Swimming with Waddler

For many weeks now, Waddler has been trying to get me to go to Sunday Master Swim with her. For one honest reason or another, I've backed out. But this past Sunday, I actually got my butt out of bed and met Waddler at 6:30 am in the lobby of the fitness center.

She greeted me with a big smile and laughed "You made it". Yes, I finally did. I wasn't disappointed either, it was a great swim with Coach Steve dictating the workout. At first I was a bit timid...how would I do swimming with these die-hard Sunday morning swimmers? Would I be able to keep up?

After the warm-up, Coach Steve looked at me and asked "Ronda, how long has it been since you've been in the pool?" Ahhhh, hmmmmm, ahhhh....then I gave him the deer in head lights look. He then answered the question for me..."It's been awhile, huh?". Yeah, (gulp) I guess it has. "All the more reason, you should be here" he responded.

We did a number of drills including the standard drills as well as some I've never did like the corkscrew and the breathing drill. But my absolute dreaded drill was the leg up in the air while swimming freestyle drill. Say what! Ok, to demonstrate this drill...do this: 1. Stand on one leg bent at the knee, foot flexed as if you are about to kick like a donkey 2. Bend at the waist. 3. Now raise the the bent leg even farther up so that it is even with your back 4. Move your arms as if swimming freestyle. 5. Now try it in the water while trying to propel yourself forward and remembering to breathe. This is the weirdest, frickin drill EVER! The down leg is creating so much drag that you can't move and the bent leg just won't stay above the water line. Ughhh! Ok...Waddler...how in the world do I do this with out drowning? The key, she tells me, is in your core-- keep it strong and tight while the straight leg does all the kicking. Ok, I give it another shot. It worked; I struggled to do another lap but did finish with her advice.

We, then, did a series of laps (I don't remember how many) at 85%, 90%, and at HARD. I did very well until the HARD. He had us start in two waves. My first sprint down to the end of the pool was respectable. I expected a 30 second rest; so I started to adjust my goggles and relax ...then WHAM! Coach Steve yells "OK, group 1 GO again!" Whaaaaaaat? Already seconds behind my group...I'm struggling to keep up with the fast pace. I touch the wall, suck in some air and Coach Steve yells for the first group to go again....Whaaaaaat? I succum to go out with the second group just to cherish another second or two. He yells for us to go again. I'm sucking some major wind now. I made it but barely, and just as I am touching the wall the first group starts again for their final length. Again and finally, he yells for the second group to go. I was TOAST-DONE-PUT A FORK IN ME-DONE!

It was a great work-out and I'm so glad I went. Waddler and I decided to head up for spin class for another hour of torture but well worth it. I wanted to expend some calories before going to my Sister's Superbowl Party. It was a good thing I did, because I just love gaucamole! I had one cookie but tons of gauc! Yummy!

Waddler, thanks for being such a motivating work out partner! I'm looking forward to great season ahead of us!