11 laps

The pool at the Boston Y is definitely longer than the one in Somerville.  I noticed that right away - in Somerville it took me four sets of three strokes to swim the length of the pool.  It's way longer than that in Boston.  Fortunately, the entire length of the pool is like 4 feet deep, so you can stop at any time.  Which I did.

I went to practice after work today.  I started with the kick board and breathing exercises again.  I did five laps in the pool.  Maybe it's getting a little easier?  But I'm not convinced.  Then I decided to swim 5 laps without the kick board.  That was hard. I had to stop during a lot of them.  After a while I get so much water in my mouth that I can't swallow.  But I did it!  Then I decided to time myself and see how long I was really swimming, so I did a 6th lap.  It took me about 15 seconds to do a half a lap, so about 30 seconds to do a full one. I did 11 laps.  OK, it's a start.  After I worked on my flip turns, which I totally dig.  I can swim to the wall with floating barbells in my hands, flip, kick off, and go on my back.  I just have to learn to do it without the barbells, and flip over to my front.

Running started like this, and I got to a point where I could run 5 miles.  Hopefully I will be able to swim better too.  Right now I'm not totally convinced that it will happen.  I'm going on faith.

This past weekend we went to see King Richard on the Common.  I go to Shakespeare in the Park every year and absolutely love it.  But I confess I never really understand what happens.  There was no mistaken identity or donkeys this year.  The actors were amazing!  It's just nice being outside on the Common with my people, eating a picnic, and watching a play.  <3 p="">

Somerville Y

Today I decided to try the Somerville Y for swimming practice.  It's walking distance (though of course I drove) and you can go to any Y, as long as you go to the one you pay for 51% of the time.  There was open swim 9 - 12:30, which was perfect!  I swam for about a half hours, during which I did about 16 laps and 10 flip turn attempts.

I think the most important thing to work on is breathing, because if I can't breathe then nothing else is going to work.  So, I did 10 laps back and forth with the kick board, working on my breathing. It's slowly improving, but needs work.  Then I did 5 laps without the kick board.  (I think I did an extra with the kick board, not sure.)  Once I started getting water in my airways, after about 30 minutes, I went to working on my flip turns.  I did about 6 of them, with various degrees of success, holding the dumbells.  On the 7th I got water up my nose and decided I was done.  After the first lap I noticed that the lifeguard had gotten up an was walking in my direction, I thought he was going to give me some advise.  But no, he was just guarding my life.  He walked back and forth as I swam, each time.  Apparently he thought I was in immediate danger of drowning!  Huh.  I guess I have a ways to go.

Breathing is hard, especially on the right.  Maybe I need to practice above water?  I notice that when I'm climbing I tend to hold my breath, that won't work so well with the underwater stuff.

The Somerville Y is really old, it's got character.  The pool is pretty small, just three lanes.  But I had my own lane the entire time. Not crowded.  I wore my bathing suit there, and once I was done swimming I really had to pee, which meant taking the bathing suit off.  After showering I didn't want to put it back on. But I had no underwear, and a kind of thin t-shirt.  Awkward.  Note to self, bring change of underware....

Flip Turns!

Today's swimming class was really good!  We worked on my stroke (needs tons of work) and on breathing (can't do it), and then, since I was doing so well, she taught me how to do flip turns!  When she said she was going to teach me them, I admit I had my doubts.  But, it turns out that if you can do a forward flip in the water (which I can, it's one of my few swimming talents), then flip turns aren't that hard.  The hardest part is the spacing/timing and  not freaking out and thinking that you will hit your head/break an ankle.  I sort of kind of did a few, though I didn't exactly swim off after.

While I was headed out to the pool, a man walked into the ladies locker.  Ha!  Either I've started a trend, or it's an easy mistake to make.

I've written 67 letters of recommendation in the last two months.  Today, my stack is down to one half a letter, plus 4 waiting for entrance exam scores, plus 2 who are just goofing around!  I see a light at the end of the tunnel...!

Swimming Practice

For some reason my last post got 28 views.  Weird.  Because there wasn't anything really googleable in it, and it wasn't in any way interesting.  Anyhow, I went to practice my swimming today - I was going to go yesterday, but #1 it was my birthday and I didn't feel like it and #2 I had just colored my hair and I was afraid I would leave a red streak in the water.  So, I got a swim cap and went today.

I practiced for about 25 minutes, I think about 10 laps.  The breathing part was hard, especially on the right side, which I can tell is going to be my bad side.  There were a few times when I was reaching far out and feeling like I was on top of the water, and it was left side breathing time, and it was really great!  I think I will like it! Especially when I know what to do with my arms under water.

I got to a point where  I was just swallowing water and it was no fun, so I got out.  I must have been a little loopy from swimming.  Either that or I've gone right over the hill, but I walked straight into the men's locker room and took a shower (fortunately still in my bathing suit!).  I knew things were not quite right when I saw a man giving me a funny look through the not closed curtain.  I was wondering who was in the wrong place, and popped my head out.  And then dashed to the correct room!  Oy!

