Back in the Pool

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One of these pools is not like the other.

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The first pool is, of course, my beloved Aquatic Center, which I belonged to until we moved.  I think I was spoiled by swimming at an Olympic time trial facility.  Now, I’m at a new gym where the pool is no longer the focus – there are three 25-yard lanes but most of the pool is dedicated to ‘recreation’ swimming, which means loads of little kiddos.  And that means the water is crazy warm – 84 degrees – compared to the Aquatic Center’s chilly 71.  You would think this is a good thing, but I actually prefer swimming laps in colder water.  Also, no more Ironmen to gaze at when I need a break (kidding… kind of).  There’s also an outdoor 50-meter pool that’s dedicated entirely to lap swimming, but it doesn’t open for a few more weeks…  

 

Differences aside, I’m REALLY happy to be back in the water!  It’s been a few weeks, and it showed.  I swam 0.5 a mile and was done.  Burning arms and back.

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Something fun: The 0 to a Mile Swimming Plan

 

In other news, while taking a shower in the locker room (AKA stark nekkid minus my flip flops), a toddler ripped open my shower curtain and just stood there, dumbstruck by my big pregnant belly.  I said, “Um. Hello there, little man!” and he started to laugh and ran away.

 

Awesome.

 

Our other athletic activity of the day (brain power):  taking down our gold chandelier.

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So many of you assured me that we could spray paint it oil-rubbed bronze instead of replacing the whole thing – we figured we’d give it a whirl.  Although – I do have to say that the 1990s gold was growing on me…

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We managed to get the darn thing down, and now the Husband is painting it.  Fingers crossed!

 

Eats, eats, eats:

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Gonna go rummage up something sweet.

{ 31 comments }

 

  • Katie @ Peace Love & Oats April 22, 2012, 7:37 pm

    I agree – I like swimming in colder water because it gets me going! I get too relaxed in warm water!

  • kathleen @ the daily crumb April 22, 2012, 7:46 pm

    swimming in warm water is the worst. for some reason it just feels dirty to me. better than nothing, though! your melty cheese sammie looks delish 🙂

  • emily April 22, 2012, 7:46 pm

    # 1 – The snack picture with the milk looks particularly satisfying.

    #2 – Your shower story made me l2ol (literally laugh out loud). Especially since we call our dog little man.

    • Caitlin April 22, 2012, 8:08 pm

      I call James little man too 🙂 And if we have a boy he will be little man.

      • emily April 22, 2012, 8:57 pm

        Do you call Maggie little lady? Because that’s kind of bad ass.

  • Rebecca April 22, 2012, 8:06 pm

    Aren’t kids funny? 🙂
    Our Y’s pool has about two lanes (or maybe it’s just one??) dedicated to lap swimming during like swim lessons and open swim, which my dad finds a little frustrating, but he deals with it. I think they open it up for more lap-swimmers sometimes, but the majority of the time I feel like it’s just a couple of lanes.
    My college doesn’t have a pool. Which kind of sucks. Not that I’m big on swimming, but it would be nice to have a pool.

  • Laura Ann April 22, 2012, 8:07 pm

    Yum, what kind of sauce is that? I’d guess Mmmm Sauce, but yours is usually more green…

    • Caitlin April 22, 2012, 8:10 pm

      It’s Mmmm sauce but with like, half of the ingredients. Basically just nutritional yeast, almonds, oil, water, curry powder.

  • Liz April 22, 2012, 8:21 pm

    I need to get back in the pool. I have been thinking it for a couple weeks now but just not doing it. Swimming is the most kick-@ss workout. It tones everything! I teach Zumba and it is easy to get into a zumba-only rut. Maybe I can find my way to the pool this week. Oh– and I HATE the cold pool! I hate to be cold. But it is hard to get a lane in the warm pool– there are too few lanes.

  • Crystal April 22, 2012, 8:38 pm

    I can’t wait to see how the chandelier turns out. we have the exact same one in our dining room and I’m scared to paint it.

    • Dana April 23, 2012, 8:53 am

      Same here!!

