Foodie Friday

Wednesday Workout

• Treadmill intervals:         1 mile Wu, 12 x 200m @ 7.30mm with 200m recovery, 1 mile Cd

Thursday Workout

• Weight training:                00:45:00

Friday Workout

• Long Run:                              15.3 miles            02:40:00
• Swimming lesson:             01:00:00

Why oh why do I never learn!!  I optimistically believe the weather man time after time and am consistently let down.  Well no more J

I was promised dry and bright weather for my long run and woke up to drizzle which turned into torrential rain about half way through my long run. 

Let’s start from the beginning, I had to bump my long run forwards to today as I have my first triathlon on Sunday (very scary) and I am working tomorrow.  So my day began at 3.10am when I dragged myself out of bed to eat breakfast, down as much coffee as humanly possible, dose up on hayfever meds and use the toilet at least 57 times before starting my run at 5.15am.   

I was all set to leave and tried to turn my garmin on only to discover the battery was flat... no idea how this happened as I always put it on charge after every use.  So, I had to head out Garmin-less (shock horror)!!  Luckily I had planned out a route on Map My Run last night so I had a rough idea how far I needed to run.  I set off at a very conservative pace and just stuck to whatever felt comfortable at the time (which, without my trusty garmin to give me a kick up the backside, included practically crawling up every hill).

In my ‘brainwashed by the weatherman’ state last night, I had included a few miles of off road trails/fields just to mix things up.  Now as someone who hates anything that involves getting dirty/muddy I debated long and hard with myself whether to run the trails which would most likely be a mud bath, and finally decided that I would give it a go (although the internal debate kept me occupied for a couple of miles.  As I hit the first trail my speed decreased significantly as I proceeded to try and tiptoe round/jump over every muddy section for the next 2 miles.  I did have to stop to use the local facilities (pee in the bushes) and even managed to avoid peeing on my shoes... the girl’s got skills!!  As I had stopped, I decided to take a gel as I knew there were some tough hills in the last 5 miles and knew I would be grateful of the extra energy. 

The trail eventually came out in a field.  Now, it was not the field I was expecting and I had to stop and walk as the grass was above knee length and I was really worried I would twist my ankle.  I then spent the next 10 minutes trying to find my way out of the field... a task that one might imagine shouldn’t be that hard... turns out it’s harder than you think.  When I finally found my way out of said field I was soaked, my shoes were full of water and my legs were covered in mud – I even found a baby slug attached to one leg!  The final part of the trail was an incredibly steep mudslide hill down which I had to carefully side-step to avoid slipping (although maybe sliding down on my backside would have been easier)!  I finally emerged on to a tarmac path on which I vowed to stay.  By this time the rain was positively torrential, the only benefit being it was washing the mud off my legs.  My shorts were so saturated they became really heavy and kept falling down!            

I finally squelched and squished my way home feeling great - I was not overly tired and my legs felt strong. 

Today is my last workout before my first triathlon on Sunday... aarrgghh.  I’m completely unprepared but determined to enjoy it.  The nerves have set in already!

Now, on to the topic in hand - food (if your still awake)

This week I had my first ever Subway!  You heard right, until now I had never tried a Subway... shock horror ha!  I was always put off as every Subway I’ve ever walked past smells like sweaty armpits.  That all changed this week when I was so ravenous I put aside my revulsion at the smell (and breathed solely through my mouth) and ordered a turkey salad sub on wheat bread. 

Turkey Sub - slightly squished!

I was surprised at how cheap it was and impressed that Subway display estimated calories to help you make healthier decisions.  So, my verdict...

Meh... I was not overly impressed!  It was edible and filled a hole but I could have made a better, more tasty sandwich at home.  It may have just been my boring choice of filling, but based on this experience I think my foray into Subway cuisine will be a one off (unless I’m ever dying of hunger).   

 This week, in an attempt to eat more healthily, I purchased some new food items I hadn't tried before.  

I was really excited to try almond milk.  I have read a lot about it on other health-focused blogs I sometimes peruse and decided to give it a go.  I found this unsweetened almond milk. 

I was slightly worried that the flavour might be a bit over-powering (and because I have no idea how you ‘milk an almond’)!  It was not too bad on its own – it tastes sweeter than dairy milk with a slightly thicker, creamier texture and has a slightly nutty taste (talk about stating the obvious!).  However, when used to make my morning porridge and when mixed with my protein shake... delicious!  When I looked into it more, it is a great alternative to dairy if you can’t or don’t want to include dairy in your diet.  It is low in calories, carbohydrate and saturated fat however it has the same calorific value as skimmed milk and the fat content is also comparable.  However, dairy milk is much higher in protein.    

