Balm For The Soul

    The pool has been my escape and a balm for my soul this winter. it is also a good boost for my athletic ego since I have been steadily increasing my speed and endurance at a rate that far surpasses my ability to increase my run endurance. The cool water flowing over my body rinses the stress from every pore, and the post workout endorphins are the icing on the cake.
    As I warmed up this evening I could still feel residual soreness and fatigue from Saturday's swim and strength training sessions. My 20 lap warmup was accompanied by the chaotic shrieks and shouts of the large, obnoxious family I had to share space with. Yes, I am the pool curmudgeon. But they finally left, just as I was hitting my main set. Tonight I wanted to do an endurance swim with varied pacing. Instead of the Broken Endurance set I went with the Endurance Ladder, a negative split training session: 8 laps (400 yards) each; Easy, Ironman Pace, Olympic Pace, 90%+. During the easy set I try to swim as smooth and silent as possible. The Ironman Pace is what I think of as "I can do this almost all day" pace. Olympic is a pretty decent effort, but one that should be sustainable for a mile. The final set I did at a pace that I almost couldn't maintain for that distance, the last 50 yards were pretty brutal. Then I did an abbreviated repeat of 100 yard sets. Followed it all with 50 yard sprints x 4, Finished up with 10 laps to cool down.
    I have been trying to regain some run capabilities, so I topped off my 80 minute swim with 20 minutes of leg work in the pool. Single foot bounces to build foot, ankle and calf strength. High knees for core and quads. Leg swing for quad, hammies, core, and hip flexibility. Clamshell side leg raise for hips and quads. 4 sets of each. This is going to be the end of every swim session from here on out. I need to build as much strength in the supporting muscles and connective tissue as I can to help offset the joint pain and weakness. I will run again.
    Of course I finished up with yoga in the jacuzzi to stretch out tight, tired, over-worked muscles. The piece de resistance lately has been the new post shower routine. While still wet from the shower I apply my own mix of body oil: extra virgin olive oil scented with patchouli, musk, and tea rose essential oils. Then, still wet, I hit the dry sauna for a bit. Just long enough to dry the excess water and let the oil soak in, but not long enough to break a sweat. I tell you it is Nirvana. I got dressed and was so relaxed and mellow I probably shouldn't have been driving.