Love Swimming

    I may have mentioned a time or two that I Love Swimming. I really and truly do. I believe that it is something that I will do for the rest of my life. It makes me feel long, strong, lithe and lean in a way no other physical workout has ever done for me. Yes, it does put some strain on my shoulders and elbows, but far less than weight lifting or armored combat. Tonight I decided to add a few new drills to help with technique. Sculling is basically a back and forth stroke to get the feel of the water. Another is keeping hands closed into fists while swimming the crawl, this makes you really focus on the way the forearms can catch water, adding to the overall propulsion of each stroke. I also did drills that focus on shoulder rotation, elbow position, and overall arm position through each aspect of every stroke. After the drills I swam a mile, in laps 21 through 30 I alternated: Sprint one length; normal pace for 2 lengths; sprint for 1 length  normal pace for 2 lengths. I like this particular drill, I can really feel it working my shoulders. Then I put in 20 minutes with the aqua jogger. Then a final 20 laps focusing on good long strokes, rhythm, body rotation, and hand position. At the end of a lap I was stopped briefly by a woman who I kind of idolize. She is 60+, used to be a competitive swimmer, has swam all her life, swims regularly, and move through the water with such natural ease that I have always been a bit envious. We have become friends over the months, she is a lovely lady. Anyway, she stopped me and said, "Your stroke is absolutely beautiful! Your arms are so strong and you really move well through the water." Honestly, it blew me away. And totally made my day! I have been working very hard on technique. I know I am not a fast swimmer, but I want to be a good swimmer, a strong swimmer. Her words of encouragement made me feel like my work is paying off.
    I do love to swim. Each visit to the pool I feel as if the water is teaching me more and more, letting me in on its secrets, sharing knowledge, helping me be a better swimmer. Every visit makes me feel closer to my Selkie Dreams. I want to move through the water like a creature born to it. I want to feel cradled in the comfort of the source of life. I know I can attain these lofty goals if I continue to work, strive, learn. If I can listen to the water, understand what it tells me, learn its secrets. I want to understand. I do love swimming.