OK, despite having the flu and serious worries about being able to suck in air while walking, sitting and doing my regular daily activities as a result of the persistent flu that has been keeping me company, I passed the swim time trial this morning. I woke up at 5:15 am (very early- and super dark!) and left the house at about 5:50. I arrived at the Y, ditched my things and went down to the pool. No one was there yet for the Y-tri so I started doubting myself ... was I there the right day? The correct time? I swam a few laps to warm up and to confirm that the water was still really cold ... and yes, the pool water was really frigid!
Finally, as I saw the Y-tri coaches arrive I walked over (covered up in my towel of course) and had to make room for a gentleman to pass by and ditch his kickboard. He looked familiar, and I said to another swimmer standing with me- was that Rahm Emanuel? And yes, in fact, it was. Turns out I was there early- as was another girl, Jenn, who was also slated for 6:45. Jenn has had bronchitis and asked if it was alright if she could swim backstroke (denied). They let us start early and off we went ... I tried breathing on threes, but just not my thing. For some reason I can not breathe on my left side ... so I would breathe after two strokes, then four strokes, then two. In the end I finished 35 seconds under the time limit, so I am thrilled. They will time us again in four months- so I am psyched to see how much I'll improve!
What did I learn about all this stress? Not everyone trying out for the Y-tri team is super fit ... and that I just need to pace against myself. Each of us will have weaknesses, its just a matter of improving and doing your best. Now, if the cutoff was for the running (waddling) component, I'm sure I would have already been eliminated!
