At least I brought my bathing suit!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Prior to May 2007, I never would have thought I'd run. Then I started signing up for races. Due to injuries, I turned to swimming and cycling as part of recovery, never anticipating doing a triathlon, but I've done 2 (small ones). Then I joined a Masters swim team to keep me motivated to swim during the winter, never thinking I'd enter a swim meet. Well, now I've done that too!

Today was like a series of unfortunate events, but with some relatively happy endings. 

Let's back up to my last swim before leaving for Orlando. I quickly realized that I'd miss the deadline if I didn't get the registration form filled in and cheque written, as I was heading out the door that night. I *thought* I filled it in correctly, but told coach as I handed him the form to double check it with the email he had sent me to make sure I had done it right. He nodded, but obviously didn't check it. I had mistakenly signed myself up for breast stroke rather than back stroke. I loath breast stroke. I suck at it.

I was the first to arrive at the pool this morning from my team, so I got the heat sheet; it was then that I realized the bad news about the breaststroke. Sigh. Oh well, I'm sure it'll give me something to blog about...

7 of the 8 competitors from my team had arrived, we were missing one, an older man, probably close to 70 years young. I hopped in the pool to do a quick 500m warm up even though my events would take a few hours. As I got out of the pool, I saw Mike, our missing teammate, still in his jeans. He must have read my puzzled expression... because he went on to explain that he had forgotten his bathing suit! CHECK! At least I had mine! He ended up borrowing someone's. Not sure I'd make the same decision, but whatever... 

Literally, it was a few hours before my first event, the 50m free. I ended up 5th in my heat on this one, 4th place overall for AG. Meh. Another long gap and a lunch break before my next event, the dreaded 50m breaststroke. Dive off the block was fine, and I actually wasn't last! In fact, I came in 4th in my heat. But I heard the official say "Lane 5, you'll come see me once you're out". Uh oh. I remembered my 2 hand touch! What did I do wrong?  So I timidly climbed out of the pool, and approached the official. He said "You know you're doing the breaststroke wrong, right?" I kinda giggled, and told him that this didn't come as a surprise, I never claimed to be a good breaststroker. He said that my arms came down too far, and as a result, my time wouldn't count, I was disqualified from that event. I told him it was my first meet, I had no idea, and had never been corrected, but then just headed over to my coach to explain what had happened. He said it was fine, an easy fix. One that maybe I could have corrected before today had I known?!?! Ugh. I wanted to cry.

But I needed to gather myself for the next one, 100m free. At least this stroke I *know*!  Dove in, first 25m was fine, hit my flip turn with some water up the nose, but fought to stay focused, only that the panic set in. I've only had a panic attack once before to the point that I couldn't breathe, this was another. As much as I tried to separate myself from disappointment from my previous heat, maybe I was still distracted, but I seriously couldn't breathe. I was in lane 6, I could see coach walking up the side of my lane, he knew I was losing it too. I couldn't breathe at all, couldn't see anybody else in the water, I almost stopped there. That lasted for only a split second, I was able to relax and get my breath under control finally, and finished for a 4th place in my heat, 2nd overall in my AG! How? I have no idea. Coach seemed pleased, and commended me for forging on and keeping it together after almost falling apart.

A competitive swimmer, I am not. I'm happy for the opportunity and experience, but I much prefer triathlon to swimming only. Hope you all had a fantastic week, I'm hopelessly behind in reading, but I will catch up! :)

Ps. JoLynn, is the font better? ;)

And now for something completely different...

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Tonight's swim was like something out of the twilight zone. I started off in my usual lane 3 for our warm up, feeling pretty good and strong, not sluggish and winded like I normally do until I'm warmed up. (Mental note, I've had strong swims both times I've had a grilled salmon filet and wild rice for dinner!!)

 As we were all gathered around in the shallow ends of the lanes waiting for instructions on our main set, I hear "Melanie, move over please." A few seconds later, again, "Melanie, lane 4 please...." Coach has called me Melinda, Melissa, Michelle, Linda, Marlene, so naturally, I never really listen for my actual name; it took me a while to react! I had been promoted to a faster lane!  A little intimidated at first, but I held my own! SWEET!!! I missed the 'flip turn' practice night while in Orlando -- tonight's expectation was no touch turns, flip turns all the way. I did all but one! I felt like a swimmer tonight!

