A View from the Pool
I never played sports as a kid. I was the “smart” one who excelled in drama, speech, and grades. It never occurred to me to play sports. So this adult chapter of trying to become healthier is not in my genes. Overall I see myself as a reluctant exerciser that resorts to trickery to put on my shoes and break a sweat.
I always took swim lessons as a kid, and enjoyed them in between my french toast and BLT’s at the country club (my dad was a golf pro). So I did learn all the strokes I guess while Peter Frampton was blaring in the background. And 15 years ago when my ex moved back into the state, I took to the pool to swoosh away that anxiety. I never really swam far or hard, but I would just swoosh swoosh swoosh while thinking, “I’m OK – I’m OK – I’m OK”. (In hindsight, that was a very strange outlet for me.)
More recently, in an unguarded moment, I tweeted about wanting to swim. Afterwards I knew it was a mistake, but it was out there.
I got gentle nudges from folks, “Did you buy your suit?” “Have you been to the pool?”
Sigh….
My Brain at Its Best
I procrastinated.
I resisted.
I pretended to forget that I ever tweeted it.
My butt’s too big.
It’s a hassle.
It’s too hard.
I will suck.
But I couldn’t take it back. That “swimming” notion was lurking about.
I bought the suit and tried my best to not put it on and get in the pool.
The pool was empty and my hopeful excuse was not to be seen.
I swam for a few minutes.
I sort of liked it.
I went again and swam a little more.
I liked it.
I got some tips and tricks and swam a little more.
My brain, body, and breathing relaxed.
I stopped thinking that the people next to me would drown me in their wake.
At moments, the anxious flailing shifted towards easy gliding.
I enjoyed how my body felt afterwards.
I liked it even more.
I inquired about a swim lesson.
Swim Lessons? WHO AM I?
Yep – I’m taking swim lessons!
A few words about my coach. She’s adorable. She laughs at my silliness. She giggles when I echo her direction to STREAMLINE and assume the position.
She swam for UCLA.
Yes – she’ll do.
I’ve had two lessons. I’ve learned four drills: catch ups (HARD), finger drags, elbow raise, side drill (uh – that’s pretty awkard). She says I look very relaxed and that my legs and breathing are good. (Really? How did THAT happen?)
I’ve practiced in between lessons. I’ve focused on four things: slightly widening my entry in front of me (slightly in from shoulder width), finishing the stroke, maintaining a certain angle/bend of my arms in the water, and thinking about rotating body/extending front arm during that part of the stroke.
It’s harder and easier at the same time – very strange….
She timed me on 50m at our first lesson – I gave it my all – it was MUCH harder than I normally swim (remember I’m the relaxed swimmer LOL).
I swam 50m in 55 seconds – I have NO frame of reference and I was thinking that was DARN GOOD for me because I really pushed myself. I was VERY winded afterwards.
She wanted to time me again one week later.
I asked her if she remembered the time. She said yes. (DARN!)
I asked if we could add about 15 seconds to it because I’m not sure if I could do it any faster. She laughed.
DENIED.
I swam the 50m again focusing only on the technique of those four elements.
50 seconds.
Say what? A 5 second improvement on technique only? WOOOOOT!
She wanted me to swim it again, building my cadence little by little through the lap. She would cue me to step it up – I basically increased the cadence twice in the lap finishing as fast as I could.
45 seconds. A 5 second improvement from 3 minutes earlier.
SAY WHAT?
For someone who typically has to be VERY CREATIVE to find improvements in any kind of performance, this whole thing blew me away!
I am NOT USED TO GETTING BETTER so quickly at anything – so I was pretty giddy and stoked with my progress.
OK – I’m not ever going to race per se, but if I can go further distances with a stepped up tempo, little by little, that will be an important measure. I was thinking that my goal would be able to swim 1,000m or something at my relaxed pace. But now I’m thinking I will swim less distance, but do it a bit faster – I think for me, that will be good for me to bump up the intensity a bit.
I will go back. I will practice drills and builds. I will practice intervals with a faster cadence. I will practice my relaxed stroke as a recovery lap (as opposed to recovering at the side of the pool). And maybe, just maybe, I will swim 100m at that nice pace some day.
I think I can.
Woo-hoo! So happy you’re loving it. Swimming is fun.
And, well my frame of reference is only myself … but damn girl, you’re fast! Last week in my (beginners) masters swim class, we were doing 50s in 60 seconds (or as close as we could get). Guess we weren’t exactly racing … but even when trying to be fast, my 100s are over 2 minutes.
So interesting! Believe me – I think doing it in that pace is HARD and I know that I couldn’t do the 100m at that pace – no way…. It is fun tho – right? Thats SOOOOOO cool you have a masters program – I think ours is on hold right now…. I’d love to know more things you’re learning – its been so fun to me! Thanks again,
Learn to bike & now swim – next ting we know, you will be doing a triathlon! ;-)
OK – I confess. It’s crossed my mind. And yes this is all very exciting – but I do really suck at the wog and I don’t know how to ride a bike on the street – ha! And, I don’t think I could swim in the ocean or lake (ewwwwwww). BUT – maybe I’ll make a mini one for me? Instead of a sprint tri, it could be a Kris tri – walking included – you know – one that would only take an hour at my pace – ha!
Good for you! And I feel like a slacker. What can I learn to do?
Ha! It’s funny because the “learning” something has been so much a part of it! I had forgotten that its fun to learn! And yes, fun to get better… I KNOW you can learn something – what will it be? I’m so excited for you of course :)
ha – I was thinking the EXACT same thing as Jody – is running next, on your way to a triathlon? let’s tweet…
uh…. I barely even wog…. shhhhhhhhhh – plus I don’t know how to ride on the street – plus I’m a sissy – plus, plus, plus… but – I have been thinking :)
and yay Yay YAY ! this non swimmer is jumping around waving my hands in your swim success!
waving waving waving! giggles :)
Oh my word I am so excited for you. Yes, fitness plays a large role but swimming is all about form and STREAMLINE.
I read an article recently comparing a javelin to a piece of rope in the pool. Push the javelin underwater and you’ll have to walk all the way to the end to retrieve it. Push that piece of rope underwater and just bend down and pick it up.
Your body needs to be like a javelin.
Keep up the great work Kris. This is awesome to read.
I am the javelin – hehehe – can’t wait to tell her that one – she will giggle on cue – ha! Thanks so much Jason – you know I’ve been thinking about you – it’s been fun!
love this Kris. You’ll be swimming across the ocean soon! haha. Congrats on the iprovements!
oh dear… ocean? lake? I’m really not sure I could do that. Thanks!
I’m with Jody and Kristina …sounds like you’re on your way to doing a Tri!
shhhhhhhhhh – lest we not forget I don’t know how to ride on a street and I can’t jog for more than 3 minutes….. hehehe
Kris! this is so cool..first the biking, now the swimming..
You’re so gonna be buying a jetpack soon. I just know it.
I would like a jet pack. I think that would help me a lot. Do you know where I can get one?