I'm not a swimmer.
Walking around the gym pool I can fool some people, at least, before I get in the water. I wear a one piece suit. (a rarity at my gym) I always don a swim cap and goggles. (also a rarity) Our pool generally contains grandmas doing water aerobics, pool runners and walkers and lane loafers. At least when I'm there. I've seen a few serious swimmers, but for the most part, they must like to swim early.
There is nothing serious about my swimming. Have you SEEN the suit?
Emailing back and forth with a very kind soul, I described my swimming, "like a dying frog." That about sums it up. She generously offered to critique my form and offer tips if I would send footage of the catastrophe that is my stroke. Done.
Sweet TriGirl met me after her class (she teaches there too, in addition to being a full time mom, student and in training for IMTX; she's pretty hardcore). It was not awkward, not one bit, walking out to a full pool, camera in hand, looking for a suitable, open lane. Yes, I had to ask a dude to switch me lanes so she could get a good shot. I'm betting it was the FIRST time in his day that a crazy lady dressed as Wonder Woman approached him. I certainly hope so.
Inconspicuous, as always.
Giggling, I got in the water and, as head director too, I gave TriGirl instructions. Just what everyone wants, close ups of her starry @ss on film.
I realized that I still have my tan lines from last summer. And they are really on display in the, ah, bootay area. As if I'm not ridiculous enough at the pool.
Draggy butt
This guy is ALWAYS in the spa in the evenings. He must finish his workout as I'm arriving. I would cook if I sat in that hot water for that long. Pretty much everyone there stopped what they were doing to watch us and the spectacle I was making of myself. TriGirl is a good friend to put up with me.
But we had fun and hopefully got some shots that will be useful. I appreciate TriGirl putting up with my hijinks and to those of you more experienced swimmers who have offered me so much help. Goodness knows, I need all the help I can get!
A year ago I had really just started swimming. While I'm still clumsy and terribly inefficient, I'm faster and much more comfortable in the water. The longer distances don't scare me. I've got a lot of work to do in the next four months, but I'll get there. I know it.
And when I climb out of the water on May 18, finally done with that dang swim, finally able to climb about of that nasty water, having (hopefully) easily made the swim cut off, I'm pretty sure my face will look something like this.
Who knew this Pink Nutria could ever get comfortable in the water? Who knew?
I love that suit!!!! You certainly look like you know what you're doing!!!
ReplyDeleteLoved waking up to this!! You inspire me!!
ReplyDeleteHee hee- i've been back in the pool recently too & am amused at all the non-swimmers in the pool ;) I adore that suit- cracks me up everytime.
ReplyDeleteAnd you will love this, got on my new bike yesterday & promptly fell over 3 times before I managed to master clipping in & out- it helps to be going faster & not circling around a driveway! Hope your paw is doing well :)
That suit is awesome! I can't imagine the spectacle of filming yourself at the pool.
ReplyDeleteThe one time I went to the indoor pool in my town I was surprised at the sheer number of people there. A ton of awesome swimmers (masters?) and then a few lanes of random recreational swimmers, most seemed to meander down the lanes (aquawalking?).
You are awesome TPG! I love your suit :)
ReplyDeleteCool beans. I have a waterproof GoPro video camera. Let me know if you want to borrow it. Having an underwater view of what i was doing helped me alot. There is an awful lot going on under the surface that a coach on the deck can't see.
ReplyDeleteYou are such an inspiration! The water scares me but when I read about all your different ventures other than running I starting thinking to myself that maybe, just maybe I could do that. If I get brave enough I know exactly who I'll ask advice from :)
ReplyDeleteI really love that suit, it is so awesome!! What a good friend TriGirl is to help you out!
ReplyDeleteYou're so funny! Love the suit--is it Splish? The most important thing is that you are working at it--you'll get where you need to be in time. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteLove the suit!!! A year ago I learned to swim and love it! Now I am training for my first sprint tri and I've been learning to swim by a technique called total immersion swimming. You probably already swim that way but just thought I would share... more speed, less effort!
ReplyDeleteYou and TriGirl make for quite the team. The critique/tips from the video clips will be worth making a scene. And spa guy? Yeah, sorta creepy.
ReplyDeleteYou are hilarious. I am so self conscious at the pool because I can't swim and my pool usually has a majority of professional looking swimmers doing laps and flip turns easy as pie. Filming yourself is brave (and smart!) and I bet you'll learn a ton from it. And thank you for reminding me that I need to get myself to the pool! It's been a while!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE ME SOME TPG!!!! And this blog is why.
ReplyDeleteKeep on making a scene, it is so worth it!
I only take people in the pool seriously when they're wearing super hero suits.
ReplyDeleteI remember reading a post of yours last summer where you told us that you were TERRIFIED of the swim. LOOK at you now! :) Clumsy or not, you're rocking the swim now. Happy to see you progress like this!
ReplyDeleteLast time I was at the pool, I brought my phone in to watch instructional videos after my laps. Not what the cool kids are doing. Creepy hot tub guy is hilarious!
ReplyDeleteheart you.
ReplyDelete