Posts tagged swimming

Today was my first day tackling a swim. I don’t think I’ve swam in a swim cap and goggles since my sophomore year of college. I oddly wasn’t nervous at all despite everyone saying to me “I can’t believe you’re doing a triathlon, I’d be most worried about swimming!!”

I mean, after all- my memories of swimming were at pool parties at the Pro Club, and summers on the lake in Washington, and I love the water so how hard could it be? Well, let me tell you… I discovered a couple things:

1. I suck at tiling my head for air. Instead, by the end of my lap I am taking my entire head out of the water.

What you should look like:

What I probably look like:

      2. I’m not the best at swimming on my side, which apparently is the “more efficient” way of swimming because it conserves energy so that you are able to complete the biking and running portion of the triathlon. AKA I SWIM ON MY STOMACH = NOT GOOD.

I didn’t realize there was so much… technique in swimming. I thought that I’d just swim and that would be it. I sat there in the middle of practice (this was the moment I got a severe toe cramp and the coach told me to get out of the pool and advised I drink a Gatorade before coming to practice next time) massaging my middle toes wishing I could get Michael Phelps to coach me. A. Because Michael Phelps is a hottie, and B. Because the technique is probably second nature to him so he’s half fish and just swims without worrying what side he should breath on. (Hence - he is the best person to make me into a mermaid come September 9th!!) It’s just too bad he’s in London right now. 

Though, I have to say - other than the toe cramp and epiphany that I am not an awesome swimmer, it was so much fun!! I think I’ll be adding on one more swim day to my schedule of training. It’s a great workout, and unlike running or biking, you can’t really stop. While swimming, I am unaware of what muscles I am using (which is pretty much ALL of them) to propel me forward and swim harder and faster. I know my technique isn’t perfect, but the coaches are great and told me they have full confidence that I’ll be ready by race day. I swim at a decent speed, so if I can just swim more “efficiently,” I think I’ll be okay!!

My next formal swim practice with the coaches is next Monday, so I’ll keep you updated on how my swimming technique goes and if I’m still belly floating across the pool or actually lapping it and breathing on my side like a pro!

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