Swimming to Me...a Manifesto

Swimming is probably my favorite out of the three triathlon disciplines. Unfortunately it is the first sport you do in each race and it is over before you know it. I once heard that a triathlon race begins when you exit the water. I think in some respects that is true. There's not much time to be made up during a swim so being the best swimmer certainly will not get you to Kona. The one thing, and I think it's the only thing, that I do not like about swimming is the cold.

Call me a wussy but I absolutely detest jumping in a cold pool. I am an avid surfer and have been for over ten years. However, the wetsuit really takes away that initial shock of the cold water against your skin. I think about it on my way to the pool. Dread it as I prepare to jump in. Fear it as I stand there with my goggles in my hand trying to justify some way to get out of it. Then the pep talk with myself comes and I take the plung...literally.

The cold hurts...it penetrates the first few layers of your skin immediately. It stings my nerve endings as I flail around to generate some heat. Then, just as soon as it's begun it's over.

I am swimming and warming up rapidly. "It's not all the bad", I tell myself. I try to remember that as I am driving to the pool each time. However, inevitably, I stand there at the edge of the pool dreading, fearing, and being a wussy before I take yet another plung.

Off to the pool this evening. Already scared.

Time to Start Getting Serious

I have a half Ironman in a couple months and a full Ironman in a few more after that. I have not been doing a very good job at training. I am hoping that writing on my blog will motivate me to get myself back out there.

Went for a seven mile run over the weekend. It hurt...bad. Not a good sign.