Will I buy it again, most definitely, although I won’t be cutting skimmed milk out of my diet either.

I also bought some almond butter (anyone noticing a nutty theme emerging).  I am not the biggest fan of peanut butter, but I eat it because it provides a good source of fuel.  As a result I have been on the lookout for a more palatable alternative.  Once again, I had heard good things about almond butter with regard to lower saturated fats and cholesterol and higher protein content.     

This is my new absolute favourite food!!!  I love it, it has a milder and slightly sweeter taste than peanut butter and is right up my street!  This will definitely be a regular on my shopping list (in fact I have already gone through the whole jar - I never did get the concept of moderation ha). 

I also bought a raw-food protein snack bar to try.  I often have a clif bar as the protein content is good but they are quite high in calories.  I am always on the lookout for a snack bar with at least 12g protein that is not too high in calories or fat.    

I am not a fan.  It wasn’t awful but it also didn’t really taste of anything and was really expensive.  Think I will stick with my Clif bars for now and keep searching for that perfect bar. 

Finally, I treated myself to some delicious Yoo Moo frozen yoghurt in my all time favourite flavour – blueberry with pumpkin seeds.   

What are your favorite new food finds?

Do you have any tips for healthy snacks?

Do you prefer running on road or trail?

Back in the saddle

Sunday Workout

• Long Run             11.7 miles            02:00:00               10:19mm

Monday Workout

• Cycling                  10.5 miles           52 mins                 12.5 mph
• Swimming           66 laps                 50(ish) mins
• Swimming           66 laps                 50(ish) mins

I’m going to be honest with you, I am feeling rather sheepish.  After my post about trying to sort out my nutrition and hydration I messed up big time!! 

Normally I do my long runs early in the morning and leave the house between 5-6am.  After a very late night on Saturday night, I slept in on Sunday then proceeded to mooch about the house, then mooch about in town, then mooch about some more at my parents house until finally I could procrastinate no longer and decided to head out for my run.  

It was gone 3pm and extremely hot and sunny by the time I donned my trainers and set out.  I set out to do 13 miles and although I took one pack of Clif Shot Bloks (just in case) I didn’t take any water with me.  Now, had I been running at my usual time when it was cool and drizzly – this would not have been a problem, but after just 1 mile my tongue already  felt like sandpaper and I knew I had made a booboo. 

However, being stubborn as I am, I decided to carry on but slow down and keep my pace super easy to compensate and went even slower again up the hills. 

I felt okay until mile 8 when I started to feel really hot and bothered and my easy pace was getting slower and slower.  I wanted to take a Shot Blok but without water to wash it down, I knew I wouldn’t be able to swallow it.  As I went on I started to feel dizzy and sick – I had completely overheated and was horribly dehydrated and positively crispy with salty sweat.

At mile 10 I admitted defeat and phoned Arran to rescue me!  He doesn’t drive, so did the next best thing and despite a raging hangover he cycled down as fast as his little legs would carry him to meet me with some much needed water! My hero!!

Hydration and contemplation

Hydrating with the one and only Nuun!

My hero's trusty steed!

After a 15 minute sit down, and a big long drink I was feeling much better but decided against finishing my run and took the shortest route home with Arran cycling along next to me – giving me some much needed encouragement.  I ended up doing 11.7 miles – I’m not going to beat myself up over it or dwell on it... it happens.  Now, on to the next run!!

It just goes to show that even tried and tested plans need to be reviewed and adapted to suit the conditions on the day. 

And, just cos I was feeling better by this point... some pointless running photos from my trip home...

 

I'm sexy and I know it... Aldi compression socks + cellulite - its a look that's gonna catch on!!

In other news, I got back in the saddle today, made the most of the glorious sunshine (cos it’s not going to last) and took myself off on a cycle ride.  I am soooo much happier with normal pedals and didn’t find it any more difficult and didn’t lose any speed making the switch.  (having said that, I am so slow, that it would be impossible to go any slower without going backwards).    

I also swam 1 mile!!!!!  I never thought I would be able to say that.  I was tired but so pumped when I’d finished. 

How not to train for a triathlon

With my first triathlon just round the corner (a fact I have been conveniently ignoring for the past few weeks) I am now starting to seriously panic!  I have had a major case of the CBAs (can’t be arsed) when it came to actually training for this event and as a result I am completely and utterly unprepared. 

