jgalswims

freshly baked para moi

Well it has been a good long time since I updated. Mostly because nothing big is happening! I decided to do a pool gala to break up the monotony of life without sea swims. While it frankly sucks compared to the sea, I'm starting to enjoy galas again, mostly because I am finally able to not beat myself up over a slow time. I mean, it's masters swimming. I'm not going to be swimming for an Olympic gold here, and I really do not care if I go a fantastic time or a slow time, it's not going to ruin my day and keep me up at night. It's just fun to do a bit of racing. And remember what it feels like when you've touched the wall but are too tired to turn around and check your time. To re-experience that continuous-coach voice in your head that switches on the second you step behind the blocks. To re-perform all the stupid 'before the swim' rituals that you've been questioning since you were 9 but can't stop doing. So I gathered my 'omg how did I ever fit in this' fastskin, my pink racing goggles and even some reserve Propel and drove north to Lisburn.

The 25 metre pool was nice enough, and I was, as usual, in the water too late because I was arsing around when I should have been ready to warm-up. I got about a 12 minute warmup haha. I was the first event, the 100im, and I didn't really feel up to it. So I dove in, slowly swinging the arms during the fly, lowering my heart rate on the back, and finally ready to try on the breast and free. I went a 1:09 and was laughing because I am way faster than that. I can go close to that in practice in a 50m pool, so whatever.

Next up was the 100 breast. Now, I've never done the 100 breast in a short course metres pool, but I know I somehow went a 1:13 on a relay long course, pre-ankle surgeries, so I estimated that I'd be around a 1:25 with my gimp foot and lack of ability to train breaststroke. (Not even mentioning my lack of desire to train full stop.) So I dove in, kicked probably one too many times during the pullout, and off I went. I felt too low in the water, and vowed to lose more weight. ;) I thought of my old teammates, Leah and Tinnon, and wondered how in the world they were able to do this event. I touched and saw I went a 1:21. I was really pleased with this. It hurt a lot, I'm not going to lie, but I think I could get it sub-1:20 with a bit of work, which I may or may not do.

Shortly after that I was up for the 100 fly. At this stage I was questioning reality and wondering why in the world I had decided to torture myself in this fashion. But I have done 100 fly about 6000 times in my life; one more wasn't going to kill me. I dove in and got a mega foot cramp in the right foot. Gargh, I had forgotten to stretch the gimp ankle, my fault. I pulled the foot up in an L-lock the first 30 metres or so and it subsided. I think I went a 1:07, I can't really remember. I've been a 1:05 SCM before, but 1:07 is fine by me, and I will remember to stretch next time.

We took a session break, which meant water slides!!!! They were really fun, but tiring.

me and ole shivo between events

By the afternoon session I had no desire to warm up, so only did a few hundred metres. First up was 50 breast, which was another new event for me. I liked the 50 a lot more than the 100, and went a 36! I was really happy with that; I think it was my best event of the day.

Last up was 50 fly. I don't think I've done 50 fly yet either, and actually focused for this event. I made out a game plan in my head. Stretch the foot so it doesn't cramp, and use the legs. I dove in, didn't get as far as I had hoped, but shouldered on and did a pretty decent turn. I held my stroke together and went a 30. I could totally break 30 with some practice that I will likely not do. ;)

All in all I am very happy that I went to this gala, and I think I will consider doing more this year. I also think it's pretty cool that I can still go semi-decent times, even though I have not properly pool trained in five years. (Nor will I!)

Now I am off to the sea, where I belong! :)



much love,

jgal