Panic Setting In

So I'm sick again.... haven't worked out since last Thursday. Bronchial thing. Rule of thumb says if you are sick from the neck up, it's ok to workout. If you are sick below the neck, don't do it. So ....

But here's the thing. First race is a little more than a month away. I am no where near ready for it. It's been a tough winter. I've been sick twice and we've had so much snow, freezing temps and general bad weather that training has been challenging.

I am starting to be concerned about even finishing the race. Is this realistic or am I just going through my pre-season jitters? There is still time but with each day off, I fear my muscles are losing their memory.

I am going to give myself a few more days of healing and try not to panic. I won't freak out until, oh.... March 1.

Enough of That

So I can't say that I didn't try (tri)... ha ha. No pun intended. If you've been following, you know I have a shoulder problem and my swim coach suggested a new stroke. I gave it a good 2 weeks of effort and it didn't make my shoulder any better. But it did slow me down.
So you know what? I'm going back to my old stroke. It was a good try but enough of that!
I think I have to resign myself to the fact that my shoulder will hurt. I am a competitive (very competitive) athlete and my body is going to hurt from time to time. So what?
When I consider why I am racing and who I am racing for and what women in treatment are going through, my shoulder pain is nothing. There is a greater purpose and it isn't about me and my ailments.
I am strong. My body is healthy (for the most part) and I race for women who can't and for women yet to be diagnosed.
Please pardon the cathartic pep talk... I needed it.

A Big Thank You

The donations are rolling in and I am so thrilled. A big thank you to all those who jumped at the chance to help. And an advance thank you to those who are still planning on donating and/or forwarding my link along to others. I started sending my donation emails this week and the response has been very positive.
I know times are tough and I know we are not out of the recession but guess what?... Cancer doesn't care about the recession. It never takes a holiday. This year's fundraising is more important than ever as we have never been this close to finding the method of early detection. The excitement is palpable.
Anyway, if you are reading this, I am preaching to the choir. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for your support of this important cause.

A New Swim Stroke

I have a shoulder "issue". I hate to call it a shoulder problem but I have been told my two surgeons that surgery is imminent. That's all I want to say about that. However, in an effort to avoid the inevitable, I asked my swim coach for some tips. And you know what he did? He changed my stroke. I don't know why I am surprised. Did I actually think he would say, "You're perfect. Don't change a thing"?.... NOT. So now I feel like a brand new swimmer; a fish out of water so to speak. Less than 8 weeks before my first race of the season and I am learning to swim all over again.
After last week's practice, the coach asked me how my shoulder was doing. I told him (in a grumpy voice) that it was fine but that I was slow now. He laughed and gave me the old cliche about slow and steady winning the race. UGH!
So it begs the question. Is it better to be in pain and swim fast or is it better to be more comfortable and swim slow? I don't have the answer yet. I am pondering.