Could’ve, Would’ve, Should’ve

I am a little annoyed at myself.

With a bunch of TRIgirls off drinking wine for charity (twinge of jealousy), the lanes were a bit more empty than usual at Wednesday’s Masters class. The remaining attendees were juggled around so that a couple of super speedy swimmers, including TRIgirl KB, were placed in the LoJ2 . Looking at the whiteboard, the theme for the workout was painfully clear - “hard and fast.”

Uh, yeah, fast is not really my thing.

The tough workout started off fairly well. The fast 200 had me wondering if I incorrectly read the clock or calculated the wrong time because the interval seemed too good to be true. The descending 150s made me think I may actually have more than just one speed. For the first set of 3 100s – on an interval that leaves me breathless - I was fortunate to draft off Dr. Joe, finishing with about 15 seconds of rest between 100s.

But it was pretty darn hard and I had to fight to keep that draft off the good doctor.

Then there were a few more challenging speed and non-free sets.

So, when the second set of 3 100s (on an interval that was 5 seconds faster than the first) came around, I chickened out. I jumped behind a girl who I knew would be slower and would allow me a break.

I was quite happy for the first 100. But, as I cruised along comfortably during the next two, I realized I could have pushed harder.

It may not have been pretty – and I may not have hit them all - but I should have at least tried.

I hope next time I'll remember this feeling and won't take the easy way out.

Future Fly Girl?

Tonight's Masters class was flippin' great.

I love our Lane of Joy II. All the mean boys (well, just one really) have been replaced by nice girls. TRIgirl JH has joined us. TRIgirl BL was back from her Pirate Anniversary, looking tan and fit. TRIgirl Fave and I took turns drafting off both of them. TRIgirl KO deserted us for another lane and TRIgirl SQ, though spotted in the locker room, was MIA from the LoJ2. We did have another new female swimmer join us - who said we were the best lane - we worked hard, but were the most polite, encouraging and supportive.

Exactly!

Ironwoman Canada's whiteboard for the evening included an interesting mix of drills, speedwork and other strokes.

Which leads me to a reticent announcement...

I think I could like butterfly.

I don't have it quite right yet - and it completely wipes me out.

But there is something about it that I really enjoy.

Back stroke frustrates me. I am constantly getting water in my face and can't seem to figure out where the pull belongs, not to mention I seem to zig zag across the lane like a pinball.

Breast stroke is fine, but I do feel kind of dorky and froggish.

But, as TRIgirl JH pointed out tonight, there are moments when doing fly, you can feel like a dolphin.

I like that analogy.

The New Lane of Joy

Ironwoman Canada stirred things up a bit at yesterday's Masters class.

First, instead of sequentially placing us in the pool from slowest to fastest, she re-orged the lanes. The Lane of Dread, normally the 3rd lane, was moved to the 5th lane, typically occupied by the second fastest swimmers (who seem to have a completely different workout than a bunch of us). I have no idea where those guys ended up - but it was kind of neat to not feel so obviously "ranked."

Second, she placed more TRIgirls in the Lane of Dread. I think out of the six or seven swimmers - 2/3 were TRIgirls. TRIgirls Fave and KO have joined me in the Lane of Dread before (and have kindly let me draft off them) - but I was so happy for TRIgirl SQ, who, I believe, completed her first entire Masters in the LoD, with much more grace and speed than my initial attempts.

Thanks to them, the Lane of Dread might need to be renamed - it might need to be called the new Lane of Joy.

We've got a few more TRIgirls who are on the verge of graduating. Soon the Lane of Dread Lane of Joy II, will be the "IT" place to be.