Thursday, February 28, 2013

Stone Cold Swimming

I'm going to try to put a positive spin on this blah day in Indiana. Today is not a day you would typically associate with swimming. Skies are gray, snow showers abound and it's cold.  I know, I know...it's February. Typical February weather. But like a lot of midwestern triathletes, I'm over it.  Bring me a sunny, 70 degree day thank you. Is that too much to ask?


I have to remind myself on days like this that spring is just around the corner, and Spring Break (I'm capitalizing it because it's that important) for my kids is only a month away.

You might be wondering what all this has to do with swimming. I'll get to it I promise.  My assigned workout today was a run (Fartlek...fun!) and a 4,000 yard swim.  At the risk of sounding whiney and wimpy, I just flat out don't like being cold. And when it's really cold I don't enjoy putting on a bathing suit and going to the pool.  Sure, the pool is indoors and sure, it's heated...but the locker room is not. It's like a walk-in freezer in there. I'm not a cold temperature gal...give me heat! (Remind me of that if we have a repeat of last summer when temps hovered in the high 90's-100's). You should have seen me in the locker room, it was ridiculous.  I stood in the frigid room a good 10 minutes weighing the pros and cons of taking my coat off, then undressing.  Again, not a fan of being cold.  But alas, I got undressed and I shivered into my tri suit, got over myself and swam.  Of course I enjoyed it once I warmed up.  Whine session now complete. Workout done.  Happy girl.



Now for me to be so wimpy is way out of character. I'm a girl who will hurtle herself down a Colorado mountain on a mountain bike at top speed. I will bungee jump, and I rappelled straight down a 75 ft drop without a second thought then took pleasure in my adrenaline rush.  But the cold, forget about it. To put it into perspective, I don't even use the hot tub on my patio in the winter because freezing my ass off in the snow on the way to and from the hot tub is just not worth the 10 minutes in the heat.  Call me crazy. Isn't cold weather ideal for hot tubbing for most people?  I guess we all have our quirks.

Tomorrow I am picking up my coach...my good friend from the airport. She is returning from a week in Puerto Rico where she was visiting her hot latin lover, who happens to be an athlete and a doctor. They spent the time swimming, biking and running (among other fun hot weather activities. Wink.).  I am happy for her...she deserves the happiness she's found.  But I have to be honest, there is a teensy green tint to my complexion.  Not sure what that's about...envy?  It's not a feeling I like to indulge in, but I guess I am. Just a teensy bit.  That being said, seeing her will give me a little ray of sunshine. Always does. And maybe a little inspiration to escape to a warmer climate myself!


I could find a way to enjoy this....


Even positive people have to grumble once in awhile.  Thanks for indulging me!  I'm sure I'm not alone in my quest for spring to arrive. See you soon!

Peace out,
xoxoxo

8 comments:

  1. Yep, bad weather does get us down. Must be in the programming.

    Although not a swimmer, have completed a few marathons & certainly struggled with training; even through our Aus winter. I really don't know how you guys do it.

    Cheers, ic

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  2. Swimming in winter is a real challenge. I'm starting again soon. Hopefully. Yes, very soon.

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  3. Yep, me too. Can't wait to get a glimpse of warm weather and hope this year England will see a heat-wave. As for the swimming, rather you than me. You won't catch me in no pool this year, swimming is a bit much for me since I can't even float, but I admire those like you who are like fishes in the sea. In fact, I just admire all the training, commitment and passion you have for sports. Michelle, my 'teensy green tint' is showing now :)

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  4. Michelle, I flat out don’t like being cold either. Don’t know if I would have taken off my coat in that cold locker room. You rock for getting in that pool! And you are not alone at all in your quest for spring to arrive. My post coming up will be about how my dogs love winter but I am waiting for spring. :)

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  5. I would love to be able to swim more...such a great workout.

    As far as the cold, there is nothing like being cold. The wrong temperature can severely screw up a body, and when you get truly cold, you can't get uncold easily.

    The only season I ever truly look forward to is Autumn, because of how nature reacts to the cycle of the seasons. That and its still warm with a slight chill in the air which is invigorating. It would be nice for the cold to be completely over for the year, but we'll see how march turns out first.

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  6. Stopping by from Blogging Addicts
    -Ellen

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  7. I was born in the Caribbean and so the winter months can still be very tough. How I long to be basking in the warm sunshine if only for a moment :)

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  8. Hi! Following you, from blogging addicts!
    I hear you, I started swimming this past week... I've gotta jump in fast and start moving to get warm... HATE being cold!
    I'm at http://www.ccmcafeeperspective.com/, would love for you to follow in return!
    Thanks,
    Carolyn

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