Not What it Seems

Fraud in a bowl

I occasionally make assumptions about things and then am surprised when my truth and the truth are different. For example, take two news stories from this week. The first was that Captain and Tennille are getting divorced after 39 years of marriage. Thirty-nine years! What? Then, as if that did not rock my world enough, it turns out that Fruit Loops are - wait - ALL THE SAME FLAVOR! What a charade of horrors! I tested those as a 8 year old and swear the red ones were best. Anyway, it turns out that lots of things are not as they seem, and swim coaching is one of them. Today I filled in for coach Bill as I have done a few times. But I always forget how hard it is. From the confines of your lane, it seems easy - get the workout from the coach and swim. But from the deck it is a different story. You need to wear many hats: traffic cop, psychologist, mediator, cheerleader, and mind reader. We had five lanes going and they all needed something different. I honestly thought I would give out the workout and leisurely sit around and chat with the lifeguards and other swimmers. Not a chance, but it was awesome. I have a new found respect, not only for Coach Bill but for my teammates who I never get to talk with or see while in the pool. Great job everybody.

400 warm up

25's on :10r, 75/50's on :15r

3 x 25 drill

75 breast

3 x 25 drill 

75 back

3 x 25 drill

75 fly

2 x 25 drill

2x 50 breast

2 x 25 drill

2 x 50 back

2 x 25 drill

2 x 50 fly

3(4x100)

1-4 hold pace 1:30

5-8 stroke/free 1:45

9-12 DESCEND on 1:35

3 x 200 IM (choose interval 10-15 rest)

Six times thru:

50 sprint on :40/25 easy on :40

4 x 150 pull hypoxic on 2:20 (ran out of time)

100 easy

75 ascend by 25

2 x 50 easy on :60

Winning the Lottery

That looks far

They say that winning the lottery changes people, and as a recent lottery winner I hope that this is true, in a positive way. Yes, I am happy to announce that after three years of being on the losing end of the Great Chesapeake Bay Swim lottery, I FINALLY got in! Winning this lottery enables me to pay $250 for the privilege to swim the 4.4 miles across Chesapeake Bay in June, and I can't wait. I will also try to avoid the common mistakes that many lottery winners make, like quitting my job or spending all the money I didn't win on that fancy wetsuit. I have noticed, though, that since my big announcement (I heard it was carried on the local news here) I have been surprised at how completely respectful and silent my friends and acquaintances have been considering my big windfall. It's good to know they aren't hanging out with me because of this lottery victory. :)

300 warmup
10 x 50 on :50 count strokes
3 x 100 breast/free
3 x 100 back/breast
3 x 100 back/free
4 x 400 on 6:20 going:
1. last 100 stroke
2. third 100 stroke
3. second 100 stroke
4. first 100 stroke

Okay, 2014, Let's Do This!

My sister rolled her eyes every time I said this phrase, which annoyingly for her was almost daily during our family holiday gathering. It was usually said as I was heading out to the gym, or store, or Christmas Eve service. Typically it was said with enthusiasm because I was looking forward to my destination. This morning, though, my tone was more cautious than excited as I headed to the pool for my first masters workout in about six weeks. The holiday fun was over. I'm not one for resolutions, but getting back into a routine again is important. I've realized how interconnected my daily routines are - from fitness, to work, to my relationships. Get off kilter in one, the others are impacted. Coach Bill was kind to us today, and I appreciated that!

Long course:(no intervals - all on rest between :15 and :25)

200 swim

8 x 50 going drill/swim; stroke/swim

3 x 100 stroke

400 swim 

6 x 150 pull

4 x (4 x 50) going:

1-4 IM order on 1:05

5-8 Free descend on :60

9-12 IM order on :60

13-16 Free descend on :55

3 x 100 on 1:45, 1:55, 2:05