First Month Finished

I made it through the month of January and am still standing.  I've learned a lot this month, and have put in a lot of miles.  It has taken some time to figure out a schedule that will work with eating and of course my paying job, but its always difficult in the beginning, right?!

Of the many things I have learned the most important is that I can swim not sink!  My biggest fear in signing up for triathlons is that I wont be able to do the swim portion.  So off to the pool I go after first buying myself a few swim suits.  Yes that's right haven't had a swim suit since high school maybe, the one in my drawer fell apart in my hands when i pulled it out. Ewwie!  Whats next?  Well then I had to get a swim cap, green of course, goggles which I have two pairs one clear and one tinted for bright sunny days, and last but not least the ear plugs.  Once all dressed up I feel weird, it feels like I'm in a cave, or maybe have medicine head.  I feel claustrophobic in all my attire but I jump in anyways.   My first few swims I couldn't even do one length of the pool without having to stop and catch my breath at then end before returning back. 

The beginning few sessions in the pool was full of terrible strokes, too much kicking, and not enough breathing.  Not understanding how to pace or what proper form was I was flailing, as I'm sure many people do.  So what do you do about this?  Pull up some YouTube videos, ask some professionals and work with people who have been there. 

With a month under my belt, I am confident I can at least stay afloat, and I can do an entire 400yds without having to stop and catch my breath or let me arms rest.  My body still likes to sink especially my ass and feet.  I will be swimming along and realize damn my fee are nearly dragging on the bottom of the pool, OK maybe not that bad but it sure feels like it. in order for me to get my butt up and feet to the surface I have learned to stretch out much more than I was in the beginning.  It also takes looking straight down to the bottom of the pool instead of trying to look forward, again a new thing for me but its a work in progress.

Just last week during a swim, we had three of us in  a lane sharing.  it was the first time for me to have three but it was good cause it forced me to pay attention to pacing, and also kept me going cause I didn't want to lose my spot in the rotation.  Although after my 400yds I stopped to break and when it was time to start again the guy who was behind me didn't see me and we both pushed off the wall at the same time.  I guess that was good practice for the real events where we will be bumping into each other. We both laughed at it and went on our merry ways, him trying to stay ahead of me and me trying to stay the same distance from him not gaining nor slowing. 

There is so much more to talk about but it will just have to wait for more entries.  Stay posted!