minor strides

Something major happened in the pool last week. I found that drive, that release of adrenaline that is so familiar to me on the bike and run. It allowed me to sustain my pace during interval training and more importantly, allowed me to enjoy the workout. For the first time in a long time I left the pool feeling good and accomplished, not just drained and floopy like my dog. My stroke is starting to come together a little too. Another big milestone: 500 yard interval at the end of practice in 10 minutes--not too shabby!

I've started putting some "miles" on the bike via my indoor mag trainer. Its funny how fast the time flies when watching SNL! My endurance on the bike and run are starting to improve too. And I did 10 min of running without my orthotics. My hope is to be in Newtons by mid Jan.

So far things are going along as planned. When I think too hard about racing for 140.6 miles I get a little freaked out. But when I believe in me, my training, and my coach; and just breath, I know I will be ready come July 30th.

Taken from Adam Hochberg obit on Elizabeth Edwards:

"Resilience is accepting your new reality, even if it's less good than the one you had before," she said. "You can fight it, you can do nothing but scream about what you've lost, or you can accept that and try to put together something that's good."

In Resilience, Elizabeth Edwards contemplated her own death, writing that it didn't seem as frightening to her since she lost her oldest son. Reflecting on how she wants to remembered, she repeated one of her favorite metaphors. She wrote that at times, the wind didn't blow her way, but she said she was still able to stand in the storm, adjust her sails and move forward."

swim stroke

Last night I attended my fourth Masters swim class. Things went markedly better than the last week day practice. I have accepted the fact that my swim is my weak point and that I have to work hard at improving. No more trying to push myself in the pool. I need someone there watching and motivating me. The class involves lots of breast/backstroke as well as fly. At the end of practice I specifically asked the coach for help. She basically told me that my stroke sucked and has no power. ugh. She did note that we'd be doing some drills to improve technique and power.

I've come to realize that I am not good at pushing myself to go fast in the water. I get tired, I slow down. Unlike on the bike/run I find an extra umph 99% of the time. I think this maybe the key to my loving it and improving.

We swam close to 1.2 yards in an hour. I am pleased with my endurance so early in my "season". Not great speed, but I was able to do the distance. By Vineman I will easily swim 2.4 miles!
huzzah.