Confessions of an Age-Grouper

WELCOME TO MY WATER WORLD

I overdo things. Or perhaps my age-to-ability-to-recover ratio is out of balance. Either way, I found myself strapping on a pool running belt and sliding into the slow lane to log monotonous wet laps, rather than delighting in my usual scenic vista-filled trail run.

Injuries happen, and at some point every triathlete faces a compulsory work-around to the tried and true swim, bike and run routine.

But water running as a fitness fix has a decidedly dull and dorky reputation.
After all, staring at the black line, lap upon lap,is bad enough when actually swimming. Going through the motions in the pantomime of a real run, up and down that 25-meter stretch, can be downright mind numbing.

Yet fear not, friends. In the interest of turning all obstacles to the positive–and given the abundant time I’ve had to think this through while sprinting water-logged intervals–

I present you with :
10 REASONS POOL RUNNING DOESN’T REALLY SUCK.

1. It gives the barefoot movement a whole new angle–and spares the wear and tear on your running kicks.

2. You earn sympathetic looks from the cute boy-toy lifeguards.

3. Until now you thought breastroke was the slowest way you could possibly travel from one end of the pool to the other.

4. Hello, six-pack! Water running recruits those pesky,oft-neglected core muscles. Even your arms will exhibit extra buffness, strengthening with the resistance of the water.

5. If ever you long for a surrogate granny, there are plenty of gentle, smiling faces in the therapeutic lap lane.

6. From your vertical vantage point, you can observe,admire and critique the swim strokes of the nearby lap swimmers. Maybe you’ll learn something.

7. There are no rocks, stumps, curbs or other obstacles in the pool. In the water, you’re no longer a danger to yourself.You can even try running with your eyes closed.
(Note: Resist the urge to fall asleep.)

8. One rarely encounters rattlesnakes while pool running.

9. If you hop in immediately following a bike session, you get to call it a “P-run.”

10. If you can mentally endure two hours of water running,your next Ironman marathon will feel short.

source: Triathlete_Magazine_Dec2010