Foe No More!

I conquered the pool…or at least today’s swim workout. As a member of a triathlon club in NY, each week I’m sent a schedule of swim, run, and bike workouts that I’m supposed to follow. *Supposed to* being the operative words. Up until a few weeks ago—before I decided to boycott training (bigger issue to be discussed later) —the run and bike portions were usually no biggie. The swim now, that’s my Achilles heel. It’s what distinguishes the triathletes from the duathletes—or so they say. (Who are “they”? Beats me.) Anyway, I’d take a quick gander at the swim schedule and do a ball-park, make-shift workout on my own. Hey, swimming is really hard. I survived the pool all these years by either not swimming or by doing the ever so popular doggy paddle. But that was the old me. Today I printed out the workout, put it in my plastic sheet protector and headed to the gym. After the first twenty minutes, I wanted to die. Or at least go and get lunch. But no. “Swim on” I kept telling myself. I’m not sure if it was the image of Starbuck frappuccinos dancing in my head or if, daresay, I’m actually improving, but drill after drill I plowed on. I actually started to feel pretty good once I got my rhythm down. I left the gym looking a bit of a fright and with a horrible case of goggle-eyes, but with a smile on my face. As a reward for my hard work, and because I forgot my lunch, I treated myself to a Subway sandwich. Eat fresh.