This is the first entry in a blog that I hope to feel inspired to write regularly. I'm feeling that way today...
Today, I started off thinking that it would be a good day to start training for the swim portion of the triathlon that I have committed myself to doing at the end of July.
I kept telling myself since the beginning of May, that I needed to start doing it. I know how to swim, as in, I can keep myself afloat, and I could rescue my child if they were drowning, but I've never really learned proper strokes or how to breathe while swimming.
One of the excuses preventing me from starting the swimming training was that I didn't have goggles or a swim cap. So, how much effort does that take? Not a lot. I just needed to decide to do it. So, today, I decided to take care of that dumb excuse, and go buy those things.
After I dropped Kerrigan off at school, I headed to the sporting goods store in our neighborhood. As, I pulled up, I realized it was still closed, and as I looked at their sign, realized they didn't open until 10am. It was just before 9am at the time. So, I checked to see where the next closest sporting goods store was, when they opened. Turns out Dick's in Aurora opens at 9, and was 20 minutes away, so I headed there, while I listened to my audio book about being a badass, and I certainly felt that way, as I was unfettered, in my attempt to get goggles and a swim cap.
I arrived at the store, which was almost empty. I found the swim area and was overwhelmed with my choices of goggles, but decided on a less expensive pair, since it's not like I'm Michael Phelps. Then, on to pick a swim cap. I thought I should try to pick a color that matched my goggles, so white it was. Plus the white one was silicone rather than latex, and for some reason that just said higher quality to me. It also said it wouldn't snag my hair--so okay, sold!
Then, I started to get distracted by all the racing swimsuits, and then when I decided that the suit I had would be just fine for today, I started looking around to see if there was anything I could get my mom for Mother's Day, there. Nope. So, after spending about 20 min longer at the store than I should have, and 20 minutes more driving there, I decided, I'd better leave and get to business. Oh yeah, I did pay for my items.
Spent another 10 minutes in the car before I started it up, looking at my phone. Man, was I procrastinating.
Then, I was on the road back to my neck of the woods to go to the rec center. On my way, I realized I hadn't eaten much breakfast. I usually have my Shakeology in the morning, after I workout, but I didn't workout at home this morning, since my plan was to swim. So, I thought, I can't swim on an empty stomach, I'd better go home before I swim. So, I went home, made my shake. Drank it. Waited a little while longer, because who wants to swim with a heavy stomach?
So, I finally decide, after about 30 minutes, that I'd better just get my butt to the rec center, and do it. I drive to the rec center. I ask the lady at the front desk if there is open lap swim right now. Don't ask me why I didn't determine this before I left. SMH. She, luckily said that all 4 lanes were open until 2pm. Phew!
I paid my fee. I headed to the locker rooms. I start taking off my shoes. I realize that other women had their own towels. Uh-oh! I don't have a towel with me. I thought maybe it was just one of those things where people like to use their own towels, even though the facility provides them--like yoga mats or something? Nope, no towels to be had. I don't know why I would assume that a city rec center would have towel service. What was I thinking, really?
No way I could swim without a towel, right? So, I put my shoes back on, gathered up my things, stopped at the front desk and sheepishly explained to them that I had paid to get in, but now I have to go home to get a towel, and I would be back, and "How do I get back in, without having to pay?" They were gracious enough to just say they would remember me, and not to worry about it.
Back in the car. Headed home. Realized, I have my glasses on, and that probably wasn't good for swimming, either. So, felt thankful that I had an opportunity to put in my contacts, and not set myself up for even more ridiculousness.
At home, I quickly grabbed a towel, and put my contacts in. Back in the car. Pull into a space in the rec center parking lot, walk directly past the front desk, as I gestured to the guy with my towel, and headed back to change clothes.
In the pool area, I walked to the lap pool. Determined there was a completely unoccupied lane (whoo hoo)--and it was next to the wall (whoo hoo). Got in the water. Warmed up a little, and did my best to swim toward the other end of the pool.
Yeah, I said did my best. My best, at that point was probably about the most incompetent lap swimming those life guards had ever seen. I didn't know what the HELL I was doing.
I had seen a lot of people swim laps before--you know the Olympics. Lot's of people do this. I am in good physical shape. It shouldn't be that hard. Um, yeah, the panic set in, when I realized that once I held my breath underwater, I had no idea what to do next. I just held it. I didn't realize I needed to blow it out, under the water. I kept going, stopping at various points so I could actually breathe. I needed to figure this whole breathing thing out. I went two laps, and caught eyes with a guy in the lane next to me. I said "hi".
He asked me if I was new to this thing. Gee, it was that obvious? I of course said I was and let him know that I was trying to figure out my breathing, and that I had never really swam laps before, but I wanted to be ready for a triathlon this summer. Turns out he had been swimming (like, real swimming) since he was four. He was in his 50s, and he started giving me some pointers. I really appreciated the way he was giving me advice, in such a kind, non-condescending way.
I was truly amazed at his willingness to help. He ended up spending at least 30 minutes with me, helping me break things up into separate mechanics and not try to do everything at once. He got in my lane with me, and he told me about his rhythm of breathing and his arm strokes. He told me to use a buoy (I don't even know how to spell that, let alone use one) between my knees to keep my legs up while I just used my arms, to focus on slowing down my stroke. He told me how not to bend my knees so much when I was kicking. He did two lengths of the pool with me, with just our kick boards, working on kicking. He told me not to try the an entire length of the pool, when I wasn't feeling confident about it, and to just go half-way, and stop, catch my breath, and go back again.
I needed to start at square one, when I thought all I needed was a little experience in the water. I really underestimated how far I had to go, to being a confident lap swimmer. I underestimated the kindness of others to help and not judge. When I told some women on my coaching team about all of this, it was obvious to them, that I was meant to be in that pool, at that time, when that guy was there. So after all of my procrastination, and second thoughts, and what I thought were ill-timed mistakes. I was right where I was supposed to be--in that pool, learning humility, accepting kindness, and not giving up on myself.
