It’s 62 degrees out here with a breeze. Balmy compared to the 39 degree wake-up temp this morning. I stand at the edge of the pool, staring across the 25-yard blue length of the lane. I feel cold and uncomfortable, but I pull on the silicone cap and goggles and enter the water. The next triathlon is only 5 weeks away and I need to practice the swim segment.
Just figuring out where I can swim was an exercise. You would think that in Tucson, Arizona one would have a wide choice of winter swimming. Not really. Let me tell you, it comes at a cost, especially if you need to practice in a pool that will provide a 25-yard lap that matches the one in the race. I chose to join a local YMCA. The outdoor not-so-heated pool is beautiful. It was recently refinished and is sparkling clean. It is a (bracingly) refreshing change-up in my winter training regimen.
After 3 laps I am warmed up. I do not notice the cool air. My focus is on the stroke and kick. I measure my time for every 100 yards. It feels good to move through the water again, to put into practice what I only did through imagery these past few months. In the end my total time is not too shabby – for me. 850 yards in about 30 minutes. I matched my practice time before the last tri. Maybe I can improve that performance by the day the race rolls around. I am just grateful that I can do this at all.
Ha! Whoever would have thought that I would be swimming in this kind of weather? Not long ago I would have said, “It’s a nice day for walk in the woods. Then, let’s bake some cookies…” Where is that woman? Go look in the pool…
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