What? It's May Already? Upcoming Adventures and More

I can't believe that May is really here. It always seemed like such a far-off time when so much would be going down; but alas, it is not only here, it is May 3rd already!
 
The month of May holds all sorts of adventures for the Caddel clan. Brynn will be starting the driving part of her driver's training classes; while Shea and Aidan will be finishing up the 7th grade and enjoying six weeks off, before they become 8th graders. Steve and I will be traveling, while his mom and her best friend will be arriving to spend time with the kiddos while we are away. A nerve wracking (but exciting) culmination of events will take place, after having steadfastly worked towards these handful of days that once seemed so distant.

This coming weekend, I will be heading down to Mission Viejo, California to compete in the Zone Championships for the Southern Pacific Masters Swimming league. This is the regional finale for us Southern California water bugs and I'm excited to get it all rolling. I have very fond memories of swimming at the MV Nadadores swim complex as a kid and this will be my first time as an adult to step back into this familiar territory.

Mission Viejo pool

Just ten days after Zones, I pack my bags and hit the road again...that time, all the way to Atlanta, Georgia for the USMS Nationals - my first "big-big" competition of such sorts since starting this whole competitive swimming shebang just six months ago.

Since there is hardly more than a week between these two meets, I have been trying to mentally plan my training situation and find the right balance between tapering/resting a bit for the regional meet, but staying strong and "on track" for Nationals. This "recipe for resting" can be a tricky undertaking for athletes in general, and particularly for someone like me who:

a) trains by herself

b) is neurotically addicted to working out and has a hard time mentally feeling "ready" when yardage and intensity comes down a notch

I know that probably sounds a little loopy, but it's the way I am and always have been, and so forcing myself to tune in to where my body needs to be physically (as in rested) is a bit of a cat and mouse game it seems.

I have had numerous conversations with my coaches about this and I know that backing off is the beneficial edge I need, but STILL, when I got in the pool this morning, I felt like I was cheating by toning things down. It's odd, I guess, but I mentally feel like I'm putting in the work I need to when I'm sore and tired. But:

 "Focus, Jinxi, focus...tune into technique, give things a rest, rely on the work and time you have already invested"... this is what I am telling myself (over & over again).

I figured that by typing it out this morning, the importance and idea would resonate even more... so thanks for letting me "think out loud" on this fine Monday.

I have the best intentions of keeping posts-a-coming this week, but should I miss a day, please bear with me. I shall have lots of updates and stories to tell soon enough from my little jaunts to some of the finest pools in the land.

Thanks for all of the tremendous support throughout this undertaking that began last December. Taking the time to visit my site, read my words, and lend your support means the world to me. I feel so lucky to have this outlet to share my stories at and garner such fantastic friendships through.  Thank you, thank you!

Over & Out,
j-boo