Could it Be?

After the past two swim classes, I am wondering, is it possible, could it be…am I getting a little faster?

Just the tiniest bit, maybe?

At Coach S’s class yesterday, we ended the main set with seven laps - 25 meters easy, 25 meters fast. I really tried to push myself during the fast lengths, kicking and pulling harder, while still keeping a controlled stroke. And there were a couple of times, for half a length here or there, where it felt “right” - like I was putting all the pieces together, remembering all the little and big form mechanic details - and gliding through the water.

So, as I was driving to Ironwoman Canada’s class this morning, I was a bit curious how my arms would hold up. Usually there is a slower lane (where I am almost always the slowest of the two or three guppies assigned) and a faster lane. Today, the folks who sometimes share my lane were not there, hence no apparent slower/faster lane. For a couple of the laps during the 1300 – 1400 meter set (I lost count today), I was able to keep up with the others, and there were a few other laps where I didn’t lose too much ground. (OK, the longest drills were just 100 meters, but still…)

My weakened arms were further put to the challenge – of tackling five laps doing various “sculling” drills using a buoy. Ironwoman Canada’s interest in adding sculling to our workouts was sparked by a magazine article. Sculling - "the way a swimmer moves through the water by using only the hands and forearms" – was a new concept to me. I found an article online that explains the drills better than what I could put into words.

All I can add is that sculling is exhausting – and my arms felt a burn similar to what is typically experienced during weight lifting. For one drill – where we sculled feet first on our backs, it seemed like I was hardly moving forward at all – and it took forever to get to the wall.

Anyway, I am actually supposed to start paying attention to my times during various drills at Masters class, so I should know more in a few weeks if I’m really any quicker or if it just feels I like I am faster because I am working so hard!