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Wasting time apologizing for the infrequency with which I update this blog is SO last-month. I’ve crossed three significant milestones with my swimming in the last few weeks, and I’ve been thinking about how I wanted to post something about it, but have simply not had the time. But this is a three-day weekend for me, and that extra 24 hours makes a world of difference! It’s time to catch up.

1) Back in July, I posted about the USMS Go the Distance program. A few weeks ago, I passed my first milestone—50 miles. My goal is to get to 100 by the end of the year, and what’s particularly exciting about this halfway point is that I reached it exactly when I predicted I would (mid-September), so I’m exactly on track to reach 100. I’ve kept to my 15 miles/month goal pretty darn well, and that feels awesome.

2) Swimsuits do not last forever, particularly when they’re used regularly. My Speedo reached a point where it simply could not be worn anymore—it had lost all its elasticity, so it was dragging in the water and sliding all over the place. I bought a snazzy new one online in a size smaller than I had been wearing. I was a little afraid that the smaller size wouldn’t fit, and I couldn’t bear to be without a suit for another week, so to be on the safe side, I also ordered the bigger size. But the smaller one fit! So I returned the bigger one, and am very happy to be swimming in something that is snug and doesn’t drag. It’s amazing what a difference it makes.

3) I’m down to a 40-minute mile. When I started all this swimming-madness, it was my goal to get to a 45-minute mile, which didn’t take too terribly long. I’ve been doing pretty much the exact same workout every time I go (though sometimes on weekends, I’ll swim an extra 400 meters, just because I can), and slowly but surely, I’ve shaved 5 minutes off my time. Maybe when I get to 35, I’ll switch up my routine, but for now, my plan is to keep doing what I’m doing!