Swimming with the Blazers

This is how I feel about my swim skills compared to a Masters swimmer.  Most of these swimmers were competitive in high school and college and can actually do more than two different strokes.  As for me, well let's just say I was late to the swimming scene.  It's a little intimidating.

After a four year hiatus from Masters swimming, I finally bit the bullet and went to a KC Blazers practice this morning.  I told the coach that I was a triathlete with zero competitive swimming background, which is pool-speak for "I'm slow as hell and don't want to get in any one's way.  You will also have to speak slowly and explain all drills to me multiple times."

I was a little nervous, but I jumped in at the end of the group and basically followed the leader, keeping up as best as I could.  When we started there were 4, maybe 5 people in the slow lane of a 50 meter pool.  Or so I thought.  I think there ended up being closer to 8 or 9 but it worked out just fine.

We did 2400m total with several breathing, kicking, and pulling sets.  The breathing drills had my lungs screaming, in a good way.  Derek, the coach, was patient enough to explain everything to me as many times as needed.  (I think some of the other swimmers were glad I was asking questions.  I wasn't the only one that needed some extra guidance)

The best part?  I wasn't even the slowest person in the lane, which was what I was fearing.  I was no where close to the fastest, but I was nipping on the toes of a few of the other swimmers.  At least I didn't feel completely incompetent. 

We did some drills that I think will help me eventually be able to comfortably breathe on both sides (bilateral breathing) which would be a HUGE advantage in racing.  I can't tell you how many races I've been blinded by the sun or swallowed unbelievable amounts of water due to waves smacking me in the face.  If only I could have turned my head the other way...

Hey, give me a break.  It's a lot harder than it sounds.

I don't know what took me so long to go back to masters swimming.  It was the best $5 I've spent in a long time.