Today was a 4800 yard swim workout. Most of this was a set of 3 x 1000. Now, I really like swimming. I look forward to getting into the pool, lake or wherever I’m going to get in some yards. But 3 x 1000? Ugh, how boring. This is a workout I wouldn’t even try to convince someone to come do with me. I didn’t even want to do it. However, the Ironman swim is a long, continuous effort, so I understand the benefits of getting in a set of this distance.
Here is a list of random thoughts I had during my swim this morning:
The water is nice and clear, why do I keep cutting these turns short?
- Why do so many old people walk “laps” in the pool?
- What the hell is that floating in my lane?
- I wonder how cold it’s going to be outside for my long ride this weekend.
- I miss summer already.
- What time is it?
- Keep your head lower in the water.
- Try to remember to KICK!
- Oops, missed another turn.
- Hope this guy doesn’t try hopping in my lane.
- Do those Swimp3 players work? I could use some music.
- Shoot – was that 650 or 700?
- Concentrate on the bilateral breathing – evens out the stroke.
- KICK!
- How many jellyfish are there going to be at IMFL?
- I think Sheila was stung in the face by a jellyfish…
- Damn, this is a long-ass set.
- Maybe I should cut it short.
- No, I can’t. Keep going. Smooth.
- This is so boring. Ironman swimming isn’t this boring.
- At least I’m not getting the crap beat out of me during this swim.
- I think my fingers are getting pruny.
- My goggles are too tight.
- What goggles am I going to use for the race?
- Am I done yet?
- That dude needs to stop looking at me.
And that was just the first 1000. I finished the whole thing, times staying consistent. The thing I need to think about is how much different swimming in salt water is going to be. I’d like to think it’s not going to be that much different, but I don’t know for sure. It’s not like I’ve done any amount of “real” swimming in salt water. My experiences with salt water usually involve a mask, snorkel and fins along with nice, cold alcoholic beverages afterwards! Not much I can do at this point, so I’m not spending any time worrying about it. After all, the swim is just the warm up….the “introduction” to the day!
