What in the world could 'Bewitched' have to do with reporter Paul Tenorio's swim practice this morning? I don't know, but I wish I could do my laundry with a flick of the wrist...
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It’s very difficult in my life to make me feel old. I work at a newspaper where I am the young one — and treated thusly. I’m often picking up tabs (when need be), or otherwise being ‘hazed,’ made fun of, or in some way brought into the group by means of letting me know that I am the newbie.
In my group of friends, I’m among the youngest. I have one friend who shares a birthday with me. Other than that, I am at minimum a couple months younger than everyone and usually about a year or so. I was young for my grade, what can I say?
That’s my day-to-day life.
So you’ll forgive me if I had to chuckle to myself this morning when I was made to feel old as we went through a brutal set of wall-sits to start practice off. Coach Jeff King decided to give us T.V. trivia to “pass the time” and to “entertain us.” Yes, that’s what we all wanted at that time…not, “Okay guys, that’s enough.” No, we wanted to hear, “Other than Jed, can you name any characters from the Beverly Hillbillies.
I was told I was not allowed to take part in that portion of the trivia.
When I was finally allowed back into the trivia game, I proceeded to dominate.
What show featured an actress that was a genie? Well, I believe Jill King rang in with the obvious answer before I had a chance.
What show featured actress/former radio actress Agnes Moorehead as a famous mother-in-law? Me: Bewitched. Ding ding ding.
At that point I pointed out that two actors famously filled the role of Darrin in that show. True, Jeff said, then went with a follow up question:
Which show, like Bewitched, famously featured two characters as the husband/fathers? Me: Brady Bunch. Ding ding ding.
At this point Alina Hall asked out loud: “What’s up with you are you like a T.V. nerd?” Or something to that effect.
“No,” someone quickly added. “He’s old.”
Ha, this is where I had to laugh to myself…and then immediately do something that made sure it was clear Jeff was the old one, not me. I’m only 24 for goodness sakes.
Alina then attempted to stump everyone, mostly Jeff.
“Which sitcom featured two actresses as the mother?” she asked.
Jeff, after some hints, offered up, “I have no idea.”
Me: “Fresh Prince of Bel Air.”
Ding ding ding.
So I won morning trivia. As glorious as that was, it was then time to actually get to work.
I think the most frustrating thing I’ve thought about since the weekend is how much slower I am in the 100 than I should be. I did the math on the blog yesterday and I just can’t get over the fact that I’m about five seconds behind what’s normal.
If that’s not motivation, I don’t know what is.
The great thing is, from Day One to Day 114 I’m always learning. Today was no different.
Jeff forced me to go to bi-lateral breathing on my second set of 400-300-200-100 swim, 8 25s kick. The purpose, I learned later, was to force me to actually swim the stroke by rotating through my hips instead of basically leaning hard to one side because I was constantly breathing that way.
After I finished the sets, I also worked on trying to decrease the air bubbles that came off my hands, and in that I was really forced to make sure the rotation was coming off my hips and not in my arm movement — which when slashing causes all that air to get in there instead of pulling through all that water.
I think I need to be much stronger in my core, I need to be flexing the abs and core when I swim and I need to focus on bi-lateral breathing. If I do, my stroke will only improve and so, too, will my time.
I also feel like swimming the 100 twice now has really opened my eyes. The first time I swam it (in October) I went out too fast and died on the way home. The second time I was just not timing my pace right and was worried about dying at the end.
Now my focus will be on getting my pace down to where I need it to be to hit that 58 mark — which is where I should be.
Matt from Bethesda also pointed something out about my turn (thanks for always reading!) Absolutely I need to be better in the streamline and I also noticed that I was coming up too quickly. It’s been a focus of mine recently and will continue to be. If I can get better on the walls that’s HUGE in a 100 race.
I’ll be putting the work in, I can promise that. No matter how tired I am or how grumpy I might be at the start of practice, I always walk away feeling good and strong and like I accomplished something. I’m going to make sure that continues all the way to the Turkey Claus in December.
Washington Post reporter Paul Tenorio will train with a swim club over the next few months and chronicle his journey as he attempts to transform from regular guy/sports reporter to competitive swimmer — everything from his waistline to his best times.
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