Heidi on Vashon

Race recap - What a fantastic, supportive group of swimmers we have in masters here in the Pacific Northwest. It takes a certain breed of human to slog through 1500m nonstop, staring down at a black line in the pool. But we turned out, we churned through it, and we are humbled by the effort made between volunteers and athletes to make complex meets like these flow successfully. Today was extra special because our Notorious Alki Swimmers lady squad showed up in force to swim this event! It was amazing to have so many friends surrounding each other, counting laps, calming nerves and cheering. Even though I kind of don't want to be cheered (I zen out).  This was my second EVER pool event at the ripe age of 51. It was my very first event yesterday starting off the block; I had practiced with a local coach and swimmer Susan Parsons just the day prior and she had me leaping in no time. The thing is, Bellevue's blocks are nearly hip high! Nothing like the knee-high ones I pra

A month or so ago, a friend encouraged me to join their 10k swim wayyyy down in Centralia. I had reservations, it being on New Year's Day, being a hell of a lot of yards, and all in a pool I'd never seen before. I have a habit of quickly overheating in pools. I was leary. I went anyway. The southern half of the island was cloaked in a blackout from winds knocking out power. It was a creepy load onto the ferry with the first made waving us on in silhouette, back lighted by the boat. By the crossing's end, daylight was breaking. Off I went to a pool, really knowing only a couple people. Once at the facility, I checked in and met my lane mates; two of five I knew...one I just met already had profiled my mile time from my one and only recorded pool event last year. Egads! Pressure was on. I learned that the pool was actual meters but for some reason I had it in my mind it was yards. This meant having to swim faster than my cruiser pace. I learned a few things: 1- At 7