I have always loved swimming. I never swam competitively, but I grew up going to the pool with my family often. At age 17 I became a lifeguard/swim instructor at Steiner Aquatic Center. Yeah, picture me in a red swimsuit, glasses and a tank, a killer tan and sun-bleached hair...that was me! I have always liked swimming breaststroke best and I have learned to do freestyle pretty fast over the years. BUT, to my embarrassment, I have never been able to do a flip-turn! I tried learning a couple of times, but to no avail. Mostly I felt like an idiot trying. You can look pretty stupid doing flips under water, kicking off into the pool nowhere near the wall and coming up coughing and choking on water that streamed up your nose while you were flailing around. This was especially embarrassing with my fellow lifeguards watching from the lifeguard stand. I gave up.I have been swimming with my friend Audra since August three times a week at 6:30 am. It's been great! We're amazed that we are still going, even swimming through December and January with temperatures in the low forties. There aren't any people to impress anymore... and I got over the embarrassment and practiced. This week I mastered it - I can officially do a flip turn consistently. Flip turn...check!
11 comments:
Hooray Kir!!! Way to never give up! BTW...I remember those days of the suit, the tank, the tan & the hair...those were some good times, eh?
I think this is very cool, especially since I can't swim.
Yeah! An accomplishment to be proud of!
Have I ever told you how impressed I am that you've stuck with a regular exercise program? I would NEVER get up early just to exercise. Especially if getting wet was involved. I am so impressed, Kir!
That is great! I've always wanted to do them, too, but am too embarrassed. And good job on your swimming workout!
Just letting you know...our new address is:
http://mike-shelby.blogspot.com/
Yeah you're right, the Steiner crowd would have eaten you ALIVE watching you flail around and choke. You were definitely better off waiting until you were thirty-something to check that one off! I could just hear McCarval now! Thanks for the good laugh!
Way to keep with the swimming. I have returned to swimming too after a 6 year break. I must say it is my favorite form of exercise. I wish we could swim together again. Just the other day I was recounting our little skinny dip during brine shrimp mating season at the Great Salt Lake. Now there's a blog post!
You go Girl!!! I am totally impressed that you mastered a new skill...and that you are still exercising!!! I was walking in the morning with a friend...although with this stinking midwest freaking cold -4 in the morning, we've given up. And so here's to you and your determination, and here's to the eight pounds I have already put on!
So fun to remember the Steiner days -- and I can attest to the killer tan and sun-bleached hair. So much fun! Way to keep swimming!
You and Audra are my heroes. I could never do the turn flip either. Unfortunately, that is going to remain unchecked in my lifetime, I think.
Completely off-topic, but tonight Matt looked at your blog and said, "Did you see this picture of Ian on Kir's blog? His hair is looks cool!"
I kid you not.
Post a Comment