Panic. Learning. Panic. Learning. Flying. More Panic.

So to pick up where I left off with the last blog, I was not feeling the love from Mike and foot lady made me want to gag. When my swim pass was used up, I decided to just go to the community pool, which is conveniently located 3 blocks from my house. I figured doing laps from that point on (about 4 weeks ago) was my best plan to get endurance up.

When I started timing myself, I was doing a half mile in 27 minutes. That of course was having to stop, if only for a second, to turn around at the wall.

I got down to 25 minutes before I left for Michigan.

When I went to visit the Fam, I swam in the channel where my brother has a house. Since I wasn't sure what the distance was, I just swam for about a half hour. Definitely tiring.

But, it was good because I got the chance to experience the not being able to see the bottom thing. And the no lane line thing. I do backstroke a lot so I miss the lane lines. (I ran into boats twice. Thank goodness, they were parked!). I swim like a drunk. Lots of wasted energy. BAD!

This past Tuesday, while swimming, I pulled a muscle in my upper arm. It hurt. Panic.

I still swam on Thursday. My shoulder still hurt, but I took 2 minutes off my time. Learning.

I am admittedly scared sh**less about this swim. It is the thing that is the wildcard in this for me. I can bike 11 miles pretty easily. Running 3 miles is a small distance compared to the 26.2 I've done in the last 3 marathons. If I get out of the water in 30 minutes, I will consider that a win.

Especially since I got a cold in Michigan and despite all the witches brews and magic potions, I am still stuffy. I am also hockin' up loogies. Yum, huh?

So today I went to pick up my packet for the race. They had a very helpful seminar to go over the course and some seriously informative tips.

I learned a lot in those 40 minutes.

I learned that there is the cool stuff that is supposed to help you get out of the wetsuit. Its literally stuff you spray on and its supposed to be slippery. Body lube. I have visions of a being squirted out of the wetsuit like a banana squirting out of it's skin.

I learned that they suggest NOT doing the backstroke. The backstroke is what I have been using when I get tired, and it is by far my better stroke. Serious, SERIOUS PANIC!!!

I learned that there is something called the flying dismount off the bike.

I can guarantee I wont be doing that.

So my race number is 575.

My wave start is at 7:15am.

It is supposed to be really hot again tomorrow. If you are coming to see me finish, make sure you bring water, especially if you are bringing dogs.

Which brings me to this:

I know that some of you plan on coming to see me finish. As much as I appreciate you being there, I feel that traveling a great distance, to pay $10 to park, to bring the dogs in this heat, to only be there for 20 minutes is a bit crazy. If you plan on coming, I appreciate it. But I would like you to think if that is really the best use of your time.

This isn't coming out right. But I just want you all to know that I will not be upset if there is no one there to see me finish. It just seems like a lot of time and effort and money on gas and parking to spend to only be there for 20 minutes.

However if you do come, park at the Convention Center, which like I said is $10.

Sanya always asks me for pictures. Here is one of all the stuff I have to bring tomorrow.

Did I mention that I am panicking?

Be well everyone.

Peace out!