Working towards a Goal

Get up and Go!

For the past 13 days I have gotten up every morning at 5 am, put on my swimsuit and headed to my local gym where I swim laps. When I started swimming, I did the math via a calculator on the internet to determine how many laps I need to complete the distance. The sprint triathlon distance is 300 yards for the one we are doing. My gym pool is 25 feet from one end to the other, at least that is what I thought.  So I set out to complete 18 laps, down and back 18 times. 3 Days in it was still taking me close to 20 minutes to finish. I was feeling defeated and like I would never be able to be successful at the Tri. That third day, I signed up for more laps and made an interesting discovery. The length of the pool is 50 feet not 25 feet. I only needed to do 9 laps, not 18!!! What a relief!

I found myself researching things on the internet. You Tube has multiple instructional videos for the different strokes, skills to practice, and ways to improve your stroke. I have been pushing myself to swim freestyle but am much more comfortable doing the breast stroke. With each trip to the gym, I have made improvements in how I swim, how fast I swim and how I breathe. I haven't allowed myself to make excuses. I have taken 3 days off to rest, including tomorrow.

Making this a habit.

After I finished my final push today, I stopped at the desk. I pulled out the swim lane book and signed up for next week. I have enjoyed (no seriously...enjoyed) getting up earlier. I have some time to myself in the car to the gym, in the pool and  the car ride home. I am able to start my morning without rush and therefore able to start my kids and husband's morning with out rush. I go into work feeling better about myself because I know I have done something for myself by exercising that morning. The Tri is Saturday, but i am going to keep swimming. I am doing this for me!

Ready or Not Tri I come....

I am so excited to do this Tri. I am only doing the swim and have managed to drag along my brother in law and dear friend to be my teammates. I know they think I am crazy, but they must be a little crazy too because they agreed to do it with me. I have looked at pictures, read through the information and been to the pool. I am as ready as I can get. I think i have been successful in staying with the swimming every day because I am working towards a goal. I have come to realize this is who I am... I am someone who is driven by goals. I don't find it fun or rewarding to run just to run or swim just to swim. Yes, I know the exercise is good for me but I think I work harder and go farther if I am working towards a goal.

So the question is....what is the next goal?????