Sunday, January 14, 2007

Disco Death and the Wrong Y

Okay, I'm on vacation and attended a wedding, yesterday. After the wedding and reception, we found out that many from the party were going to hit a local dance club. As it is a club I frequented quite a bit in my "younger" years, I made an exception to my 9 p.m. bedtime and headed to the club at 11 p.m.

When we arrived, it was easy to see how 10 years can change a joint. My memories of the club included bands like The Ramones, Agent Orange, and various ska bands. What we walked into was straight out of the hip-hop manual. Well that, and something bordering on a gentleman's club (the scantily clad women dancing in the "don't touch me" box.

While I listen to a wide variety of music, including various hip-hop styles, it is far from the music I prefer when dancing. Then again, perhaps I'm just getting old.

In training news, I have commenced the plan provided by Coach Mike Ricci at D3 Multisport. Having a formalized plan is great. Starting it at a "foreign" YMCA, not so much.

As the entire Pol family is in Virginia, I had to find a local Y for my swims. I hit the nearest facility for that first swim, and found what can only be described as a very short pool. It can only be described that way because in two days and six staff members, nobody has been able to tell me the exact length. My guess is 20 yards. Making 71 turns for a mile is bad enough. Making 87 is just that much worse.

Add to that the lack of towel service (which I didn't know the first day = I drove home fairly wet), and I wasn't impressed with everything. I am, however, the visitor, so I adapted. I took a towel and wrote down the lengths needed for each portion of today's session, and all went much better.

So, a training plan has been born, and a favorite disco has passed on to a new life. What was it Elton John sang for The Lion King...

Oh yeah, The Circle of Life.

13 comments:

Vickie said...

Yes, I know the pitfalls of going to unfamiliar Ys. Especially in metropolitan areas. Reminds me of the Forest Gump quote: Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get! Same with strange Ys. Always an adventure.

Cliff said...

U swim...that's good enough.

Veeg said...

Adapt and overcome!

Both the pool and the hip-hop. Ska nation, baybee! ;)

Dances with Corgis said...

Yay, Pol on starting a formalized training program! Good job getting a swim in despite un-idyllic conditions.

Bigun said...

The plan's not truly a plan until you public with it - how about a little training peaks public link for all us Iron Pol training stalkers?

Good job on the swimming - you are the master now after your 30x30 feat!

Deb said...

I'm not sure when the last time I was in a 'club'. I know I'd get that "Cool, somebody brought their mom" look! LOL! There's a time and a season for that and mine is over (thank God!) ;)

Iron Pol said...

Bigun - There is a race schedule in the sidebar, and the top of that is a link to my training page. I think you can even go to daily training views from there.

Bigun said...

Pol - you're a swimming machine - good job with this morning's swim - putting a good swim week together!

Lisa said...

Great job making the best of a not so great swim situation.

Thank you also for all the support and encouragement. I'm so happy to have finished my first marathon!!

As soon as the decision is made for #2, I'll let you know! :)

Ellie Hamilton said...

Short pool, been there done that! Bleah!!

TriBoomer a.k.a. Brian said...

A little club dancin' once and a while is good for ya. I read somewhere it makes you a faster triathlete... I swear it's gotta be true.

;-)

Stay tuned...

Kewl Nitrox said...

11pm?!?!? You animal! ;)

Veeg said...

Welcome home!

Now get postin'. ;)