Three strokes or two?

Wake at 6:30 am feeling a little tired, but put it down to yesterday's exertions. It's a dry morning outside with a pale sun rising to the east. Make a full English breakfast with the usual coffee and eat this in the garden room whilst the day develops outside. The rabbits and the pheasants are in the field as usual. The hen pheasant's eggs will be hatching soon and I have developed an affection for her and her mate. As always affection is linked to concern, as the village cats stalk the hedges at night, as well as the usual more legitimate country predators. After breakfast, wash, dress and take Louis to school. The car radio forecasts heavy rain by late morning, so I pack a cap and a cagoule into a bumbag, before taking the dogs for their walk. It comes on to rain as we walk down the disused railway line and I put on the wet weather gear, but fortunately it is only a light shower, and we get back dry. Afterwards drive to the leisure centre and arrive poolside about a quarter to eleven. The pool is busier today and a lane to myself is not possible, so wait for a gap and push off. As I mentioned yesterday the thirteen stroke to a length pattern is the most economical for me, and as there are a hundred lengths to swim on Sunday, both stamina and economy are required. This pattern is a delicate balance because breathing every three strokes means only five breaths per length, and at long distance pace, this means one breath every seven seconds. As yesterday I swim 100 lengths broken into 20 length repeats. The first and last to the 13 stroke pattern, but the middle two to a 15 stroke pattern breathing every 2 strokes, as the lane gets more crowded and extra effort is needed to navigate around other swimmers. Nevertheless the objective is achieved and another training session is in the locker for Sunday. Later, in the cafe over tea, the centre manager tells me there are sixty swimmers taking part in the Swimathon, and that there are likely to be four swimmers per lane. So it looks like 2 stroke breathing and lots of patience may be the order of the day. As forecast it is now raining heavily but I feel OK.