I get to the pool - I have so much anxiety about getting into the water. I haven't gone more than 200m before and that was only one time. Usually I can only make it 25m or so without having to stop.
I skip the warmup. I really don't think I am going to make it anyway, so I don't want to waste any freshness on a warm-up. I take off and it is going OK. After 50m I get tired and have to float on my back for a while. I end up doing a lap and then resting on my back several times. Then I get the idea that I could paddle some on my back. Hey! I am making progress!
About 2/3 of the way through I start trying to backstroke. I have never done it before, or even seen it done, but I figure I will give it a try. I start moving along pretty well. I do a lap of freestyle and one of backstroke and switch back and forth. My FS form goes to hell. It sucked when I started, but now it is a total mess. The backstroke is still good and strong and moving me along, so I stick with it to the end.
If Kathryn hadn't been there I don't know if I could have made it. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done. It took me just under 38 minutes, and much of that time I felt panic like I was JUST about to drown. I really hate swimming, but I hold onto the fact that I have to really earn the donations.
I do have some great pride in making it. Unfortunately, my pace was well below where it would need to be to make the cutoff. I need to pretty much double my pace. Lotta work ahead!
Congrats on the 800! You'll get there, just keep at it!
ReplyDeletethat's GREAT re the backstroke - you know, one thing you should learn to do is actually sidestroke. It's a bit like the drills that we do on our side, but it's actually swimming. I say that b/c in the "frenzy" of the beginning of the swim, I often sidestroke. It's a nice stroke and you can take a breather. I wish you lived closer, I'd show you. I am in Marin (I think you know that) and I make my own schedule - maybe some day we can figure out a day and you can come down my way. Or even maybe before or after one of the IronTeam gigs that are in Marin. I couldn't do it this week (I have theatre with my folks so have to boogie after working out Sunday) but I would really love to try to help you out if I can. You are a real inspiration to those of us who need a Bike Angel :-)
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