Fitness Plateau

I've been plateauing in my swimming.  Check that, I think I'm swimming slightly slower than a was a few months ago.  Is it in my head?  Am I thinking about swimming faster too much?  Am I losing the integrity of my stroke?  Maybe a little of all those things. 

The whole thing is quite frustrating.  Not that I'm trying to be faster than anyone else in the pool (other than Brad and that old guy in the lane next to me) but c'mon, I don't want to get slower!  So I consulted my kids (the swim stroke experts in my family), a couple of their coaches, and even purchased a book on the essentials of swimming to help me.  I even checked out "stroke school" at the gym.  Yeah, the book hasn't helped much but that's only because I haven't cracked it open.  I will, at some point.

I also haven't felt compelled to increase the amount of time I spend in the gym, it just seems fruitless.  I would rather spend my time in ways I enjoy more, spending time with family.  Pool time isn't exactly social time.  Quality time with the kids (and Holly too) are really important to me and I spent more time with them over the holidays this year than anytime I can remember.

So how is the fitness challenge working out for my two brethren?  For Brad it's probably been good motivation that will become less and less important as he pursues infamous IM levels of fitness.  How about you Marc?  You've definitely been kicking it on the bike. 

Brad and I also discussed my views on extreme sports fitness, and my comment about variety, balance and moderation (or some combination of those) being important to me.  Brad called me out and said that isn't his perspective on who I am or how I operate.  I begged to differ, but admittedly I didn't have much of a defense other than saying that I am probably more akin to those things than him.  A weak argument, I know, but everything is a matter of perspective.

We've got 15 or so more weeks of at least four hours per week of gym time and I suspect I'll be committing to that time much the way I have so far ... mostly in the pool with a little elliptical and inside biking tossed in.  I'm not blessed with San Diego weather and I'm not going running.  No thanks. 

Marc, will you approach the coming months any different?  Brad, I know you will - Mr. Ironman.

I'm not feeling it right now but I am committed to staying the course.  Perhaps I can find something other outlet for working out (racquetball, for example) that will reinvigorate my motivation.