Indiana University Natatorium (Training Pool)

When in Indianapolis, you have to visit the world-famous IU Nat! I'm in Indianapolis this evening and have scheduled time for a swim. I'm really hoping the 50m pool is open, although the timetable on the website isn't the easiest to digest!

The university campus is huge, but I manage to find the visitor parking garage fairly quickly. Fortunately, I spot a TYR bag on the shoulder of someone with dry hair. Assume they're heading to the pool, and fortunately they lead me through a second car park and pretty much straight there. That's lucky because it isn't straightforward and certainly isn't well signposted!

Head down to the pool reception, which doubles as the IU swim team shop. The super helpful guy on reception breaks the bad news that there is an IU Masters session in the competition pool, but the warm-up pool is open. So frustrating, as I can see the legendary pool through the window behind him!

Accept that it's going to be a swim in the training pool. He does confirm there are two 50m lane swim sessions tomorrow and, although they need to be booked in advance, if I can make one, he's sure whoever is on reception will manage to squeeze me in. Apparently, it's a super strict allocated lane only type of deal.

Head through to the training pool deck and skirt around the edge, the long way, to the locker rooms on the far side. It's a six-lane 50m pool with a boom across the middle, giving a 25-yard short course on one side and an open swim session on the other.

The ceiling is super low. The pool sits underneath the main hallway running through the building when you first walk in at ground level.

Quick change in the locker room, which definitely needs a clean, then back out to pick a lane. Take another moment to peek through the glass divider at the main competition pool.

The pool is fairly busy, with two or three swimmers per lane, but most are moving at a decent pace. Pick the fastest lane and jump in. The pool temperature is perfect and the water is crystal clear.

It's early evening, but now I'm wondering whether I could make the 5am 50m session tomorrow! Decide to keep this one a little shorter to save the shoulders, just in case. Work through a 2,200-yard swim with pretty much a lane to myself for the whole session.

Swim done, take a quick peek at the competition pool spectator gallery, then it's time to head to this evening's Hilton of choice, the Hampton Inn Indianapolis Downtown.

It turns out there are two Hampton Inns with nearly identical names, just five minutes apart! Back in the car and arrive at the correct one.

Hopefully I'll be back tomorrow!