1200m

700s
300p
100k
100s

Total: 1200m 25min

Short and sweet. In and out. I had a study group I had to get to. Swam hard and fast, lapped the girl in a bikini doing leisurely breaststroke several times! Yes, she was in the fast lane! Patience....I must learn patience!

1200m

500s
300k
200brst
200s

Total: 1200m 30min

Frustration again today! I hadn't experienced 'general' swim before, but it was the most convenient time slot today. Essentially, it is the same as lap swim except they only keep one of the lap lanes in the pool! This creates an open water like atmosphere that makes it virtually impossible to kick without choking on waves of water! And those of us who opted to swim in the 'lap lane' were mostly swimming laps. But there was lots of resting at the wall, no flip-turns, and very little speed. The most irritating thing (today)...people who don't move to the sides of the lanes so others can do flip-turns, or at least do a touch turn. They were all lined up there (two lanes worth) without an inch of wall space. So I just kept swimming into the wall, did a touch turn between two people and pushed off....but someone else pushed off at the same time! Agh...who are these people?? Seriously, there should be a class in lap swimming etiquette. I think San Tache and I need to teach it! Maybe even write a book on it!

August 2007-December 2007 Interim

After leaving Japan and the Kurobe Masters team I wasn't totally lazy for 5 months. I tried to stay active while I was traveling, although I had days of just sitting on trains, buses or in jeeps. When I wasn't sitting around I did some pretty cool things, (I must admit):


Great Baikal Trail: camping and trail building in Siberia near Lake Baikal for two weeks, hiked 3-5km into camp with LOTS of gear: tents, sleeping bag, tools and food! Built a bridge and 67m of NEW trail.

Leo Hostel "Secret" Great Wall Tour: hiked 2-3 hours up to and around the great wall in an area that has NOT been rebuilt. It was a tough trail and you really had to watch your step! But beautiful views!

Annapurna Circuit: trekked 18 days around the Annapurna Mtn. range in Nepal. It was about 300km and took us from about 800m to 5416m over the Thoroung La pass.

Annapurna Base Camp: trekked 7 days up to Annapurna and Machupuchre Base Camp and back.

Rafting & Canyoning at The Last Resort: 2 fabulous days of white water on the Bhote Kosi in Nepal. The second day was much more intense and unfortunately my mom fell out! We also tried canyoning which was lots of fun!!

Triund Trek: while staying in Dharamsala, India I did a lot of walking EVERYDAY. But one Saturday a student and I walked up to Triund, about 18km in 6 hours.

Lazy Swimming: and I did a few laps of luxury at Ideal Beach Resort in Mahabalipuram! Oh, I love that place!!

And now I'm walking all over campus in the UK! An exciting life continues in another country!

1500m

Two days in a row--I surprise even myself! My motivation is three-fold: 1) stay in shape 2) get back into swimming shape and 3) make the most of my year-long membership in 4 months! I paid about $160US for a year. So right now, I've spent $40 per swim! I hope to get that down to $3 per swim! That would mean getting to the pool at least 3x a week! So, that's my minimum goal...purely financial! Ha ha ha...gotta make the most of it!

Today felt good. I was swimming faster than the last few days. I'm sure my lane-mates didn't appreciate me passing them, but you gotta do what you gotta do. I don't have much sympathy for people who can't do continuous laps and swim in the fast lane! I wish there was a sign stating requirements for swimming in the fast lane. Some pools have that, but not this one!

3x400 s/p/p
200IM drill
100s

Total: 1500m 40 min

1300m

On Tuesday's I don't have any lectures, which is great cause it gives me lots of time to read and get to the pool (in theory). But it's hard to stay motivated to get up and get to campus when there is nothing that I HAVE TO DO. I managed to make it to campus by about 10 this morning. I read for two hours and then went to the pool. Even though the lap swim hours are limited, it wasn't too crowded today. Agh, but I forgot my flip-flops and that always really grosses me out.

