Stroke n’ Stride #1
07.04.09
Thursday night was my first stroke and stride of the season - in all the is Stroke and Stride fashion it was a rush job. No matter what time I get there I always find myself pulling on my wetsuit in somewhat of a frenzy, downing my rescue remedy, running to the water opening my lungs and not being able to catch my breath before they say 3…2….1….GO!
I started the swim strong and I’m thinking now maybe a little too fast. About 100 yards in, I decided that I couldn’t breath anymore. It felt like someone had a straps around my chest and they were pulling them tighter and tighter and tighter. Crap, I fell into the mental hole of swimming salliness - my brain failed me and I had to stop to catch my breath.
Always so interesting how your goals can change in an instant. I had decided just one loop at that point then I turned around and saw Kristina. She yelled up to me ‘the second loop will be so much better’….ah yes, the second loop. Of course I had to swim the second loop, I wasn’t going to give up, I’m an endurance girl….I was born for the second loop. I don’t think she realized that in an instant she changed my goals again. Thanks SBF!
My swim time overall was nothing less than crapola for me but I decided I was going to have a great run. My friend and fellow therapist Jessica tortured me on Tuesday, releasing my psoas; adductors; gluts; IT bands and hamstrings. My legs were ready to run despite a surprising psoas spasm at the beginning to the second swim loop.
As I suspected, the run was awesome for me - finished with 8:16 min miles. I was pleased and ready to go back for another round next week. My sister is going to run for me as it’s pretty close to the Peak and I’ll need all the gusto I have for that race.
We’ll see Stroke and Stride #2, we shall see…..
P.S. I love my new cycling dress….2009 the year of the dress!
SBF! You rocked the SNS - I know you thought your swim was crapola but I thought it was great. Funny how it’s all relative. I had poop for legs and I tried so hard to catch you on the run but you were such a little jack rabbit!!! Great job. We’ll see you out there Thursday. Not sure about the run part either - we need to rock the Peak and I want to be running with you for a sub-3. Thank YOU for heading back up the hill and forcing me to sprint the finish. I almost threw up. It was greatly appreciated. We need Beej to be THE DEVIL on Olde Stage. What can we bribe him with????