I believe in you...

Lately, my head has been getting in the way of my swimming.  And I've come to rely on using fins.  Which, as Wendy pointed out is fine, because when I race in open water, I will have a wet suit on.  She told me that a wet suit helps with buoyancy, as does the fins, so no problem.  However, yesterday morning, I was just battling with where I'm at in swimming.  My first race is in 4 weeks, and it's an indoor sprint tri.  I have to be able to swim 500 yards.  In a pool, without fins.  I, brought this up to Wendy, yesterday morning and this was her response.

Swim 20 lengths without fins resting at each end. Just get it done, dont leave the pool without swimming 20 lengths. It does not matter how long it takes.

I, of course, took it calmly. Yea, right!! I freaked out!! 20 lengths?? I had just told her I hadn't gone more than 16 and that was with fins! But I knew better than to write back and question that. She has been coaching for a long, long time and I knew she wouldn't just tell me to do it, and think I didn't have it in me. But that part of my brain, the logical part, was not in charge yesterday morning. The hysterical, "I can't", "it's too much", "is she crazy?" part was in charge.

So, I contacted my friend, Carolyn, who is a personal trainer and of course, she was immediately sympathic (read NOT!!) I tell her what my coach said and she goes...

You got this!!!

You will have to push past exhaustion, rest when you need to and then keep going

Think of it like a long run . . . it doesn't matter how fast you go, just get it done

coming home before the distance is done is not an option

Ok, so so much for getting HER to help me get off the hook!!! So, I tried another friend.  She is a triathlete, I figured, SHE'D understand!!!  I tell her what I'd looking to do, and that my 1st race is in 4 weeks and her response?

You can do it, just keep breathing!!!

And when I tell her how far I'm to go??  

Great!!  This will give you a baseline!!!

So, as I headed to the pool, I started to laugh.  I thought "why did I contact these women?"  Was it really to "get me off the hook?" No, it was to hear that they believed in me, even though at times I doubt myself and my abilities.  Sometimes I just need to hear from someone else, that they believe I can do it.  I have often found that others see our strengths when we so often don't.

And when I had a chance, last evening to chat with Wendy, I was proud to be able to tell her that I had accomplished the goal she set for me.   Even though I am 2000 miles from my coach, she "knows" me.   She's coming to know my strengths and weaknesses.  And knows the only way for me to continue to grow, as an athlete, is by getting out of my comfort zone.

Before yesterday, I wouldn't have thought I could swim one pool length without those fins, that was my comfort zone.  I found out I was wrong.  I ended my email, last evening, to Wendy with these words.

Keep pushing me.  I have more in me, than even I know.