My god in heaven. 5 times through 5×200 on 2:30 and a 100 easy on 2:00 (Besch did expand that to 2:30. It helped?). I almost made it through three rounds – my foot was cramping (again? Seriously?) and I was missing the interval by 2-3 seconds. And getting lapped by middle schoolers. It was not the greatest feeling.
[Updating after my open water swim 11/3 – it may not feel good, but man is it the perfect preparation for being out there fighting the elements. My prescription for mental toughness? – repeatedly get your ass kicked by middle schoolers. Become OK with it. But not so OK with it that you’re not getting right back in there the next time, trying to hold your own. And let’s be clear here – I’m totally OK with high schoolers beating me. They have the advantages of age, having grown up in a strong swimming community, personal chauffeurs, schedulers and chefs, and time to train. But some of these 12-year-olds are half my size!]
[2019 Commentary – as I edited this blog, I was completely surprised to find that I had mentioned the advantages of being a HS swimmer before. It makes it seem like I obsess over it, but I am not bothered by it in actuality – I certainly had the same services provided to me when I was a teen, and would NOT go back to being one for any amount of money. I like training as an adult, even if it is frequently interrupted by life.]
