Director's Dare
Water, Water, Everywhere
Tuesday, March 16, 2004
It's a fact that approximately 80% of the Earth's surface is covered by water. It's the thing that separates us from Mars. Without this wet stuff, our ancient fish ancestors would never have been able to crawl out of the primordial ooze and evolve to the creatures we see all around us today. After all, you have to have water to even make ooze.
Being practically surrounded by water on all sides, it's no wonder that we feel drawn to it. Every weekend from coast to coast, people flock by the hundreds of thousands the globe over to enjoy the ocean, reservoir or lake. We fish, boat and relax with water.
Water is also an integral part of the triathlon. You swim in it for one leg of the event and drink it for the others. I have to make a confession here. I haven't been swimming for years. I was a lifeguard at my local community pool when I was a Junior in High School, and that was the last time I really swam. I've taken my kids to the pool, played Marco Polo and applauded them when they garnered enough courage to stick their faces in the water. But I haven't been swimming for a long time.
Last Friday, at 6:30 am, I took the plunge and officially began swimming to train for the Utah Summer Games triathlon. This is the part of the race that gives me the most concern. I figure, worst case scenario, I can always walk on the running part and if I have to I can walk my bike. On the other hand, swimming won't allow for much walking. You kind of have to do it right.
I had a good conversation with Norm Forbush, our Law Enforcement and Emergency Medial Systems coordinator and he assured me that there will be a minimum of two boats and probably three in the water the whole time to fish people (like myself) out if need be. This made me feel a little less anxious about the whole ordeal.
Anyway... at 6:30 in the morning I arrived at the SUU Aquatic Center in the Sorensen PE Building, changed into my cool orange board shorts, showered and entered the swim area. Being Spring Break for us here at SUU, there wasn't too much going on. To my left was a group of ladies doing water aerobics and to my right were two guys swimming laps. The lifeguard with her watchful eyes observed everything from high above in her chair. I picked a lane, jumped in the water and started swimming. About 50 meters later my arms felt like lead, my lungs were now attempting to accept water as a substitute for air and I was coughing, sputtering and clinging to the side of the pool. After a few minutes and several deep breaths, I was ready for another lap. It took a while and I had to rest more than I would have liked, but all in all I swam 400 meters which I felt pretty good about. I've got a long way to go, but for the first time I feel confident that I'll be able to do this thing if I keep training.
Keep checking back and sending your tips, encouragement and ideas.
Next time: Biking, can't they make this seat a little more comfortable?
Labels: triathlon
