1:24s???

My swimming has been better than expected after 2 weeks away from real workouts, but it still hasn't been where it used to be.

That is, until today.

I got to the pool and expected something similar to what I did with Dirk on Sunday... 3x (4x100 with 10 second recoveries) at tpace (for now, 1:30). I warmed up and did a couple sculling drills and was surprised at how quick the warmup went and how buoyant I was. I started the workout, swimming the first 100 in 1:19!! 1:19?! That's too fast, but faster than my previous "too fast" times. And to make things stranger, I didn't feel tired. I swam the next 11 100s in a fast (for me) 1:24-:26, which is exactly where I want to be at this point in my training.

I felt fast today. I hadn't felt fast in the past 3 swims. I felt today like a different swimmer, like I belonged in the water.

I don't understand where the speed came from, but it's exhilirating. I loved the water today... I didn't want to end my workout. I could have kept going. Was it what I ate? I did eat chicken tenders last night. Or maybe the 2 weeks off was a blessing in disguise? It gave me time to recover while I was pushing the bike and run, perhaps.

Either way, this has done wonders for my confidence. 1:23s are definitely in the realm of possibility by the end of February. Maybe a sub-13:45 1Km time trial is in my immediate future as well...

Monday I ran with Dirk, Red Fox, Jake M, Dave and for a short while, Patrick Murphy, for half of the run and the second half with Jake M totalling 8 miles or so.

Tuesday had cruise intervals on the bike trainer at HR zones 4-5A, followed by a half mile swim and 30 minute shakeout run.