I’m in pain. My right shoulder is extremely unhappy while the left one is just a little sad. Yesterday was what’s known as a “brick” day where I train in 2 disciplines in one day. I have no idea where the term comes from and there are conflicting theories. I’ll post it as soon as I get a clear answer. The schedule calls for another 15-30 minute run and then swim training at Hofstra University. I've always loved swimming so I’m looking forward to learning more about endurance swimming.
When I got home from work it was dark, cold and raining. I immediately put on my running clothes and left the apartment without so much as sitting. If I thought about it I would probably have stayed in and waited until it was time to go to swimming. My friend Robin said it best; “It’s good that you have your niece as inspiration. When you get home after a long day and think you just want to watch TV it’s almost like you’re thinking she’s not worth it.” Something along those lines. It flowed better on the phone but that's the gist of it.
Out the door I went. I know I can do a 30 minute run but was feeling pressed for time since I knew I had to get to Hofstra, which is about a 25 minute drive from my apartment. I did a pretty short run but at least I did it. Here’s the breakdown:
1.20 Miles
16:06 Minutes
Calories 132
Calories from fat 19%
Not too shabby for a rainy Tuesday in November and I’m glad I went out. People were bundled up in their winter coats and gloves and there I was running past them. It hit me that I’m that crazy person who is running outside in the freezing cold wearing summer clothes. It can only get better!
As I said in an earlier post, I get lost everywhere and this was no exception. I left my apartment very early to allow for that and got to the university at 7:45 with the swim time being 8:15, according to the schedule. I was already in my swim gear and thought, wow, I’m REALLY early. Then I started looking for the pool. Hofstra has done a great job at hiding it. I asked six people where it was and walked into four different buildings. Finally a girl in one of the buildings said, “It’s in that building over there” which I responded, “which one?” She said go to the stop sign and make a left and it’s in there. I walked in and saw basketball practice going on. Nope. No pool yet. I finally asked a fairly adorable man in the equipment room where the pool was and he said, “Go out the door, make a left and it’s behind the concrete stairs.” And there I found it. In plain sight down an alley on a dead end street behind concrete stairs.
I walked in and saw my team in the far corner already in the pool doing laps. It was 8:15. As it turns out, Coach Steve is a no nonsense kind of guy. You’re here early? Get in the pool. I had already emailed him about my running and told him my problem. His response was a very blunt, “You’re out of shape.” Ouch. I was almost insulted until I realized how right he is. I hadn’t been swimming since the Point Lookout Triathlon in early September and was following my off season training plan of eating like a moose and not working out. Okay, that wasn’t the plan but that’s what I did and it’s painful to admit it. This is why I now sit here with my shoulders yelling at me.
I got in the pool and Coach Steve said swim so I can see your ability. I didn’t do well. Inhaled a lot of water, as is normal for me in the beginning, and couldn’t find my stroke. Then we started doing drills. Swim with your hands balled up in fists, kick on your side, catch up drill, etc. There was one drill where we drag our fingertips across the water instead of pulling our arms totally out of the water. When I got back from my 50 meters Coach Steve immediately yelled, “Tracy, you’re NOT doing the drill!” I felt like a 10 year old when I responded, “But I’m trying.” “DO IT AGAIN!” Um, okay. I’m thinking, wow, this guy is a tough nut but it’ll be good for me in the long run. He did say something incredibly valuable: If you take of three consecutive days you’ve wasted your time, lost your endurance and have to start over. I don’t want to start over!
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