OMG! Do I ever love swimming, what a great sport. I got started when I was young. My grandfather taught my older sister and I to swim during lazy summers up in Union Pier, Michigan. Oh how I remember those days. Early in the day, when we went down to the beach we could see guppies swimming around our ankles so clean and clear was the water. Then Grandpa Frank would take each of us under his arms and walk us out to where the water was up to his shoulders. We'd be scared and hanging onto him for dear life, and then, wallah! we were on a sandbar with the water up to his knees. We were really far out (or so it seemed) and our parents looked so, so far away. After a while out there, he would make us swim our way back; and that's how I learned how to swim.
Since then I have always loved swimming. Not having a swimsuit-compatible body though has been a challenge to me over the years. Some years, throughout my teens, I wouldn't be caught dead in a bathing suit nor near a beach.
When I was in my 20's, I lived near University of Tennessee in Knoxville and started using their pool. I actually got to where I could swim a mile, took like 55 minutes, but I would do it regularly; but it didn't last for long as soon after that milestone, I moved back to Chicago.
I started swimming again over the years when my son was growing up. We'd go to Concordia University's pool in the neighborhood for fun. Then I left him behind and took it up more seriously. Although I'm happy to see that it has remained an enduring part of his life also.
I spent a couple of lovely summers outside enjoying the Portage Park pool on Central. Loved that. I would go there alone and swim after classes in the mid day. For a couple of years, I was way too tan but just couldn't help myself. One day though, I went to class and a (male) student of mine said, "I saw you at the pool Sunday," and that was the end for me. I went there because I didn't know anyone and the thought of this guy or others pointing at me and saying, "Oh, there's my teacher" ruined it for me.
Then, I found Wright College's pool, how did I not know this??? Since then, I've been swimming pretty religiously for the past 3 years. Last October, I actually got up to swimming a mile again. Okay, it took an hour and 10 minutes but I did it! I even took a synchronized swim class this past January, but I've decided I like free swimming better.
So, I was thinking about this as I swam this morning. 32 lengths (36=1/2 a mile) in 38 minutes. that's my new routine plus water walking and exercising in the pool. It's a nice community I am engaged with down there in the basement of the building; plus there is something very liberating about walking around in a bathing suit.
So, I think I'm set for life as far as exercise goes. It's the kind of thing you can do till the day you die and it will probably prolong that day as well.
