100 x 100s

It's my favorite workout of the year! 10,000 yards of 100-yard repeats -- it's kindof my specialty. I usually get stronger as the workout goes on, and really try to blast the last 10 100s or so.

But I missed it this year. I have a cold.

The first symptoms hit as last weekend was winding down. I'm pretty sure my immune system had been compromised by the ordeal of getting through the lifeguard class (hours of shivering in cold water) and by the mental strain of dealing with cold and ugly weather. I was tired and uncomfortable for an entire week, and apparently that was enough to let the virus get a toe in the door.

The progression was predictable from Sunday night through Wednesday. It starts with slightly raw sinus feelings that make you wonder if it's on the way, followed by full nasal distress, and finally the lungs are full of silly putty that has to be coughed out with increasingly violent involuntary chest spasms. Not much fun in Stalingrad.

The good news is that it wasn't the flu. I had some minor brain aches along the way, but no fever, chills, or stomach problems. I was able to continue functioning, though at a scaled-back level. By Saturday, I felt good enough to sit on the spin bike for a bit, and then go to swim practice.

I felt good in the water, and left the pool feeling that the 100 x 100s workout would be no problem. I finished the day with my normal tradition of watching "Sci-Fi Saturday on MeTV (including "The Squire of Gothos"), and went to bed.

Apparently, being supine throughout the night had loosened up the silly putty...and when I attempted to swim on Sunday morning, I could do nothing other than cough. It is quite difficult to hold an interval when you can't draw a breath without hacking up hairballs. I gave up.

I stuck around to watch some of the other swimmers finish, and then made my way to the swim team party. It was a fabulous party, and even included birthday cake! I won't bore you with details, but I will say that it was a good example of why being on the Foothills Masters Swim Team is such a delightful and fulfilling experience.

Despite my lingering cold, though, it's definitely time to start thinking about getting 2015 into high gear. I hope to focus much more on training over the next few months. This dreary weather can't last forever; I want to start spending more time outside -- doing stuff!

First, though, I need more rest...so my immune system can do its thing. And maybe I'll still be able to do a hundred hundreds at some point before the month is out. We'll see.

In the meantime, thanks to everyone who did participate in the swim or the party this weekend. You are all awesome, and you inspire me. Thanks, and have a great day!