Let's Distract Ourselves

The past few days have been hard ones for the United States. Three recent mass shootings add to a growing list of prior shootings (I think the last one in Dayton brings our count to 251) and have increased the uneasiness felt by many people as they go about their day to day lives. It is now easier than ever to wonder and be fearful about what is waiting around the corner, or in a shop, or at the office.

While I am certain the only thing that will reduce these events is a fundamental shift in our politics and culture, I am also hopeful that the crescendo of domestic terrorism is at or near the top. I choose hope over fear - don’t prove me wrong, universe.

During this evening’s swim, our coach tried to distract us from all the current events. No long swims to dwell on sadness or fear. We were in and out of the pool, switching lanes, and each swimmer got to choose how we would swim the various 50s interspersed with the 100s. No time to think, just swim.

• 300 free warm-up

• 4 x 100 serpentine swim (a lap in each lane)

• 7 x 100 free

• 8 x 50 free/stroke/drill

• 50 free cool-down