I was thinking today about a lot of things (class is over and I only work part-time so I have A LOT of free time :)) and I started to think about my swimming. Why I had started back, why I was doing it now, and what I hoped to someday accomplish with it. So then I began to wonder why every one here swam? What is your reason for dragging yourself out of bed every morning? What made you decide to come back after all those years off (if in fact you did take years off)? Is it for fitness, for fun, or some other reason? Just curious!
I started back to swimming (after a 22 year break) after a back injury (broken tailbone) sidelined me from everything else. My chiropractor said I needed to start doing some form of exercise, so swimming was it.
For the first few months it was hard getting my water lungs back, I was 220 lbs, overweight, with a back that would spasm every time I tried to exit the pool even with the use of the ladder. The only time I was almost pain free was in the water!
I would not say that the back issues are completely resolved, I still have the pain on waking in the morning or if I don't warm up good before a race, but if I swim in the morning I am usually pain free most of the day. So WATER I AM HERE TO STAY!
The weight loss, competition, and the friendships are just added bonuses!
To get in shape.
To get and stay healthy.
To lose weight.
To look better.
Because I got a little dizzy running one time and I haven't had that checked out yet.
It's a good skill to have.
So I can be more confident in open water.
To have fun.
Because physical fitness contributes to mental fitness.
I'm not sure but I'm swimming once again. It feels good somehow. I am enjoying it and luckily have some good people who swim where I swim and that makes it a lot more fun. There is a lack of pressure I used to feel back 20 years ago and that makes it fun, too. I can feel my body changing already and I like feeling more flexible (wow--my neck is feeling good :) ) and feeling stronger. :)
Good Question
I returned to swimming because................
I need to lose weight ( and it is working I am losing weight and inches:bump:)
I have bad knees
It fits into my schedule. I swim in the mornings and when I get home at night my time is my families (yet I have already been kind to my body so I don't mind)
THIS IS FOR ME. When you are in the water you can talk to yourself, push yourself and the only one who hears you is YOU . It is very spiritual and I am not really a spiritual person. It is a wonderful feeling strange feeling.
To prove to myself and my children you are never to old to try something new ( been out of the pool for 22 years)
And to meet new people who have the same goals I do. Health and Happiness.
OHHHHHHH AND I HATE math but that is not the reason I swim:bolt:.
Katie
I grew up on a lake and swam every day (at least every day of every summer) -- well, swam isn't the right term. We were in the water at least 6 hours of every day of every summer for 11 years or so. I love it!
From my earliest memories, I have always LOVED :hug: being in the water. I love the feeling of being weightless, being able to move my body however I wish without the constraint of gravity. The coolness of the water. The way water droplets feel sliding down my skin when I get out. Competive swimming gives me a reason to experience all these things during the week as an adult without looking too silly:fish2:.
Love it. For the pleasure. And for the pain. Well,sometimes the pain. Yes I have become a conosseur (sp??) of pain it seems. Why? Because it feels so good when it stops, I guess. Mmm.
But also swimming poses so many questions: if I angle this, will such-and-such happen? etc etc. It's been very fun to learn and study and practice and I guess I enjoy the pursuit of perfection. Note that I said pursuit. And note that I did not even mention speed.
There is nothing so ... pure? as that ahhhhhh feeling after a good swim.
Also, there seems to be a special comraderie among those who swim together. I mean, there you are, wearing not much at all, and it is all about trying and suffering together and there just is no faking it, it is just very real.
Maybe I've had too much coffee but I could go and on.
it's fun
to have something to blog about
to keep from getting fat
to swim faster faster
to hang out with my swim friends
to get in town early cause I have a long drive
I was thinking today about a lot of things (class is over and I only work part-time so I have A LOT of free time :)) and I started to think about my swimming. Why I had started back, why I was doing it now, and what I hoped to someday accomplish with it. So then I began to wonder why every one here swam? What is your reason for dragging yourself out of bed every morning? What made you decide to come back after all those years off (if in fact you did take years off)? Is it for fitness, for fun, or some other reason? Just curious!
I have always been around swimming since I was 13. As a swimmer then a coach. I came back to swimming b/c I missed it and knew that was the best way for me to get in shape.
I joined the masters team when it started b/c I love to compete.
I keep going and pushing myself harder b/c I love seeing my times drop.
I keep swimming so I can eat and have my ice cream fix every night.
