2 minus in self-control, 6:11am, and a "new" PR

So I've always had a little problem with self-control.

Like, since I was born.

My mom loves to tell the story of how, in elementary school, my report card would have straight "1's" (they gave numbers, not letters, when we were little, 1 (good) to 3 (not so good)--who knows why)--my cursive was perfect, my math facts were great, and I could read above grade level. The only 2 (and sometimes 2-) was in "self-control." So I'd take my report card home and then proceed to get all mad, cry, and turn red in the face about why I didn't understand why I HAD A 2 IN SELF CONTROL!!! WHAT IS SELF-CONTROL???? BUT I KNOW ALL MY MATH FACTS!!! ARRGGGGGGGGGGGJAKSDFLJSAKDLFJ!!!!

Hence, my mom would try not to laugh hysterically and say, "Well, Sara, apparantly your teacher knows you pretty well."

Okay, so I've been working on that. For like 20 years.

So today when I arrived at the pool at 5:45 to hit it hard before I had to be at school for an 8am parent meeting, I was *slightly* annoyed when it was not open. There was a line of us waiting. The 2 guys in front of me were joking and making small talk, which is great. But as each minute ticked by, my self-control started to head into the 2- range. I finally asked the front desk what was up.

The lifeguard slept in.

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.....

So at 6:11 the pool FINALLY opened!!! Arg. So much for my 3000 yard workout. I was going to have to cut things short. Grrrrr. Could feel the frustration mounting.

So I jumped in, and cut my warm up and cool down short, with the intention of focusing on what I know I really need--some technique, drills, and stroke work. I tried to do what the sharks from the swim meet Friday did--keep my butt outta the water. It was a lot harder than I expected! I also focused on low stroke count and trying to glide and get a good catch in the water. These are things I read in my book last night, The Woman Triathlete in the swimming chapter by Barb Lindquist. I figure she probably knows what she's talking about. :) So I did some of those drills and got my stroke count even lower, which was good.

Then I started 6X200 with a negative split. Oooh. Tough. Still feeling the burn from the weights. I really focused on form for the first 5 and then figured I'd see if I just did the 6th "naturally," if my form would have improved.

Wouldn't ya know it--I PR'd by 9 seconds. (I don't count anything I swam before 1992 into my PRs) On my last one. Without a dive in start or anything.

How 'bout that.

Perhaps I am learning to channel my frustration in a positive way.

It only took me 28 years. :)