This morning I hit a milestone in my swim training…literally! I swam 80 laps in my odd-sized gym pool (it’s 23.5 yards instead of 25). That adds up to 1880 yards, actually 120 yards more than required for a mile (1760). I didn’t know the exact number this morning, so I figured I’d add the extra laps to be safe!
I’ve known for a while that I would be able to swim this distance, and the problem has for me been more time constraints rather than endurance. So today I dragged my butt out of bed 20 minutes earlier to make sure I’d have enough time.
When I got there this morning at 6:02 am, the pool was just the way I like it. Empty. Balmy. And dark. It makes for a very tranquil start to the day. And trust me, it was the only tranquil part of my day today.
Of course, the pool doesn’t stay empty for long, but I even got a compliment on my swimming this morning from another swimmer, which I swear helped me push through those last 20 laps.
My next race is a 500-meter swim, so training the much longer distances may not really be necessary, but I found in my last race having trained the longer swims made the shorter swim feel not so grueling and left me with energy to burn for getting on the bike.
When I started swimming again, way back in November 2008, I was able to swim 8 laps. And only two in a row. This morning I went 80, all in a row.
It still amazes me how far my once sedentary body has been willing to take me. It’s not without it’s twinges and complaints, but I never would have believed I would be able to swim a mile a year ago.
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Congrats! I remember that moment when I hit a milestone 1/2 mile swim without stopping, and then a full mile. It was pretty exciting!
You’ll be swimming 2 miles in no time.
Wow! Diane, that’s awesome!! Congrats on your newest milestone. It IS amazing how adaptible our bodies can be, isn’t it?? have a great weekend. HUGS from Orlando.
r.
you go girlfriend – how inspiring is this!
enjoy the thrill of it and keep it up!
elizabeth
The furthest I have swam is 1 mile, even though my longest swims are .9miles. Of course, I learned this weekend that swimming a mile in the pool, and trying to do .9 in open water is a BIG DIFFERENCE. I swim 500 in ows with little problems, but this was tough!
I think you are doing a good thing for yourself swimming overdistance- that way, you know when you are out there that you can do it!!!
Great job!
Congrats! that’s awesome- what an endurance effort that must take. you clearly have come quite a far ways and are exceptionally talented as an athlete
Katherine
Great job and congratulations! A huge milestone! And how on earth do you manage to count 80 laps? I always lose track. My mind wanders. Luckily I can now swim in the outdoor pool and only need to count 16 or so laps in the 50 meter pool! But I still lose track sometimes!!
Wow great job and congratulations on your improvement on your swimming.