Valentine's Swim, Very Understanding Wife

We all know what women want for at least one day out of the year — flowers (check), a nice sweet treat (check), and time on Valentine's Day with their significant other (oooops!) You guessed it, Valentine's Day 2007 and I got most of them right. In a statistical sense I was *almost* perfect.

That's when a very understanding spouse enters the mix. The tri swim class that I just started was meeting on Valentine's night. No big deal, I thought, I'll just skip this one session and spend the evening with my wife celebrating Valentine's Day. My wife, however, would have no part of that. She was quick to tell me that she would get the kids to bed and when I got home we'd be able to celebrate Valentine's. What a woman!

I was glad I didn't miss the class...it was a killer with pro-triathlete and coach Andrea Fisher taking great liberty at correcting the multitudes of "issues" I have with my stroke and breathing. I was grateful for her individual attention — and humor — and am already feeling more comfortable in the water and feeling the small improvements. Amazing what can happen when it all comes together. I am far from efficient and "at home" but I'm getting there....slowly.

I am also just days away from toeing the line for the AT&T Austin Marathon. Paring down the miles this week, I went out yesterday for a short run, only to be surprised with how fast I was going. For the first time in a long time — Whoa Nellie — I was having to hold back the ENTIRE morning. I knew there was nothing more I could do to build on and wanted to take one final victory lap around the lake before raceday. Even as I was holding back, the miles continued ticking away and all were in the 8.40 to 8:50 per mile range....quick for me, and a welcome sight. I don't plan on turning in those kinds of splits come Sunday, but I am proud of my progress since September. Sunday I am hoping to reward that effort.

Workout:
Swim
1200m
Free and drills
class

Run
Town Lake
5 miles
45.21
8.55/mile avg pace