Finally, a blog post.  I will blame the holidays, like everyone else.  Quickly, the second TI group finished up Dec. 20th.  It was a great group, and close to max capacity.  Bridget and I learned a great deal about working with such high level swimmers/triathletes.  We received a fair amount of feedback, mostly positive, and will implement what we learned to make future groups at Kerr Y even more productive. 

Now, the present.  Today was a significant day for me, and maybe TI Raleigh.  I swam with the Masters team at Kerr Y today at 7:30 am.  This group consists of many swimmers from the triathlon club.  I had some anxiety about getting into sets and intervals, hoping not to take away from the progress I’ve made using TI principles and focal point drills.  I was delighted how well things integrated together, swimming close to 2000 yds.  Truth be told, I fell down my icy front steps immediately after walking out the front door, and had to lighten up.  Ouch.  Then my car wouldn’t start.  Grrr.  Took my wife’s minivan, determined to swim.  Glad I did.

I was pleased with several things.  First, my workout wasn’t about speed, rather using good stroke technique, and learning how to hold pace during the
6x100s, then 4x200s.  My pace, not everyone else’s.  I swam in the C lane, slower than A or B, of course, yet was able to stay close to the B’s.  Now I know my ABC’s.  OK, not funny.

It was also rewarding to feel refreshed in the second half of our practice.  This is not to say I didn’t exert myself, because I did, but swimming efficiently pays huge dividends.  Maintaining the same SPL was the name of the game,  and I stayed right around 12.  I wasn’t huffing and puffing, and gasping for air.  Rather, a good sense of satisfaction after knowing my body got a really nice workout.  

Finally, to hear from a lifeguard that my TI stroke looks so easy and natural, is so confirming.  The whole point of beginning TI swimming, before TI coaching, was to swim gracefully, smarter, and faster.  And for me, as a heart transplant recipient (2005), endurance is not easily attainable.  Yet, TI is making it real, and I am pumped!