Mike's Update

So I must admit that Eric's machismo blog inspired me to write about my own machismo moment. It was my first attempt at swimming in who knows how many years. I got to the gym around 6:30am last Tuesday, put on my trunks and swim goggles and headed to the pool. I found an open lane and noticed a man swimming in the lane next to me. I will refer to this man in the remainder of my blog as "the machine." I watched the machine for a few moments as he effortlessly glided through the water and completed lap after lap. I felt a great need to also show off my swimming skills. I got into the water and began swimming freestyle. I felt pretty good the first two laps or so and then began to tire quickly. I stopped at the end of the pool and looked over at the machine. He continued to swim just as effortlessly as before. Of course, this meant that I had to do the same. I swam another lap or two and by this point really did have to stop for a few seconds to get a breather. The machine kept going. I must not stop, I told myself. So again, another lap. Then another. The machine continued to swim and was even lapping me. Again another lap. Finally I stopped ready to pass out. I decided at that moment that I had pushed myself too hard. The machine had won. Then I noticed that the machine stopped. He stood up near the end of the pool where I was and took something off his feet. Fins! I was competing against a guy wearing fins! Utterly exhausted (and disgusted) I pulled myself out of the pool and barely made it to the locker room where I had to sit on a bench for a few minutes just to catch my breath. After gathering enough strength to get out to my car and drive home, I then collapsed on my bed where Jenny was still asleep. I vowed that I would never be so foolish again and never compete against a guy wearing fins.

By the way, due to popular demand, here is a link to my "before" picture. I posted it on my first blog, but I took it down thinking it was a little too weird. Enjoy.