The meaning of swimming

Swimming is a lot of things for me......First of all, it is a way that I can keep from blowing up to a giant ball of fat....seriously...up until about 4 or 5 months ago, I had blown up like Violet from Willie Wonka when she grabbed the 12 course meal chewing gum and shoved it in her mouth. Secondly, it provides me with a social outlet where I can meet new people and become part of a group (which sadly I admit that I need) Thirdly, it provides me with a competitive outlet that I would otherwise be lacking (I'm not really that good at many other sports or organized games...like Chess or Bridge for example). Lastly, it provides me with a kind of solemn "inner peace" to be gliding down the pool in a perfectly weightless environment ...kind of like what I envision floating (or more like "flying") through Outer Space might be like?....I can clear my mind of all the day's stresses and just be free for a while.....I can also push myself physically (a kind of adrenaline rush) when I want ...and afterwards I feel so good for the rest of the day.... Bottom line: Swimming is totally AWSOME in almost everyway!!! newmastersswimmer

My favorite part of time in the pool is the breaststroke start/turn. You push off streamlined and move through the water in peace. Then, when you start to slow down, you pull back and zoooooooom! Priceless.

My favorite part of time in the pool is the breaststroke start/turn. You push off streamlined and move through the water in peace. Then, when you start to slow down, you pull back and zoooooooom! Yaeh, This is exactly what I was talking about when I compared swimming to what flying (or soaring) through outer space might be like. Also When your swimming freestyle up and down the pool at a constant (but semi-quick) pace you can feel like your gliding through space as well....I like the sensation of the water flowing over and passed me as I glide along.......I always try to glide as much off of every turn as well to get the sensation you are talking about....With *** stroke turns it's the most pronounced perhaps....especially with the extra zoooooom at the end.....I also like long backstroke turns with lots of dolphin kicks.....when you hit it just right you glide to the surface moving at the optimal speed right into your backstroke....also a very cool sensation! newmastersswimmer

I can tell when I am swimming freestyle fast (or at least fast for me!:D ) by the sound of the water as it goes around my head/ears. I know that sounds weird, but I know it's true from my experiences since I started swimming two years ago. Or maybe it isn't the speed that does it, but instead the proper streamline vs. improper. Of course, that would lead to increased speed...... Now I'm all confused. I should stop trying to analyze it and just experience it! I don't have the dophin kick at the start of a backstroke length down yet so it doesn't have the same feeling for me - but I guess that gives me something to work towards.

I have just recently gotten back in the water after 7 years without swimming once. After college I just had to stop and for this whole time I knew something was missing. After all I did spend 6 days a week 13 practices in the water. It wasn't just that I missed the activity. I missed thinking about NOTHING. No bills, no work, no kids, no dogs, no cats only how my hands were going through the water, how my feet were just dragging along and how GOOD and tired I was going to feel when I got out. I started back four months ago and fourty pounds heavier than I am now. I know one thing for sure I have peace of mind back that I had lost for quite a while--sure is great to be back!!

The best things about swimming: 1) feeling like your part of the water 2) looking at the bottom and seeing your shadow, arm outstretched in front of you... 3) the smell of the pool when you walk out on the deck (those memories...) 4) hearing the rush of water past your ears as you pull and glide 5) the feel of swimming downhill 6) taking the last pull and hitting the wall hard!

Swimming is my oxygen. I can't live without it. Even when I'm tired, it energizes me. I feel better and think more clearly after a good swim.

But once or twice a month, when some particularly troubling thought is in my head (kids, work, money, will the Steelers win this week:rolleyes: ) I will go through a workout without thinking much about my stroke. Sometimes I get to the end of a workout and I am not really sure if I did what I had planned to do! Yesterday, as I started my workout, I had a quick discussion with someone about the upcoming election. That discussion absolutely ruined my workout, as I began to stress out about how disastrous it will be if my candidate doesn't win. My strokes and my rhythm were more erratic than they have ever been!

Originally posted by Leonard Jansen Don't stress - Nader has it in a landslide. Groovy!

Originally posted by Scansy But once or twice a month, when some particularly troubling thought is in my head (kids, work, money, will the Steelers win this week :rolleyes: ) I will go through a workout without thinking much about my stroke. What are you worried about? Of course the Steelers are going to win. ;) Keep in mind that being surrounded by moving water is going to provide your sense of touch with a lot of sensation. Normally the mind ignores this (like feel of your clothing, the pressure of the floor against your feet), but swimming allows you to explore your kinesthesia.