550 m

Last October, David and I signed up for a triathlon challenge, where we had to run (or walk) bike, and swim the distances of an Ironman Triathlon.  We got sick and didn't get too far.  We said we would try again in the spring.  It's spring.

I adjusted my challenge, and decided to do half of each distance.  So, my goal for the month of May is to:
Swim 1.2 miles
Walk 13.1 miles
Bike 56 miles
(Maybe I'll be able to keep up the exercise and try the real triathlon challenge again in October; then I can get a t-shirt!)

From October's experience, I knew that I would have to start swimming right away, and go every week.  On the first week, I told myself I had to swim at least 4 laps (200 yards); I made it to 5.  On the second week, I told myself I had to swim at least 5 laps; I made it to 8.  Last Thursday, I told myself I had to do at least 8 laps, and wanted to do 10.  Then I got to the pool.  The lanes were set up the long way.  I've gotten used to taking a breathing break every 25 yards, and now I would have to swim 50 meters--more than twice the distance--without a break.  Not to mention the fact that I would be sharing a lane with 3 other people, who were, no doubt, much faster swimmers than I am.  (David, for instance, swims more than twice as many laps as I do in the same amount of time.)

Not having a breathing break every 25 yards was actually really good.  I was able to push myself to do better, and I swam a total of 11 lengths, or 550 meters.  That felt awesome!  And that was when I realized that I could really swim the entire 1.2 miles.  I was anticipating needing to supplement with a water aerobics class, like I did in October.  So, I'm feeling pretty strong right now.

Speaking of feeling strong, when we biked home from the library last, I made it all the way up the hill to our apartment, and wasn't out of breath.