In an attempt to make myself feel better I decided to check out the results from last year and... you guessed it there is every chance I am going to be last!  Given my current estimates for my swim and bike times I will be equal with the guy who finished last last year (just to bring it home with a bang, he was in the 70-79 year old age category... massive fail!!). 

I really don’t mind coming last (someone has to) and it is my first triathlon.  I just don’t want to last by such a long way that everyone else has packed up and gone home!  I am also well aware that if this happens it is entirely my fault (and there’s nothing I like better than someone else to blame).   

My swimming has been progressing nicely with my weekly swimming lessons and although I am still slow and my style leaves something to be desired, I am confident I will make it without drowning.  The running side of things is covered with my marathon training – the run leg is only 1.5 miles, so should be a walk in the park. 

And onto the bike... you may have noticed a distinct lack of bike training recorded in my posts for the last few weeks... that is because I haven’t done any... none at all.  In a previous post (here) I talked about how I had developed a fear of my bike as a result of being new to clipless pedals and falling off numerous times.  Well, I should have gotten ‘straight back on the horse’ but I didn’t and as a result my anxiety has increased ten-fold and even looking at my bike brings me out in a cold sweat and makes me want to hurl.  The most ridiculous thing is that I have no problem commuting to work on my mountain bike – because I’m not physically attached to it. 

Yesterday I decided I had ignored the problem long enough and it was time to admit defeat and go back to regular pedals until I get my confidence back.  I headed over to TriUK and they very kindly gave me some pedals for free.  I also got some elastic laces which I tried out this morning at the gym - one word... Genius! 

Pedals and elastic laces (in pink, obviously)

Me and my elastic laces... am a bit too excited about this... Nerd alert.
(Am slightly annoyed I paid £9 for them yesterday, then got a free pair in the post this morning... oh well)

Removing that fear of being clipped in was enough to get me excited about cycling again – I just have to wait for Arran to fit them on my bike, then away I go!  Although, it is far too late for anything I do in the next week to have any bearing on this triathlon, it means I can train properly for the next one in August. 

So, lessons learnt:

• Do enter a triathlon, set up an achievable progressive training plan that fits in to your schedule and stick to it... consistency wins out
• Don’t enter a triathlon then do no training whatsoever

• Do get straight back on your bike if you fall off – practice makes perfect
• Don’t repeatedly fall off your bike, develop an irrational fear of said bike, then refuse point blank to ride it for the 5 weeks preceding the triathlon

• Do practice your transitions until it becomes routine – know how you want your stuff laid out and in      what order you will do things
• Don’t ignore the concept of transitions and just hope it will be alright on the night by copying what everyone else is doing

• Do include some brick sessions in your training so your body gets used to moving quickly from one discipline to another
• Don’t fail to include brick sessions in your training to prepare your body for running on the inevitable ‘jelly legs’

• Do at least some of your training on the type of terrain you will encounter on the day
• Don’t enter a triathlon with a hilly bike leg (regardless of length) if you are not prepared to ride up even the slightest of inclines! 

Today's Workout

• Easy(ish) Run     6 miles                 Avg pace - 9.18mm
• Swimming          1000m
• Weight Training 

This morning run was scheduled to be an easy run (approx 10mm) but I decided to run on feel without checking my Garmin (this ended up taking all my willpower) to see how well my perception of pace is developing and whether I am able to maintain fairly even mile splits. 

I know I slowed down up the hills but this was deliberate as rather than maintain a particular pace I wanted to maintain an easy breathing pattern.  When I got home I was pleasantly surprised, my average pace was faster than I thought it would be and my splits were fairly good (for me anyway) – 9:29, 9:12, 9:20, 9:31, 9:31, 8:47.  I deliberately ran the last mile faster as it is predominantly flat with lots of downhill (and because I can)!!  

I got to the pool later than planned so only got in 1000m before the public swimming session ended.  I managed 4 x 250m with a 1 minute rest between.  It was hard work today with lots of waves being generated by other swimmers - I guess that is good practice for me though.  

I headed straight to the gym for some weight training and although I completed each set maintaining my form, my head and heart just weren't in it today, it felt like I was just going through the motions.  It was the first time I have ever finished a workout and didn't feel better for it.  I actually felt that I should have just skipped it.  

Now to begin a 7 day stretch at work... 

