New Triumph

[sabrinamari]

Yesterday's date with Michael brought a new experience and a new triumph. We went to the spiffy gym and I joined him in lap swimming. Gods know that every past attempt in recent years has been disastrous. I can run, do most kinds of cardio and train with weights, but swimming???? Disaster.

First four laps were panic-stricken, gasping and miserable. Next two were surprising---not as bad. Then something happened.

The last four laps were easy, calm and...peaceful. My arms pulled me through the water like slow, powerful engines. I felt like I could have kept going on and on for ages.

Breathing was regular and easy. Body memory slipped into me and shifted me into a slightly alternate universe in which swimming felt natural and beautiful.

When I was done I felt an explosive sense of triumph, like I'd climbed a mountain with a sixty-pound pack and mastered the ascent.

I am going to fold lap swimming into my cross-training practice. I am also going to buy googles.

Maybe finishing a book gives you special powers.

Comments

And now she's a mermaid, too!

[justusgirlz.livejournal.com]

I *love* swimming and am so glad to hear you are enjoying it. A suggestion - if you plan on swimming often, I know you lighten your hair - you may want to consider a swim cap or you'll start seeing green in your blonde streaks. That and chlorinated water isn't the best for hair anyways - it'll dry it up and make it crispy.

[shaminin.livejournal.com]

See? I told you swimming was awesome! Good for you honey! :)

Oh, and to follow up about haircare in the pool... I did loads of research when I started training for the Alcatraz Shark Swim if you remember. A swim cap is great but there are other things you can do as well to help keep away the green crispies. Saturate your hair with water before going in the pool. Hair already full of water has very little, if no room to absorb more of anything. Secondly, use a spray in or Leave-in conditioner. I hear the ultimate protection is wet hair, apply and comb through conditioner, put on swim cap... then swim little fishie swim!
If you are anti-cap for whatever reason, just saturating your hair and using the spray on conditioner should help quite a bit.

Have fun, my love! :)

OH, and BTW, did you know that there is an mp3 player that you can use IN the water? Yes, it's true. I just googled water proof mp3 player and all sorts of stuff came up. AND your polar monitor watch and strap are waterproof too.

Woo Hoo!

[shades-of-nyx.livejournal.com]

Swimming was my sport and is still my exercise of choice. I haven't found a place with an indoor pool here yet, but it is on my list for the next couple months. I need to re-adjust my budgeting due to my new schedule, but then we'll see what's what.

[elphaba-of-oz.livejournal.com]

Swimming rules.

[faedaughter.livejournal.com]

"Maybe finishing a book gives you special powers."

Prolly. But I think you had special powers already. :P

[cat-latin.livejournal.com]

Lori here, on my other LJ

"Maybe finishing a book gives you special powers."

You know, looking back on all my bunnies who have finished books, I kind of believe that.