THE FEELIN' GOOD SPOT

"If you're feeling good, don't worry. You'll get over it." - Yogi Berra

I hit that feelin' good spot this morning. No, not the spot you are thinking ... I'm talking about that spot you hit when you have a good training session and your body is tired but you feel good. Feel strong. That's the feeling I had this morning following Masters 101.

We had to create our own swim workout at class and then swim it. Mine wasn't that hard, but it was the first time I have swum (yes, it's swum, not swam. I'll explain sometime) hard since Honu way back on May 31. I've spent the past months working on technique and not on strength so I'm not in "swim shape." Like they say, "Slow is smooth, smooth is fast." and that's how I've been swimming all summer and fall. Just trying to get smooth so, when the time comes and I add the strength part of the formula, I'll get fast (well, that's the plan, I'll have to see if it works).

Anyhow, we each created our own mini workouts at class. Mine was 1x200 warmup, (For all you nonswimmers that means one 200 yard swim slow and easy) then 2x200 one easy one moderate, 2x150 one easy one moderate, 2x100 moderate, 2x50 easy/moderate then 100 yards cool down. All in about 20 to 25 minutes.

It wasn't a long way — 1,200 yards, but again, it's the hardest workout I've had since May 31. I swam (Yes this time it's swam, not swum. Trust me. It's my job) farther than that in the ocean since May but not nearly as hard.

It was really the first time I've gotten my heart rate up like that swimming for months and man did it hurt and feel good at the same time. I even did flip turns on the easy portions — I was in way too much oxygen debt to try it on the moderate legs.

So, it was a good day on the swim. I wasn't fast. I have basically two swim speeds: warm up pace and race pace, and the difference is nearly imperceptible but I'm working on it.

“I asked God for strength that I might achieve. I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked for health that I might do greater things. I was given infirmity that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might be happy. I was given poverty that I might be wise. I asked for power that I might have the praise of men. I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. I was given life that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I hoped for. Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I am, among all men, most richly blessed.” — often credited to an unknown Confederate soldier