Flotsam and Jetsam

Summer Season

It is already hot and sticky in H-town. In these conditions, sometimes the only thing to motivate me outside instead of staying on the treadmill is . . . dare I say it . . . the scenery. There is nothing quite so fetching as runner chicks in sports bras with bare midriffs and pony tails haulin' a** in a pair of Nikes.

There, I said it. I'm a bad person, but I bet I'm not the only runner admiring the view.

How Not To Die: Some Observations To Quell The Panic

1. I swam 4x500 in the pool this morning with almost no effort. I am, therefore, beyond a shadow of a doubt, physically capable of swimming 1x500 in the lake this weekend. I will not drown.

2. In the pool, I can "rest" with my head down simply by slowing my stroke and rotating for a good long breath. Lifting my head stops momentum, causes my feet to sink, and wastes energy. I will, therefore, beyond a shadow of a doubt, rest with my head down during the race rather than dog paddling like a wus in search of a kayak.

3. In the pool, I practiced switching from 18 strokes freestyle, two breastroke to check my course, and back to freestyle. It is effortless. I will, therefore, beyond a shadow of a doubt, perform this maneuver successfully in the race, swim on course, and arrive at T1 fresh for the bike.

4. Carmen awaits in T1. 'Nuff said.