I went into the water on Saturday. I haven't swam in open water since October of 2007 at Ironman Wisconsin. So you can probably guess that after a startingly bad swim, I would be a little hesitant. Nevermind the baggage associated with no pool training over winter nor any comfort level in deep water.
Stephanie came along to the Fireman's Park quarry. She showed up in street clothes and ducked questions about why she wasn't swimming. The best I could surmise is that she had Lake Mills Triathlon the next day and everything was packed away and she didn't feel like working out the day before a race.
Coincidentally, my coach and amigo Jessica was there for a swim lesson. I could see the surprise on her face when she saw me. The three of us sat and talked. It was a great distraction from my entry in the water.
I spent about fifteen minutes in the water. I didn't want any more.
Jessica sent me a sweet text message. She complimented me on getting back into the water.
This approval immediately sent me into the mindset of 'OK, I just need to keep getting back into the water'. I told Stephanie that I would join her in open water Tuesday morning. We got out and I went out a little bit and a little bit more. As her open water swim class began, she left me to head back to the car.
Just as I started back to the car, two more classmates arrived early. A couple who show up to swim and have no problems with the swim work. One of them, Howard, chatted with me for a minute or two until he realized that I had swimming issues. He offered up, "Let's swim out to the buoy."
That was the same buoy that Stephanie offered to target but I denied her that request. It was no more than 50 yards but it seemed like a world away. He swam along with me and kept talking to me. Time to time, he would say, "If you don't want me here, I can go." I would deny him that, too.
He would say things like, "C'mon. Five strokes." He said that a few times. It was hard for me to gain rhythm and stay focused. I bumbled my way out to it.
"OK, now let's have you swim back to shore. Back to the promised land." Seemed appealing enough.
I got about 15 or 20 strokes into it and I lost my rhythm again. I flipped over and Howard said, "Put your face back into the water!"
That's when I started mentally shutting down a bit. It felt like Howard would have (if he had less tact) said, "Putting your pansy ass face back in that water, bitch!"
He told me to flip over and catch my breath. I did. And I swam it in.
When does this end? Cripes. Actually, I think I know the answer to that so don't try to answer it for me.
Stephanie came along to the Fireman's Park quarry. She showed up in street clothes and ducked questions about why she wasn't swimming. The best I could surmise is that she had Lake Mills Triathlon the next day and everything was packed away and she didn't feel like working out the day before a race.
Coincidentally, my coach and amigo Jessica was there for a swim lesson. I could see the surprise on her face when she saw me. The three of us sat and talked. It was a great distraction from my entry in the water.
I spent about fifteen minutes in the water. I didn't want any more.
Jessica sent me a sweet text message. She complimented me on getting back into the water.
This approval immediately sent me into the mindset of 'OK, I just need to keep getting back into the water'. I told Stephanie that I would join her in open water Tuesday morning. We got out and I went out a little bit and a little bit more. As her open water swim class began, she left me to head back to the car.
Just as I started back to the car, two more classmates arrived early. A couple who show up to swim and have no problems with the swim work. One of them, Howard, chatted with me for a minute or two until he realized that I had swimming issues. He offered up, "Let's swim out to the buoy."
That was the same buoy that Stephanie offered to target but I denied her that request. It was no more than 50 yards but it seemed like a world away. He swam along with me and kept talking to me. Time to time, he would say, "If you don't want me here, I can go." I would deny him that, too.
He would say things like, "C'mon. Five strokes." He said that a few times. It was hard for me to gain rhythm and stay focused. I bumbled my way out to it.
"OK, now let's have you swim back to shore. Back to the promised land." Seemed appealing enough.
I got about 15 or 20 strokes into it and I lost my rhythm again. I flipped over and Howard said, "Put your face back into the water!"
That's when I started mentally shutting down a bit. It felt like Howard would have (if he had less tact) said, "Putting your pansy ass face back in that water, bitch!"
He told me to flip over and catch my breath. I did. And I swam it in.
When does this end? Cripes. Actually, I think I know the answer to that so don't try to answer it for me.
Your last two posts have got me thinking you're gonna do it. I'm proud of you either way, but... just sayin'....
WOOOOOOOT!!!!
Posted by: Maggie | June 03, 2008 at 08:15 PM