2:32 & 1:35

Recently had a very cool experience.
For the past 7 weeks I have had the opportunity to do a lot of one-on-one coaching with a couple MTC athletes. Let me say I love meeting people for rides, runs or swims. If I had my choice I would have the opportunity to train with each of my athletes at least a couple times a week. Reading comments in someones training log is fine but looking them in the eye and having a face to face discussion is SO much better.
In any case, there is one particular athlete that started with me in mid August. During our first swim session together he wasn't able to swim a straight 50m. He could get down to the far end of the pool but couldn't make it all the way back without taking a breather. We worked together, often meeting at his pool at 5:30am to do drills, work on technique and improve his swimming fitness overall. Each swim seemed to bring new challenges and push him to new limits. He struggled, was frustrated at times but kept a positive attitude and persevered.
Last week we got together for a "test". His assignment was to swim a straight 500! Now this was way out of his comfort zone, 500 straight for a guy that couldn't swim 50 seven weeks ago? I am not sure he believed he could do it! I was there to cheer him on as the lengths clicked by and was so happy for him when he finished in 12:40 which equals a 2:32 "T-Pace". He text messaged me four time that evening saying how happy he was - "I feel more proud of myself now than after my first marathon!" If I am ever asked why I enjoy being a tri coach his story is going to be part of the explanation. He has a long way to go before he will be ready for his ultimate competition goal but he is on his way.
After watching my athlete do his thing I was ready for my own test - did the standard 1000m test, ended up with a 1:35 "T-Pace" which isn't my fastest ever, but not too bad for meter pool.