1970's. Living in Western Canada, where the only outdoor pool was a rare heated pool. I was terrified of it, and sat (in cold weather) on a cement thing in the middle of this pool, steam rising all around me. I vividly remember this scene at probably three years of age.
Late 1970's. Attending grade school in Michigan, we occasionally took a bus load from my school to a local YMCA. I ALWAYS got stomach aches from anxiety pre-swim, and then near-drowned on the pool water, resulting in a worse-ever stomach ache afterward.
1980's. Lived near a summer camp that had a pool. Rode my bike to the pool and paid $1 to swim for the afternoon, once or twice a week during summer months. Actually taught myself how to keep myself afloat and "swim", although there was zero form or style. I floundered, and that was about it. Attempted crawl stroke, but couldn't figure out how to breathe while stroking, so this was what happened: DEEP breath, push off from pool and swim like mad till ran out of breath, then tread water while breathing, then continue on. That hasn't changed over the years, except that it's embarrassing when someone is watching.
1990's. Attended college, and made use of the free pool at my university. Didn't learn anything new.
1996. The year of my first and only full triathlon. Husband and I were "just friends", and he was a former lifeguard. In an attempt to help me prepare for the triathlon, he volunteered to teach me how to swim properly. Major fail on my part. I swam the entire triathlon 1/2 mile side stroke. Nearly the last one out of the lake. Made up for a poor swim with a decent bike and run.
October 26, 2011. Husband swam beside me in the pool while I swam for the first time doing a crawl stroke AND breathing. VICTORY!!! Husband feels like he finally completed his job, and I am knocking down major barriers. It feels incredible! All the moves still feel robotic and calculated, and my brain is struggling to process and act out what I know I am supposed to do. But it is happening! I'm actually looking forward to my next swim, in anticipation of seeing this barrier be totally knocked out. At 39 years of age, I am actually learning to swim! Woohoo!!!
~Faster by Forty
* * *
Today I experienced some serious back issues. I couldn't exactly call it pain, but it totally knocked the breath out of me, over and over again. If I hold still, there is no pain, but twisting movements of any kind just made me catch my breath and gasp. Husband thinks this may be because of the stretching of my back during biking. I hope this is what it was. Regardless, I wanted to swim today, hoping that a counter-exercise would help this problem. I'm not sure that it made a difference, but I'm still going. :) Sitting in the hot tub after swimming couldn't have hurt things. And truly, I do find it curious and encouraging that the different disciplines of triathlon training help my body. One venue will create sore muscles in my legs, while another activity erases that pain. It's all good, I tell you. :)
Late 1970's. Attending grade school in Michigan, we occasionally took a bus load from my school to a local YMCA. I ALWAYS got stomach aches from anxiety pre-swim, and then near-drowned on the pool water, resulting in a worse-ever stomach ache afterward.
1980's. Lived near a summer camp that had a pool. Rode my bike to the pool and paid $1 to swim for the afternoon, once or twice a week during summer months. Actually taught myself how to keep myself afloat and "swim", although there was zero form or style. I floundered, and that was about it. Attempted crawl stroke, but couldn't figure out how to breathe while stroking, so this was what happened: DEEP breath, push off from pool and swim like mad till ran out of breath, then tread water while breathing, then continue on. That hasn't changed over the years, except that it's embarrassing when someone is watching.
1990's. Attended college, and made use of the free pool at my university. Didn't learn anything new.
1996. The year of my first and only full triathlon. Husband and I were "just friends", and he was a former lifeguard. In an attempt to help me prepare for the triathlon, he volunteered to teach me how to swim properly. Major fail on my part. I swam the entire triathlon 1/2 mile side stroke. Nearly the last one out of the lake. Made up for a poor swim with a decent bike and run.
October 26, 2011. Husband swam beside me in the pool while I swam for the first time doing a crawl stroke AND breathing. VICTORY!!! Husband feels like he finally completed his job, and I am knocking down major barriers. It feels incredible! All the moves still feel robotic and calculated, and my brain is struggling to process and act out what I know I am supposed to do. But it is happening! I'm actually looking forward to my next swim, in anticipation of seeing this barrier be totally knocked out. At 39 years of age, I am actually learning to swim! Woohoo!!!
~Faster by Forty
* * *
Today I experienced some serious back issues. I couldn't exactly call it pain, but it totally knocked the breath out of me, over and over again. If I hold still, there is no pain, but twisting movements of any kind just made me catch my breath and gasp. Husband thinks this may be because of the stretching of my back during biking. I hope this is what it was. Regardless, I wanted to swim today, hoping that a counter-exercise would help this problem. I'm not sure that it made a difference, but I'm still going. :) Sitting in the hot tub after swimming couldn't have hurt things. And truly, I do find it curious and encouraging that the different disciplines of triathlon training help my body. One venue will create sore muscles in my legs, while another activity erases that pain. It's all good, I tell you. :)
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