My husband is taking his Step 2 medical board exam today and I am super nervous for him. The good news? Once this test is over he only has ONE MORE “practical” test (not written) and then no more exams while in medical school!
Wow, we REALLY are on the home stretch aren’t we!?
Some other good news – I had a job interview this morning!
This is my “please hire me” face. Don’t worry I didn’t actually show this face in my interview! 🙂
I am not getting my hopes up, but I haven’t had one in while so it was a nice tiny bit of positive news.
It was 37 when I left for my interview yesterday morning – what happened to fall!?
I’ve had to do a lot of listening to my body the past couple days.
So remember on Tuesday when I did the hour of walking and then skipped my planned spin class?
My leg wasn’t feeling right. It wasn’t HURTING but something was off. I think I made a really good decision by not pushing through that.
I backed off a little bit today and just opted to swim.
I am not a good picture taker, I didn’t mean to cut my head off here!
I did a mile of swimming and then finished up an hour with some more laps for a total of 44 laps in the pool. A good workout, but even better there wasn’t any pressure on my leg.
I have decided that between now and when we leave Friday for Washington D.C. I will only be swimming and/or spinning – no more walking. I think I over did it a bit and I want to make sure my leg is good to walk around D.C. during the weekend.
I am learning more and more and need to remember to listen to my body, because I think it knows best!
Here are some quick tips for swimming: (I swim Freestyle)
1. Make sure your hands are coming up over your head.
When I first started swimming my arms were coming out more to the side.
This made it harder and made my arms VERy tired.
(source)
2. Follow through by pushing your hards down to your side.
Make sure you follow completely through on the stroke. If you are like me and not using your legs to kick, then this is what propels you through the water.
(source)
3. Take breaks when you need to.
I usually swim about 4 laps and then take a small 5-10 second break.
This primarily allows me to adjust my goggles and take a breather. Of course, if you are more experience swimmer you may not need as many breaks, I am just starting out so I’m still building up.
4. Wear a swim cap or ear plugs to avoid water getting in your ears.
I have had some issues with getting water in my ears. I wear a swim cap but it rides up and doesn’t keep it out.
Trust me, you want to avoid this it’s very annoying.
5. If you are swimming due to a lower body injury, place a buoy between your legs to avoid kicking.
I can’t paddle my legs simply because it is excess work on my leg.
I place a buoy between my legs and this allows them to float and I use my arms to propel myself forward.
Do you have any swimming tips? I am trying to learn as much as I can!
What is your workout today?
Good tips! I try to think of my arms moving through the water like I am scooping ice cream out of a big barrel. Good luck with job hunt.
That is a great way to think about it! Thank you Tara 🙂
It was 28 and flurries for my morning run today 🙂
Saw the interview selfie on Instagram – hope you get the job, I think it will be a great boost for your self confidence as you work back!
On Tuesday I was concerned because it seemed you were slipping back to ‘multiple workouts per day’. That is something you need to be very careful with – as you have learned. Patience Padawan 🙂
Yes it is snowing right now here…I am so excited (sarcasm)
The interview went well, but I am not getting my hopes up. The moment they find out somehow that I will be leaving in 6 months it is pretty much a no-go but just trying to stay positive 🙂
Yes, I am resting today completely and then I hope to swim before we get on the road tomorrow. I need to cool it back a bit and focus right now on more non-weight bearing activities!
Wait – please tell me you are not mentioning the potential end from your end?!? You are under no obligation to discuss that during an interview. The fact of your husband being in med school is off limits as a question – and nothing you should volunteer. There is plenty of turnover of workers that happens regardless of initial plans, so there is no reason to self-sabotage by giving them an excuse to NOT hire you! 🙁
NO NO NO! Don’t worry I am not! The problem is I am too honest. If they come out and ask me I’ve said it – THANKFULLY this interview it did not come up but I just feel so darn guilty come 6-7 months from now BUT I have a family I need to provide for so if it works out then I am definitely going to take it! It’s not the highest paying job but it is a job I have a lot of experience in. They have a whole other round of interviews so for the next several weeks..it’s just more waiting!
