Open Water Swimming?

Yesterday we had an event at work. It was pretty much the same as this event back in March, but this one was for high school students. Teams of four compete in problem solving activities. Yesterday the students had to build a tower out of 21 large index cards and about 4 feet of tape. The tower had to be strong enough to support a brick for several hours. I will admit I would have been very intimidated by the project, but the students got right to the task and came up with some very successful ideas.

I didn't get in as many steps as I did at last weekend's event, but it was much better than sitting in the office all day :)

Last night I made a swim date with my sister. My plan was to attempt 3/8 of a mile. SPOILER ALERT: That didn't happen. When you arrive at our gym there is a window by the front door to see right in the pool. I'd never swam in the evening and didn't know how it would be. I was excited to see there was just one lady in there.. However, by the time we got to the pool there were about 10 people and they kept coming. Turns out we showed up just in time for family swim!  Now I don't love being in a swimsuit in public so the more people the more nervous I am. Of course, at that point I just had to suck it up - I have a challenge to complete!!

Even though it was family swim there is still a lap lane roped off. Unfortunately, there was already someone in it. He was walking laps. And since I am a pokey swimmer I didn't feel comfortable sharing the lane. Too much passing a stranger in close quarters for my liking. So I started doing my laps just outside the lap lane. I had to navigate kids and toys, etc.

After I finished a couple of laps the guy moved out to the general swim area to play with his family. I hopped right into the lap lane. Even though I was out of the main play zone there were still a few distractions. At one point a little girl's ball came into the lap lane. I was about 10 feet away so she was very politely waiting for me to pass. I said something like "sorry, I am trying to hurry" and she says sweetly in her 10 year old voice "That's okay I can't swim fast either."  I am sure she didn't mean anything bad, but I had to laugh at the way it came out.

Speaking of speed - I PRd my 1/4 mile!!! My first swim I did in 22:35 and last night I did 22:04. I was especially pleased with my time considering the conditions. I think I just put my head down and swam my best to get it over with because of all the people.

I have one final thing to say about swimming during family swim. I imagine it to be good practice for open water swimming. A bunch of kids can really churn up a pool! There were times when I would hit someone's wake and felt like I wasn't moving at all.

#2 in the flamingo towel collection

Today I am off work so I am planning a bit of a 30 Day Ironman catch up day. I will be walking, biking and swimming. I already have a 2.66 mile walk out of the way :)  Next up swimming. I better get moving. I need to be finished before aquacize starts - no lap swimming during classes!