I'm trying

Relentless November rains make for grumpy cats. And people. But what better way to ease the doldrums than submerge yourself completely in it. Water that is. And so, two years after my big shoulder accident I went to a swim meet!
Honestly, I felt really ill this morning. No amount of ginger water could ease my nervous tummy. My shoulders were stiff, my hips ached. How could I swim? But I did. Funny how once you start you totally forget about your pains and worries. I even remembered what one of my old coaches said to me, "But Sandy, it's supposed to hurt!" And so, when my legs started fatiguing I just kicked even harder. Anyway, it's early in the season, but I have neared my best times of ten years ago. Ten years ago! I was lucky to get good placings too: 1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze. (the Canadian record holder dropped out of the last event! )

I'm smiling again! OH NO! WRINKLES!

My coach yelled at our lane today. I know sometimes some of the people in my lane talk after a set and then miss what the next set will be. They often ask me because I usually know what's going on. So, today, after a long hard set in which I and another swimmer finished, but in which the other swimmers stopped before us because we almost lapped them, things got a little confusing. Anyway, so while they were waiting for us two to finish they started talking. When I finished the set I looked up on the white board and saw what to do next, and I started. But after 50 metres coach stopped us even though we had another 50 to go. He said the other lanes were finished because they had been listening and that we were talking too long and so our time was limited. But that's not true. So I called him on it. Just said, "But we we went as soon as we finished the set. " And that's when he yelled at us. It was very uncomfortable and unfortunate because he is usually a great coach and a nice guy. And we are adults and really don't put up with anyone yelling at us. So what if we're a little social? So what if we don't exactly finish all the sets? A couple of lengths here and there isn't going to make a big difference. Anyway, I was so put off about it all that I got out early and didn't even say goodbye. Swimming is supposed to be a stress release not cause it. We're not Olympic swimmers, we don't need that kind of attitude to improve.

All I can think is that maybe he was tired and maybe something happened at home that made him flip out.

I fully understand your annoyance at having lost a race but it never has done any athlete any good to complain about outside reasons for defeat. I fully agree that these new suits should be banned if they do increase buoyancy. Anyone who has ever swam in a proper swimming wetsuit realizes how even a bad swimmer can swim so much faster in rubber! For one, your body position is higher and you don't need to kick so much. This is great for a long distance swimmer as myself who kicks as little as possible. I'm way faster in a wetsuit. I think these new suits are much the same as wetsuits but much thinner.

So many world records have fallen as well by those wearing these new suits. Is that fair?

Anyway. Are you really going to boycott the next race, the 100 Fly (against that Serbian swimmer..what's his name? who just happens to wear one of these new suits). If not this is what I propose you do in order to show who really is the best swimmer in the world. You have a few options:






1. Swim in the traditional brief speedo. What do you need that Speedo Lzr suit for anyway? Some argued when that suit came out it gave swimmers an unfair advantage.

2. Swim in your Lzr and make Speedo proud by winning.

3. Give in and swim in the Jaked or Arena suit. If you wallop the competition everyone will know how unfair the suits are. Though, if everyone wears the same suit doesn't that level things?


On another note. Yay Canada. Annamay Pierce swam a new world record in the 200 Breaststroke, and then went on in the finals to a silver medal. The American, her rival, Rebecca Soni, went out way too fast and totally faded in the last 20 metres. What a huge mistake that was!

And I watched another race, the men's breaststroke. The leader made the mistake as did that Serb guy in the Olympics against Phelps, by gliding into the wall at the finish. It looked as though he won, but was outtouched by another swimmer who timed his finish much better. These swimmers should know better!



... Bring back the traditional speedo for men!

Finally something on the radio other than Swine Flu. A very interesting documentary (to me) about being comfortable in water.

There is a certain kind of person who is a little different from the rest of us. They exist on land, like the rest of us but they live ... thrive in the water. The Current's Chris Wodskou is not one of those people. But he wanted to find out how the minds and bodies of elite athletes in aquatic sports mesh in the water. Chris Wodskou's documentary is called Water Babies.

Listen here .


I can totally relate to what these elite swimmers say, being much more comfortable in the water than on land where I feel heavy and clumsy. I always try to swim quietly, it's more efficient. One of my coaches used to say I was a 'scenic' swimmer, like I was out for a Sunday drive. My current coach says I'm very technical but not aggressive enough! Kick harder kick harder! But I like this feeling of skimming through the water gracefully, and if I try to go faster that feeling is ruined!

I met a great human being tonight . My hero, Lynn Cox. She is someone who knows no limits and never doubts her abilities. I felt so emotional listening to her speak, reliving her great swims. She also showed a clip of the Discovery Channel film about her swimming in Antarctica. My glasses fogged up during that.

Some of the attendees asked questions about her swimming technique, her stroke rate, heart rate, body physiology. All I could think was, "Oh you boring boring athletes!" If they had read her books they would've known that information! Anyway, I got up the courage to ask a question that has been on my mind a while. I asked her if she kept a journal when she was young, because her writing is so vivid and detailed; how could she remember all of the little things that happened 40 years ago. She thanked me for asking that question! And yes, she started keeping a journal when she was 12, and that she also just has a really good memory because those things she did were so memorable. Afterwards a lot of people got up to talk to her, so I didn't get a chance to meet her in person. That's okay. I feel inspired anyway.