Swimming with the tide

Inspired by my brother's increasing swim activity and his entry in to a masters program, I felt it was my turn. The trouble with always being the fastest swimmer out of your training group is that you fall under a grossly misrepresented impression that you are a great swimmer. Don't worry, a quick trip to a masters swim session will cure that quickly.

The past two weeks have been spent having a couple of morning swim sessions with a masters group in my local area. As we become increasingly winter like, as the snow is meant to begin to fall and the frigid wind sending you hurrying back inside for another layer, swimming becomes an appealing endeavor. Biking limited appeal on the inside of the house. Running continues strong, even with those chilly temps. However, it is swimming that can achieve the greatest leaps forward. Traditionally, we would gather at the local pool, chat long enough to put off getting in the frigid water, jump in and swim back and forth for an hour, often interrupting each length for a good catchup on what has happened to Justin Bieber this week! However, this year I was steered in the direction a local swim group. The immediate upgrade came when I entered their water for the first time and discovered music under the water. Winner! However, reality came crashing down when the coach pulled me aside to point out that I was indeed, wait for it, crossing over! Perhaps, the worst words a "swimmer" wants to hear. Once I had composed my fragile demeanor, I proceeded to attempt my new instructed technique. Who knew, it worked! I wasn't exactly flying down the pool at new speeds, but fatigue was longer to set in and my neck did was not as sore the next day. Break through!

The next session proved even more impacting. If you ever have a misbehaving child, this training method in the pool should do the trick in correcting any behavioral problems. Step 1, tether swimmer to one end of pool. Step 2, tell swimmer to attempt to swim to the other end of the pool. Step 3, swimmer will discover that the elastic cord is not in fact fully long enough and requires stretching. Step 4, induce stretching by swimming as hard as you can without adding vomit to the pool. Step 5, reach other end of pool and don't let go! Step 6, swim the other way, without the initial expectation that it will feel like you are superhuman, or being dragged by a speed boat. Entirely a new experience.

Next up, some more winter training.

Good luck to us all!