Sub Two: First 100 yd swim under two minutes!

Well, I couldn't believe my watch... was it really "Sub Two???"

I thought it was the water in my eyes... but it happened again... then again! I have started to be able to hold the "Sub Two Minute Split" for my 100 yd swims!

I started this year swimming a 4:22 - 200 yds... that's a 2:11 split. I swam at a "comfortable" pace... one that I thought I could hold... but today, I swam faster... and while my excitement consumes me I wanted to capture my first swimming based success of the season.

I wonder if it is a result of swim labs...
I wonder if it is a result of my new stroke....
I wonder if i will get faster as the season progresses ???

Big fun in the sun...

SWIM, BIKE, RUN!!!!!

Waddle On!!! - Walk/Run intervals 4:00/0:30

Today I met Cindy and Jane at Cherry Creek Park to do our first "Wog" of the season.

Wog is a combination of "Walking" and "Jogging"... and our interval for sixty minutes was to walk four minutes and run thirty seconds.

It was a beautiful day... and I felt strong heading out. "Let's increase our run interval" I suggested... my wise friends discouraged me. On our way back I was grateful that we stuck to plan. I felt myself fatiguing and my pace slowing as we climbed out of the park.

I estimate our milage at 3.5miles.

It was a great start to the season and I hope to get in two more "Wogs" at this interval before end of week.

Staying Calm: Swim Clinic with Mellon Dash

Saturday February 23, 2008 - Open Water Swim Clinic with Mellon Dash
http://www.conquerfear.com/ - mellon@conquerfear.com

Mellon was an amazingly delightful woman... focused and clear about the solution to swimming in open water... "...you must be calm and act from that place always."

I walked in looking for a solution to my open water swimming challenges...
...I walked out with a solution to living life.

Mellon has done an amazing job of combining a "Personal Growth" approach with life in the water. No matter what the situation, the solution is to be in one's body... experience the feelings, and allow them to pass through so that we can gracefully return to our calm, essence place.

We are always in control... regardless of external circumstances and events. We decide when we leave the "Calm"... whether it is an unexpected wave, or the hand of foot of another swimmer... our racing thoughts about our race performance or our fear of the unknown object in the water... we are in control... we can manage what ever comes up... nothing has to be a "problem"... is it all ok if we allow it to be.

I resonated with her words as she disclosed the secrets of "Life, the Universe and Everything"... "...everything we do and say comes from one of two places: love or fear." How true it is... and how clear one must be to remember to choose the place that leaves us feeling empowered.

It was amazing to be in her presence... to witness her place of calm... to witness her coming from a place of "love"... for standing in her gentle greatness as the amazing swimmer that she is and knowing that she has shown others a path to their calm while assisting them in facing their fears.

I left the workshop realizing that I had some mental work to do... all of the amazing personal and spiritual growth work that I had done outside of my triathlon practices, I now know that I must bring that wisdom with me to my work outs... and I must practice from that place.

Thank you Melon for reminding me of what is possible when I stay in my body, center in calmness and move forth with ease and grace!

Namaste!

The Decision

The Ironman Triathlon has been an event that I have longed to do way before I ever participated in the sport. Watching the ESPN Sports recap of the World Championships in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii is one of the most inspirational journeys I have ever witnessed in my life.

I have taken a three year break from my endurance training... focusing on other life circumstances... but I feel my desire to complete the Ironman returning and I long to get my fitness base back.

I have set the date of 2010 to be an Ironman Finisher. The realization of that goal starts today!