Go The Distance

    I am so glad swimming was on the agenda for tonight's workout. I know I have mentioned it a time or two, but I do love swimming. I feel as if the chlorinated water helps rinse away the debris of the day. I admit, my head was not in the game when I got to the aquatic center. As a matter of fact I was a bit of a weepy mess. But that happens now and then, especially in the dark days of  winter. I try to look ahead to the New Year, and the exciting events piling up on my plate, but for today it was all I could do to keep on track with my agenda. So, swim I did. I did drills just for the first 5 laps or so: sculling; close fist swim; high elbows; rotating swim with 2 strokes crawl, 2 strokes backstroke, etc. Then I got down to the business of distance. I wanted to see how many laps I could manage in the 90 minutes I had. So I swam. And swam. All crawl. I did use hand paddles for a few laps every 20 laps or so, just to redial my technique. I had to fight to keep my focus tonight. It was all I could do to keep my technique strong, and more than once I had to resort to counting strokes to pull my head back into the water, get my mind in the game. I was very unfocused. Something I have always loved about weightlifting is part of what I love about swimming; the counting, repetition, rhythm, and focus on technique has a soothing, hypnotic quality that settles my brain when I am addled. Like tonight. It wasn't 100% successful, but I felt much better leaving than I did going in.
    So, how many laps in 90 minutes? 80 laps. 4000 yards. 2.27 miles. I had really hoped to hit 2.4 miles, the length on an Ironman swim, but I ran out of time. Granted, swimming in open water is a far cry from the safe, smooth, crystal clear waters of the local pool. But I am proving to myself that I can swim, and keep swimming, mile after mile. I believe I could swim 3 miles nearly as easily as I swim 2 now. I have my rhythm, my pace. I am relaxed in the water, and am constantly working to improve my stroke. Once spring returns I will hit the open water and learn to swim without the reassurance of lane buoys, and a guiding stripe beneath me. But the stronger and longer I can swim, the easier it will be for me to adapt to open water.