Figuring out hydration and nutrition

I got home today to find a parcel full of goodies I had ordered for my marathon training:

Bonus: free Nuun water bottle... gotta love a freebie

Ordered from The Feed Station

There is no denying that the correct hydration and nutrition strategy can make or break a race.  There is a plethora of literature on how much you should drink, how much carbohydrate you should consume, how frequently, what combination of sugars and electrolytes are best, real food vs gels or chews... the list is endless (and my mind is completely boggled). 

I did not have any plan when I ran Brighton Marathon 2011 – the only thing I did do was practice hydrating with Powerade, as this was the drink provided on the course.  I did my longest runs with diluted Powerade in my CamelBak and munched a few jellybeans halfway through if I felt like it.  That was it... the full extent of my nutritional plan.  I knew they were supplying Clif Shot Bloks on the day so I figured I would just help myself and all would be well.  However, they had run out at every station by the time I reached them (thank goodness for the wonderful supporters handing out sweets).

This year, being older and wiser, I have decided to be sensible about fuelling, both in training and during racing in the hope that it will help me achieve my goals and postpone the dreaded ‘wall’ for as long as possible and help aid my recovery.  

I choose not to take any water or nutrition with me on runs of 13 miles or under.  However for runs over this distance I always take my CamelBak filled with Nuun for hydration and electrolyte replacement.  Once I reach 18 miles and over I will begin to experiment with nutrition and frequency whilst running to find something that works for me. 

I find it very difficult to run holding anything in may hands and therefore use a hydration backpack which allows me to take a swig whenever I feel like it whilst keeping my hands free.  It can take some getting used to if your not used to running with a backpack and it is important to try before you buy to ensure you get one that fits you properly and doesn't bounce around too much as this will cause chaffing.  

Practicing your nutritional strategy before your race is essential – you don’t want to try anything new on the day as digestive issues and stomach cramps can make for a thoroughly miserable experience.  It is also useful to remember that what works for one person may not work for another so you must find out what works for YOU and what works well at 5 or 10 miles not be so great at 21 miles! 

I really like the Clif Shot Bloks and find them easy to eat and digest whilst running.  Each pack contains 6 individual blocks which contain just 33 calories each and 3 blocks is equivalent to one gel and will provide 24g carbohydrate.  I like the fact you can eat a block every 15-20 minutes rather than having to neck an entire gel in one go.    

I have never got on that well with gels as I find the consistency is often unpalatable making them hard to swallow but after trying a free Gu gel sample – which were thicker than others and actually tasted quite nice, I decided these may well be the gels for me!!  Each gel contains 100 calories and approx 20g carbohydrate.  Obviously, being the chocoholic that I am, I opted for the Chocolate Outrage flavour – with added caffeine.  Not everyone tolerates gels containing caffeine as it can cause light-headedness and palpitations but I am a big fan of the caffeine boost (and have been known to pop a couple of ProPlus when on long training runs). 

I think I have my pre and post run routine sorted and it works well for me:

Pre Run:               35g porridge oats with skimmed milk, 12g honey, 10g pumpkin seeds and 10g chia seeds
2 cups of black coffee
1 pint of water
1 bottle of lucozade or lucozade light

Post Run:             Chocolate milkshake
                                1 pint water with Nuun
                                Wholewheat toast with peanut butter or bagel with philly and tomato
                                Banana

I try and drink lots of water the day before my long run and for the day after my run.  I also try not to drink beer the night before my long run (but I’m not always successful!)

Early morning long run

Today’s workout

• Run        12 miles                01:54:02               Avg: 9.30mm

 Yesterday was a day over over-indulgence – not only did I eat out for lunch, I then headed to the in-laws for a family dinner.  I offered to be the designated driver for the day as I knew I wanted to head out for my long run fairly early and didn’t want a repeat of hangover Friday! 

I headed to bed about midnight, knowing with the plan to get up at 4.30am to have some breakfast, then crawl back into bed before heading out for my run about 6.30.  I just could not sleep, I tossed and turned... but it was no good, the 17 black coffees I had during the day were conspiring to keep me awake.  I was so awake in fact, I was sure I would never sleep again.  I made a deal with myself – if I was still awake at 3.30 I would just get up and have breakfast.

Needless to say, at 3.40am I was chowing down on a bowl of porridge with honey and seeds.  Just after 5am I headed out for my run as the sun came up... beautiful!

It turned out I wasn’t even the only nutter out at 5am on a Sunday, I passed the same guy and a cyclist at two different points on my circuit... glad to know I’m in good company!

