Pool Macarena! aye!

I'm pretty sure I'm an all-or-nothing sort of person.

When I find something I truly love, I run with it (no pun intended, haha). When I first discovered my love for running, I couldn't just consider it a hobby. No, instead I became so obsessed with it that I changed my career goals, major in school, and other than my family, I pretty much eat, sleep, and breathe running.

I realize that I am certainly not alone in this behavior. There are countless others out there who are even more involved. I mean, it's obviously more than a hobby when you take the time to train on average 20 + hours a week for an Ironman, or run 80+ miles a week for an ultramarathon. Endurance sports, for most of us, aren't just a hobby. It's a lifestyle, we live it, day in and day out.

Which is why I am a bit concerned for what's in store for my future.

Yesterday was my meeting with the pool/recreation director at school. She offered to take a look at my horrible swimming technique and give me some pointers. I was nervous all day long about it. I have always felt like my stroke was horrendous. And by horrendous, I mean I was convinced the lifeguards thought I looked something like a water buffalo crossing a crocodile filled river- splashing like crazy and fighting for my life.

Under her watchful eye, I hopped in the kiddie end of the pool, and swam the width of the pool (uhh, maybe 12 meters or so?). Got to the other side, stood up, and awaited my sentence. I was very much expecting to hear "you are kicking all wrong, and what is that you are doing with your arms? It looks like an underwater version of the Macarena!"



OK she would have never said that to me, nor tell me I looked like a water buffalo. But I figured, at least, she'd tell me I needed to sign up for a swimming lesson or two (or ten). So imagine my surprise when I was told to just keep doing what I was doing, keep getting in the pool and build up my endurance.

Huh! Who would have thought?

Now I'm not claiming Michael Phelps status, heck I can't even swim 25 m without a quick breather on the other end of the pool. But I'm excited to know that I'm actually at a decent starting point. I feel like I can hop in the pool now with "budding triathlete" confidence, not "awkward water buffalo" shame. I'm stoked to swim, and of course, already, I can't get enough of it. I know, coming from the girl who swam maybe 50 meters yesterday, haha.

But due to more important obligations last night (my crazy baby boys) I had to jet out of the pool as soon as our meeting was over. I didn't get a chance to swim laps on my own. I'm headed to the pool tomorrow afternoon, and I CAN'T STOP THINKING ABOUT IT! I'm totally geeked out on this swimming thing. So geeked I may have ordered my first splish suit. (Big shout out to Anne Marie at Goals for the Week for pointing this beauty out!)

And so this all brings me back to my original topic. I fear I'm going to fall head over heals madly in love with this sport (assuming, of course, I get over my fear of riding a bike within 100 yards of traffic) . I am thrilled to be adding swimming and biking to my schedule. Where I'll find the time is a wonderful question, haha. But it'll happen, no doubt about it.

85 days to go until my kids are yelling
"SWIM, BIKE, and RUN FASTER, MOMMY!"


Happy running (and swimming!), friends!

And don't forget, the big drawing for the huge raffle full of running goodies, benefiting Team FIGHT and the Ulman Cancer Fund is this WEDNESDAY!! Get your donations in ! Click here for more info