I notice a difference in my kick now that I’m doing drills with fins on.  Immediately after the fins are off my kick is different and more efficient.  It’s nice to see progress in technique.  The swim is my favorite, it’s the only time I feel that sense of calm in the day, I don’t think about anything but breath and technique.  It’s nice to just go into that mode, clear your head and give your mind a break.

There’s so many different people at the pool, all ages, all shapes and sizes, different swimming methods.  Some training plans all supplied by coaches, some people have their own methods that has worked for them for years.  Some people will do the butterfly for about 4000m non stop and pretty much run you over if you attempt to get in the way.

It’s interesting how people interact when there is a bit of a traffic jam in the lane.  It’s also interesting to see how people pick the lane that they are going to swim in.  You see three lanes that have no label on them and another few lanes that are signed with moderate and fast.

I’m not a phenomenal swimmer but I can hold my own, I go into the moderate lane.  I wouldn’t go into the fast lane because it’s too stressful for me to think I’m holding anyone up or that someone is on my toes.  Kind of like the jaws theory, or like having 3 brothers chasing you in the pool grabbing your feet…..

I end up in the moderate lane and sometimes I need to pass someone but I won’t, I’ll just slow up and play in the bubbles.  Wait at the end of the lane another 30 seconds and then go.  Is that too polite?  I’m in between moderate and fast.  Maybe I can make up a new lane called “more than moderate but not fast yet” or “almost fast”

Here’s my workout today.

300 warm up as 200 swim, 50 kick, 50 drill
4×50 swim @ 1:30
2×200 swim w/ :60 rest
4×50 pull @ 1:30
1×200 pull w/ 2:00 rest
4×50 w/fins @ 1:30
1×300 w/fins w/ 2:00 rest
100 cool down

Was pretty good, felt strong, not winded at all.  That’s a good sign.  Encouraging.  Gives me more confidence as this winter I’m going to be doing some serious training.  Need to psyche myself up!  Coach has a plan and it’s all going to pay off in the spring!

This was a really great competition.

The crowd was high energy, the athletes were encouraging and everyone had an amazing time.

My brother did so well I’m so proud of him.  Tyler and I were screaming, “GO SCOTTY GO GO GO!” until we were hoarse.  He roared up the lane like lightening!
There were a lot of different teams there cheering each other on, everyone in the stands was going wild but I have to say the North Vancouver crew had the loudest cheer!  There were many different types of swimming styles, front crawl, breaststroke, backstroke.  25 and 50m sprints.

I have to say that George really made my day, he was full of smiles and high energy the second he walked in that room, everyone cheered and he swam his heart out!  Super proud of him!

Here is some information about the Special Olympics and when their next event is, show your support for these amazing athletes.

My brother has been swimming for so many years, he really has amazing technique and is getting faster and faster with every practice.  Super proud of him.  Here are some shots of Scotty going full force!  Giving his all and doing the best he possibly could, so proud of him!  He’s the athlete of the family, super encouraging!  So brave!

So, according to last week’s web poll, 52% of you find SWIM to be the toughest leg of a triathlon, so I got Adriana, an elite swimmer who swam for Canada, and works for SUGOI, to give some great tips about freestyle swimming.

New poll coming soon!

This morning I heard the theme of JAWS when I was swimming in the deep end of the pool …..

I remember when that movie first came out I was so little, it absolutely terrorized me. I was sitting on my mothers waterbed with my older sister and when that theme song came on she would rock that bed and make waves like crazy and I’d scream my head off! I seriously think that is one of the reasons why I can’t swim well in the ocean, always thinking that there is something MASSIVE under the water just peeking up ready to pounce.

When I DNF’d out of the water at the Penticton triathlon ages ago it wasn’t just because I got smacked in the head by accident, there was a MASSIVE sturgeon underneath me, that fish must have been 3ft long and I screamed my head off then saw a diver in the distance and that was it, I was done. Swam to the shore faster than anyone was swimming in the race. Took off my goggles, wetsuit and kicked the sand. I’d like to see if I could do that race again someday, just to overcome that experience.

I only did sprint triathlons before and that was going to be my first regular distance race, I was so pumped however the fish, the diver and the smack distracted me. Next time I’m going to take a bite out of that fish, throw that diver the horns and swim faster to avoid any smackings.

I didn’t realize how much I missed training until I stood at the front of the pool lanes. It was overwhelming.

All of the memories of those early morning swims, learning new techniques, hanging out with everyone. I can still see their smiling faces. The good days where you feel like you’ve accomplished so much and those other days when you struggle for breath and movement. Every memory and smell ran wild as I stood there with my pool buoys in my hand. It was so funny and strange. Looking at the pool I said out loud, “hello old friend” I love swimming. I love everything about it, even waking up before the sun comes up.

Everything about it is amazing, especially the people you meet. I always wonder if men bond the same way women do in the locker rooms. I’ve really been amazed at the women I’ve met on those mornings where we are all up at the crack of dawn. The funny thing is everyone is smiling along with me. Everyone is happy, even at 5:30am.

Today I swim, tomorrow I run. Not as enthusiastic about running. It hurts. It fricking hurts. Those are the mornings I have my work cut out for me.