. . . "Get to the point. Just tell me the bottom line."
How a melancholy teaches swimming . . . "Well, you need to angle your elbow out about an inch more. And you should cut the water with the top of your head, not your forehead/hairline, at a 45 degree angle. Keep your wrist well bent. Straighten out your waist and point your hips; don't bend at the waist. Align your body like it's being pulled from the top of your head. Shove your arm in front of you like you're pushing it down a sleeve."
"Ugh. Just get to the point, alright?! What is the bottom line? I want to know that. We'll fill in the details later, okay?"
That's about how the lesson tonight went. All the instructions leave me cross-eyed and scratching my head. I mean, pushing one arm while pulling the other and immediately rolling to the side all the while kicking my feet is worse than that old trick of patting your tummy while rubbing your head. And WHEN do I breathe? It's just not that easy, especially when one is 39! I should have learned swimming when I was 8. It would have been so much easier!
Regardless, we bought membership. Me and gym memberships just do not go together. Till now. Sigh. Running on a piece of stretchy fabric to the unchanging scenery of walls and sweaty people just has never held any appeal for me. Give me the fresh air, the pebbles under my feet, the trees and skies, even the rain on my face and the cold air that scars my throat as I gasp for breath.
I am learning a lot about sacrifice while starting to train. In the end, when I stick with it, I know I will be better off. And on those good days, I WILL be outside! But the swimming? Well, here comes a tummy-ache of pool water, thanks to that membership.
How a melancholy teaches swimming . . . "Well, you need to angle your elbow out about an inch more. And you should cut the water with the top of your head, not your forehead/hairline, at a 45 degree angle. Keep your wrist well bent. Straighten out your waist and point your hips; don't bend at the waist. Align your body like it's being pulled from the top of your head. Shove your arm in front of you like you're pushing it down a sleeve."
"Ugh. Just get to the point, alright?! What is the bottom line? I want to know that. We'll fill in the details later, okay?"
That's about how the lesson tonight went. All the instructions leave me cross-eyed and scratching my head. I mean, pushing one arm while pulling the other and immediately rolling to the side all the while kicking my feet is worse than that old trick of patting your tummy while rubbing your head. And WHEN do I breathe? It's just not that easy, especially when one is 39! I should have learned swimming when I was 8. It would have been so much easier!
Regardless, we bought membership. Me and gym memberships just do not go together. Till now. Sigh. Running on a piece of stretchy fabric to the unchanging scenery of walls and sweaty people just has never held any appeal for me. Give me the fresh air, the pebbles under my feet, the trees and skies, even the rain on my face and the cold air that scars my throat as I gasp for breath.
I am learning a lot about sacrifice while starting to train. In the end, when I stick with it, I know I will be better off. And on those good days, I WILL be outside! But the swimming? Well, here comes a tummy-ache of pool water, thanks to that membership.
Well, I suppose you could always ask if you could join a kid's swimming class. . . but I don't think the instruction would be any easier! But you are doing GREAT! We are proud of you! :) (And will happily cheer you on from the sidelines. . . )
ReplyDeleteSusan, I've actually considered this, but you are right about it probably not being any easier. . . . Thanks for the encouragement!
ReplyDelete