Driftwood
This nickname seems to have stuck when referring to my swimming speed. I am so painfully slow. And I really have no idea why. I have taken lessons. I have worked out dilligently. I. Am. S. L. O. W. And I just can't figure it out.
I have been told that I am not on plane. That my legs sink so I am dragging them through the water. But I don't know how to fix it. I have been working on my "catch" or pull through the water. Nothing is working. I feel like I'm getting slower. It was tough today to swim with 15 other people and be dead last coming in. And I can out ride or run most (not all) of them on any day. But it sucks to think that I am spotting them 5 minutes on a half mile swim in a triathlon. That's a lot of work just to catch up.
The swim itself was beautiful. The sky was bright blue after a front came through and finally cooled things off after a week of miserable temperatures and humidity. The water was actually warmer than the air. It was an interesting juxtaposition.The water was nice though. I just need to get through it faster. Anyway, it was an 1100 yard swim which is what my next triathlon is. I felt good enough after the swim to go for a three mile run and, again, the weather was spectacular. I averaged about an 8 minute pace without much effort at all. I just wanted to move and this run satisfied the urge. I couldn't get any takers to go with me so I ran solo. I don't do that much anymore (that is... start AND end alone...). My mind wandered back to swimming and what to do to make me faster. I think it's just going to take time. I've only been swimming for 6 months total so I guess I shouldn't expect much. But the problem is, I do. I expect more out of myself than this. I'm not sure "MORE" is the answer at this point (as this is usually the easy answer for endurance athletes). Better... That's what I'm looking for. And I'm willing to work hard to get it, I just don't know where to look.
