Centennial Sportsplex

Nashville really needs more public swimming pools! Within easy reach of the city centre you're really limited to just the Centennial Sportsplex, and surprisingly there don't seem to be any outdoor lap pools within a two hour drive. I've no idea why, but Tennessee, more public lap swim pools please!

I'm heading home this evening after a couple of weeks through six states, from Chicago, IL down to Nashville, TN for the Cvent conference (well done on that by the way Cvent, impressive!). Managed to put several new pools (and states), on the list. There's time for a morning swim before a late checkout from the Hilton Downtown Nashville.

I've had my eye on a swim at the Centennial Sportsplex for a few days. Frustratingly this is the most convenient day to visit, but it's also the only weekday morning session set up with short course 25 yard lanes instead of the full 50m lap lanes. Never mind, always love the sight of a sea of lane ropes stretching across the full length of a 50m pool!

This was supposed to be a fairly early morning swim but I didn't sleep great last night (nothing to do with the England World Cup semi final loss!) and there were a few work tasks that needed attention, so it's mid morning before I'm ready to go.

I'd been contemplating taking a Lime scooter for the 20 minutes or so out to the pool, got as far as installing the app, but then remembered Nashville has driverless Waymos. Funnily enough, as I sit writing this, I'm watching a Waymo that seems to be stuck trying to turn into a car park! Seeing the nearest one was a 20 minute wait, I ended up with an Uber instead, which I generally try to avoid these days thanks to the classic '2 minutes away' that somehow doubles once you book, not to mention the endless driver cancellations after you've already been waiting.

Anyway, Uber to the pool.

Arrive, head in, pay the $10 entry fee and make my way to the locker room.

Head out onto the pool deck and it's a huge pool hall with a white arched metal roof. There's a 25 yard learner pool across the end of the main pool and bench seating running the full length of the competition pool on the far side.

The pool deck has a lot going on. It just seems to have 'things' everywhere. The near side has folded aluminium benches and towards the far end there are some strange contraptions on either side of the pool, about eight feet high with what look like ropes on pulleys. I've no idea what they are! There's also a full range of help yourself kickboards, pull buoys and other training equipment.

The pool itself is a typical US 50m x 25y competition pool with a consistent 2m depth. The construction is an odd mix of concrete, tile and stainless steel.

Sixteen 25 yard lanes are available, although this morning they're keeping swimmers to the nearest seven. There are only four other swimmers in the water so I pick a free lane and jump in. The water is freezing. Perfect! It is, however, slightly cloudy and there's definitely a bit of a chemical taste.

Make a start. I've noted the time on the LED clock and plan to swim for a straight hour. During the swim I work out that 4,400 yards should be just over my usual one hour 4km plod, so settle on that as a drink stop. It's been a couple of days since I was last in the pool so I'm keen to make it a 6,000 yard swim today, even if that does leave me a bit tight for hotel checkout.

After a while I realise everyone else has got out. Nearly 30 minutes with the entire competition pool to myself! Finish up the 6,000 yard swim with a 400, then 200 and 100 yard sets.

Swim done, time to climb out. The pool is ringed by a stainless steel filter trough about 10 inches wide with a very narrow lip, so you have to pull yourself up, get a knee onto the slim metal edge and carefully step sideways. A bit weird. During the swim I'd also noticed the stainless steel extends about a foot below the waterline and isn't quite flush with the pool wall. The toes on my right foot seem to find the ridge on almost every turn and I was definitely feeling it by the 200th flip turn.

Uber back to the hotel, a couple of hours catching up on emails, then it's off to the airport.