It’s fantastic to be back in the water after being out for a month due to illness. In fact, during the past two practices I swam, “Who cares! I’m in the water!” carried me through the workouts.
But knowing myself like I do, I’m sure the panick-y “I’m deconditioned!!!” thoughts are going to surface real soon.
Over the past weekend, I specifically avoided leading a lane or even looking at the clock (I just counted to five in my head before pushing off behind the swimmer ahead of me, or went when I felt ready while on my own Sunday) because I don’t want to get discouraged about intervals and repeat times yet.
Rationally, I know that since I was out for a month (and it wasn’t like I was on vacation, resting!), it’s going to take at least a month, if not more, to get back to pre-virus level.
Emotions, of course, are an entirely different thing! Honestly, I don’t do well with feeling out of shape, being super tired before I’m even half-way through the first main set of the day, and feeling exiled from my normal lanes/intervals until I am back up to snuff.
I know, I know, “suck it up.” I have bounced back well before, I can do it again.
Yes, maybe I’m a slower learner on this point. But at least I’m starting to understand that my true battle is more with my mind than body. For example, after many, many, many years of disregard, now I totally have the “listen to and obey” the body thing down pat: “Oh hey, my body is saying 3,500 LCM is enough for today, time to get out!”
Next up for sure? Figuring out how to re-program my brain to play only happy, positive messages as my body does what it needs to do while rebuilding…
Until next time,
Rebecca, swim evangelist