Yesterday I was finally able to join Liz in being a member of the Y. I've been wanting to join just to use the pool so I can start swimming laps in preparation for a triathlon I'm going to do in July.
I purchased my speedo, goggles, and ear plugs last week. This morning I put them to use at the pool.
When I say I put them to use, what I mean is that I wore them while I violently thrashed around the pool, attempting to swim, and breath at the same time. It was hard.
I know how to swim, I guess. But I haven't really done it for a long time. I know I took lessons as a kid, but I'm not sure that is helping me here.
My main problem is that I'm having trouble breathing without taking in water. So, it's really hard to swim a lap in the pool when you can't breath. In fact it's impossible.
I only managed 3 laps this morning before I gave up, deciding I need some more education before I proceed. I really don't want to have to be rescued by the 18 year old lifeguard.
So that's what I'm doing now. I research at Beginner Triathlete.com. I'm also going to get some direction from a professional at the Y next time I go.
So these are my next set of immediate challenges:
-Learn to swim correctly without drowning.
-From there, I need to be comfortable doing 17 laps as that's what I'll be doing in the triathlon.
I feel like I'm a long ways off from that, but we'll see.
There is a guy at work who also just started training for his first triathlon and has just crossed these same hurdles. Talking to him is motivation for me. If he can do it I know I can. In fact, he's a smoker...
Aside from that, things are going well. I'm still doing weight training 3 days a week, and I throw in some cardio 1-2 days on top of that. I still weigh myself daily just to monitor what is going on, but as I've said before I'm no longer trying to lose weight. I seem to fluctuate between 206 and 210 these days.
More updates in my triathlon training to come.
Posts
