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January 21, 2008
Talk of the Town
Well the big talk at the Allegheny Valley YMCA is the pool temperature. Seems something (not really sure on the exact details) has broken in the "boiler room" leaving not only the air temperature on the pool deck much cooler than usual, but the actual water a bit on the nippy side too.
I think some members are boycotting the pool altogether because O and I essentially had the pool to ourselves this morning.
Now don't get me wrong, the water is no where near freezing cold. I've swam in MUCH colder water (2007 ITU Worlds in Hamburg - thought my head might freeze right off), but I will admit that the water is much colder than usual at the YMCA. Add in the fact that it again was 5 degrees w/a negative something nasty windchill and it made for one COLD swim this morning. I was doing 500 repeats again and for the first time in my LIFE I was actually wishing the rests were shorter because I was getting so cold in between intervals! The older people who complain that the water is too cold when it's below 85 degrees were having none of it! I can see their point though. If you aren't swimming long or hard, cold water is no fun.
Regardless, I got my workout in and wasn't any worse for the wear. When I went back to the YMCA after work to do my lifting session everyone was STILL talking about the water temperature! I love it! The good news is, the "boiler room" should be fixed by Friday. That means only one more cold swim for me since I don't swim tomorrow and I go to Pitt to swim on Thursdays! :)
Anyway, I had a really good day at work and I seriously think it's because right before I left I read Marit's post about her treadmill workout yesterday. She just rocked it and reading about it instantly set me in a good mood. It also made me realize that sometimes we just need to CHOOSE to be in a good mood and positive. That's very easy for me to do when I'm running, swimming or biking. But when I'm in the midst of a bad commute or in the middle of a work day? Yeah, not so much. It also made me realize how much inspiration I get from reading other people's blogs. It sounds kind of hokey and weird but I really do enjoy my "online friends" and following along on their journeys! Sometimes when I don't feel like getting on the trainer or can't fathom going to the pool for yet another set of 100s I will read some blogs to get me fired up!
Anyway, I've never met any of the people whose blogs I read (except Chad!) but I am going to this weekend!! Yes, yes, VERY exciting! (I think this is another reason why I've been in quite an exceptional mood). I am really, really looking forward to my first ever tri clinic this weekend in the Chicago area! (and before you go raining on my parade, I don't want to hear about how cold it is there! :) Jen Harrison and her husband and coach are putting on the clinic. I CANNOT wait! I'm really looking forward to meeting them (and possibly Elizabeth too!) and learning a lot about swim/bike/run/and everything else in between. I'm even sort of looking forward to the drive because O and Roxy are coming too. And road trips are always fun (except after about hour 7 when I just can't stand being in a car any longer)!
Posted by beth at January 21, 2008 6:26 PM
Comments
This is so funny that you talk about "online friends" because I often catch myself talking to my husband or friends here and I say, "my friend Merit" or "yeah, Beth has done that race" or "Jen does that with her kids too" and everyone wonders who the heck I am talking about! They wonder if I am making up imaginary friends! Ha ha! Kona is so so small everyone knows everyone and those names aren't kona-crew names! I always talk about my "online" friends too!
Posted by: Bree at January 22, 2008 1:50 AM
This is so funny that you talk about "online friends" because I often catch myself talking to my husband or friends here and I say, "my friend Merit" or "yeah, Beth has done that race" or "Jen does that with her kids too" and everyone wonders who the heck I am talking about! They wonder if I am making up imaginary friends! Ha ha! Kona is so so small everyone knows everyone and those names aren't kona-crew names! I always talk about my "online" friends too!
Posted by: Bree at January 22, 2008 1:51 AM
I was trying to explain about my friend Beth and how she's an athlete and doesn't wear heals either and my real life friend (who doesn't know about the blog and who I don't want to tell) wanted to know how tall you were. I was like...um...I don't know!!!! But we're friends. Really. I am not making this story up! I was so awkward!
YOU and O are my swimming heros. Hands down. It's you two.
Posted by: Audrey at January 22, 2008 6:31 AM
I totally agree! I have been a member of this "Babydreamers" Yahoo group for nearly 7 years...I started with them when I was trying to get pregnant - I needed a GROUP that was supportive and I could be anoyn. with...MY sister is part of the group too. Well, after 7 years, I am STILL a part of this group from all over the USA and a few outside the USA...we have met before, we exchange Xmas cards/gifts -- and they are a source of help as we raise our twins....and some "non-triathlon" friends, which we all have. I remember when I did IM Hawaii in 04..they stayed up to watch me finish and everything. And, I consider them my friends too - just like my Triathlon blogging friends. :)
Posted by: Jennifer Harrison at January 22, 2008 8:33 AM
Cold pool? Holy cow Beth! Whenever I go swimming, I delay my entry into the water as long as possible.... I spend an extra "few" minutes (like 5 or 6) on the deck and on the edge simply to avoid the inevitable cold plunge. But you're right: older "aqua aerobics" folks don't like the water when it's THAT cold - so empty pool all to yourself! Sweet!!! As for my friends on line, I totally agree! When I started my blog, I thought it would be just about the writing and stuff. Now I feel its much more about the friends I've made and really AWESOME support network. It's great: I read other people's entries to get "fired up" for workouts - how can you not? There's something so comforting knowing that there are other like-minded people out there. Plus - how else could I learn about Thumbprint cookies? :) Have a GREAT day Beth!
Posted by: Marit C-L at January 22, 2008 8:49 AM
Beth:
Have an awesome time at the tri clinic and a nice smooth drive, too. Then, you can report to us about just how energetic Jen (a.k.a. Ms. Daisy) is. BTW, if you haven't read Elizabeth Fedofsky's post "Driving Ms. Daisy", you've got to.
My triathlon friends call my non-tri friends "The Stepford Wives" because all are married with 1.7 kids and live in the same suburban neighborhood. Even my husband can't figure out which Stepford wife is which and who is married to whom. I can't imagine him trying to sort out "online triathlon" friends...but it is so nice to have people to "talk to" about annoying gym folks, fun swims in Hawaii, peeing standing up, beard-sicles, ice baths, etc.
Posted by: Danielle at January 22, 2008 2:08 PM
Regarding Audrey's comment:
"YOU and O are my swimming heros"
I never thought I would EVER be someone's swimming hero for as bad as I am. I figured I had a better chance of playing in the Super Bowl!
Posted by: O at January 22, 2008 7:58 PM