Before and After

Active Islander — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:57:47 GMT

Before I left for a seven-day swim vacation, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I knew that I would be meeting a small group of swimmers and triathletes some place on the island of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. From Tortola, I knew that we would board a rather large sailboat, the Promenade, and then sail around the BVIs. I knew that the Promenade and her crew would provide us with food and lodging. Throughout the week, I knew we would swim twice each day and probably have some time to snorkel and relax in between. And I knew that this sounded like a pretty good trip.

After I stepped aboard the Promenade for this swim vacation, I couldn't believe what I had gotten myself into. After I arrived on the island of Tortola, I couldn't believe how blue the water was. After I jumped in for the first time, I couldn't believe that I didn't need a wetsuit. And as we sailed to the next island, I couldn't believe that each day got better than the last.

Before: Wake up, brush teeth, grab swim gear and head out the door. Drive to the pool and pay $2. Swim.

After: Jump off a 65-foot trimaran in the British Virgin Islands. Swim.

Before: Swim about 3,000 yards in chlorinated waters staring at a thick black line.

After: Swim from island to island in the Caribbean staring at sea turtles, coral, various shades of blue, and multi-colored fish

Before: Work on swim technique.

After: Work on swim technique after underwater videotaping and analysis...in the sea. (The water's that clear.)

Before: Swim for 45-60 minutes and rush off to work.

After: Swim for about an hour and then fall asleep on the deck of a sailboat after coffee and a hot breakfast.

Before: Meet up with a few friends and get in a good pool workout.

After: Spend a week with fellow swimmers with similar interests while exploring underwater caves, shipwrecks, and sea life.

Before I went on this swim vacation, I didn't think it was possible to combine quality training time with quality relaxation. After seven days, I couldn't believe that I had to go home. This vacation was quite possibly the best week of my life. That's no exaggeration. That's truth.

Gone swimming...

Active Islander — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 20:27:33 GMT

...be back, um, never?

All of my prior swimming ventures have been trumped. National swim meets, high school championships and various open water events, beaten. Twenty-six years of swimming surpassed by one week. Seven days of swimming.

But did I mention I was on vacation? A SwimVacation!

Last Sunday, I along with six other swimmers and triathletes joined a crew of 3 aboard the Promenade, a 65-foot trimaran, in the British Virgin Islands.

Throughout the week, we did our best to follow the SwimVacation credo..."swim, relax, repeat."

Swim...

Relax...

Repeat...definitely repeat.

Blog Posts From Natatorial Tagged With vacation

Before and After

Gone swimming...