  • Laura @ She Eats Well April 22, 2012, 8:50 pm

    Am I the only person who actually likes short-course swimming? Ha ha. Growing up, it’s what I was used to on swim team a majority of the time. Also, banana + nut butter is my new favorite snack this week. So delish. Sometimes, I’m weird and sprinkle flax or chia seeds on top because it gives a crunch!

  • Catalina @ Cake with Love April 22, 2012, 9:08 pm

    I love the chandelier, what color are you painting it??

    • Caitlin April 23, 2012, 11:32 am

      Oil rubbed bronze!

  • Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed April 22, 2012, 9:21 pm

    Hahaha, kids are funny!

  • Alex @ Raw Recovery April 22, 2012, 9:24 pm

    I recently discovered ridiculously overpriced vegan and gluten-free cookie dough at whole foods. The peanut butter chocolate chip was amazing, and no, none of it was ever baked. Gotta love the safety of no eggs in cookie dough 🙂

  • Leslie April 22, 2012, 11:37 pm

    I know what you mean about the pool situation. I used to swim at the National Training Center in Clermont Fl. We have since moved to Texas. I loved the pool there. It was outdoors but kept At a perfect temp year round. The pool hosted Olympic hopefuls from around the world. I always was inspired to try harder when surrounded by such talent . My new fitness center is great but the fibe is not the same. Loved the “scenery” at the old pool for sure. Speedos rock!

  • Marissa C April 22, 2012, 11:43 pm

    I painted some dresser hardware and wooden candlesticks with the oil rubbed bronze spray paint and was really really pleased!

  • Jeanelle @ Glocal Girl April 23, 2012, 3:57 am

    As a previous collegiate swimmer, I know what you mean about warm water vs. cold water while swimming. If the water is comfortably warm right when I jump in I almost feel stiffled by it after a few laps. Bring on the chilly!

    The story about the little boy is too funny!

  • Sarahf April 23, 2012, 4:19 am

    Living in Japan has, alarmingly, gotten me used to being stared at while nekkid. Seriously. It’s rare to have cubicles and most of the ladies at my gym have never seen a foreigner before (especially not one in all her glory), so I get stared at a.lot. They don’t usually laugh at me though…

  • Jodi @ Jodi, Fat or Not April 23, 2012, 7:34 am

    I’ve been craving banana and peanut butter like crazy! It’s the only thing I want to eat lately. I wish I still had a pool to swim in. I lifeguarded for years and never really took advantage of all the free swimming I could have done.

  • Sara @my less serious life April 23, 2012, 8:04 am

    i seriously need to make that mmm sauce.

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin April 23, 2012, 8:11 am

    That’s such a bummer about the new pool. Short lanes drive me crazy – I feel like I just start the lap and then I have to turn around 2 seconds later. 😛 But I guess on the bright side at least you still have access to a pool!

  • Joanne April 23, 2012, 8:33 am

    I would love the warmer water temps. Those cold pools used for competition ruin any enjoyment I have for swimming.

    Funny about the little boy opening your curtain. 🙂

  • Molly @ RDexposed April 23, 2012, 9:07 am

    What were we thinking in the 90s with all the gold fixtures?

  • Carolina John April 23, 2012, 9:55 am

    I hate gold light fixtures. they are a bane of a renovators existence. Good job getting back in the pool! Swimming isn’t easy when you’re that pregnant.

  • Ali April 23, 2012, 10:18 am

    Glad you are back in the pool. That story about the the little boy opening the curtain cracked me up. That happened to me once when I was changing at the local YMCA- a little girl opened the curtain and just stood there and stared. I was just as in shock as she was.

  • ASHLEY April 23, 2012, 1:47 pm

    just a peek at what you can do to a chandy!
    http://ashleyandcharlie.net/index.php/2011/05/16/nursery-sneak-peek-1/

    its in our babe’s nursery now..she LOVES it.

  • kristen @ livinlifeinlouie April 23, 2012, 10:47 pm

    I had no idea you could paint the chandelier! I have one in my house, and I was wondering where did you get the paint?
    Home depot? I feel that is my “home away from home” every since I became a homeowner haha

    • Caitlin April 23, 2012, 10:54 pm

      Yup! Oil Rubbed Bronze spraypaint. once we get it back up on the ceiling, I’ll do a post about it.

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