The 70 Minute Mile

I managed to break all boundaries on Saturday and for the first time swam a mile. The pressure was on as I had only managed 46 lengths due to the conference in Lampeter and although 46 is good for a single session, it fell far short of my 200 lengths per week target. When I arrived at the pool on Saturday, I mentioned to the attendant that even if I was to swim 75 lengths that day and again on Sunday; I would still fail to reach my target. A quite daunting prospect and maybe what drove me on to dig even deeper from my personal reserves. Two 75's were not enough and 46 is quite difficult. The most that I have ever swam in a day was 80 lengths. 40 early in the morning and 40 some ten hours later. I didn't have twelve hours this time to complete the lengths and have the breathing space. It was Saturday and the pool opens later and closes earlier. Important decisions that require action also require people. Someone who understands the importance of the situation and is willing to push themselves. I pushed hard, very hard indeed. The first 40 were tough, the 46th was tougher. Then they fell, 50, 60 and on past my single swimming record of 66 lengths in a 25 yard pool. I stopped for the first time at 70 lengths completed, and had a well earned 60 second rest. Then I pushed off again; 75 lengths and then 80 and then a final push to 84 lengths. Very pleasing indeed, and I only needed to swim 70 the next day to meet my 200 lengths weekly target. But lets put that into context. 70 will be my second highest ever number of lengths. I was exhausted from walking some 4.5 hours during the week and swimming 130 lengths. I was tired from the Conference and warn out after the single session that hit 84 lengths. But you can't break myths and stones by sitting quietly to one side can you?