The Tables Have Turned

So, remember a few weeks ago when I was whining about the fact that the pools were closed and I couldn\’t swim? Well, now that the Wellness Center is basically back to full function and I could go swim any time I wanted to, I have absolutely no desire to! 🙁 It\’s been probably about two weeks since I\’ve swam, and I was going to go Friday since I had nothing else going on, but when it came time to go, I came up with every excuse to do something else instead.

I don\’t want to say I\’m getting sick of swimming, but I do think I\’m getting sick of swimming alone, and not being surrounded by people my own speed to push me. I\’ve tried to do some sets that in the past were a challenge, but not knock me on my booty hard; but now, I\’m sucking air all the way through! This time last year, a set of 100s on the 1:30 was easy peasy, but now I\’m struggling! Obviously, I know I took some time out of the water when the pool was closed, but even when I took a whole summer off a few years ago, it didn\’t take me long to bounce back. It\’s almost kind of discouraging to go swim and not be able to hold those same times I\’ve always been able to do. Not that I\’m planning on competing anytime soon, but still!

Now, it seems like the tables have completely turned in the last few months. I have no desire to swim, but I do have a desire to run more! I\’m starting to figure out ways to get my legs loosened up easier during runs so I\’m not struggling as much. I\’ve figured out that if I do the elliptical a few times a week as well, it gives my joints a little bit of a break so I can gear up for my next run. I\’m still having a few issues with my foot, but as long as I ice it after longer runs, I can usually put up with it. I\’m starting to run a few times outside of run club now, which is practically unheard of for me!

I\’m even starting a run club at LATC, which will give me another reason to run more. Dan keeps teasing me, saying I\’ll be a few weeks in and start regretting it, but I\’m determined to use this as a reason to get better at running and get out there as much as I can! I might still complain about it, but who would expect any less, am I right??

Right now, a few of the WARC members and I are gearing up for a half marathon – for some, a full marathon! – at the end of the month, which means some long runs are on my schedule. A few years ago, I would have dreaded doing anything more than 3 or 4 miles, but now, it doesn\’t seem so hard. I kind of look forward to them, and as long as I feel pretty good throughout, they\’re usually pretty enjoyable. Now, if that darn heat and humidity would just go away, we\’d be golden!

I\’m definitely not saying I\’ll never swim again, and who knows, maybe by this time next week I\’ll be dying to get back in the water. But, for now, I don\’t see any reason to make myself go if I have no desire to do it. I\’m certainly not going to get any better if my heart\’s not in it. It just seems so strange to me that a few months ago I would have given anything to get back in the water, and now I just really don\’t want to go. Has anyone else experienced something like this? I almost feel guilty not wanting to go swim, but I know I shouldn\’t. It\’s not like I\’ve quit working out altogether. I\’d love to hear others\’ perspective on this, and what they have done if they\’ve experience something similar.

For now, I\’m just hoping the weather cooperates so I can get outside and enjoy my weekend. I\’ve got another long run tomorrow, after all!

Hope everyone has a great week!

Until next time! 🙂

Megan Reiffenberger