Swim Time

So there I was switching gyms to one that has a pool and one that my friend goes to.  I need a partner in crime (PIC) to break into the swimming world.  For those of you in it I'm sure it seems second nature to you. Kind of like me on a golf course I do not have to think about when to pull the pin when to talk or not talk, or make sure I am not walking in someone's line when then are going to putt.  All of those things I had to learn but I don't even have to think about any more.  So back to the swimming.  First I had to get a suit, it turns out you can not swim in your 3 year old tankini it just does not work.  You may have a Janet Jackson moment it the pool, and last time I checked the pool is a family friendly establishment and there is no room for wardrobe malfunctions.  Trying on swimsuits, not fun if you were wondering. I tried no less then 8 on (there were only 12 on the rack).  I had high hopes of getting my favorite color, red and looking fast in my new suit.  Well that did not happen I ended up with a bright blue suit with Seahawks green and white seams.  So I went from speed racer, to I think I am wearing the same suit my 5 year old niece wears.  But it fit, and I loved swimming in it so I do not care one bit... ish.
So now we have arrived at the pool and right from the locker room I was nervous, asking my partner in crime, if I wear flips out on the deck, if I bring my towel, if it is okay to pee in the pool (turns out that is never okay).
She walked me through every step.
1. Shower before you do anything else.
2. find an open lane. Now this was tricky because there was no open lane so she said we might have to share a lane with someone.....Excuse me did you just say share??? I am not even sure I know how to swim and now I have to know how to go in a straight line and not run over anyone or drown??? Seems a bit sketchy to me. We however were lucky and the person in one of our lanes mover over.  Now I only have to worry about my self and my PIC.
3. Dunk completely under water and put on your swim cap (not an easy task!!  I think that I damn near gave myself a black eye trying to get that thing on my head).  They say to put your hands on the inside of it the stretch outward... Well my fingers/hands did not have the strength to open it that way so I tried my own method.  Put it on your forehead and pull back slowly.  This is where the slapping in the face portion of the program began.  I would but it on around my nose and try and pull back well it snapped me in the eyes twice so then I went from back to front nope not that way it snapped me in the nose.  after some more tries I got my swim camp on.  Not sure how I even did it I just know I will not be taking if off for any part of the swim.
4. Put on goggles and now it is time to swim.

The swimming went pretty well, but after the first 100m I decided that I was not going to do this 70.3 I mean my arms were burning and I still had a ways to go.  But with some encouragement from my PIC I powered through and got in a rhythm.  I had to take breaks but I did end up doing a half mile.  By the end of this whole swim adventure I was loving it and can't wait to try it again.  We did have a short debrief session after we swam because I was not sure how to share a lane or ask how to do so.  My PIC gave me some solid advice just wait to make eye contact with the person swimming and if you have to wait a while so be it DON'T JUST JUMP IN.  When you have made eye contact ask them when they reach your side of the pool if you can share a lane.  She informed me most everyone says yes.  Not so sure I am up for lane sharing yet because I am so slow but hey you have to start somewhere. I also learned there is no shame in the pool you are prob not going to find a date wearing a swimsuit, cap and goggles, you have to get over that real quick or just go home and find another sport.  Until my next adventure.
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Thanks PIC you were a HUGE help.