A little bit of nudging

from Coach Jane today was what I needed.

I haven't been swimming with the group that much. I was doing my swim workouts on my own. I guess because it's safer that way. By safer I mean I don't have to feel "uncomfortable" if I didn't want to. And then of course I wouldn't have to feel embarassed.

I had my workout in hand. Coach Jane asked if I was going to swim with them today. "Well...", I said. (Feeling intimidated. Intimidated because all the Ironman athletes are coming into town and some of them are swimming in the Y pool. Here I am - the girl learning to swim.)

I told Coach Jane, "Well, no - I have my workout...", and then tried some lame excuse of why I was just going to do the workout alone.

THANKFULLY, she told me she had read my blog about DETERMINATION and then mentioned that someone else new to swimming was doing the workouts and they were improving. That's all I had to hear!

So I got in the middle of Coach Jane and Coach George. Jane modifies the workouts to my ability and George kindly explains what it means when Jane says we're going to do it on the 1:20. I think I might have that finally figured out.

It was clear to me that I hadn't been pushing myself in the pool. It was also clear to me that I won't improve unless I push myself. So, I need to do these group swims. It is also clear to me that I need to focus on what I can do rather than focusing on what I can't do. So, for instance, just a short 8 weeks ago I could barely do 4 laps. Now 12 laps is the warm-up. I have come far, and with hard work I'll continue to improve. But nothing comes without hard work.