Whew! The thing is, you really don’t know about circumstances – and they are not allowed to ask about your spouse, your housing situation, your plans for having babies and so on. Just plain not allowed.
I remember before moving to Corning I was interviewing for a job at a small-ish startup that would have been an even worse communte straight into the heart of Boston traffic (I already had a 45 minute commute but the traffic was OK). The pay was decent but the whole package just didn’t add up … so I kept pushing, and eventually told them that I would take the job but planned to keep interviewing (honesty!). I did, ended up with offers in Seattle, Corning and Charlotte. Glad I picked Corning – the product in Seatlle got shut down, the division in Charlotte got killed off, and the entire Boston company shut down … and everyone lost their jobs …
I would really like to start swimming..it is a great workout and really helps to maintain fitness! Have you ever done a triathlon or thought about?
It really is! I didn’t realize how great of a workout it was!
No, only because I couldn’t afford to do a triathlon right now. They are pretty expensive with the bike and everything else that you’d have to get to do it, but I would consider it later down the road possibly 🙂
I have heard that they are very expensive! I haven’t done one either….as of right now, I will stick to running!
Yes! I am hoping to be back to running eventually 🙂 For now, I am enjoying the swimming and hope to get better at that!
I just wish I knew how to keep the chlorine from lightening the color so fast in my hair!!
If you’re not wearing a cap, which I am assuming you aren’t since your hair color is lightening, saturate your hair with regular water before getting into the pool. It should help a bit. Good job on listening to your body. I know it’s hard, but often our bodies are actually trying to tell us, sometimes not so subtley, what they need. I can assure you, I am right there with you trying to learn to listen.
Thanks Amanda! I Actually DO wear a swim cap! Yesterday before I swam I sprayed a little leave on conditioner on it before I got in and that seemed to help! I will try wetting it next time before I put my swim cap on!
Thank you – Yes, sometimes listening to our bodies is the hardest part! Always love hearing that people are right there with me!
great post! I learned how to swim Oct of LAST YEAR so am always looking for more tips.
It really is a great workout! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Hope your interview went well!!!
Thank you Rebecca! 🙂 We will see!
I was a competitive swimmer for 10+ years. My biggest suggestion would be to make sure you breathe on both sides and not just one. It keeps your stroke balanced. One drill that helps with learning to keep your elbows high on the recovery is to literally drag your finger tips along the surface of the water and right along next to your head. It’s literally called the finger tip drag drill, I’m sure there are YouTube videos out there. What kind of cap are you wearing? I always found silicone ones slip off but the latex ones stay in place better. I hope your interview went well 🙂
I’m honestly not sure…I am guessing it may not be the best one because it definitely rides up when I am swimming! SO I am guessing silicone?
Thanks so much for the tips! I’ve actually only been breathing out of one side so this is great advice – will try that now as I get ready to go get a swim in before getting on the road later! 🙂
Sorry very random question but where did you get your bathing suit? I need a new one and I really like it.
Fingers crossed for the interview
Thanks
Thank you Lindsey!!
I got my bathing suit from Dick’s Sporting goods a little over a year ago! Not sure if they still have the exact one, but I’m sure they have something like it! Heading to the pool right now 🙂
I’m catching up on posts, so you’re about to get a flurry of comments from me :). Couldn’t pass this one by without saying how incredibly proud I am of you that you listened to your body and backed off on the walking. That sucks – I totally know and understand that, and it must have been hard to admit you should back off! But you’ll remember why you did it when you’re back running strong! Crossing my fingers for your job interview results :).
Thank you Megan! I really appreciate it 🙂 Hopefully whatever is going on will get better soon!
Thanks for the swimming tips, I looked into our local pool and they have adult swim classes like you suggested so I’ll be starting them in December. Thanks.
Awesome!! Let me know how they go! 🙂