400s
300p
300k
200s
100s

Total: 1300m 30min

Slowly, slowly I'm trying to develop a routine and get back into swimming!

1150m

Thursday and Friday's schedule prevented me from getting to the pool for lap swim between 12-2. But I got up dragged myself out of bed and walked 30 min in the cold and light drizzle to get in a few laps this morning. I was sore for about 2-3 days after my 500m on Wednesday--eeps! So, I'm taking it slow and stretching it out, warming up the muscles and not doing any too strenuous.

I bumped myself up to the fast lane again after 50m in the medium lane. Exciting news--there were three beefy ladies actually swimming in the fast lane! And they were considerate and knew passing rules! It was refreshing after the Japanese model--push off the lane just as a swimmer is coming into the wall! I think there are some serious swimmers, triatheletes, and club swimmers here despite the delapitaded looking facilities.

3x300 s/k/p
100brst
100s
50scull

Total: 1150m 30 min.

Back in the pool

I'm back in the water! Yahoo! I'm settling into my new home for the next four months--Birmingham, England. I've bought my 1-year membership to the University of Birmingham pool ($160US) because it was the best option. And now I have no excuse other than my very demanding studies (ha ha ha). So, I hope to be in the pool at least 3x a week! Today I went to check it out. I just did a quick 500m to stretch out after 6 months!! Luckily they do have a fast lane at this pool. And most of the swimmers in the fast lane belong there. However, even though they could have 6 lanes, they only have 3--annoying, but I guess it accommodates more people. I'm not sure why, but they swim clockwise, not counter-clockwise in the fast lane. It was messing up my flip turns! Not to mention the fact that you have to push off the wall diagonally anyway to get to the other side of the lane cause it's so frickin' big. And the pool smelled like men's cologne. What's up with that? I hope it's not a new type of chlorine. I'm so judgemental! I should just be happy with having access to a pool after such a long time. And I am! But it isn't the big 8-lane pool with super huge bright windows and heated floors that I was used to in Japan! Oh well...it's a pool with water! I'm in again! Hurray!

Good-bye KMSC

Monday was a holiday here....a much needed three day weekend! A super busy weekend with puppet shows and concerts, good-bye dinners and lunches, and a trip to Kanazawa. And plus the excitement of a big earthquake only 200km away. The swim team usually practices Monday night but the pool was closed so I suggested to some of the ladies that we get together for some food and dinner! And of course it turned into much more. They picked up both San Tache and I 30 minutes earlier than expected and we went to Majorca, a Mediterranean restaurant in the next town over. It was super delicious--salads, pasta, paella, wine, dessert and coffee! Plus I got a few gifts--goggles, a cap, towel, and keyboard keychain! Super cute and useful!! The conversation was a bit forced at first but after the first bottle of wine everyone started having a good time. Unfortunately we drank two more and the next day I thought I was going to puke during my good-bye speech in front of 300 elementary school kids. But I made it through!! Here are some pics from the evening. They are a crazy group...I'll miss my Monday nights!!

KMSC 1700m

400s
200p
200k
100p
100k
100s
100k
8x50k
8xstarts

Total: ~1700 100min.

Today was it-last day! I brought Ferrero chocolates and left them on the sign-in desk with a little 'thank you' note for everyone. It was a pretty easy good-bye compared to others earlier in the day. I made plans with two of the women to go out drinking--finally!! There were a few requests for good-bye hugs and kisses by older men that I politely declined. The women commented on how thin I've become, not sure if they are making conversation or maybe the stress is starting to add up!

During the starts practice I finally got some help--they noticed my all time biggest problem. When I do a start I sit down, stand up and then jump. It's so slow and it's something I've always done. I just can't break the habit! But I think I figured it out. I am too flexible, so I don't start in a low enough seated position. I start with my legs too straight and not bent enough. I need to start with my knees more bent. And I don't look up, I just go. I have absolutely NO IDEA how I get from the block to the water. It's like a black out for that split second. I have no idea where my arms go or how my body enters the water. The masters swimmers say it looks 'beautiful' but I have no idea...I can't feel it!

