Skip to main content

Masters

Nope, I am not going back to school to get a Masters. I would like to but it is not very high on my priority list at the moment. Neither is Karl. He already has one and is currently looking into PhD programs for next fall.

I did, however, join the Orem Masters Swim Team. I am now a Masters Swimmer.


Sounds like I am old . I am old. But guess what? In swimming, age does not matter so much. Everyone on the team that is faster than me is also older than me. By at least 10 years. That still leaves me some time to improve. Maybe.

I had been swimming at BYU for 8 years, when they decided to be mean and not let me into their pool anymore. Swimming is the most difficult logistically. And I am hard to please. Provo does not have any good options. Unless I want to get up at 4:30 am and elbow my way through a crowded pool.


Finally I decided it might be worth two weekly trips to Orem plus $35 a month to swim in a 50 meter pool and to have a coach. And it sure is! I love, love, love having a coach. Even if he says things like

"Ok, now for our main set: six times four twenty-fives at thirty two fifties at sixty two one hundreds at one thirty one two hundred at three with twenty seconds rest in between"

all in one breath. Did you get it? At first I as very confused, but now I am getting the hang of it. I guess it is 'swimmer language' and I had not been a swimmer in a long time.


Did I mention the score board? The first few times I was there, I did not even notice it. I was too busy figuring out what I was supposed to be doing. Now, I love it. It tells me everything I need to know without having to wear a watch. Good thing. My watch battery has been dead for more than a week.

So. I guess my point is: Swimming is so much more fun now! I am really enjoying it. I don't have to come up with my own lame work-outs anymore and I might even be able to have a three-word conversation with a team mate in between sets. Amazing! Never mind that it starts at 5:30 am ...

Now, I just need a biking and running coach. Any volunteers? Unfortunately, our budget is very limited.

PS: Excuse the lame pictures. I feel dorky taking a camera to swim practice. Really dorky.

Comments

JessWilson said…
I'm so glad that you have a fun place to swim - even if it is at 5:30 in the morning! :)
July 30, 2009
Jamie Pearson said…
have I told you that I am jealous because I am. There used to be a masters program here but when they closed the pools for a little bit their program fell through. I want to get back into swimming shape and have a coach. I agree its so much better than coming up with your own work out.
July 31, 2009
Smart Helm said…
They have a masters swim thing here but I just can't get up so early in the morning. I'm impressed with ur dedication!

I wouldn't take my camera to swim practice, what if it got wet? I don't even take my phone with me!
August 10, 2009
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

New PR at a High Cost

St. George Halfmarathon Report I have a feeling that this is going to be long . Even though I am going to tell you about the rest of the weekend in my next post. So. Sit back and enjoy, if you are interested. A few days before the race, I told Karl that I have two options : 1. Run the way I usually race. Conservative . Start out at a decent pace, log negative splits, finish feeling strong and in control. 2. Start out faster than usual, hang onto that pace for as long as possible, die a slow and painful death. Karl just laughed . He knew how unlikely it was that I would choose the second option. But, to be honest, the idea kinda grew on me. It was a running event, after all. No pressure. Simply a way of testing where my fitness is at. On my way to St. George, I called Coach M . She told me I was going to choose the second option. Oh, how I love to have coaches! No need to try to figure things out in my own little head. I just ask and do as I am told. There was ju
10 comments
Read more

Swimming in Germany - Lakes Galore

Baggersee Weingarten Let's see.... I've been in Germany now for 4 weeks and have had the privilege to swim in 5 different lakes. Let me count how many times I have swum in a lake in Arizona since moving there 2 years ago... That would be 1 time in Lake Mary during the MountainMan. And I am not planning on swimming in it again until this year's MountainMan. As you might have already guessed:  I am in heaven !  Baggersee Weingarten So are the kids. Appropriately dressed in German swim wear.  That's my mom next to me in the picture above. You see where I get it... Growing up we would either go on a hike or bike ride every weekend and take a dip in various lakes along the way. Good memories!  My niece Lynn at Bad Waldsee This lake was especially fun. It was basically at the center of a beautiful old little town. I saw people walk out their front door and go for a little swim. No motorized anything allowed as on most lakes here. Platf
1 comment
Read more

I am so lucky

I feel the need to write. My thoughts are all jumbled. Can I make sense of them on paper? Writin g gives me perspective and makes it easier to let go. Last weekend I was very frustrated, mad, self-centered, unhappy , wallowing in self-pity. This weekend I was more balanced, a little more patient, trying to be less selfish, happy . How did it happen? I have had to deal with myself for almost 30 years now and, luckily, have figured out a few things on the way. Like how to feel at peace with myself , my family , my life . It shouldn't be complicated to be happy in my circumstances. I realize that. But sometimes it still is. Sometimes being a mom and wife doesn't come easy to me. Sometimes I think everyone would be better off if I wasn't a mom and wife. Sometimes I wish it was easier to just take off and do nothing but swimbikeruneatsleep for a week or two. It's not helping that my German teammates are doing just that. Right now. On a beautiful island. In the warm
10 comments
Read more