This year at work, one of my co-workers talked about swimming all winter long. So, naturally I started wishing I knew how to swim for real. Don't get me wrong, I took swimming lessons as a kid. I feel extremely comfortable in the water, but I don't (didn't) know how to lap swim.
I found community rec center swim classes for Audrey and I at the same time on Saturday mornings and she and I just finished up our first round of classes and signed up for round two. I love it. It is an hour of Saturday morning working on the various swimming strokes, down the length of the pool and back. I finish completely exhausted and very happy.
Last week, I asked the teacher if there is some unwritten lap swimmers rules that I need to know. She gave me the basics and I went and did lap swimming for the first time last Wednesday morning. It was awesome. It was a great workout and a great way to start my day. I can definitely see what my co-worker was talking about and I am so glad I tried it.
Also, since I am clearly very bad at updating the blog, I did a 13.1 in Chicago with my sisters and it went well. I shaved 5 min off my time from the year before. I was still super sore the day of the 13.1 - my feet especially. But this time, after a nap and a good nights sleep, I was fine the next day - which is awesome.
I think my next one will be in Feb in Disney - the Disney Princess Half-Marathon awesomeness! That way we can fit in a trip to Disney for Audrey at the same time. Somehow, the 13.1 seems to be a good number for me. I have no desire to do a full 26.2 - that seems like more time for training than I am interested in committing and more pain than I am willing to inflict on myself. The 13.1 is tough enough, that I really do have to train for it, even though I walked most of the last two. It is a real challenge to complete. I hope I can shave off another five minutes this time too. That is the one good thing about starting at the bottom - no where to go but up.
And since we are at it, I made a new life goal - do a triathalon before I hit 50. I have a while to go, both in training and years. But I am making progress, I am now a short distance jogger and am starting to be a swimmer too.
4 comments:
Awesome! I wish I knew how to swim laps. =) Right now I am learning to sew, only time for one new thing. You know how that goes. I haven't read blogs forever so I am glad you posted.
Sounds like a lot of fun while getting fit and cutting through stress. Win/win.
Madame!
All your swimming and running is seriously awesome! You're my hero.
This winter I sort of picked up swimming a little, but avoided crowded lap swims (in favor of chaotic "free swims" b/c I didn't know the unspoken rules of lap swimming. Would you share the rules you learned?
Amber, you are a rockstar! I think your new goal sounds great. Anna did one just about two years ago and did great (although, she doesn't plan to do another one. it seems like a "cross it off your list" kind of endeavor if you aren't a hardcore athlete.) Good luck with your swimming!!
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