Small accomplishment - major victory!

For the first time in a couple of years, I swam a continuous 500 yards in the pool this morning. Certainly not a big deal for those of you who probably wouldn't even feel warmed up after 500 yards, but a large undertaking for me.

I'm a bit of a lurker, and haven't participated in a triathlon since September 2009. My last open-water swim, like all those that preceded it, was a panic-filled misery that left me exhausted and defeated before ever getting on the bike. The desire to get back to triathlon has been nagging at me for a few months, though, and I started hanging around in the forums again last fall. I found myself gravitating to the "newbie swim breakthrough" threads, wondering if I could have one of them for myself.

The first trip to the pool was disastrous. I could barely do 2 x 25, fighting off panic all the while. The next time in, I managed 4 x 25 before panic set in. In the several days' respite following this, I spent more time here reading, soaking in the good vibes, still hoping that some of the mojo would rub off. The third trip, I got through 6 x 25, and I stopped even though I felt like I had more in the tank. This morning (now that all the New Year's optimists have apparently fled for another year), I kept going. 200 yards was the target, with the understanding that I'd keep going if I could. Past 300, then ... 400? Really? Full speed ahead, all the way to 500 yards. I'd have kept going, but I got off to a late start and had to scramble to make my train.

I'm sure my TI instructors would have had a cow if they had seen my bastardization of the efficient techniques I'd almost learned, but there were flashes. Moments of breathing-constricted panic, more moments of calm and something like a flow. All of this is, I guess, a long-winded expression of thanks to this community at BT. Several months of collateral encouragement paid off for me today, and I'd imagine any number of others are getting it, too.

Shorter version: Thanks, all!