Hubs and I have started something new: swimming laps. As a part of our Iron Man Challenge, we have to swim 2.4 miles. This may seem like peanuts to some, but we have found it to be a lot tougher than we had anticipated. What I mean by that is... my body hurts. No, it aches. I didn't know I had all these muscles, but now I am keenly aware of each one as I shuffle along at a snail's pace.
To help us get past the pain and get our swimming groove on, we each bought a pair of Speedo Vanquisher swim goggles. I went for a stellar green, mirrored pair and Hubs went the more subtle route with silver (we ordered ours through Amazon.com). Eventually, I want to add a Speedo swim cap, but I've put it off because I think they look funny. What I didn't understand until recently is that swim caps serve an important purpose-- helping one cut through the water without worrying about ears getting clogged and hair getting tangled. And honestly, I need all the help I can get.
While swimming has been harder than we had planned, I really love it. To reach our Ironman Challenge goals, we also have to run 26.2 miles and bike 112 miles. Of the three, I find swimming to be the best all-body workout and the one I enjoy the most. I like the challenge of training my legs to kick properly and getting my strokes to be more graceful and complete. Of course, I am no expert. One day back in the beginning, I was half way through my laps (.4 miles equals 14 laps at our pool) when the women's water polo team came in for practice. They all sat on the bleachers to wait for the lanes to open. As I swam slowly past, I swear I heard one of them say, "I think that girl in the green, mirrored goggles is drowning. Should we do something?" Hubs thinks I am making this up because he claims they had better things to do than watch me swim, but I swear I heard it.
Looking beyond technique and muscle pain, I would say the most difficult part of swimming is taking off my t-shirt and shorts to jump into the pool. I am still very self-conscience of my body. I have lost a total of 105 pounds as of today and I am now a size 8/10 or M/L. I can't believe it- literally, I still think of myself as big. Walking around in a skin-tight swimsuit is about as vulnerable as you can get (especially when the pool is located at your place of employment, is surrounded by glass windows, and is crawling with tiny college girls). Anyway, the first time Hubs and I went, I thought about making a run for it, but instead I said a quick prayer and dropped my towel. Wonder of wonders- the world didn't end, nobody pointed and laughed. I don't think anyone even glanced in my direction, except for Hubs who told me I looked hot....Smile...Blush... I put on my super power goggles and jumped into the pool.
To help us get past the pain and get our swimming groove on, we each bought a pair of Speedo Vanquisher swim goggles. I went for a stellar green, mirrored pair and Hubs went the more subtle route with silver (we ordered ours through Amazon.com). Eventually, I want to add a Speedo swim cap, but I've put it off because I think they look funny. What I didn't understand until recently is that swim caps serve an important purpose-- helping one cut through the water without worrying about ears getting clogged and hair getting tangled. And honestly, I need all the help I can get.
Looking beyond technique and muscle pain, I would say the most difficult part of swimming is taking off my t-shirt and shorts to jump into the pool. I am still very self-conscience of my body. I have lost a total of 105 pounds as of today and I am now a size 8/10 or M/L. I can't believe it- literally, I still think of myself as big. Walking around in a skin-tight swimsuit is about as vulnerable as you can get (especially when the pool is located at your place of employment, is surrounded by glass windows, and is crawling with tiny college girls). Anyway, the first time Hubs and I went, I thought about making a run for it, but instead I said a quick prayer and dropped my towel. Wonder of wonders- the world didn't end, nobody pointed and laughed. I don't think anyone even glanced in my direction, except for Hubs who told me I looked hot....Smile...Blush... I put on my super power goggles and jumped into the pool.
Update: I finished my Ironman Challenge yesterday (one week early). I am so happy to have this under my belt. What's next you ask? I am planning on a sprint triathlon in June. This means I'm going to be spending a lot more hours in the pool and the gym.
