Is this a big bang???

I'm trying to make the best of these recovery days. I've forced myself not to train since Sunday. At times it hasn't been easy, but I'm committed to getting physically and mentally healthy before IMSG.

I had a slight breakthrough last night. I had a very optimistic dream. I don't remember much, except that I was back "on top of the world" regarding racing. Instead of second guessing myself, I felt confident like I did "pre-China". I took that as a "good omen".

Tommorrow, I'm going to start training again and I'm looking forward to it. If it's warm out, I plan on doing a mid-week long bike. Even though I've got a few days of rest, I have been busy work wise. A lot of little things that needed to be cleaned up.

I also accomplished other major task. I found a swim club for Reid.

Last week, I was talking with Reid and he was "busting my chops" that he wants to get a "muscle car". He's 13 years old and can't drive for another 3 years, but he's hooked on getting an old muscle car. Once he sets his mind to something, he becomes "obsessed" until he does it.

Reid is also motivated by a "carrot". I think I had a couple beers and made a bet with him. I told him. "if you joined a swim club and worked out at least 5 days a week, for 3 months, without missing a workout, I'd give you $1000".

I didn't even think he'd consider taking the bet. After all, to put it mildly, he's a little "chubby" compared to most swimmers. He's 5'4" and 192 lbs. For someone his size, joining a swim club would be a gruelling workout and he may be "made fun of" by the other kids because of his size or lack of abilities.

However, I think swimming would be great for him. Under all that "flubber" is a sculptured body. I've seen it. When he was a little kid, he was ripped with muscle. As a matter of fact, the neighbors used to laugh because they would see this 5 year old kid jogging down the street with Alyssa or by himself.

When I was a fatty myself, I'd still try to run every once an awhile. I guess he picked up on it. It wouldn't be unusual for him to just get up, without saying a word, put on his shoes and run to the end of the street and back. It was about a mile long and he'd even do it in the winter.

I've also seen Reid swim. I think he's a natural and that's just not "his father" talking. Two years ago, he was keeping up with me while I did freestyle and he could even do the butterfly. Aside from a very strong upper body, he has huge, flat feet, "like a seal".

At first I didn't think he was serious. I thought it was just one of those weekend bets that was more of a joke than real. Since then, every day, he has been asking me if I have found a swim club yet?

Finding a club is a lot harder than it sounds. I found 3 clubs and all of them were not accepting new kids, or their wait list was full or they weren't starting up until September. With his constant "hounding", I was determined to find one today.

I called a couple of swim stores to see if they knew of any other clubs. I hit jackpot. One person I spoke to told me about the Dolphins Swim Club in our area.

I emailed the club and the coach called me back immediately and I told him about Reid's lack of ability and that he's a little "heavy". The coach mentioned something about having "baby fat" wasn't a problem. I kind of laughed to myself, "I think he might have more than baby fat, but maybe that's what they consider baby fat nowadays".

He didn't think that was a problem and we scheduled a tryout for next week to see what group he needs to swim with. The bottom line is that he'll be swimming 2-3 times a week and doing dry-land training 3 times a week. The dry-land includes weekly treadmill fitness tests and lots of pulleys.

This club is COMPETITIVE. Apparently, the swimmers they turnout are the best in the province and the country. They are all about results. The coach says the don't explain much about their schedule or training programs on the website because they want to keep it secret. I love it. It also sounds HARD and could be "torturous", which is good, I want to get my $1000 worth.

When I got home, I told Reid about my conversation with the coach and mentioned the word "Dry-land". I figured once he heard that word, he was going to call the bet off. Shockingly, he didn't. All he wanted to know was if he was going to get paid $10 daily?

I kept telling him that this is going to be HARD. That they do treadmill tests, weight lifting, not just pool time. I asked, "are you sure you really want to do this?". Without hesitation he said, "yup". I said, "what about the dry-land training?". He said, "well I guess if I have to".

That was it, it was over. He's in. I'm not sure if it's just for the money or if it's because he's 13 and wants to trim down for the girls. Either way, it's all good. An added benefit is I'm allowed to swim in another lane while Reid does his training. A couple other parents do the same.

I'm pumped about this, for one reason only. I think Reid has it in him to be a good swimmer. My only question mark is if he has what it takes to go into the "pain zone" in order to be competitive. Aside from how he deals with me, he's a gentle kid and non competitive kid. For example, in hockey, he always gravitated to the back of the line in drills and let others go first.

In either event, the only downside I see, is my losing a $1000. If he wins the bet, he'll be a much better swimmer and that will stay with him for life.

Rest & Recovery day - no training.