3/14 -- Get up and SWIM

I woke up early Monday a little stiff from the 5k, but nothing bad. I only had an ache in my shin, but it seems I shook off whatever ached me in my foot. I did some stretches while sitting in on Michelle's swim practice, and I could tell I was in line for some good old DOMS. Sitting at my desk all day (long day at work for me) caused my quads and calves to tighten a little, but after I left the office I walked around the kitchen and dining room, with Simon in close pursuit. He knows what it means to stretch and walk it out. He's an athlete. I've never seen a cat so nimble and agile... and ACTIVE. That guy is never lazy. Never misses a chance to jump and wail on his brother. What that has to do with my legs, I'm not sure, but the point is I stretched the aches out by swim practice, most of them at least.

In the PM Dirk and I roared into Wards masters practice. After about 1.4km of warmup, we started the main set of 5x100 on 1:25, 5x200 on 3:30 descend, 5x100 on 1:20. Sounded really tough, even with the rest on the 200s... Coach Ward wanted us to swim FAST. To complicate things, Dirk and I were stuck with two faster swimmers, particularly Sara C, who has the stamina of a bull. The 100s on 1:25 went fine, a normal interval for me, coming in around 1:12-1:14 for each. To my surprise, I wasn't falling back from Sara... not exactly closing in but at most losing 2-4 seconds per 100. The 200s went very well. I came in at 2:30, 2:27, 2:24, 2:19, 2:20, so while I didn't descend on the last one, I was pretty much at my max. Cool thing is I think that is a PR for 200, the 2:19. That was a fast set for me! And I still wasn't losing too much ground to Deets or Sara. Neat. The last part of the set, the 5x100s on 1:20, went surprisingly well also, coming in at 1:11-1:12 for each 100, and staying right within 6 seconds of Deets. That was a good set... some fast speeds and short intervals mixed together. I think I've overcome the wall I hit for a couple weeks where I couldn't get any faster than 1:15/100y. 1:10/100y pace felt really smooth tonight. Keep it up!

This got me UP for swim practice. I liken it to me and Dirk at practice (the gnarly-ness, not the wiggling and gyrating).... from putting on our wigs (swim caps) to trying to fit in among real pogoers (swimmers, not triathletes!)