neck- but I've been frustrated so...did all 3 breastroke 16.3, 15.5, 16.2 which tells me I've still got prospects to go fast again! I am pleased.
Former Member
Jim- good job. There is nobody outclassing anyone on this thread; encouragement, affirmation and the occasional gentle kidding await any positive developments posted.
Instead of an attaboy this is the opposite:
I did a triathlon swim yesterday. This a sprint event that I have done every year since they started it 4 years ago. I swim (750y) with a team of 50 somethings like myself. We always do good for old guys, 2nd in the team division yesterday, but each year my swim time has become slower by about 10 sec. It's a pool swim done in heats and I led my heat for about 400 then I got passed (by a 19yo) and I just let her go. Made no effort to try to stay with her but instead just resigned myself to 2nd. That's not happened before. I guess the bad thing is that I finished knowing I could have swam faster but didn't.
Peter, thank you for the kind words. (come on down when you get a chance. we'll have coffee.)
Nancy, i haven't really done a lot. I run a bit. mostly, i attribute the distance in the pool to a very low energy form... at no time during the swim am i out of breath (if that happens, i stop and think about what i was doing or not doing with the goal of correcting the form deficiency). at the end of a swim like that, i still feel fresh. it takes me about 36 minutes (plus or minus 4 min) to go one mile. for me, it truly is all about being one with the water. (you also seem to be not too far away, nancy... the invite for a cup of coffee stands for you, too.)
be,
jim
PR in the 100 free today by .5 by going out all out from the start or at least my version of all out on a 100. Splits were 2.5 apart. Happy about this and ready to see how much I drop at taper!!!
Congrats to everyone that has been improving!
Atta girl Heather... ;)
for me, this is a goal achieved....
early this afternoon..... swim 1 1/3 miles.... get home, change, run 4.2 miles... it felt soooooooooo good.....
bliss twice in one day! :banana:
be,
jim
Does anyone else have trouble with their first event of the meet? This is becoming a chronic problem that I have had for the last two years. I am always so wound up before the first event and do really bad, then am able to regroup and follow it up with good swims.
Oh, and I met swimshark in the locker room after the meet. Looking forward to chatting more at the next meet :)
Julie
Julie never fear. I and my amazing 50 fly and 100IM will be on hand at Zones to make you feel much better. OMG is all I can say about my IM and fly! I sometimes feel I'm not awake on my first event if it's early...I think I need to be a little more vigourous in the warm up...
My daughter's swim teacher timed me again for 50 free. I dropped 5 seconds from the last time he timed me four weeks ago. I'm finally getting to see some hard work pay off - it's been tough, wondering if I'm working on the right things or whether I've been spinning my wheels. I'm very, very happy to see some improvement.
