2500m

1000s
500p
300k
4x100 IM on 2:10
100s
200s

Total: 2500m 1hr

Pool was slightly busy today. I got in a lane with a 10-12 year old boy because he was doing flip-turns-always a good sign! I gained on him in my first 500m, but he held solid the last 500m. A 1000m swim and I didn't pass him once!! Impressive!!! His dad/coach was sitting on the side watching. Then they went over and worked on flip-turns!! Sweet! But where are the formal swim lessons in this country? I haven't seen anything like American Saturday AM swim lessons here! Oh, I forgot...they are probably at school during the summer. Most elementary schools have a pool and the homeroom teacher is responsible for teaching swimming. Wow!

Decided to try a set on the clock. Nothing crazy, but I managed to hold to it, even though I was getting really tired! Slowly but surely I'll work back up to a real workout!!

KMSC 2100m

Warm-up
500s/300k

Sets
2x200p
8x75s 4&8 fast
100s
2 flip turns

Cool Down
200s

Total: 2100m 1hr. 20min.

Whoa...I'm surprising myself here! Three times in one week-amazing! And I had an epiphany tonight. I got to practice and was warming-up...no coach...another 100m...no coach...shit, do I have a workout?...another 100m...still no coach! Damn...they're gonna ask me! And they did! Sure enough, everyone stopped and said, "please!" So, I decided against doing any drill sets and try to actually accumulate some meterage tonight! And then it hit me, coaching swimming is just like my role as an English teacher in Japan. The Japanese teacher/coach does the drills, gives the students the structure, the building blocks-over and over and over again! I come into class or jump in the pool, and I get to make them use it! My job is to create an environment where they can put their skills to use. Give them sets that are doable but a challenge! So tonight we did 1100m...we have been doing 500m tops!!

And just like with teaching English, at first I copied what the Japanese teacher/coach was doing. And now, I have seen the light and try to approach the classroom/pool with an entirely different methodology!

Note: I've just written a 20+pg. paper for my MA about syllabus and methodology...so it's on my mind! Maybe not such a huge epiphany, because I've heard it all before about the Japanese style of teaching and coaching. But today I actually realized it!!

2000m

600s
400p

200k

200 brst k no brd

100s

200IM drill

100s

100scull

100s

Total: 50 min 2000m

Wow...two days in a row! That's almost a record! My arms were a bit stiff after yesterday's swim, but felt great to get in the water AGAIN! And the pool wasn't too crowded...although, as I was walking onto the deck and began the lane scan, a kind woman told me she was finished and I could have her lane. It was a trick! I jumped in and started my 600s. For 500m, she stayed at the one end and ducked under water to watch my turns! She recruited the lady in the next lane to do the same. I could see them practicing turns from the other end, but by the time I made it down to their end...they were positioned and ready to watch me again! Oh my! Seriously, people...who does that??

And there was a guy doing sets...on an interval in the lane next to me! He even had a workout on the deck that he was refering to! And he was fast! And he was cute...blue speedo shorts, blue swim cap. Haven't seen him before! But I hope I see him again! I gotta get to the pool more often!

And in other sports news...Hakuho and Asashoryu are tied for first place in the Spring Sumo Tournament in Osaka! Tomorrow is the last day and I think it will come to a play-off between the two. My two favorite Mongolians....wow! I can't wait! Read more about the tournament at Sumo Talk.

For a 2min sumo comedy routine, check out this video (taken by me) on Youtube.com

Asashoryu after his win! I touched his right bicep as he walked by! And almost fainted!

Me and Iwakiyama in October at an exhibition tournament!

~2000m

After a few weeks...I got back in the pool. Felt good to stretch out and move in the water. Nothing strenuous. I didn't even bother to really count. Just swam.

I think it looked something like this:

500s
200brst
200k
400p
200s
200brst
100scull
200s

Turns out I didn't have German Measels...duh! I got the MMR vaccine when I was little! In the end...no answers! But feeling better and as soon as the paper is in (1 wk) I have big plans for the pool!

Total: 1 hr. ~2000m

Quarantine

Yikes, it has been almost 3 weeks since I last posted, but I've got good excuses! I swear!

I went snowboarding March 4th and got run over by San Tache on her board, so I skipped swim practice that following Monday because I was feeling bruised and it hurt to breathe. Luckily, I was just bruised, she actually cracked a rib!! Ouch! But the best part, I was filming it as it happened. You can view it on YouTube. It's rated PG-13 for inappropriate language, but make sure you have the volume turned up, it's pretty funny!!

Last week I skipped swim practice again because I'd spent the weekend in Tokyo and had felt kinda sick all weekend...mild fever, headache, backache, etc. But I just popped tylenol all weekend and I felt okay. So Monday I rested up and started in on my paper (DUE VERY SOON...I'm procrastinating). Tuesday I started feeling stiff all over...instant arthritis in my knees, feet, ankles, wrists?? Wow, it hurt!

And then Wednesday after school I headed to the doctor because my entire body was bright red, my joints really hurt and I had a fever...my teachers were concerned, and I was concerned. The doctor announced.....RUBELLA!! Or German Measles!

What?? Didn't I get a vaccination for that when I was little, and again before college? Could it really be rubella? Well, all the symptoms fit! So I stayed home Thursday and Friday. My joint pain is almost entirely gone as is the rash, but the mild fever still lingers. And my school called this morning to tell me I'm not allowed back at school until the blood test has been confirmed sometime Monday! Oh my!

But actually, it's a blessing in disguise! I'm stuck at home with nothing to do but finish this damn paper!

I'll be back in the pool in April!! I promise!