Some of my best workouts happen on days I almost talked myself out of exercise. Today was one of them. It might frighten you to hear the kind of mental chatter that rattles around inside my head, but perhaps you can relate to it as well. This morning, the workout protagonist (to be referred to as athlete or A) and antagonist (the sleepy sloth or SS) got into instant battle the moment the alarm sounded off. Sleepy sloth whined, “it’s too cold to swim.” And she’s right, actually. Hardly anyone in their right mind would swim outdoors at 6 a.m. when its less than 40 degrees. Athlete argued the water would be warm and once I got in and started moving, I wouldn’t be cold at all. So I got out of bed and donned the swim suit, slippers, and swim parka. Then SS said, “but with these cramps, no way.” Hormones were to blame for this agony. A argued the whole day would go better after the swim – I’d be calm, cheerful, happy, and understanding. So I ended up on the pool deck 10 minutes later and swam the whole Masters workout from beginning to end. I started out feeling sleepy, sluggish and bloated. And by the end of the workout, the cramps had dissipated and I even swam a 39.0 50 breast in the last 10 minutes of workout. Not bad! So I toweled off and ran to my warm car feeling bouncy and happy and like I accomplished something. Even better, I felt fantastic for the entire day simply because I started the day off with energizing exercise.
Hi Robin, I was hoping this would make a few people feel better today. As I always say, the battle isn’t lost until I actually don’t make it to the workout!
I LOVE swimming in the cold/rain/looking at snow on the mtns! (Don’t go at six usually, but I have been known to)- Hubby gets up at 4 a few days a week and heads to the pool before 5 and then to work. Makes his day go much better than if he hadn’t swum!
Cheryl, That’s great that you like swimming in the cold. I am a warm weather/water swimmer, but get in the water as much as I can in the winter anyway because I feel so good afterward. It sounds like you both are staying in great shape – keep up the good work.
Two open water swims this year (Alcatraz and Whiskeytown 2-miler, no wetsuits allowed in the latter and the h2o was about 68-pretty chilly!) Two century rides also-Cochise classic and Safford. Another Ironman when I turn 60…(knock on wood!)
Cheryl, Sounds like a year of accomplishments for you. That’s great! This year, I have done only swim meets – no tris or open water, but I did set a state record and am aiming for more tomorrow morning. Next year, I’d like to do at least one open water venue (in 80 degree or warmer water) and maybe a mini-tri.
Actually an off season with only two duathlons and one tri. Being injured last year (achilles) set me back with running, so didn’t want to do too much. Congrats on setting a state record! I got to swim with a lady who holds national records in about every distance for 60 and over-can’t recall her name right now, but she was 20 min ahead of my 1:05 for the two mile lake swim -that’s how fast she is!
Yes, yes, yes! I’m so glad to hear another person goes through the same mental ambivalence as I do! I, like you am never sorry I worked out.
Hi Robin,
I was hoping this would make a few people feel better today. As I always say, the battle isn’t lost until I actually don’t make it to the workout!
I LOVE swimming in the cold/rain/looking at snow on the mtns! (Don’t go at six usually, but I have been known to)- Hubby gets up at 4 a few days a week and heads to the pool before 5 and then to work. Makes his day go much better than if he hadn’t swum!
Cheryl,
That’s great that you like swimming in the cold. I am a warm weather/water swimmer, but get in the water as much as I can in the winter anyway because I feel so good afterward. It sounds like you both are staying in great shape – keep up the good work.
Two open water swims this year (Alcatraz and Whiskeytown 2-miler, no wetsuits allowed in the latter and the h2o was about 68-pretty chilly!)
Two century rides also-Cochise classic and Safford.
Another Ironman when I turn 60…(knock on wood!)
Cheryl,
Sounds like a year of accomplishments for you. That’s great! This year, I have done only swim meets – no tris or open water, but I did set a state record and am aiming for more tomorrow morning. Next year, I’d like to do at least one open water venue (in 80 degree or warmer water) and maybe a mini-tri.
Actually an off season with only two duathlons and one tri. Being injured last year (achilles) set me back with running, so didn’t want to do too much. Congrats on setting a state record!
I got to swim with a lady who holds national records in about every distance for 60 and over-can’t recall her name right now, but she was 20 min ahead of my 1:05 for the two mile lake swim -that’s how fast she is!