My cute little niece Christy, the one with the gorgeous smile, is co-sponsoring a fun challenge for February - just complete a triathlon during the entire month instead of one day like the real athletes do it. So that's running miles, and biking hundred plus miles, and swimming 2 1/2 miles (or something like that). Plus make a new recipe each week using a special super food (first week it was beans for breakfast - like black beans; this week it's yellow squash for dessert). Ok, I'm not getting this info exactly right. (Go here if you want the correct info: Ironman challenge) But you get the idea.
So I'm not actually competing - figure I make a better pep section than participant - but maybe doing a little on the side. Like mixing up my exercise routine a touch. Adding in swimming.
Swimming? Me, a non-swimmer, self-taught splash machine? I mean, I can make it across the pool without drowning. At least I used to. But I really can't swim worth the beans in the first week's breakfasts. I can make waves. And big splashes. But real, genuine swimming?
And then there's this trip we're going on next month. To the Bahamas. Where there is a snorkeling activity we're signed up for. In the blue Caribbean waters.
Yeah.
So yesterday morning I find myself lowering into the pool at the Legacy Center. I've been trying to swim at least once a week since January. It's hard to think of when it's 20 degrees outside and you have to shovel snow and scrape windows just to get to the pool. But, it's getting easier now that the sun's staying around a little longer.
So, I found myself lowering into the pool with a new determination to figure out how to swim the RIGHT way. That means putting my face down in the water. I came equipped with a new pair of Speedos (swim goggles, people. No gagging now.) because I hate the way chlorine burns my eyes. And this time I'm going to get it figured out.
Ok, lap one. I start out nice and easy with my 'hold the head up, kind of breast stroke, kind of doggie paddle' method of staying above the water and I make it across and back in about four minutes (I know, real speed demon that I am).
Lap two. I can do this. One more time up and back, but this time I try looking into the water. With the goggles on, I can do this! I can put my head in the water. I can watch the bottom of the pool ... ach! gag, sputter, snort!
Where did that come from? It's so easy to see with the goggles on. How did I totally forget I can not breath under water?
Ok, Recover. Lap three. Try it again. Concentrate now, Julie. Head down, legs kicking, arms stroking, reach, stroke, reach. Turn the head to the air and breathe. Gasp. Now head down again. Breathe out, not in. stroke, reach, stroke, reach. Turn the head to the air and breathe. Whoa, Watch out for your wave! Gasp. Ach! GAG, sputter, snort!
After a few laps like this, the life guard starts making regular rounds down near my end of the pool. I'm sure he's wondering how he's going to pull all 200+ pounds of me out when, not if, I drown.
But I hang in there. I make 18 laps (1/2 mile). And actually swim the entire length of the pool with my head down and only coming up for breaths by the time I am done. And I was merciful to the lifeguard.
I did not drown.
(I wonder about those little bubblegum colored nose clips.)
4 comments:
swimming is tough but such a good work out--keep it up!
If you find the noseclips, buy me a pair!! Didn't know you were going to the Bahamas--what a wonderful trip that will be for you!! Just a tip--do some tanning before you go. Yeah, I know about all the buzz about tanning beds, but it sure beats turning into a beet because you missed a few spots with sunscreen! It saved our hides (literally) on our cruise. And--once you get a bit of a tan, you won't burn nearly as much or as quick--and the burning is the worst thing on your skin. As for swimming--snorkeling is more looking down, arms at your side, and kicking the fins--you don't need to "swim" for that! You will love it, so don't worry about "swimming"--it's floating and kicking is all.
Funny you mentioned the tanning, Ann. I actually am doing it, and loving it. Not to excess and not every day. Just enough to start to darken a little and hopefully protect me. I was reading about tanning beds, and there are actually a lot of benefits to wise tanning. I'm trying to stay in that category. Haven't looked for the nose clips, yet. I need to. I will seriously get you a pair if I find them.
Congratulations on your trips to the Bahamas--and congratulations on the courage to swim! I often feel the same way blubbling my way across the pool while everyone else glides by. Hopefully it will get easier. :)
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