Biking Around Town

Went for two short rides this weekend! Felt nice to get out and about...went down to the ocean one day and went to the river one day!

Total: 25-30km

KMSC 1950m

300s/200p/200k/300p/100s

11x50 pull/kick/combi/dash(x2)+ez(x3)

10x25 starts

50s

Total: 1950m 1hr. 30min.

No coach again today, but not many swimmers either. July is "start" practice, so I think attendance is down. Anyway, we had 15 minutes to swim after everyone finished their warm-up before we practiced our starts. So I suggested the 50s. I think everyone in the lane finished.

I hate practicing starts because I feel totally incompetent. I need to go to a week-long start clinic, a one-on-one start clinic with a really friendly and very patient coach. Today after I did about 6, I was given the whistle! Hurray! Wow...they trusted me with the whistle! A few people came up and had to correct my style...but I got it down by the end. A few others were given 'whistle' privileges and really screwed them up. We were almost peeing our suits on the deck! A few swimmers almost fell off the blocks in hysterics because the whistle call was so off!! After the official practice was over, I stayed and watched more people do their starts. It's really amazing how people have such different styles for the same basic function...jump off a block and dive into the water.

I think next week might be my last practice! Sad!

Another ridiculous run

I went again today. Why?? I got up, and went running. It was short, it was slow...but I was running.

I'm scaring myself.

A Quick Run

No time for the pool, and too much stuff to carry to and from school to be biking. So after school I was feeling wild and crazy and went for a 25 minute walk/run. Seriously...what has gotten into me?

Then I went and ate a massive Nepalese meal complete with a huge naan and rice! Yum!!

1200m

400s/200k/300p/200s/100s

Just a quick dip before the pool closed. Half the Masters team was there swimming, or actually just talking.

Can't go to practice tomorrow. I'll try to get to the pool again later this week!

Total: 1200m 40min.

Mt. Oitsurushiyama

Chica and I climbed Mt. Oitsurushiyama again today! I was doubtful about the climb because it's been pouring the last two days, but this morning was dry! The trail was a little wet and slippery, but it wasn't raining!!

It's just 10am and I've already gone for a three hour hike, showered and eaten! Yatta!! Of course it meant that I got up at 4:45! But anyway, now I have the whole day ahead of me! And it's gonna be a long one. Two good-bye meals to attend!

Total: 3 hours 5.2km

A Rainy Run

I felt drugged when I got home from school today--so tired I could barely stand up straight. I had to lay down for 10 minutes before I went to go tutor. And then I was planning to go to the pool, but was still exhausted so I came back home and laid down for about 45 minutes. I popped up and decided to eat dinner but still felt so drugged so I decided to go for a walk/run. Strange, I know, but I just felt like I needed to get my blood moving. I walked about 10 minutes, ran about 10 minutes and then walked another 5 minutes. It felt good to be out and moving, but still exhausted. Although I feel better now.

It wasn't raining when I left the house, but by the time I got home it was pouring. It was nice to be out in the rain.

Not sure if I'll have to run in the relay marathon on July 6th, but it's a possibility. So I should get a few more runs in before that.

Cleaning Time

Packed up and ready to go home, I noticed all the teachers had just changed into their 'sports wear'. I asked the English teacher that sits next to me what everyone was doing today. She said the school was going to go volunteer cleaning the underground walkway/subway that allow students to cross the busy streets and avoid all the traffic. Ehh...nobody told me. But it was after 4:15 and I only had work clothes so I said 'next time ne' and walked out the door. But it just so happened that I met up with students and a few teachers as they were walking to the cleaning site. And it was my favorite teacher...my crush! So, how could I not help!?! I rolled up my pants, threw down my bike and bag and grabbed an extra broom. Thirty minutes later everyone was sweating and exhausted! But it was fun, I miss doing labor activities. Not exactly a workout, but since the pool was closed....this is about all I'm gonna get in today!

