Back to the Pool!

After an inexcusable amount of time, I finally hit the pool today!  Of course, this was done after a series of arguments with myself: "I need to swim today"..."No, I can squeeze in the swim tomorrow between work, my daughter's ballet class, & my dentist appointment."  The plans went back and forth in my head, until I realized that I was making ridiculous excuses and it needed to be done TODAY!  I say *need* as I am training for a 2.4 mile open water swim that takes place in early July. Now that 2 + weeks have gone by that I have not made it to the pool, I Need to swim!

Swimming always tends to bring out the 'Excuse Monster' in me.  I really do enjoy swimming, but it is something that I am all into and do loyally or not at all!  Unlike biking or running (when I am not training for an event), I may skip several days or even a week without it, then just go for a run or bike. No excuses or talking myself into it, etc.

So today, as I was following my swim set, I contemplated why I had come up with so many excuses not to swim. My conclusion: It boils down to time efficiency and guilt.  I have such a tight schedule between work & 2 young children  involved in a variety of activities.  I have every hour of just about every week day (and sometimes weekends too) planned out.  I have to schedule a minimum of 1 hour 15 minutes of time for swimming no matter what.  If I'm doing a short swim, say 30 minutes, it still takes an hour + by the time I drive to the pool, put everything in my locker, then get in the pool and swim, shower afterwards, etc. I find myself rushing and feeling guilty that I am there instead of...cleaning, cooking, doing laundry,etc.  Not that this does not occur when I am on a long bike or long run, but for some reason swimming brings out the biggest guilt in me!  

And how about those goggle marks?  I am not an overly vane person, but I typically look like I have 2 black eyes after a long swim.  Recently, I hopped out of the pool & showered with just enough time to make it to my son's school for volunteer day.  As I was walking in, I saw a parent friend that quickly asked me: "Are you ok?  You look like you have been crying."  "Uggh, couldn't be better, just had a great swim!"  This does not deter me from getting in my swim time, but it can be a nuisance explaining my raccoon eyes to everyone!

What about you?  Any suggestions on making the most of my pool time?   I wouldn't mind a tip or two about the goggle marks either! :) I would love to hear from you!