The Journey


Sunday, February 19, 2012

it finally happened...

I've been waiting for months, for that magical "click" to happen with my swimming.  That moment when I'd finally be a swimmer.  But that moment wasn't coming easily.

Last week, I was getting frantic.  As a friend keeps reminding me I have a "goal with a deadline", my Olympic triathlon in August.  And I stood in the pool, last Wednesday, February 15th and thought "how am I ever going to get this?  I can't breathe and swim at the same time!!".  To say I was a bit discouraged would be an understatement.  I had conveyed my frustrations to Wendy, and she was giving me suggestions.  But I kept thinking "she's not here, it would work if she were HERE!!"

So, last Wednesday I wrote to her and, once again, vented to her.  She replied, "what's the alternative?"  And I said, "to give up and spend the rest of my life wondering if I could have done it and I'll be damned if I'm going to live my life like that!".  So, the next time I got in the pool, I started to get upset and this time I just "stopped".  I just stood there in the water and forced myself to relax.  And what came to me was one of Wendy's suggestions.  Instead of taking a breathe every three strokes and on both sides, just do every two strokes and just my dominant side.  So, I tried that and IT WORKED!!!  But since I'm a little doubtful of these things, I tried it about 6 or 7 more times and it worked, every time!!!  I was ecstatic!!!

 I contacted Erin, the swim instructor and asked her if she would meet me to just "check".  That was Friday.  After she watched me, she said it was apparent that I was more comfortable in the water.  Now I stop because I am lacking in endurance, not because I'm running out of air.

 It's a huge step forward for me.  I'm so happy.  I finally am starting to feel like a "tri" athlete.  And it's an amazing feeling....

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