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The Ankle-Band Pacer


me, Heath, Missy

Today Coach M's plan called for a Timed Mile in the pool. Actually, the plan has been calling for a Timed Mile the last 2 weeks but I have not been able to get my act together. Swimming (i.e. getting to the pool when it is actually open) without Karl around has been a struggle to say the least. But, alas, he rolled into town last night and I have no more excuses!

Fortunately, Coach M knows (most of) my many weaknesses and suggested that Heath could pace me for the mile. A pacer? For me? Yes please! I love being in the same city as HT training! (Although I still hate how traveling messes up everything!) In case you don't know Coach Heath - he is an amazing swimmer! At Ironman CDA this year he exited the water in 2nd overall and in front of world champion Craig Alexander. So, needless to say, he could swim circles around me. Since that would not be very fun for either of us, he instead put on some ankle bands to slow himself down. Have you ever tried to swim with your ankles tied together? HT makes it looks ridiculously easy - but it's not. Not at all. I have only used them twice and so far I can't make it more than about 20 meters without sinking to the bottom of the pool. I honestly don't know how he can do it for a whole mile.

Well. The mile itself was rather uneventful. I was not going particularly fast but that means that there is lots of room for improvement and next time will most likely be a PR. Thinking positive here!

Since KJ is now back from his adventure, I took a day off from my motherly duties. After swimming, I relaxed in the steam room, took a long shower, did 40 min of core exercises, ran a couple of errands, and went to Reed at Adagio Massage for a much-needed massage. Then I heated up the garage while riding on the trainer, went for a transition run in the dark and cold, and came home to a delicious dinner of salmon with potatoes and squash from the Jarvis' garden.

Yes. I realized that I am spoiled and that my life is anything but hard. In case you are wondering if I did anything productive today - I did 3 loads of laundry. That's all.

How about a repeat tomorrow?






Comments

Amber said…
Those ankle bands are ridiculously hard!! One day I will be able to swim just one length of the pool with them on!! :)
December 22, 2011
Leslie said…
Man I can't even imagine that much me/workout time! Sounds nice though! I imagine you probably deserved it after a few weeks of single parenting eh? Yes!
December 26, 2011
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