Happy. Healthy. Heathen.

Day two of the first series training in the Gulf.

Today was as different from yesterday as yesterday was from regular pool training.  In fact, I’d go so far as to say that today’s ocean training was more like traditional pool training than it was like swimming the ocean yesterday!!  Biggest lesson from that:  It is anybody’s guess on race day what the current/waves/temperature/tides are going to be.  That’s the case with every race you run, but it takes on tremendous significance when something as powerful as the sea is involved.

It started just like yesterday…putting on the wetsuit, et al, diving in…but…baby, tiny, miniature surf.  The technique I was going to implement…the diving under the breakers?  Ummmm, no breakers.  But it was good anyway, because it gave me more time to work on the actual swim itself.  It was a great workout, and I got accustomed to the termperature pretty quickly…I even unzipped the back of the wetsuit and let in a little more cool water.

Here are the things I’ve learned from my Florida expedition: 

• From now on, during my swim workouts, I will incorporate every stroke I know:  free, back, breast, even side (both sides) with scissor kick.  The swim in the ocean is so organic, I used every stroke I have in order to try to manage the tide and movement.
• I will come back sometime in April if I can to see what the sea has to offer.  The race in May 9, so if I can have one more opportunity, I think it will help solidify my confidence.
• I will prepare myself for the possibility of ANY conditions on race day.  I’ve raced in heat, rain, wind, cold…in a triathlon, there are even more variables, and it’s my intention to expect the worst, and hope for the best, as the saying goes.

Many thanks to Mom for being WAY out of her comfort zone doing her spotter job.  Today was even more difficult because it was so hazy for both sessions.  She did a champion job and I’m so grateful for her help.  We also had a great visit, as we always do when we’re together! 

Thanks for reading…next post will be from Murfreesboro!