Do you ever feel like you’re not wanted or that you have to prove yourself before others will consider you a part of the group?  Well, today I felt like a little fish in a big sea when I went to the pool today for my swim.  I know what Nemo must have felt like when a big grouper or shark swam by.  Don’t get in the way little fish, because we will swallow you whole!

I decided to swim early today since there was nothing else up this morning.  So I drove Mr. Hockey to school and headed straight to the pool.  Lap swimming was from 8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m so I knew I would have plenty of time to get my workout in.  Upon arrival I noticed there were quite a few more cars than normal and thought it odd considering how cold it was out.  Not that we swim outside (heavens, no!) but that people usually stay indoors when I temps drop so far.

I approached the front desk, reached for my pass only to have the nice lady behind the desk tell me it was free today.  Oh, so that’s why there are so many cars in the parking lot!  She then mentioned that I couldn’t go in yet.  I said, “Yes, I knew that.  I’ll just go change.”  Which she replied, “No, I’m sorry.  You’ll have to wait to go in till 8:30.”  I thought she meant I had to wait to get in the pool but she actually meant the change rooms.  Really??  Why?

As I turned around another lady said, “They have some strange rules around here.  That’s why we’re all waiting too.”  O.K.  Strange, but not worth worrying about.  Then she informs me that there are other “rules” I should know about.  Seeing as Thursday mornings are free, there are a lot of regulars that frequent the pool.  And it’s somewhat of a clique.  As I looked around at the mostly senior group, I thought, “Oh boy.  This looks like a tough crowd.”  They didn’t seem too happy about meeting me either.  I even tried to crack a joke with an ice breaker but no go.  They just looked at me with more disdain.

So I thought I’d better get as much info from the nice lady that was actually talking to me.  She informed me that first I should be careful of which locker I chose.  Certain people like certain lockers and it’s not good etiquette to take one that is usually used by the same person.  Which I promptly found out when I did take the wrong one but quickly got “the eye” from my new friend telling me to pick a different one.  Thanks for the heads up!

She also told me about the intricate pecking order in the pool.  There was a lane for the slower, older ladies.  One for the slower, older gentlemen.  And then the middle wider lane for the in-betweens.  In the middle they swim in a circle and you are free to pass if you need to.  None of these rules, by the way, are enforced by the pool staff.  They are made up by the patrons.  Well, by the time we were in the pool it was like a can of sardines all trying to swim up river.  Luckily I didn’t hit anyone and vice versa.  It was close though!  And I tried to make conversation with a couple of them, but it was as tough going as it was getting from one side of the pool to the other unscathed.

So what’s up with these people?  I’m all for respecting my elders, seeing as many of them got me to where I am today, but in some cases I feel like they think they are entitled to do what they like when they see fit, regardless of what others around them think.  Today was a good example of this.  It didn’t matter that I swim at the pool twice a week on different days than today.  It didn’t matter that I was being cautious to move out of someone’s way.  They wouldn’t acknowledge that I was allowed the same amount of space in the pool as them or that I could pick whichever locker I wanted.  It’s a public pool for Pete’s sake!  I felt like I was at a private pool and I had just crashed the party!

I guess it’s going to take some time to work my way in on Thursday mornings. If I decide to go back that is.  But it’s free and I want to take advantage of that as many times as I can!  Time will tell.

After I got in my 1500 metres in and an hour in the pool I decided I was feeling pretty good.  Good enough to head home and get a run in before lunch!  What?!  Two workouts in one day??  I’ve never done this before so it was very advantageous of me.  But I thought I’d better get used to it if I’m going to take my triathlon training seriously.  So I bundled up and headed out for an easy, slow 5 km’s. Up 2 km’s from Tuesday.

You’re probably thinking, “Is that the only running hoodie she owns?  It’s in almost every picture!”  You’d be correct!  Maybe I should petition Under Armour in the hopes they’d send me a new one?  I’ve certainly given this one enough social media coverage!

To my surprise, my legs still felt fresh.  Maybe it was the Honey Stinger Waffle I had before leaving the house.

This was the first time I’ve tried a waffle and found it to be a little on the dry side but tasted good.  I would have liked more flavour though.  It did the trick and gave me just the right amount of energy I needed to get through my run.

I even saw another runner, which is rare on these uber-cold days.  She was much nicer than the swimmers and said a cheery “Good morning” as she ran past.  All is well with my psyche again!

Once I was home and pulled off my gazillion layers I stretched again, foam rolled, showered and then realized that if I didn’t feed my “growling bear of a stomach” I’d be in big trouble.  After two workouts I was so hungry!! I started thinking of all the things in the house I could eat.  The list went on and on in my head but this is what I settled for.

Minestrone soup, quinoa chickpea salad (from yesterday’s recipe) and………a Pizza Pop.  I know, I know. What in the world is a Pizza Pop doing in my clean eating lifestyle?  Well, I’m human too, therefore far from perfect and Momma had a craving.  Sometimes I just need to be a little bit bad and this is my way of getting it out of my system.  I know, I’m a rebel huh?!

So the swimming is going well, the running is getting back on track and the bike trainer is on its way.  Things are definitely starting to look up.  And this weekend I’m going away with a bunch of ladies from our church for a women’s retreat.  There are about fifteen of us going to a friend’s cottage for some rest, relaxation and laughs.  I’m looking forward to getting out of the city for a couple of days.  My hubby is looking forward to Sunday when I get home!  But that also means no internet so have a great weekend everyone and I’ll take lots of pictures!

Do you ever struggle to be a part of the group?  How do you win them over?  

Do you think Under Armour would feel sorry for me only owning one of their awesome hoodies and take pity on me?  One could hope right!

What the one thing you love to eat even though it’s super bad for you?

***Please Note:  I have not been compensated by Honey Stinger or Pillsbury Pizza Pops to review their product.  All opinions and comments are my own.  I also have not been compensated by Under Armour to wear my pink hoodie repeatedly, but I could be swayed if they so decide to send me a new one.  Very easily I might add!