5 Lessons Later...

Sheila, my swimming instructor, is unintentionally shackling my mind with chains.  The pace of this swim class is inversely proportionate to the rate of my growing frustration.  Last week, lesson 5 of this journey, was supposed to focus on breathing.  I was wicked excited about this, because this is my greatest weakness and fear.  Instead, we talked about floating on our backs, rehashed the previous weeks lesson, and discussed how nobody knows how to turn the fish fountain on and how it's great for birthday parties.

I am consciously holding myself back from being disrespectful by feigning interest. I continue to stay engaged and give answers as prompted, but somehow, I am almost always wrong... event though I'm right.  In week two, she asked why the last third of your arm stroke gives you the most propulsion. I answered, momentum.  She retorted, "No- it's because an object in motion tends to stay in motion."  Uh, ok.  Last Wednesday she asked the same question, so I answered, "An object in motion tends to stay in motion."  She retorted, "well, no.  It's momentum."

In all honestly, I don't care about these things.  I just want to make progress.Well, it's more than that.  I want to make progress at my pace.  Anything else is a waste of time. 

Ok, I'm being harsh... The last few weeks haven't been a waste.  My stroke mechanics have improved drastically.  And I do appreciate the detail Sheila gives on these form issues.  And, of course. she is going the exact speed through her lessons as everyone else in the class wants her to.  She's a geat teacher.  I'm the oddball in the group.  Truthfully, it's me, not her. I guess I'm the only one trying to do an Ironman and talking beginner swimming lessons at the Y.

Yvonne, fellow TNTer and Ironman trainee, posted today that she completed her first ever 1/4 mile swim.  I am proud, excited, and envious.  I don't doubt that I'll get there, but I want to be there now. That's all.

"Next week remind me to start with breathing," was the last thing Sheila said on Wednesday.

You can bet your ass I will.