jock librarian

"You're not in the holiday spirit if you don't do a flipturn,"our head coach said smilingly. The turnout for this morning's Twelve Days of Christmas practice was formidable and the workout, fantastically varied. Included among the sets our true love asked for were:

• 6 x 50 double-arm backstrokes
• 5 x 50 six freestyle strokes followed by one somersault
• 4 x 25 feet-first sculls
• 3 x 50 sidestrokes (performed to perfection, one talented lane 5 swimmer earned the coveted title of "Chlorine Queen")
• 2 x 50 doggie paddle (bark included)

For the final 1 x100 set, all of us (i.e. over 20 swimmers!) hopped into a single lane and whooped it up in a spirited, carnival-like celebration.