another reality check

i had to face reality this morning: i'm getting old.  i mean, i've been aware of this fact more and more over the past few years, but today my body reminded me that i'm waaaaaaay past my "prime."

i swam in our team timetrial this morning...mostly because i was being selfish and wanted to get times to submit to the AK LMSC for master's swimming so i could get listed on the website under the Top Ten.  and to get times, i had to swim - preferrably before my next bday in march, so i could/can get listed in 2 different age groups this year (i'm aging up to the 25-29 instead of being in the 19-24 group).  so two weeks ago, i told coach this, and he got me entered in the 500 free, since i used to swim distance, and the 200 IM, since i've been swimming a lot more strokes lately.

as the days dwindled, i felt more and more unsure of how capable i actually was, but chad is kind of a pain like that and wouldn't let me change events & punk out.  which i appreciate AFTER the fact.  another part of my (and his) motivation was to inspire the kids since they would get to swim against coach megan and try to beat me - which hopefully would lead to faster times.  to inspire them further, he offered 2 swimmers that i was in lanes next to the chance to pick workouts next week IF they beat me.  well, sure as heck, zach kicked my butt in the 500.  i made it to about 200 yds before i crapped out, i'll admit it.  but, couldn't let that happen twice!  so i pushed the 200 IM and ended up winning the heat.  laura's a great swimmer to have on the team, & i want her to be successful, but i had to save face somehow!

it was fun having all the kids cheering for me on the side, and sympathetic looks & congrats from parents, but my shoulder is now officially toast.  to the point that i think i may have some sort of pinched nerve, since i thought the pain was stress related due to school but this time that's definitely not the case.  i'm just old, i should probably go see a chiropractor or PT, and i'm going to take a break from pretending to be the former swimmer that i sometimes pretend to be!