Swimming Session Number One

Yesterday was the first time E and I hit the water together. Usually the pool is quite empty in the mornings, but of course, it was a tad bit full. We still managed to find a spot for the both of us and after E warned one swimmer that I couldn't see and that he might want to avoid me, we were off.
We swam almost a kilometre in total and I am very happy with our efforts. Sure we have a long way to go, but the swim is the hardest part for E and I am really proud of her for accepting the workout I had laid out and attacking it with enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. We both worked hard and made a few changes to E's stroke. She is a self  taught swimmer and was breathing at the wrong part of her stroke, which was causing her to choke on water and gasp for air. With the small timing change she implemented, she swam faster with less effort and wasn't nearly as  fatigued when she reached the wall. She accepted my suggestions and really dug down deep for the small anaerobic bit of workout I had scheduled in. It was just short distances, but it broke up the workout a bit and gave our minds something else  to focus on.
E can run me under the table as I am still a swimmer at heart. I feel the most at home in the water and had been so excited about yesterday's workout. I definitely need to build up aerobic fitness. I can't believe how much I've lost. However, I felt great after yesterday's water session and I know improvement is possible; for both of us. I covered a bit more distance than E in order to keep my body challenged, but I feel we both accomplished what we needed to in the pool.
Today is our run accompanied by the dogs. I can't believe a week has already gone by and that we'll be running with Glacier and Roscoe again. Sure our workouts are challenging, but you know you're doing the right thing when time just seems to fly. I really appreciate our dynamic. We push each other where appropriate and hold each other accountable during workouts and after. We make sure water is consumed afterwards and I always remind E that she is no longer a regular citizen and that she needs to increase her caloric intake. She jokingly calls me the "food boss." This is our second week and we will be working out six days now. After today's run, we will be half way through the week's workouts and I already feel so much better at this time this week than I did last Wednesday. I love what we're doing and I am so thankful that I have been given the means to reach my goal of training for, and eventually racing in, a triathlon.

P.S For those of you who may need more of a doggie fix-I've been talking more about triathlons and Sugar Gliders as of late-below  is a link that will take you to a beautiful tribute written by a British MP about his guide dogs. It's a heart warming "tail" and is probably one of the best tributes I have read.
MP's Tribute to Guide Dogs New and Old