Today my fastest time across the 25 meter pool was 18 seconds! That’s 5 seconds faster than I’ve ever done before! I know I could not maintain that speed for longer than that one lap, but it was a great feeling knowing I was could do it once. My swimming workouts consist mostly of trying to be comfortable in the water, breathing exercises and trying to imprint a muscle memory on where to put my hands during each part of the stroke.
Before March 2011, I had basically zero skills when it came to the front crawl (I thought it was called the breaststroke). Now, in my third month of swimming at least three hours a week, I’m starting to get better. I actually look forward to getting up at 5 am to go to the pool.
I only need to be fast enough to cover the 2.4 miles in less than 2 hours. If you don’t complete the swim in two hours, you are not allowed to continue the race. Last year, I didn’t catch the very beginning of the swim, but was there at the two hour mark. There were a handful of people still in the water at that time and everyone watching was going nuts cheering them on. A few people made the cutoff with less than a minute to go. As I saw them coming in, I had tears in my eyes wanting so bad for them to make it. One couple got out of the water with just a few seconds left and kissed each other at the top of the platform, when they realized they made it and were allowed to continue. One of the two was supporting and encouraging the other in the water for at least the last half mile I saw them. I don’t know how or if they finished the race, but I’m glad I saw that moment.
Tomorrow is triaTHlon Thursday. My morning will consist of 1/2 mile swim, 12 mile bike ride and 3 mile run. If I can just improve my times by a few seconds in each event, it will make my day, and perhaps save me from being told I can’t continue because time ran out.
