Last night I did the legs and back workout. It was a tough workout, just like all the rest of them. This morning, however, I felt the workout in an area that I really wasn’t expecting. I have just one question. Mr. Tony Horton, what have you done to my butt?
I could barely sit down today. When I did, I struggled to stand up. Ouchy! I muddled through the day, but man, that was unexpected!
I then went for a swim tonight. I realized the last few times that I have been in the pool that I think I am getting winded because I am not fully exhaling underwater. That is an issue because, if you don’t get all the air out, you can’t get enough fresh air in your lungs to help fuel your muscles. Before long you are gasping for air. So, tonight, I threw my form to the wind and focused exclusively on breathing. I let my body do what it wanted, and just made sure to exhale out and get a good breath in. I also focused on turning my head just enough. I tried to make sure that I always left one goggle in the water. Guess what happened? Before I knew it I was at the other side of the pool and headed back. I was trucking along like a well oiled machine. Breathing like I was on dry land! I finished the first lap, finished the second lap, and before I knew it I had finished 5 laps. I didn’t time myself, but I’m pretty sure I was really trucking along!
I do have to make a slight disclaimer here. When I say I go straight through, that isn’t exactly true. I do cling to the edge of the pool, and take a few breaths, maybe 5 seconds worth, before heading back. However, compared to my previous 30-60 seconds of standing stop, this is close enough for me to consider a non-stop lap. Even with those pauses I am doing sub 1 minute laps. I think that is fabulous, especially if I can get to the point where I am doing all of them like that. I could get my 9 laps in 9 minutes which is my goal!!
All in all I’m proud of my progress. I am hoping to continue concentrating on breathing until it becomes rote, and then go back to working on my form.