These are the four words that preceded a challenge my oldest daughter, Lauren, recently proposed to me.  Lauren swims for The Woodlands Swim Team and has been swimming competitively for half of her young life.  She gets a kick out of beating me in the water, and she does so with ease, and with just about any stroke compared to my freestyle-only swimming (I MIGHT be able to hold her off if I handicap her with breaststroke while I swim freestyle).  Yes, it is extremely humbling. 

I did not grow up swimming, and honestly, I have probably very little comprehension of the difficulties she faces in her races.  I have no clue what it is like to have to perform in a meet which has prelims and finals, where, if I am fortunate, I get to swim 14 individual races in a period of four days (not to mention relays).  But, c’mon…I HAVE raced a few marathons, some Ironmans, and several Half-Ironmans…so, really how difficult could it be?  My races last hours, and hers…for the most part she is finished in a couple of minutes.  

Ah, then those four simple, yet complex words, “I bet you can’t…”  

Lauren knows I have a competitive spirit, which when faced with somebody telling me “I can’t” do something, usually means that I will work hard just to prove that person wrong.  So, when Lauren and I were comparing the difficulties of triathlons versus swimming, she set a challenge for me.  She told me, “I bet you can’t swim a 200 fly even if you tried.”  I accepted the challenge…foolishly, maybe? 

The USMS National LC Championship will be hosted by my hometown Masters Swim Team this coming August, and Lauren graciously gave me until then to train and prepare for the 200 fly.  If I succeed, she gets to do my laundry.  If I don’t, well…we won’t go there! 

I have made the commitment to this race, and have engaged the help of The Woodlands Masters Swim Coaches.  While they are positive I will fulfill the challenge set by my daughter, I know it will take a lot of hard work and preparation. 

So, now you may wonder…WHY am I doing this?    

1.    To inspire my daughters to not be afraid of trying something new, regardless of their age.  “Never let the fear of striking out get in your way.”  -Babe Ruth
I did not grow up swimming, so the butterfly stroke is something I have viewed as a form of punishment.  Really, is the body meant to undulate like that?  It surely is not an efficient stroke, is it?  It might be a beautiful stroke, when done correctly, but the operative words are…when done correctly.  Regardless, the best way to inspire somebody is through actions.  Besides, if I don’t try…how will I really know if I can or cannot do something?  How can I expect my daughters to live up to a standard, unless I personally do the same? 
2.     To demonstrate to my daughters that you can do ANYTHING you set your mind to as long as you properly prepare.  “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”  -Benjamin Franklin 
To date, I have been able to swim 1×50 meter butterfly, but of course, I get to the wall and am gasping for air and my entire body is completely exhausted.  Currently I might only be ¼ of the way there, but I am preparing for the 200 fly by religiously working on my core strength (with the help of Gaiam and Trigger Point’s Stability Pods), by taking swim lessons (thank you Fun IN Swimming), and by swimming, swimming, swimming.
3.     To motivate my daughters to pursue dreams outside of their comfort zone.  “If we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.”  -Thomas Edison
There is no doubt that attempting the 200 fly is out of my comfort zone, but it has now gone beyond a challenge, and has become a dream of mine.  Even swimmers acknowledge that the 200 fly is one of the more difficult races.  I can talk to my girls all day about the importance of pushing themselves to the edge, but I would rather have them watch their mom demonstrate the pursuit of a dream.  
 

Happy Training.