KMSC 2450m

300s/300p/300k/150s

200IM k
200IM p
200IM drill
6x100 IM
50ez
6x25 2nd 25 FAST, all others EZ

Total: 2450m 1hr. 20 min.

I was seriously debating going to practice tonight. But I checked my horoscope and it said I shouldn't cancel any plans because people are expecting me. So I went. Maybe it's a lame way to make a decision, but it got me to the pool. I told myself I would resist any attempts to ask me to 'coach' tonight. I was in a bad bad mood and didn't want to do anything but swim. After the warm-ups and everyone started gathering at the end of the lane...they started asking. I told them I wasn't feeling well and didn't want to tonight. That only lasted for a few minutes. They tried cajole a few other swimmers with no luck so they came back to me. Agh! I said again I wasn't in the mood and I had a bad day so therefore I'd be really strict tonight. Could they handle it? They didn't seem concerned.

So we started with the 200's. Not bad, but of course nobody could swim them without stopping because there are too many people and too many slow people in the lane. I was lucky if I could swim a full 25. Sometimes I ended up sculling just so I wasn't passing people. Nobody passes people here at swim practice!

Then I announced the 6x100 IM set. Everyone groaned and laughed and said 'impossible'. And apparently it was for almost everyone. Only two of us actually finished it. All the women gave up after the 1st one and decided they would do every other 100. And one guy disappeared to use the bathroom. And another guy just disappeared. I warned them. When the women weren't swimming they were standing at the end of the lane cheering us on. Ha ha ha. Nothing like swimming with your cheerleaders in the water with you.

Anyway, after everyone finished, we did a small little 25 set for the last five minutes. And I announced that if you completed the workout it was 1400m. I'm not sure anyone has swam that much before at practice, but of course only the new kid in his 20s finished it with me. But everyone was saying 'tanoshikata.' Whatever! I think they'll be glad to see me go next month!.

Nothing like taking out a bad day on a group of innocent middle-aged masters swimmers!

~1000m with Erika

500s
25s
100s

Total: ~100m 70min.

Two years ago, when I first arrived in Japan, I had told my welcome host family how much I loved swimming. That fall my host mom introduced me to the local pool. Unfortunately, it was a therapy pool and far too warm and too small to do serious lap swimming. As I was attempting laps, I met an elementary school student swimming with her grandmother. We started chatting and through gestures, my inadequate Japanese and her elementary English, we had an impromptu swimming lesson. She was already a good swimmer, so we worked on pushing off the wall and doing flip-turns. It was a great opportunity for both of us. She got a mini-swim lesson with a foreigner, and I received a lesson on how easy it is to become immersed in a new community.

Two years later, that same girl who fumbled over flip-turns while I fumbled over Japanese, was sitting in front of me waiting for an answer. I smiled, pointed to my head, and said, “Yes, of course I remember.” Her eyes were twinkling. We talked about that day, about whether she still swims at that pool, and about her good memory. It was soon evident that her speaking test, a measure of her English knowledge, had become a real communicative experience without the focus on grammar and the ‘right’ answer. We were connecting and she was passing with flying colors. She had communicated and had done it in fluent English. It was not perfect English, but it was fluent! She was motivated to say what she knew without any preparation or prompting. A connection -- inspiring real communication -- is far more meaningful than correct or ‘perfect’ answers on a speaking test.

As she was leaving I said, “Let’s go swimming again.” She turned and beamed as she "Yes".

Today we went swimming together!

Mt. Oitsurushiyama

Today Chica-san and I climbed Mt. Oitsurushiyama in Nyuzen. It is 6km roundtrip and about 3 hours, 90 minutes up and 90 minutes down. It is a super step trail and there is rope along many sections of it to help you get up and down. It was lightly raining for part of the hike, but at the top it was clear and dry. We might try to do it a few more times before the end of July to help get me ready for the big one this fall.

At the top of the mountain, less than 1000m!

We saw monkeys at the bottom!!

After the hike, Chica and I stopped at her farming patch and picked strawberries! So delicious!