I think swimming is consuming my life and I've been doing it for less than 3 weeks
Former Member
At first, I was on vacation and I saw my girlfriend swim a few laps and thought, "Gosh, I should really take some lessons and learn how to do that."
Then it was, "I should really do some online research to complement my lessons."
Then, "I might as well start participating in some of these swimming forums."
Then I needed more time to practice, so I started going to rec swims. I'm now getting a SECOND instructor for a different perspective in addition to my on-my-own rec swim time.
And all the time I'm not in the pool, I'm watching videos, reading forums and articles, learning about top swimmers, going out to buy goggles (tonight), and generally wanting to get back in the water and practice...
All this and I can barely frakken swim a length in anything other than backstroke! Jesus. I'm taking "addictive personality" to new levels here. What on earth did I do with my life before three weeks ago?
And what implications does this have for the rest of my life? The first 23 years on dry-land are looking more and more like a write-off in comparison to the satisfaction I get from being in the water -- when it isn't in my nose, ears, mouth, and eyes, that is.
I spent a lot of time on dry land practicing my dancing and these days, I teach it. Because my dancing is automatic -- I "just do it" without thinking -- I can't really remember what it was like NOT to be able to do it.
In the same sense, I've had a lot of people say to me, "You're just learning to swim now? I can't imagine what it would be like NOT to be able to swim." I think I can relate.
Parents
Former Member
Well, shoot, no one said anything new would be easy. Of course swimming is endurance as well as technique. I just want our friend who is having some difficulty to know she is not alone in trying to learn to swim properly.
But once mastered to whatever level will give a person great confidence and will benefit the body beyond belief. I have won a thousand races and lost a thousand races, but now that I am almost 60, my health--because of swimming--is twice that of people I know. I guess my racing days are over (I live in a place where I only do a one mile ocean swim once a year.
BUT, I plan on an 18 miler in about a year and a half (must be crazy).
I think one of my most momentus moments was 2 years ago swimming in Half Moon Bay here in Roatan. And I was just swimming around the inlet (half-mile). I went around it several times and when I came to shore several people were standing there. Their comments were: I have never seen such a beautiful, graceful swim and so quickly.
I realized that I had been swimming like I always do, but to others, it seemed magical. Of course I was proud, but I instantly remembered how I got it to be what it is. Great coaching, lots of yardage, and finally it had come full circle. I truly don't mean this to be a bragging right, it just meant so much to me that people "saw" what years and years of swimming can do for a person. Sure, I am slower now, who wouldn't be? And the most strange part of this is I am quite large now, I am not a skinny minny by any means, but the technique I learned has stayed with me.
I am forever grateful for having great coaches in my early years. When I get tired, I dig deep and find that technique all over again.
Swimmer for life,
Donna
Well, shoot, no one said anything new would be easy. Of course swimming is endurance as well as technique. I just want our friend who is having some difficulty to know she is not alone in trying to learn to swim properly.
But once mastered to whatever level will give a person great confidence and will benefit the body beyond belief. I have won a thousand races and lost a thousand races, but now that I am almost 60, my health--because of swimming--is twice that of people I know. I guess my racing days are over (I live in a place where I only do a one mile ocean swim once a year.
BUT, I plan on an 18 miler in about a year and a half (must be crazy).
I think one of my most momentus moments was 2 years ago swimming in Half Moon Bay here in Roatan. And I was just swimming around the inlet (half-mile). I went around it several times and when I came to shore several people were standing there. Their comments were: I have never seen such a beautiful, graceful swim and so quickly.
I realized that I had been swimming like I always do, but to others, it seemed magical. Of course I was proud, but I instantly remembered how I got it to be what it is. Great coaching, lots of yardage, and finally it had come full circle. I truly don't mean this to be a bragging right, it just meant so much to me that people "saw" what years and years of swimming can do for a person. Sure, I am slower now, who wouldn't be? And the most strange part of this is I am quite large now, I am not a skinny minny by any means, but the technique I learned has stayed with me.
I am forever grateful for having great coaches in my early years. When I get tired, I dig deep and find that technique all over again.
Swimmer for life,
Donna
