Feeling quite slow, but at least the pool was open
Jan
1Feeling quite slow, but at least the pool was open
Posted by Kevin Doak on Friday at: 8:31pm (January 1st, 2010)
I had such a good beginning a month ago, making progress and feeling better in the pool. Then came a week off for holiday activities...
Nothing is quite as motivating as a horrible practice. I can't really brag about a single set I did today. I swam 3,200 yards and wish I had some exciting times to share. I had the pool all to myself, which was by far the best part of training today.
There's something serene about a totally empty pool area. Not even a lifeguard on deck. The entire facility was empty. It doesn't happen very often but it was really relaxing. I had an unlimited amount of time to train, nothing holding me back, nobody to get in my way. It was peaceful.
Unlike my usual rushed schedule, I took the time to stretch on the pool deck and just take it all in. I wish I did this before every practice, and I really should. I just sat there doing stretches, looking around the empty pool deck, remembering all the training I've accomplished there. Today was a great reminder of how individual this sport is. As I was pushing myself through the sets, I realized yet again, that I was all alone. Most times there are (at minimum) a handful of other people in the pool, lifeguards, pool management, etc. Today there wasn't a single other human in sight. It made me appreciate the fact that I was there for ME and my health. There wasn't a coach to impress or satisfy, no teammates to race, it was just me and the clock. It's always been just me and the clock. I've often compared Diving and Swimming. The obvious difference is that Diving is judged. No matter how great you think you just dove, the judge can score you lower. The score is really the only thing to rate your success. Barring any timing errors, swimming is really quite fair, one of the most fair sports I feel. Even with Track, sometimes you can get somebody in your lane. I have a lot of respect for Track. I value it for the same reasons I respect the sport of Swimming so much.
Sort of an odd rant, but I truly do enjoy being in a pool all alone. That feeling when you dive in and look up at the water's glass like surface, no waves at all. Just an incredible moment, just you and the water. It's all about the cheap thrills in life :)
Nothing is quite as motivating as a horrible practice. I can't really brag about a single set I did today. I swam 3,200 yards and wish I had some exciting times to share. I had the pool all to myself, which was by far the best part of training today.
There's something serene about a totally empty pool area. Not even a lifeguard on deck. The entire facility was empty. It doesn't happen very often but it was really relaxing. I had an unlimited amount of time to train, nothing holding me back, nobody to get in my way. It was peaceful.
Unlike my usual rushed schedule, I took the time to stretch on the pool deck and just take it all in. I wish I did this before every practice, and I really should. I just sat there doing stretches, looking around the empty pool deck, remembering all the training I've accomplished there. Today was a great reminder of how individual this sport is. As I was pushing myself through the sets, I realized yet again, that I was all alone. Most times there are (at minimum) a handful of other people in the pool, lifeguards, pool management, etc. Today there wasn't a single other human in sight. It made me appreciate the fact that I was there for ME and my health. There wasn't a coach to impress or satisfy, no teammates to race, it was just me and the clock. It's always been just me and the clock. I've often compared Diving and Swimming. The obvious difference is that Diving is judged. No matter how great you think you just dove, the judge can score you lower. The score is really the only thing to rate your success. Barring any timing errors, swimming is really quite fair, one of the most fair sports I feel. Even with Track, sometimes you can get somebody in your lane. I have a lot of respect for Track. I value it for the same reasons I respect the sport of Swimming so much.
Sort of an odd rant, but I truly do enjoy being in a pool all alone. That feeling when you dive in and look up at the water's glass like surface, no waves at all. Just an incredible moment, just you and the water. It's all about the cheap thrills in life :)