kimswimblog

Taking The Plunge... on the Main Line

Hi Neighbor! Since I joined the YMCA three years ago, I’ve watched the people swimming laps from the lookout windows above the pool and talked about how I should add swimming into my workout rotation.…

Hi Neighbor!

Since I joined the YMCA three years ago, I’ve watched the people swimming laps from the lookout windows above the pool and talked about how I should add swimming into my workout rotation. There’s been no shortage of phone calls or discussions with my close friend and fitness partner about how we’d add swimming in “soon,” yet somehow, we never did dip our toes into the pool.

A month or two ago I had to switch up my workout routine as I’d developed a pain in my mid-section that I thought was a hernia (the good news is, it’s not!).  I knew I needed to lay of the heavy lifting and other core-dominant movements for a while, so I switched to all running.  While I do love running and it is a part of my usual fitness rotation, I rather quickly needed something else to keep things interesting.  I think you know where I’m headed (with a towel in hand)…

I dipped my toes in the pool!  To be clear, I am NOT a swimmer.  I like to swim but never learned how to properly execute any of the swim strokes.

I apprehensively approached the pool on the day of my first swim workout, sure that I stood out like a sore thumb.  As I slid into the water, I was the only person without goggles, a swim cap or an official “fitness” swimsuit.  As I begin to swim, I was also the only person doing “frogger” strokes and kicks instead of the graceful gliding of freestyle.  In a matter of minutes, I was tired!  Determined not to quit, I devised a strategy to stay in the water for 30 minutes.  Where the water was shallow, I’d walk while stroking with my arms.  As soon as the water deepened, I’d swim.  I continued with this strategy for the next few weeks’ worth of swims.

Let’s fast forward to the past two or three weeks – I’m still “froggering” away (a friend is going to give me some freestyle lessons soon) but the walking while stroking is a thing of the past!  Each swim is 30 minutes minimum of nothing but swimming, and the time flies!

While I’m still definitely not a “swimmer,” I’ve decided that I’ve earned the title of “sort of swimmer.”  And with that, I’m awaiting the arrival of an official “fitness” styled swimsuit in the mail.  I still haven’t qualified for the goggles or swim cap, but, we all need things to look forward to, right?

Do you have something that’s been on your list to try “soon”?  Take the plunge!  You’ll be happy you did; I promise.  In the meantime, I’ll be at the Y “keeping calm and swimming on.”

Poolside regards,
Kim

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