Thursday, January 22, 2009

TAI CHI MAN
With all the new people either joining the gym or starting out the yearly one month gym marathon, the pool is now occupied most mornings. In the past, it was either me or another woman, and that was about it. Now, up to 3 people at a time. Its crowded! LOL! Actually, its only a 4 lane pool and its short, so when 3 people are in the pool, you get some serious wave action going on. Good triathlon training though!
A while back, on a day when there were 3 of us in the pool, suddenly as I was finishing a lap in the lane near the steps, a figure appeared it seemed out of no where. And here I was, nearly against the wall and suddenly this guy is squeezing himself in next to me. Doing something, not sure what, but it wasn't swimming. After observing underwater for a few more laps, I determined he must be doing some sort of water tai chi, if there is such a thing.
Since then, I've been on the lookout for Tai Chi man, but until today I haven't seen him. And wouldn't you know it, on a day when the pool was "full," he shows up. And squeezes himself between me and the wall. I moved over as far as I could but barely escaped his movements every time I passed him. If he was half as good looking as the guy above, it might not have been so bad, but to be swimming and observing underwater that closely to someone who, let's say, left a lot to be desired bodywise, wasn't any eye candy. Not only that, he seemed oblivious to the fact that someone was within inches of his lunges, turns, and other arm contortions. I thought Tai Chi was supposed to be fluid movements, but his were more lumbering. Which may be why he chose the liquid form of exercise for the day.
On a better note, my swimming has once again become consistent in the time department. And I've learned how to keep track of laps without crashing into the end of the pool because I'm so deep in thought trying to do calculations (yes, I've done that more than once! If there was a helmet for swimming, I'd need one). I know they have those pool lap counters, but its just one more gadget I don't really want to fuss with and likely I wouldn't be able to read anyway without stopping or getting a magnifying glass. My goal is to get back down to 30 min. for every 3/4 mile. When I started 3 weeks ago, I was at 33:42 and today I hit 31:02. Even with the distraction of Tai Chi man within inches of my face, I managed to keep focused, keep count, and get a little faster than the other day. Or maybe I was just hurrying to get out of there faster?

12 comments:

Lily on the Road said...

You made me laugh! thanks!

Let's hope he is just doing Tai Chi!!

IronWaddler said...

LOL

Great job on the swim times. You are way too fast for me.

It is good tri-training with the waves and the man---combat swim!

Calyx Meredith said...

Great swim numbers! Looks like you are ready for any swim conditions if you can stay consistent even with crowds and tai chi man around.

Sunshine said...

Tai Chi in a lap pool of limited size seems like a high degree of rude.

laps done anyway!
And good job on achieving the times you are hoping for.

Thanks for your sweet comment.

Marlene said...

Congratulations on getting your times back down... even with Mr. Tai Chi in the way!

Unknown said...

Tai Chi man - LOL.

I think the resolutionist will be gone in another month or so. They're annoying, huh?

Anne said...

Years ago I had to do pool running while an injury healed. There were three of us and I too felt like it was crowded if even one more person joined us. Underwater Tai Chi sounds...intriguing.

Aka Alice said...

LMAO at your description of swimming with Tai Chi guy... What are people thinking?

Tammy said...

Way to go on your swimming keep up the great work. The Tai Chi guy in the water, I'm wondering if he was just doing basic moves not to hurt his joints or he was just doing the movements in the water for resistance. Less stress on the joints. Who knows, I loved your story, makes me realize to always expects the unexpected, you'll never know what may jump out in front of you. In the summer, I run really early in the morning before the sun comes up. I'm always afraid that a skunk may run out in front of me, now that would be interesting LOL.

Black Knight said...

Very good swimming job! I understand your "troubles". Here it's the same, there are always not less than 3 persons in every lane. I try to change hour, day but those 3 follow me everywhere!!!! It's a nightmare. I look forward for summer when I can swim across the sea.

Shelley said...

You are going to rock the swim this year!!

jeanne said...

ha ha ha! doesn't your pool have lap lanes??

they have lap pool counters? I totally need one of those!

and GREAT job on the speed. You are really inspiring me!