With my towel, goggles, and water bottle in hand, I enter into the swimming pool area of the gym. The steam from the sauna swirls above the hot water, showing how hot the water is and how cold the surrounding air is. I spotted the stairs into the pool on the opposite side of where I stood. I power walk to the other side, hoping no one stares at my tummy while I make my way into the pool.
The first few steps into the pool, you'd be tempted to think that the water is lukewarm. Reaching the third step, I realize it's far from luke warm; it is freezing cold. Entering the pool is a chilly step by step process, I cross my arms, vainly hoping it will increase my resistance to the cold water. Just like I tug on the bandaid slowly, rather than ripping it off in one swoop, I prefer not to dive in and swim immediately.
I dread feeling cold water on my chest. David's splashing and kicking, on the far end of the pool, is a reminder that it is time to bite the bullet. Plunge. It is so cold, yet I now feel comfortable in the water. It's so hard to assimilate initially.
David's hand's on instruction, demonstrations, and observation have worked. My form is improving alot these days. I still have aways to go; it's tricky to have good form. Left arm, right arm, left arm exhale into the water, right arm up inhale, and kick all the time. It is a whole new way of breathing. It's a new way of moving through the water, faster than swimming under the water and doggie-paddle style.
He's like a machine in the water; he doesn't even stop moving his arms when he comes up for air. I also noticed that when he presses against the wall at the end of the lap; he immediately starts using his arms to propel him forward rather than just gliding from his impulse. Today, he still maintained the lead, but I was close behind. I swam 800 meters today. I am so proud of that!