Life is Good

Today at the pool I had an experience that will keep me motivated for quite awhile.

I hate interval training. I'm one big mass of slow twitch fiber. I couldn't carry a sprint fiber in my pocket. In the pool I set a pace just inside my comfort zone, then at a predetermined point, I kick up the pace. Tonight it was 30/50; thirty lengths brisk, and then pull as hard as I can the final twenty. If I do it right, I pull into the wall gasping for air and barely able to stand. You wont find it in any of the training books, but it works for me.

Tonight another swimmer was in the lane next to me. As often happens, he would push off the wall at my turn and 'race' me down the pool. He would hang out until I came back around and then sprint down the pool ahead of me, where he would rest up for another go. Tonight the sun and the moon and the stars all lined up. About the forth or fifth time he was waiting for me, it was go time. I kicked off the wall for length thirty-one. The combination of my increase pace and his accumulated fatigue had me turning at the far end well ahead of him. Game over; he was done.

The experience was satisfying, but nothing like what came next. After my swim I was gathering my gear when my swim buddy walked up to me. He made a comment about my performance in the pool, and then asked if I could give him some pointers. Two weeks ago when I started swimming again, I could barely muster twelve lengths, tonight I'm coaching a twenty-something on proper swim technique.

"Turn your head to breath. When you lift your head your back arches and your momentium is down, not forward. And, "Don't coast into your stroke, pull into it."

As I turned for the shower, my new friend jumped back into the pool.

In six weeks my life has changed in ways I never dreamed possible. Next time I'm in Bellingham, I'm going to get my bike out of storage. I can't run yet without risking injury, but I can swim and ride. I have an active family. My sister and several cousins are active triathletes. Next summer I will join them; if not to race, to participate in life and good health.

Life is good.