Breathing Blunders

This was a tough and trying week for training. I was lacking energy and losing motivation. Working late, a migraine with increasing intensity, and exhaustion kept me out of training and on the couch Wednesday although I got back on track the rest of the week.

I'm really enjoying swimming right now--probably the most out of the three sports. I think it's a welcome cross training activity to running and a great diversion from biking (did I mention that I really don't care for biking). As much as I enjoy swimming and I feel that I'm making notable improvement, I'm frustrated by it.

I can't seem to catch my breath when I swim. I can swim a lap and 1/4 before my heart pounds and I'm out of breath. I've had people offer all sorts of suggestions and nothing seems to help. I really think that I could swim all day (or at least a few hours) if I could breath. I've thought about a snorkel, but I don't want to get used to something that isn't going to help me in the long run (not to mention that it's not allowed in the triathlon). I told my coach that my legs and arms feel great and are full of more energy, but my lungs and heart don't match.

This is so frustrating for me. When I run, I can talk and breath comfortably without even thinking about it. The only way I can mimic this in the water is by doing the backstroke (which I LOVE). I love being able to breath when I want to, for as long as I want to.

I'm heading to Florida on Tuesday and I've thought about swimming in the ocean while I'm there. Aside from the fact that it's been a little chilly there, I don't think it's a good idea. I think a shark would surely confuse me for a fish (or whale) in distress with my flailing and flopping in the water. Besides, I probably better generate some energy for the Gasparilla Marathon on Sunday that I signed up for...

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