You might be a noodle person...

-
Since I stopped focusing on Xterra, I haven't been getting up early to swim with the Masters group at CC. I've been swimming on my own at 24 hour fitness, which is really close and convenient. It also gets pretty busy at times. Sometimes lap swimmers, sometimes water aerobics types, the random person jumping into the pool from the steam room... And the noodle people. I'm not sure there's a true definition of noodle person - I think the hot tub dwellers think I'm a noodle person when doing my drills. I'm usually pretty lucky, I don't mind sharing a lane as long I don't get swum over or have to swim over anyone. I have changed my workout at times so I don't get frustrated, but still get the yards in. I've said it before, we all have a right to the pool and need to learn to share. However, sometimes, when someone gets in the water, you just know its gonna be bad, funny or both. So, here are a few definitions of a noodle person, with respect to Jeff Foxworthy, of course....

You might be a noodle person if:
- You jump in to swim laps with your deck shoes still on.
- You are swimming with sunglasses (not tinted goggles) inside.
- You touch both lane lines at the same time while doing backstroke.
- you displace more water then a whale, but without any forward movement.
- Your butterfly looks like your being attacked by a shark.
- Lap swimming means sprinting. 25, then hanging on the wall for five minutes, panting.
- you plan on teaching your buddy to swim, but you can't even put your face in the water.
- If the lap swimmers want to extend their kicking set to watch the entertainment.
- If the water aerobics gang starts laughing at you
- If triathletes can practice rough water open water swimming in your lane.
- And finally, if at any point, you are bouncing, resting or floating with a noodle.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A long way on foot - Sheep Mountain Endurance Run

-
Image
Fifty miles is a long way - regardless of how you travel. As I was training and preparing for Sheep Mountain Endurance Run, I knew that it would be a long day - I knew that there would be ups and downs, that the plan would have to be fluid and goals adjusted mid-race. That is the nature of endurance sports and the people who achieve are the ones who can go with the flow and find the ability to turn things around if they do go south. Obviously, for my first 50, I was hoping for nothing but smooth sailing - with no dark spots, no demons and smiling the whole way. A girl can always hope, right? Runners assembled for the start Photo - Human Potential Running The sun was just starting to brighten the clouds as we walked to the starting line with nearly 100 other runners. The race director went through a few things, noting that there had already been some DNS's due to the elevation and to be smart. Smart... Most people would say smart would mean not doing something like a 50 mile
the full story...

Mortality

-
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention to arrive safely in a pretty and well preserved body; but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'Wow! What a ride!'” - Hunter S. Thompson It seems such a trite quote, but true at the same time. Life is about the journey - the adventures along the way, the failures and successes. A life well lived is a person with stories to tell, taking the chances along the way that will provide fulfillment. You don't realize how close we are teatering to the edge until something happens that affirms our mortality.  In eleven years of practicing physical therapy in a nursing home setting, I've had my share of experiences with death. Never close though - far enough removed to be touched by the passing but not affected. Sometimes it's expected and everyone says "it's for the best. They are happier now." Other times, it's not and we are all shocked
the full story...

Regaining my mojo

-
Image
I'll be honest. The two months between the middle of July and middle of September just about crushed me. Tired all the time, unable to muster more then a slug pace for most rides, and shuffling my way through my runs. It was the worst two month I've had - made worse by my continuing to try to push through the fatigue. So after Vapor I made sure that I would listen to my body and not pressure myself into training until I felt ready. No matter how long it would take, I would take the recovery I needed. Two weeks of minimal activity - short swims that were mostly just paddling around, very short runs where I didn't look at my watch at all and the easiest of rides imaginable. After those two weeks, I was still tired, but feeling better. Getting more like myself again, with a little more energy. That meant I needed at least another week of easy recovery! It was not the time to succumb to FOMO and start up with the big rides and hard runs again. So I behaved even more, knowing ev
the full story...

Friends with the Monsters..

-
And the voices inside of my head.  As Saturday approaches, the voices - the demons - have begun talking to me. Sometimes a whisper, sometimes a scream. 54 miles. It's the distance from Colorado Springs to Lake Pueblo State Park. Or the top of Wilkerson Pass... A long bloody way to cover on two wheels, let along two feet! Yet that is my goal. Traverse the trails and roads west and east of Fairplay, covering more then the distance of two marathons. Theoretically, it should be nothing. After all, I've run back to back marathons many times - once getting both under 3:10. Fifty two miles, in just shy of 24 hours at a pace much faster then I'm planning. But in this ventures, I had time to recover between races and took the recovery seriously. Here, nothing but continuous forward movement. One step in front of the other, no breaks between efforts and the the clock doesn't stop ticking.  As Saturday approaches, those voices are getting louder. Ever doubting, ever questioning -
the full story...