Today I completed my third US Masters Swimming One-Hour Postal Swim! The postal swim has been a great way for me to gauge my swim progress these last couple of years since first joining Davis Aquatic Masters. In 2012, I did my first postal swim not knowing what to expect.  I had only been with DAM for a couple of weeks but thought, “Hey if I can do half-Ironman’s then I can swim a hour straight right?!” Prior to DAM, I had had no structured or formal swim instruction. My racing strategy had been to flounder  get through the swim and then let the “real” race start when I hit land. Not a good strategy and I would not recommend it. Now, who would have thought that 2 years later (and lots of consistent swim workouts; 5 AM wake up calls; doing the little things; swimming when it’s hot, cold, and freezing) I’d be chopping down my 100 yard pace like Davie Crockett?! Check it out:

• 2012: 2990 yards/2:00-2:05 pace
• 2013: 3604 yards/1:40 pace
• 2014: 3910 yard/1:30-1:32ish pace

If you follow me on Instagram you probably saw what I wrote (along with the pic) about my swim progress on 12/21/13 for those that didn’t here is what I said:

“If you believe in hard-work, consistency, and patience anything is within your grasp. Two years ago when I started swimming with the Davis Aquatic Masters (DAM) I was hitting 1:50’s. Before DAM, I had never had structured workouts or coaching. I didn’t grow up a swimmer and had low confidence in the water BUT today I was able to hit 1:20’s confidently during our set! This is a reflection of focused coaching, proper training schedule, consistency (and having a little fire in your belly). I love the challenge of learning a new skill and sport. I love staying hungry for improvement and I love having a team and coaches that nurture my hunger and desire to improve. I love our DAM team and masters swimming!

http://instagram.com/p/jZqcKKpir9/

This is the icing on the cake on the road to Ironman Texas because Ken and I are 3 weeks into our Ironman training with TriMarni Coaching and Nutrition! Yep you heard that right! Marni and Karel are preparing Ken and I to take on the Woodlands once again…healthy, strong, and fierce! Marni is not only a trusted friend, but I believe in her and Karel’s training philosophy, experience, support, and meticulous approach. Just like with DAM, we have been focused in our training, consistent, and well recovered day after day with TriMarni. There is a purpose to everything we do! While I have to admit adjusting to new types of workouts, like the hardest bike workouts I’ve ever done, with TriMarni’s plan I’ve been recovered day after day to execute the workouts day after day. Looking forward on bringing IT to Lone Star State in May!

That is not the only thing that’s made 2014 start with a BOOM…I am excited to announce that my husband and I will be staying on with the Wattie Ink. familia for a second season! Big things are coming from the Wattie Ink family and our kickarse sponsors. This year is going to be banging..Time To Rock baby!

I hope 2014 has you still committed to the things that make your heart smile, life shine, and bring out the fierceness in you! Time is too precious to be waiting for things to happen to you. You must be willing to take a risk, muster your courage and make your dreams happen! It’s all in you waiting to be shaped, sharpened, and discovered. It sounds silly but two years ago when I was swimming 2 minute100 yard splits the 1:20 split was already in me, it just took time, teaching, and consistency to bring it out in me. That’s life! Everything you need or want to be is already in you ready to be discovered if you allow yourself to go there. Just make the decision and go after it. Shine on my friends and own your dreams by going after them!

-Dr. G