This morning I finally met my dissertation advisor, LB. She was on campus for residency and I met her at breakfast.  In front of other people, she said I was one of the Top 5 Best Writers that she's worked with in the program!  My head exploded a little :)  We wound up at a table with 4 other students, and as soon as she left, everyone else was like "how did you get her for an advisor?"  I felt so wise and mentor-y.  And very lucky!

Swimming lessons!

On Tuesday I decided that I would just try swimming on my own.  I mean, how hard can it be?  So I went to the Y and put my swim suit on in the locker with no privacy, and I had my flip flops and my new goggles.  And I got to the pool and the life guard said, "I'm sorry, there's lightening. The pool is closed."  It's an indoor pool!  Apparently there are things below it.  So, I couldn't swim.  I thought that the universe hated me and didn't want me to swim. But then, as I was leaving, I saw a bunch of people in swimsuits and shirts that said "instructor!"  The swim teachers!  They were just sitting around doing paperwork, and so I asked about lessons, and they set me up.  I paid for 6 half hour lessons, and I had my first today.

My teacher's name is Hannah, and she's amazing.  We learned about kicking, arms and breathing.  And I swam up and down the pool a bunch. I think I will actually be able to do this!   She was trying to show me how to do the breast stroke, and I was like "I think I'll just keep my little old lady style."  But then she said she could teach me to do flip turns.  How cool would that be??

Rock Circuit Trail

I was thinking about doing North Twin today, but the weather called for thunder storms in the afternoon, which is very bad for hiking, so I decided to stay closer to home.  The Middlesex Fells Rock Circuit seemed like a good call for the day!  Today it only took me 3 hours, and I stopped to eat wild blueberries a couple times, and to have a snack at the rock with a view of the city!  So, it was faster then when I hiked it in the winter.

There were a ton of ripe blueberries on the side of the trail, so fun to pick and eat.  Maybe I should have brought some home for muffins?  And, I actually passed people!  I passed this guy twice - I'm not sure how he got ahead of me, but one of us took a wrong turn.  And then I passed a couple that was hiking.  I'm so speedy :)

Yesterday I went to see Tanglewood on the Common - the Boston Symphony Orchestra plays at Tanglewood in the Berkshires, and they have speakers and a jumbotron on the Boston Common, so you can just go and listen to the music.  Of course, I'm so tone deaf, it all sounds kind of similar to me.  But still, I went with a friend, we had a picnic and some wine, and then just lay on a blanket under the stars listening to the music.  It was a nice night!

Spin 2

I did my second spin class yesterday!  I got my bike up to 15 at the max, but then went down to 12 and then 10.  Anyhow, it was more resistance than last time.  My heart was really pounding!  Apparently you can take spin class, but it's hard to take swim lessons - I've tried to sign up two ways, but they don't get back to me :(

Happy news on the director front: the guy we all like took the job!  He's starting the day after Labor Day.  He signed a contract, so I assume he isn't going to back out.  I'm sure he will be good to work for, I called one of his references and she seemed to love him.  I'm not looking forward to fall when he starts, though - we've largely flown under the radar until now, and that's not going to happen anymore.

I wound up doing 7 interviews for my dissertation, with one more alum saying that she would email me responses because she's out of the country on a service trip and doesn't have much internet.  Totally enough for my study!  OK, better get to it if I want to finish this puppy.

YMCA

I decided that I had to do something for exercise, and I still can't lift weights without it hurting my tendon, so I decided on swimming as an aerobic exercise that doesn't hurt anything.  Of course, I can't swim very well, so I need lessons, which has entailed a lot of angst figuring out where.  Last week I went to a conference and ate like a pig, so I knew I had to do something.  I decided on the Y because I can literally see it out of my office window, so no excuses, and it's like 1/3 the cost of crossfit.  I can take private swim classes and still pay about the same as I was paying for crossfit.

Today was my first day as a member of the Y.  And I did my first spin class!  I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was actually fun.  I mean, less fun that eating pie, but not so horrible.  I didn't want to kill myself, so I started my bike at level 5, and moved up to level 10 max.  I'm pretty sure tomorrow I won't be able to walk.

My conference was in DC, and it was pretty good!  One of the speakers was a former acting surgeon general, and he talked about being on the front lines on the ebola crisis, with pictures of the hospitals there.  He showed where people got suited up to go care for the patients, and some of the surroundings - security was pretty tight there, with 8 foot high fences that you couldn't get out of. Anyhow, some of the workers there built a tall chair so that you could see over the fence, to Africa, as a way to keep hope alive. He's an MD, and has 2 daughters who are premed, and it was interesting to hear him talk about her experiences from the dad's side, and also his experiences, following his dreams (he had an advisor who told him he was ruining his career by doing an MPH after medical school instead of going right into residency, but he turned out OK).

I got to visit America's Medical School, and instead of a tour of the sim lab, they gave us a simulated battle scene with medical rescue.  It was pretty cool - there was (fake) firefighting, (fake) gushing blood, and screaming (fake) injured soldiers.

Still no final answer on the new director.  We interviewed three people, one was a disaster and absolutely not an option (but she was at the conference, awkward. Everywhere I turned, there she was.)  One was awesome and we want to hire him, but I don't know if he will take the job.  And one I thought was awful, but some people could like her.  I hope the guy takes it!

PS. Nothing from Harvard. Maybe next time...