A fish out of water.

I seriously couldn't get home fast enough to write this post.

A few weeks ago I got suckered into decided I would train for my first triathlon. It's a sprint tri ALL indoors! Here's the breakdown:

(From the triathlon site)

15-minute swim in lap pool 10-minute transition (swim to bike) 25-minute bike in spin studio 5-minute transition (bike to run) 20-minute run on indoor track Duration: The indoor triathlon is based on time unlike outdoor triathlon based on    distance. Scoring: Performance is measured by the total distance cover in the swim and run set  times. The more distance you cover, the higher your score.

So today I decided to dip my toes in the pool and do a few laps. Since I am a much stronger runner and cyclist, I knew this would be the most difficult.

Well rule #1, don't go to the pool at noon on a Sunday. I guess I was wrong in thinking everyone would be home having lunch or doing errands.

So I threw on my suit, snapped on my cap and goggles and got into the pool. It's probably fair to say that I haven't formally swam since I did lessons at the YMCA back in 1992. Do I know how to swim? Sure do. Do I know proper pool etiquette? Nope. 

With the pool being busy, I jumped into a lane that already had two individuals. Since I was only planning on swimming for 10min, I didn't think much of simply following the lead of one of the other swimmers. I didn't want to get in any ones way nor cause any issues. 

I quickly spoke with one of the people in my lane and he didn't mind at all if I jumped in. After completing one lap I hear a man yelling from 3 lanes over. With my cap over my ears and feeling a little water logged, I asked him to please repeat himself. He didn't seem very happy. 

"Excuse me! There are a few of us waiting over here to get into a lane. You can't just jump into a lane, they're all full." 

So there I was. Completely drenched and at the end of the lane. I reacted in the only way I thought would work. 

I ignored him. 

For those reading this and don't know me, I would never normally do this! But something told me it was the best solution for the situation. I mean, if the swimmers in my lane didn't mind sharing... 

And then one of the men in my lane said, "Who does he think he is, the prince of the pool? I mean really, people sometimes..." So maybe I'm not crazy in thinking you can work into lanes just like you can work into equipment at the gym. 

After about 10 minutes of laps, I gracefully exited the pool. As excited as I am about this tri, there are a few things I need to learn. 

1. Pool etiquette.
2. Proper breathing techniques. 
3. Non-peak times at the pool. 

Have you ever tried something you didn't know anything about; a class, new machine or exercise? Did you feel like a fish out of water? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

-TTT