Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Reminder to self: Check pool program

I am keeping up with my swimming as you all know, and have been really lucky to almost have the pool to myself on most occasions. There has been "maybe" 10 people sharing it with me which has meant that I have been lucky to get a lane to myself . Last night however was a different ball game altogether. Club Championships were on as well as everything else you could think of.

The main pool was a frenetic hussle and bussle of parents, children and time keepers. It brought back a tonne of childhood memories - some good, some not so good. There were learn to swim classes in progress as well as aqua aerobics enthusiasts splashing away to "I feel like a woman" among many other tunes which added to the buzz in an indoor pool. I could hardly hear myself think.

As I was getting ready to jump in my lane, one of the timekeeper/parents said "I'm sorry but we are closing lanes 1 through to 6, you will have to jump into either 7 or 8". That was fine until I realised how many of us were expected to jump into 2 lanes. I have definately been spoilt and was a bit "miffed" I had to share. Not that I showed it - I politely smiled, and inside said everything I wish I could have said outloud. But I quickly slapped myself upside the head and reminded myself that this is a "public pool" and I HAVE to share.

So, I started swimming and soon realised that the program I had set for myself was going to be difficult to say the least and I should just "go with the flow" today. So I did a 1km warm up and the rest was broken up into sets of 25's and 50's. Some with flippers and board, others without. Some of it butterfly and others breatstroke. All in all I totalled 2.5km and got out of the water feeling okay about what I had achieved despite the circumstances. I would have much preferred to have done my set session but I had to make do. And once again I finished off in the spa/sauna. The cold water thing isn't bothering me at all now. I jump under like it nothing at all and I come out feeling absolutely revitalised. You should give it a go.

So another thing I realised yesterday is that I have less than 300 days to go to my Half Ironman. I am officially in the "200's" and when I saw this my stomach did a gut wrenching somersault. Holy crap, you would think I would be more scared about the fact that I have less than 80 days till my Half Marathon and I am so going into this undercooked, but 200 and something days till my HIM gives me the jitters. I mean it only feels like yesterday that Michael Jackson died and that was a year ago.

All will be good. SETTLE PETAL.


Your hard work will be rewarded.

"The path to a dream is paved with sacrifices and lined with determination. And though it has many stumbling blocks along the way, and may go in more than one direction, it is travelled by belief and courage and conquered with a willingness to face challenges and take chances" Barbara Cage