Swimming with Sight...Hallelujah

Tonight was my first night back at the swim club since November 14th. I saw my good buddy John for the first time in a long time. We're doing Ironman Louisville together.

I met John in September at swim club, we got to talking, and he was the person who was the proverbial "straw that broke the camels back" and got me motivated to register for Louisville. (Hey John it was good to see ya again... finally!!!).

Typically I've always dreaded going to the swim club. I don't mind swimming freestyle for a long time where I can get into a zen like state. But club swimming is constant drills and not relaxed or easy.

A major problem is that I can't see very well when I swim because I don't wear contacts or have prescription goggles. This makes it difficult for me to look at the chalk board to see what drill is next or where the hands on the swim clock are positioned to start drills.

Well all that changed tonight! I went to the swim store today to buy new goggles because my old pair broke.

The girl at the shop wanted to know if I needed prescription goggles and initially I said no because I thought they would cost way to much. But then she showed me prescription ready goggles from Speedo for only $21 and I bought them right away.

I wore them tonight for the first time and couldn't believe the difference they made. Instead of the pool looking hazy, forcing me to squint all the time just to see 4 feet in front of me, I could see the entire pool area clearly. It seemed like a fog was lifted. I could see the light!

I was no longer frustrated that I couldn't see the chalk board and the next drill. Now I was able to do the drill without the pressure of having to try to memorize the entire nights set of drills. I was in heaven! As a matter of fact, tonight was the best club swim I ever attended. It's amazing what difference a pair of goggles can make!

Also, for being out of the pool for so long, I swam well. My aerobic conditioning was great, I was still able to keep up with the others in my regular lane, the only thing bothering me slightly was my wrist and hand from the sprain I got playing hockey, which now that I'm finished "blogging in" I'm going to go ice up.