January 9, 2007

a swim goal, and random musings...

It's finally training time! The mind-numbing creature called the off season, in which I had to be more dormant than I ever wanted due to my post marathon IT band issues, has finally ended. Whew!

I was supposed to have a grand kick off yesterday, but - I just couldn't wait... Remember that pre-Christmas feeling when you were a kid and are magnetically drawn to the closet where your Christmas presents are hidden? Well, that was me...

So I've been going full speed since Friday and I feel it in every muscle in my body. Oh I love that good pain feeling.

I met with swim coach Lisa yesterday (speaking of, man what an exhausting day. I got off the overnight shift at 0700, then home to gather my swim stuff and off to Atlanta (2 1/2 hour drive) to meet Lisa. She tortured me for 45 minutes, then I drove back to Birmingham and forced a 2 hour nap. I then had a 25 mile bike ride to accomplish before being back at work at 19:00. Awesome!).

Anyway, Lisa said about the funniest thing I've heard lately - "We probably only need about 2 more sessions before your stroke will be solid!" I laughed out loud... I think she was trying hard to make me feel better about panting like a dog after just a half hour of drilling... It didn't work!

I need a motivating goal for the swim. Yea, finishing the IM swim course works, but I need an intermediary. Something specific for which I can aim... I'm thinking 1 mile, 30 minutes, April 1.

Yea, I know, this is probably what a 12 year old girl can do after a 2 month layoff. But this would be infinitely faster than my 5th slowest time (overall, not in my age group) at the Music City Tri last fall. Never again will I be embarrassed like that...

There, it is said. On April 1st I will swim 1 mile in under 30 minutes. Man, that feels good to say...

So I'm going to wrap this up with some reactionary thoughts that exploded in me a few days back. It's funny how emotions play with us - toss, tumble, torture, titillate, and take us eventually to either a peak or a valley where we are left to find meaning of it all...

and now she's givin' me a little piece of her sickness...
it's 3 am and i can't sleep. you see, there's this girl...
it's always about a girl ain't it?
except this ain't just a girl, this is a
maserati ferragamo prada
with blow like ernest and
drive like cmc.

and this girl, who thinks she should be just any girl,
certainly not my girl -
circumstances are a bitch eh?
she reaches out just like i told her she anytime could
except the 1 time she did i was a supersizeme shit
i wasn't there - couldn't be -
logistically impossible,
the victim of digital fiasco.
i wanted to be but i just wasn't.
and now i am here and she's not -
she never really was -
and it is effing with me in a sleepless night kind of way.
ef

7 comments:

Lisa said...

Good luck with your goal! I can't do that (yet). I am a penguin runner and a dachsund in the water!

Good luck with the maserati. I hope she reaches out again when you are there.

tri-mama said...

I created a recovery room for you (and others) because of your naked guy stalking. This is going to be an interesting year for you because Ironman training takes you to the end of yourself and back again-hold on for the ride it's one of the most rewarding you will take.

Trisaratops said...

That sounds like a good goal to me!

Man, I need to get in the pool....I feel like such a pool slacker lately!

Laurie said...

You drive 2.5 hours to see a couch?! I am not sure if that is dedication or pure insanity. I hope you don't have to do that very often.

Good luck with your swimming goal. You can do it!

Triteacher said...

LOL... I know a few 12 year old girls, and only one of them could swim the 30 minute mile. But don't worry, she's a nice kid; she wouldn't rub it in. ;)

SingletrackJenny (formerly known as IronJenny) said...

TriJack - that is a great goal to have. I know you will do it. ;-)
Jenny

Michele said...

Good luck with the swim goal it’s a good one. I wish I was there too.