My brain thinks it'll be my first, but one of my best friends has been trying to convince my memory that it'll be at least my second. I don't remember... which is not uncommon for things that happened prior to and during my seizures. She has no reason to lie, so maybe I have competed in a swim meet during high school, even though I can't jog my memory! Sigh.... oh well.

Regardless, Sunday, I'll be competing in a swim meet, hopefully one that I'll remember for years to come :) Here's to hoping I also don't come in dead last in all my heats ;)  

Quick P90X update-- today I started week 6! Already! I know!! I made a mad dash to a store nearby to purchase heavier dumbbells too, since I found that I was now able to do additional reps, sometimes more than 20. I also broke the resistance band -- the super stretchy elastic band that I don't think is supposed to break too easily! Guess I'm getting a little stronger?? Haha I have a feeling that P90X will have a whole new dimension now with heavier weights. Bring it on :)

Have a great weekend everyone!

at long last....

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Ever searched for something for so long, that eventually you sort of forgot what you were looking for in the first place? Had given up hope, maybe coming to terms that it might never be found? Perhaps even frustrated that it was lost in the first place?


Yep, me too, on so many levels.


But this morning I stumbled across a clue. A hint. Maybe it's not gone forever! My routine this morning was the same as always, but I looked at something just a little bit differently. Maybe it was the lighting in the room, the angle, a more open mind, but my hope is renewed.  


I smiled a vaguely familiar smile...

Mish-mash

Sunday, January 31, 2010

After today, I finally have a much more training related post!! Being on vacation alone with a child really doesn't warrant a lot of free time to get workouts in!! Plus, I was having way too much fun being a kid and soaking up everything I was also seeing for the first time!


So, now home, with a refreshed (or not so much) body, appreciative of the break it had from training, and the rest I gave it (again, not the case having walked for hours around 4 amusement parks in Orlando haha!), and a root canal scheduled for tomorrow (ewwww!), today was the day. The day to fit it all in, otherwise skipping the workouts or trying to catch up later in the week for tomorrow's schedule brick. I chose to get it done :)


Mini-Triathlon -- So I started my day with a 30 minute spin on my bike, followed by a cold, slightly windy 1hr run.  No shin pain! This is a huge deal for me! Tonight was masters swim, knocking out a fairly tough 2600m.... whew! What a day!  Still not sure this will ensure a good night's sleep ahead of tomorrow's dental appointment. :(


Totals -- Pretty pleased with January's totals, and my start to 2010! 14.65k swimming, 191.5k cycling, 65.4k running (highest mileage since my stress fractures!), 14 hours of strength training (thank you P90X!) and 8 hours of Yoga/stretching! YTD combined mileage 271.5k.


Training Plan -- Finally! Tuesday marks the end of the Joe Friel Base Building Triathlon 12 week plan I've been following. I say finally because it may actually be the first time following a plan that I haven't been injured, on the verge of injury, or over-trained by the end of it. I'm feeling stronger, and more confident!  So why change something that's working! I purchased the follow up plan (on TrainingPeaks), the Build-Peak-Race Olympic Triathlon!  This phase will start on Wednesday (with a rest day, gotta love it!) While I haven't signed up for any triathlons yet this year, I will -- just waiting on a few things to see what happens.


Pictures -- a few commented on my last post that I should post some pics! Those of you on facebook may have already seen my pics, but those of you who haven't, feel free to check the highlights out here! Last night, we arrived home after a long day of travelling. As I was tucking Terron into bed, he gave me an extra long hug and thanked me for an awesome week. He melts my heart.♥

ah, the memories

Saturday, January 30, 2010

I've just finished packing our suitcases, double checked the room to make sure I'm not leaving anything behind, and getting ready to check out of the hotel.  Vacation is almost over.


This week:

  • I rode the stationary bike only once
  • Walked countless miles through Seaworld twice, Universal Studios, and Busch Gardens
  • Ran 5k on the treadmill, also only once
  • Laughed and screamed on roller coasters after not being on one for many years!
  • Drove more than 400 miles!
  • Raced Terron up the ramps to shows and rides
  • Created many memories that will last a lifetime
I'd call this week a success! :)