TIME TRIAL

The last thing that I expected this morning when walking in to Masters' swim today was the words TIME TRIAL To be written on the workout board. It didn't bother me because Coach knows I am the beginner in Lane 1. After about 30 min. of swimming Coach called us to the wall. We are in week 4 of 12 in this session. It's time to document where we are at.

The game plan - each lane has a group 1 and a group 2 person. Group 1 would swim 200 with 2 timing them. Then switch. After that we would do 3- 100's, switching places and timing. I was put in group 2 and would be swimming the whole thing. I was blown away. I really did not want to put a time on how slow that I swim. I just wanted to swim without a clock. As I timed my lane mate, Coach came over and tried to reassure me because of the scared sh**less look on my face. Even Iron Snoopy offered words of encouragement. Nothing was working and soon I would be jumping in for my 200.

It is now my turn. I'm off with everyone else. One lap done- not bad. Second lap- still feeling good. Third lap- I'm slowing and my form is falling apart. Fourth lap- I feel like I can't breathe. I'm sucking in half the pool. I hear yelling but just keep going. I'm sure everyone is beginning their 100s. Finally at the end, I stop and look up. Everyone has waited and they are clapping for me. I MADE IT. My time was 5:25. But I just completed my first 200 trial.

The next 3 x 100 followed the same pattern. I am exhausted when leaving the pool. My times for the 100's were 2:25, 2:26, and 2:29. Certainly not record-breaking but to me a person 6 months ago that couldn't swim, it was good. We will redo this workout in 6 weeks.

Waddling like a tired penguin.............