Friday, April 20, 2012

BOOIIINNNGGGGG!

Thursday morning at the pool, I did something that I have never done before. The minute I saw it, I knew it was something I could not pass up...

It all started with an easy scheduled swim. My plan called for an 1150 yd swim, it was a recovery week, so I wanted to crush this swim. I started out with a plan on doing 150 yds to warm up and then I was going to do a time trial swim of 1000 yards.

But that is not what happened.

I had the pool to myself at first. The water was smooth.  I picked the furthest lane from the lifeguard stand, for no reason in particular, it just felt right. I was rocking my square legged Speedo's, cause I feel faster in them. I stood at the edge of the pool and put on my goggles, contorting my face making sure I had a seal so no water would leak in. Next comes the solid black swim cap. It goes on over the goggles strap to ensure they never fall off.

One foot goes in the water, then I ease down into it and drop down, all the way under.  I start off with my 150 warm up, and I feel strong. I take 1 minute before I start my 1000 time trial. People are starting to file into the pool now.

During the first part of the swim, I change my mind. I want to do 2 500 yds sprints. So I did them. I was happy with my time, and that's when I saw it.


A guy I know at the pool brought out a bungee cord and tied it to the starting blocks. The other end of the cord had a belt on it. I was intrigued. I saw him give the belt to another swimmer and I saw her try to swim the length of the pool. She didn't make it. She made it about 3/4 of the way.

I knew I had to try it.

I went with the yellow band, the one with the most resistance. I placed the belt around my waist and started to swim. The first half of the pool was easy, then I could feel the tension of the bungee cord. I was at most 2/3 of the way. I kept on though, I dug deeper. I tried to focus my swim technique. I felt like I was swimming hard and going nowhere. I was 4 feet from the wall, giving it my all when I succumbed to the tension. BOIINNGGGGG! Before I knew it, I was floating backwards to my starting point. I heard all the "ahhsss" as people stopped to watch if I was going to make it!

It was a really cool thing and a good workout. I can definitely see myself working this in on a weekly basis. I still think if I had started with the bungee cord, then I would have made it all the way, but we will see next time!

This weekend is the Warrior Dash, so expect a report from that race with my bride!

7 comments:

  1. Have never seen the bungee cord in the pool? Sounds sort of fun!

    When I was in HS we had a summer speed camp for the football team and we used to use these cords around our waists. They taught you to lean forward and dig!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was alot of fun, definatley something different! They say it is all about the kick, which I have very little, but it is definately a goal of mine to get to that wall!

      Delete
  2. That sounds difficult! Kudos to you for giving it a go.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mike, I think it will become a once a week challenge with me!

      Delete
  3. That sounds so cool! I bet it would be quite the workout. I've never heard of it before but I'd like to try it.

    ReplyDelete

Please leave me a comment on my blog and let me know what you think, good or bad, I can take it, and thanks for stopping by! Sorry for the word verification, but the spammers be spamming...