My plan was to run the first 7 miles at 10 minute miles then speed up and run the final 5 miles at 9mm.  The first 7 miles went by like a dream, lovely easy miles – legs felt strong and no problems from the dreaded blisters.  I still felt good as I sped up to start my 9mm but at mile 9 I got a bit carried away and ended up running an 8.30.  I really paid for this in the last mile.  It was torturous, was really hard work and I just could not keep my legs turning over at the required pace.  I got slower and slower but managed to pull out a sprint for the last 0.3 miles (it felt like a sprint but was actually only 8.20mm).

I tried out my new Nike arm sleeves. 

 I love the arm sleeves, I wore them with a t-shirt and they were ideal to protect against the slight nip in the air first thing, but as it heated up I was able to roll them down to cool off.  They are not too thick and stayed up really well without slipping, think they will be a regular addition to my running attire!  I went for a size small and they were tight enough to make my muscles look big ha!!  

I also tried out my new SPIbelt. 

 I don’t normally run with a belt but for safety reasons I have decided to start taking my phone with me on my long runs.  It is great.  The pouch is not huge but stretches to accommodate essentials such phone, keys and money will also fit in a few gels for when my runs get longer.  The best bit is it was so comfortable and didn’t move or bounce an inch then whole run, I actually forgot it was there.  The best part is it comes in a range of colours, I went for the black with pink polka dots!

So that was it, 12 miles done by 7.15am... time for a nap!           

Run Mr Westy Run!

I am very excited... Arran has decided he wants to start running and has even entered a 10K as motivation!!

After trying for 18 months to whet his appetite for running (but failing miserably), about 6 months ago I gave up the hope that one day we could run together.  However, out of the blue last weekend he asked whether I would take him out for a run (ha, it makes him sound like a dog)!  We went out and did a walk/run and he managed 2.6 miles in just over 28 minutes, managing runs of 5 minutes with walk breaks of about 3 minutes.  I was sooo proud of him, and it was really great to run together. 

Me and Mr Westy heading out for a run

Later that day, he told me he was thinking of running a 10K race to give him motivation to keep running and that watching me in races had inspired him to try... I am quite chuffed I actually inspired someone (even if it is just the hubs) YAY! 

In my excitement, I immediately got on the net to find a suitable 10K and signed us both up for the Battle of Sedgemoor 10K in August.  I am really looking forward to running his first race along side him and finishing together – it will be a great achievement.   I then got on and organised a training schedule for him using the Couch to 5K starting from week 5 (or it might have been 6, I can’t remember) building up slowly to 5.5 miles before the race (there isn’t enough time to get up to race distance). 

I am trying very hard to contain my excitement and to throw in some non-running related conversation every now and again.

Today’s Workout

• Swimming Lesson            01:10:00
• Walk/Run:          2.6 miles              00:30:30              

Today’s interval session was abandoned due to the mother of all hangovers!  My sister-in-law Vicky and Graham are staying with us for the weekend and we may have over-indulged slightly last night.  The worst part is that I didn’t even drink enough to warrant a hangover on this scale, it was completely disproportionate to the amount that was consumed. 

Anyway, after I finally finished throwing up and my brain stopped trying to escape my skull I dragged myself to my swimming lesson.  We did lots of kick drills and lung-busting breath holding drills.  I worked really hard and actually felt all the better for it. 

Before dinner, I went out with Arran to complete another walk/run session.  We did 8 minutes running with 3 minutes walking and covered 2.9 miles in just over 30 minutes.  Arran has his first attempt at a continuous run on Sunday.    

I just need to convince Arran that he needs proper running trainers and a technical T-shirt or two (he reckons he will be fine in his Nike's and cotton tees).  I can foresee bleeding nips and shin splints in his future... he should have realised by now that I am always right... and what I say goes ha ha!!

Blister Misery!

Today’s Workout:

• Easy Run:             5 miles                 55:02

My feet are falling apart!!

This mornings run was scheduled to be an easy 5 miles at 10mm pace.  I set off and found it was difficult to maintain for the first couple of miles as my legs felt quite tired and my heart rate was ridiculously high and didn’t drop below 168bpm the whole time (even when I was running down hill). 

I had taped up a couple of hotspots I noticed on yesterdays tempo run, but after a couple of miles my feet became increasingly painful.  I slowed down even further but was completely miserable and spent some time trying to decide whether it would be more painful to carry on or chop my own feet off and drag myself home on my hands and knees.  After my somewhat overdramatic attempt at distraction techniques I stopped to walk.  I walked for 0.5 miles then decided my feet were so painful the sooner I could get home the better, so I forced myself to start running again (this turned out to be the most painful experience ever) and managed to get home doing a run/walk (or more accurately a shuffle/hobble) of 5 mins run then 5 mins walk. 

