Keep Dreaming

IRONMAN 70.3 ROCKFORD TRAINING – WEEK 5 WRAP-UP – APRIL 6, 2025

I rarely remember dreams upon waking up, and if I do, I generally can’t remember the particulars. But the other night I was dreaming about swimming. It really wasn’t anything of note, but there I was in the pool, swimming laps. I have a past history of being very straightforward about swimming – I hate it. I consider it something I am forced to do to get to the two things in this dumb sport that I like. Yes, I know that there are duathlons and other biking and running events that don’t even include swimming, but those events don’t have an announcer shouting ” CHRIS – YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!” So, therefore, I swim.

But what was my dream telling me? I haven’t even started swim training yet, as spring has just barely started, and I haven’t opened my pool yet. Was it subconsciously telling me that I need to get after it? I remember actually having a fun time in my dream while I was swimming. Is that a sign that maybe I can find a small amount of joy in swimming? Maybe the only way I can enjoy swimming is to dream that I enjoy swimming.

When I started training for my first Ironman in 2013, I can remember how much time I spent thinking about it. Ironman was the only thing on my mind when my head hit the pillow and the first thing on my mind when I woke up. Daydreaming is dreaming, too, right? I spent a lot of time daydreaming about Ironman, from how long it would take me to how to celebrate the finish. When I’m swimming, thinking about swimming is often on my mind because there’s nothing to distract you from it. I don’t have any fancy underwater music players or earphones. You just hear yourself moving through water and try not to think about how much of a drag swimming is. Well, at least for me, that is what I do.

But no matter how much I think I dislike swimming, there is satisfaction when getting it done. It’s hard to beat the feeling of crossing the finish line in a race, but getting out of the water has resulted in some of my best race-day photos. I’m seemingly just as happy to be done with the swim as I am with the race overall.

It won’t be long, and I will be back in the pool, putting in laps and daydreaming about the next swim challenge that is coming up in June. Until then, I will keep dreaming that swimming is something to enjoy.

Week 5 Totals:  Swims 0 – Bikes 3 rides/63.5 miles – Runs 3/18 miles