dennis...

...took one look at me as I approached him on the deck and said, "You look like you could use a swim....burn off some of that stress."

Ya think? I mean....I could just sit at my desk and cry. Of course....this was before I actually read the workout. The usual 1000m warm up....then a 1500m set of 200's & 100's with some speed play mixed in. Oh joy...

The bulkhead is up...so it's the 50 meter pool today. Fabulous. Actually...the 200 & 100 parts don't bother me. I've always been a workhorse at these distances. It's the speed play that's a real bitch. Guess I should mention that "speed play" means breaking down the 200's & 100's by 25's (in a 50 meter pool) and randomly assigning a number of those 25's as fast...ie: sprint. Having to pour-it-on in the middle of a 50 meter length...without the help of a wall...pretty much sucks. At least I didn't have to pull the train. (Lead the lane.) The rest of the workout consisted of a pulling set...a kick set...and a drill set. About 3500 meters in all....in just over an hour.

Side note: Dennis....my coach. I use the term "coach" loosely...as I no longer compete. I just happen to drop-in on his workouts a couple times a week. Anyway....Dennis is a lifetime Oregon swimmer. Still competes at the top levels. In his early 20s he was ranked top 10 in the world...for his 200 fly. At 43....his 200 meter fly @ 2:04....is still faster than most 20-year-olds. To watch him swim....amazing. Such ease, grace & strength...

As I exited the pool....he smiled and asked the inevitable...."Feel better?"

Yes....actually....I do.