Desire, Dedication and Discipline - Still Swimming Three Months Later

Some of my readers may remember several posts from about three months ago where I laid out my aspirations regarding a training program I developed in order to swim myself into shape.

I was wanting to prepare for an annual challenge (the Duel at the Pool) involving a good friend who is an aging (but awesome) tri-athlete.  He has finished several Hawaii Iron Mans, and was at one time a leading member and coach of Canada's Ultra-Marathoners (crazy people who run 100 kilometre and 100 mile road races).

The Duel at the Pool is a 5 kilometre swim challenge ... he and I meet up the second September of each year and swim until we can't see straight.  Swimming 5 kilometres takes (me) between 80 and 90 minutes, depending upon the direction of the wind ;-) and is as much a mental challenge as physical, because swimming such a long distance is NOT very exciting, in terms of scenery or other pleasures associated with exercise or sport.

5 kilometres is 40 lengths of this magnificent pool:

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Back at the beginning of my preparation, I stated that i intended to get up to a minimum of 15,000 metres per week in mid-July and keep at it until early September.

I'm pleased to report that by and large I have accomplished my goal, with the exception of a couple of weeks in Montreal .. I still had access to a pool there and swam regularly, but my distances were reduced due to a smaller pool that was somewhat crowded with other swimmers.

I got back to Vancouver at the end of August and immediately got back into the Kitsilano pool (see picture above) .. since returning I have been swimming on average 18,000 metres per week.

Since the beginning of my training in June I have lost about 11 kilograms (approximately 24 pounds) and I am feeling quite fit, actually.

The Duel (check out the juvenile comments section) is scheduled for one of the next four or five days ... I'll let you know what happens and who ends up buying the beer, but I am VERY confident.

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