Anniversary

One year ago, I started swimming.

Well, one year ago, I got into the water with a swim instructor.

I knew "how" to swim, but I wasn't very good and I wanted it to become a real workout for me. The first few months were in the smaller of the two pools and involved a lot of walking, or kick boards. I even got to the point of swimming a front crawl with my face out of the water because I didn't know how to breathe properly yet.

By summer, I was in the lap pool, working not only on my front crawl, but also on my breast stroke. Each week I progressed a little at a time. Going further and swimming faster.

A few weeks ago, I swam a half mile without stopping. This is beyond a major accomplishment in my book. It's something I never dreamed I could do.

I get giddy now looking at new swimsuits, goggles and swim caps. I read up on new techniques and accessories to see what my help me become a better swimmer.

Moral of the story? I freaking love swimming.

I feel better after a swim. And when I miss one, my mood is definitely darker.

To celebrate this momentous anniversary, my swim instructor taught me how to do something I never thought I would do, the butterfly. It is a beautiful stroke when done correctly, so I am sure I look like a fish out of water, but I am loving the challenge. I am even loving my war wounds when I take my arms too wide and jam my thumb into the lane line. (Those things are awful!)

I finally really, truly feel like a swimmer. I may have started this journey as just another way to exercise with a bum foot, but it has developed into part of life. Being in the water makes me feel calm and at peace even when my heart is thumping trying to keep up with my workout. After a good swim, I feel like my life is more in order and that I can get back to work, or back home and take on any other task that is in front of me.

I still feel a little self-conscious around other swimmers as I don't have a swimmer body, but as a woman, I feel like that will always be there to an extent. Instead of fretting over it though, I am going to embrace it. You've been swimming since you were six? Well, I just learned a year ago and look at me now.