How Far I've Come

Last night I met up with a friend, JD, for a swim workout. We only swam 1,050 yards, or just over a half mile, but the workout was focused on drills and not speed or endurance. At this point in the season I’m trying to get rid of the bad technique and form that I’ve developed. As we’re getting out of the pool someone stops us and starts asking us how to swim. No kidding!

For those who don’t know JD, we both started doing triathlons 3 years ago with Team In Training, but he had no experience in the water. At that time he was a little intimidated by swimming in a pool, let alone open water. Doing so for a mile? Forget it! However, he signed up and worked at. JD worked with the TNT coaches on getting comfortable in the water and went on to do a couple Olympic distance races as well as several Sprints. That off season he worked and worked on his swimming and not only became confident in the water but can consistently finish the .9 mile swim of an Olympic distance triathlon in under 30 minutes. For some perspective on that, I’m usually just over 30 and people who swam in high school or college finish it in the low 20’s.

Of course we helped him with what we know and advice him to seek professional help, for both the swimming and asking us.