USMS Winter Fitness Challenge 30-Minute Swim
When I saw the Smarty Pants Vitamins 2018 USMS Winter Fitness Challenge 30-Minute Swim challenge, I got excited. I had to sign up.
I knew the money would go for a good cause, proceeds for this event went to the USMS swimming Saves Lives Foundation, which granted nearly $430,000 since ’12 to programs across the US offering adult learn-to-swim programs. According to USMS, 1/3 of all adults can’t swim the length of a pool and they wanted to make a change.
The challenge was from February 15 to the 28. I went on February 15 to Lifetime Fitness in Garden City. I recently joined the club and figured, if I could get a single lane, why not just go for it?
When I got into the Pool…
I got to the pool at 8:30 am, however, once I unloaded all of my gear, I realized I forgot my goggles. So, I had to go back to the locker room, get dressed and run outside to my car. Thankfully, I had a spare pair in the car.
I ran back inside, took off my clothes again and headed to the pool. I was determined. I had a short 2 mile run after the pool so I needed to get it done and get down to the park quickly.
The clock had 8 minutes on it. I jumped in and started to swim. I felt slow. I didn’t care. I knew I would be swimming a long time and didn’t want to tire myself out.
I swam at a steady pace. The time seemed to fly by. Thoughts about work, my dad, my family, the tri team, all circled in my head as I swam back and forth and back and forth. At one point, I felt as if I were a fish in a small tank, going back and forth, back and forth.
Eight minutes turned into 18 minutes, which turned into 28 minutes and I only had a 10 minutes left. This is going so easy, I thought. I could really do this all day!
The funny thing about this swim was, I didn’t know if I could swim for 30 minutes straight without stopping. But I did. It was easy. I’m glad I did it and I look forward to the next challenge!