I started swimming in February. I knew that I was going to have yet another foot surgery and working out on land was becoming increasingly difficult with the foot pain I was experiencing. So, I talked to the lovely people at the WAC and they recommended a personal trainer at the WAC - Menomonee Falls. My trainer, Jess, has become one of my favorite people ever. But more on that later.
When I first mentioned to people that I was getting swimming lessons, the repeating question was, "You don't know how to swim?"
Yes. I know how to swim. But like any other sport that I do infrequently, it ain't pretty. I hadn't used many of the muscles needed for swimming before and there was no way I could just jump in and start swimming laps. The closest I have ever been to lap swimming was managing the boys swim team in high school. And let's be honest, I was just doing that for the hot guys in skimpy clothing.
The first few weeks were in the non-lap pool and it was a lot of jogging down and back, some basic front crawl, the kick board and fun cardio exercises. I had to take a break for a few weeks for my foot surgery but when I got back into the pool, I was ready to kick some major butt.
At first, I would head to the WAC over my lunch break, but I started going before work instead. I loved how I felt when I got into work after my workout. I was wide awake, and the endorphins streaming through my body made me a very pleasant person. I was feeling really good about myself. I was actually doing a front crawl down and back and had ditched the kickboard completely. I was learning how to breathe better under water and I was starting to feel like I was getting the hang of things.
Then we moved to the lap pool.
First, let me tell you, the lap pool is MUCH colder than the other pool. Like "Holy God, why am I in this water?" cold. My first laps down and back seemed to take forever. This pool was longer and my body knew it. But a funny thing happened after a few workouts. It started to feel easier.
We started to move on to my technique. I was doing drills to keep my arms a little closer to my body and really get a good pull with every stroke. I was not only doing freestyle, but was starting to incorporate back stroke and breast stroke.
Then the strangest thing ever happened: I went to the gym, on my own. No personal trainer appointment. No class. I just went and swam. Not once, but twice. In one week. I swam four times in one week, two by myself. Now you may think that this does not deserve and award, but it totally does. I am not a go-to-the-gym every day kind of girl. I usually get a gym membership, go for a month. Stop going, and cancel my membership a year later.
That's when it hit me. I am addicted to swimming. I absolutely love it. Much of that has to do with my super awesome swim instructor. As I mentioned before, I adore Jess. She motivates me and makes me feel accomplished with every workout.
Last Saturday I got a new tattoo which means no swimming for a week. I woke up, naturally, at the time I would for swimming almost every day. My body really wanted me to get back into the pool. So, today I did. And I did a workout similar to what people who are on a swim team do at most practices. I hurt all over, but mentally, I feel like a rock star.
I still put on my swimsuit and feel self-conscious about how I look, but I think every girl feels that, no matter her size. The difference between me and most of those other girls? I realize that it doesn't matter how I look in my swimsuit. I'm not there for compliments. I'm there to kick ass and become a great swimmer. Which will lead to the next goal I have, competing in a triathlon. Just one step at a time.
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