Usually the water is cold and I don't like cold. If its not that, then there is the matter of floating. I don't float well. I've always known how to swim well enough to save my life. Fortunately I have never had to put that statement to the test.
Long long ago when I used to run races, I got interested in bicycling soon after. This naturally led to the desire to try and do a triathlon so...I needed to learn to swim better. I took lessons and I practiced. After some time, and swallowing a lot of water, I was able to swim a mile.
I did a few short triathlons and was usually one of the last to exit the water. The rest of the event was spent passing up people. After 10 years of this my knee gave out and it all came to a slow gradual end. That was over 20 years ago.
Now for those of you new to this blog, I once again can run. This happened after we moved near the state park two years ago and I got into mountain biking. So now what do you think comes next?
We are fortunate to live in a community where we have free access to 3 pools. I realized it is silly to not take advantage of these resources and with the encouragement from my wife, I went to the lap pool with her one afternoon. It all came back to me, just like riding a bicycle. I still had the technique I learned long long ago.
A lady who was swimming next to us had these fins on. They looked really comfortable and boy, do I need all the help I can get until my noodle arms get some strength back into them. I got a pair.
They really help in keeping my stern up instead of swimming like a wounded fish. Sinbad inspected them and they passed.
I didn't feel I needed goggles. Everything is blurry anyway without my glasses. Plus I remember my uncomfortable leaky old swim goggles that made my eyeballs bulge out like a gecko. But after that first time in the pool, later in the evening my eyes felt like sandpaper. I needed eye protection from all those chemicals. I remembered the goggles that lady had. I found them in a sports store and wow, what advances they have made in swim goggles over the past 20 years! Comfortable, no leakage and I don't look like a raccoon after I take them off.
So I am liking this swimming, more so than before. The water is warm and I am not dragging my ass-end in the water. Oh, and just in case you were wondering, I have absolutely NO interest in doing any triathlon.
Ever.
7 comments:
i've never been a good swimmer altho i can float really well! sinbad gave a tails-up to the fishman! :)
Hey there aquaman, wow!
I am impressed.
Does Sinbad like the water, or does he go with you to the pool?
Good for you on the swimming.
well I glad that this gear meets with the boss's approval. look at him checking it out. isn't that the way it goes though? something as simple as swimming and you need this and that and the other thing. all making life easier too. it's actually rather wonderful I guess. my mother instilled in me her own fear of water, so I never learned to swim. I took a beginner's class in college and passed because by the end of the semester I was actually in the water. I'm thinking a pair of those blue flippers might be what I need. have a great evening John.
I am more of a desert rat. I am not big on the ocean. Looks like Sinbad might want to try a swim with the right gear.
I like cold water (it is... refreshing). I grew up by the Baltic sea that is cold most of the time. Pools don't attract me much. But I am glad you find something that you like.
Oh, yeh..sure, you say that now....
Swimming is good exercise and so easy on the joints. Unfortunately, I've never been very good at it. Glad to hear the goggles have gotten better. I remember them being very uncomfortable.
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