Despite the walking, I was actually only 5 mins over my planned time – not sure how that happened!

The most disappointing part of all was I was supposed to go out with Arran for another run together and I was so looking forward to it.  I didn’t want to send him out on his own, so I hopped on the bike and cycled along next to him for moral support.  It made me feel like his personal trainer!

When I got home, I peeled my shoes and socks off to assess the damage.  My feet were so sore I had to soak off the tape I had used and was horrified to find extensive blistering on and below both little toes and on the outer edge of my big toes (you will be pleased to know I decided to spare you the photographic evidence of my manky feet). 

I have only very rarely suffered with blisters in the past and was wearing the same socks and trainers as always.  The only things I can think of is that for some reason I did my trainers up slightly more loosely than usual the last couple of days and that I could really do with renewing my socks, I have had them for about 18 months (I know, I’m disgusting). 

I have been advised to try moleskin for my hotspots as it has more cushioning and I have some silicone toe caps which may work on my little toes. 

Lessons learnt:

• Don’t carry on running and hope it will get better – stop and sort out your hotspots before they deteriorate
• Renew your socks frequently
• Tighten your shoes enough so that your feet don’t move and slide inside the shoe.  

Swimming etiquette

Monday’s Workout:

• Badminton         2 hours

Today’s Workout:

• Tempo Run         6 miles                 1 mile WU/CD and 4 miles at 8:40mm
• Swimming          32 lengths
• Weight Training
• Badminton         2 hours

 ***RANT WARNING***

I have only been swimming for a few months, and was really nervous about lane swimming before my swimming teacher finally talked me into taking the plunge (see what I did there lol!!).  My teacher enlightened me to some well-known (but often unspoken) lane swimming rules to that should make everyone’s swimming experience safer, pleasant and more efficient:

• Slower swimmers starting a set should not push off in front of a faster swimmer thereby blocking them, but should wait until they have passed

• Faster swimmers should try and give slower swimmers as much running room as possible before pushing off

• Allow swimmers doing a faster stroke to go ahead (e.g. front crawl is often faster than breast stroke)

• If resting at the wall stay as far as you can to one side out the way

• If the swimmer behind gently but distinctly touches the feet of the swimmer in front this indicates they would like to overtake, therefore the slower swimmer should stop at the wall and move to the corner to allow the faster swimmer to overtake before pushing off

• Swimmers should not swim wide in order to overtake mid-lap (this is not allowed at my pool)

More information at http://www.cartegic.com/pooletiquette.htm

At my swimming session this morning, I arrived a few minutes later than usual but to my delight I found I had the entire slow lane all to myself.  My aim for the session was to swim 60 lengths taking as few breaks as possible.  After I had done about 22 lengths another swimmer entered my lane and proceeded to break every one of the aforementioned ‘rules’.  

Now, I have absolutely nothing against slower swimmers (in fact, this is the first time I have actually been faster than someone) and as a slower swimmer I always show respect and try not to impede those faster than me. 

The other swimmer was doing breast stroke and as I came up behind her I slowed expecting that she would stop at the wall and let me pass – she did not!!  I gave her the benefit of the doubt, assuming she hadn’t realised I was there and continued to follow her for another length.  When she didn’t stop for the second time (and I know she had seen me) I was starting to get mildly annoyed so for the following four lengths I tapped her feet periodically to indicate I wanted to pass and.... nothing.... she just kept on going.  How rude!!

I decided to try a different tact and waited at the wall until she had completed a full length and then was halfway back towards me before I started again, figuring that this would give me plenty of room before I came up behind her again.  As I turned at the end of the length, I noticed she had stopped at the wall at the other end of the pool.  I checked her position again about halfway back and she was still at the wall.  Great, I thought, I can over take and get in a few more continuous laps.  Anyway, I when I was about an arms distance away from the wall – she pushed off to continue right in front of me.  By this time I was cursing her under my breath.  I decided to try the same tact again – letting a decent distance build between us and she did the exact same thing again.  I couldn’t believe it.  I was so angry by that point I had to get out and abandon my swim half way through (it was that or drown her). 

Now, maybe I am overreacting but for there is no excuse for someone to ruin your training session as a result of bad pool etiquette – it would have impacted her very little to let me past every now and again.  

RANT OVER!!