Flounder

I saw a quote today that said “Inspiration is contagious. Once inspired you’re capable of anything.” That explains a lot.

A couple of weeks ago I told myself that I’m going to learn how to swim in a heavily chlorine treated pool—bacteria infested lakes was not an option even if it was warm enough to be in one this time of year. What was I thinking? I have too much time on my hands! I took a few lessons with Paul before he left to Iraq. He gave me the basics and then set me on my way. I didn’t do much with my new found knowledge at the time until now. Quite frankly, splashing around with arm floaties or a noodle wasn’t something I wanted to entertain. Come on. I would laugh too. But, I was highly encouraged by a friend to get back into the pool—damn peer pressure and guilt and my sister threatening to push me into the lake without a life jacket next time we are in the boat. Since I seem to have all this extra time on my hands I decided it would be perfect to pull on the waistband flotation device—since it’s not as noticeable—and try to concur my fear.

Learning how to swim as an adult will be much harder then as a child. Too many thoughts and worries go through your mind as an adult—children don’t think about all the minuet issues that could go wrong.

I left my pride at home and went to the gym (at 2pm when no one is around) and started with just getting into the pool to do a few laps remembering what Paul taught me. Nothing crazy—I had no expectations on how I would do just that I needed to get in. Every time is a lesson learned. What I learned that day was this was going to be a process. I concentrated only on one element (the most important element in my book)—breathing—reminding myself that I didn’t excel on the bike by riding two miles here or there…I would have to put my time into the pool (exerting myself to daily humiliation with the waistband flotation device). Knowing some day “I’ll get it.”

Day three of swimming, I was on my last lap (first day I tried a few laps without the flotation belt) when an older gentleman asked to share my lane since the other lanes were full. Panic took over—why my lane of all lanes? There were 7 other lanes to pick from and hell if I can keep a straight line! I’m new to this whole swimming thing—I don’t know the periodicals to lane sharing. So I told him I’m learning how to swim and that I was almost done. He said he could deal with it if it was only one lap—I’m glad I wasn’t going to inconvenience him even though he was budging into my lane. While I stood there catching my breath and he was putting on his cap he asked me if I was new to swimming what did I normally do. I lifted my leg showing him my crazy tan lines and said I was a cyclist. He responded by saying “That’s what I thought. Once you get this down you’ll be doing an Ironman.” I laughed at his comment. Has he been talking to a few of my friends? Fighting with 2,000 people in open water was not in my future.

Now that I’ve been going often, each time seems to be another small accomplishment achieved. The waistband flotation device is no longer needed and I’m trying to learn how to do a four count stroke while remembering to rotate my shoulders and hips. The turnaround flip is part of the advanced course. I'm still in the beginner/intermediate course I continue to remind myself that I’ll have my good and bad days and that I’ll appreciate each day as it comes no matter the outcome. I’ve even learn to appreciate the serenity that comes from swimming.

On a side note: What I don’t understand is why the hell do they have that line in the middle of the pool that indicates that you are entering the “death zone” i.e. the deep end? It’s bad enough to see the blue water get darker. I don’t need a big fat black line indicating the question “are you sure?”—Hell no, but I guess I’m going anyways.