I finally got to the pool today. It’s been about 4-5 weeks since I was last there. Between my schedule, pool closure over the Christmas break, and the extreme cold … it hasn’t happened. And all the time my physiotherapist’s voice was in my head saying “if you do nothing else get to the pool a couple of times a week”. I was kind of dreading it today. I hate the pool in the winter. And I have never been one to prioritize exercise of any kind in my life. And sometimes my body pays a price as a result.
It helps to have a buddy to keep each other accountable. Lately my “buddy” for the last couple of years and I have been on very different schedules. And I am the master of avoidance and procrastination if there’s even a hint of a reason to not go. So today was the first time in many weeks that worked for both of us. And it’s harder to back out when you know the other person is also needing incentive to go.
Anyway, today felt great. And it was nice to be welcomed back by others who had noticed my absence (with no shaming!), and, as my partner in crime often says, we get to “feel virtuous” (translation … at least not guilty) for the rest of the day.
Many years ago (maybe 20?) we enrolled Alana in the Trojans Swim Club. This was something she expressed interest in after she breezed through about 4 levels of swimming lessons over several months. A friend suggested that her daughter (around the same age as Alana) had joined the Trojans the year before and was quite enjoying it, and wondered if Alana might also enjoy it. So she gave it a try. And she loved it. She was very involved for a number of years … until she realized that she was in the pool upwards of 5 or 6 times a week (including 4 very early mornings) and we were away for a weekend each month at a swim meet. She didn’t want to give up her other activities (violin, youth orchestra, church stuff, social justice activities, dance, a social life …) for swimming … which she was increasingly being asked to do.
I remember one time, in the first couple of years, sitting up in the bleachers watching them all swim for the duration of their practice … back and forth, back and forth … it looked quite meditative. I never really learned to swim properly, and I wondered if it was too late to learn.
I learned that it wasn’t. So I signed up for some “adult swim lessons.” In my early 50s. What I wasn’t quite prepared for was a 17 year old young man as a teacher, (he probably wasn’t prepared for me, either!), sometimes moving my legs around in the proper formation for the various swimming strokes. Despite his youth, he was a good teacher, and eventually, I learned the basic strokes.
I also learned that the new prescription googles available made a world of difference in the water (“omg I can see the other side of the pool!”), as did ear plugs. Below is my absolute favourite picture of Duncan as a kid - with his new swimming goggles. He was the silliest kid I ever met.
After many weeks I could actually get in the pool for half an hour and swim lengths … oh miracle of miracles. And actually, I did find it extremely meditative … back and forth, back and forth. I even had a little mantra that I would say, so it became even more of a spiritual practice of meditation and exercise.
After a couple of years I let the busy-ness of my life take over and gradually my pool practice of going twice a week kind of vanished. Until the summer and fall of 2016 after my long haul with my Achilles injury. My physiotherapist suggested I attend the pool physio class they sponsored for folks recovering from surgery. It was kind of a game changer for me as far as exercise. However, sometimes I am better at keeping it as an essential part of my health plan than at other times.
As I said earlier, I am great at taking the first exit ramp that is offered … it’s too cold, I am too busy … oh … a meeting? … sure I can make that, … I’ll just skip aquacise this week … my buddy can’t make it … Pat needs the car … you get the drift. Maybe writing this down will drive home how ridiculous it all sounds.
This week my doctor said to stop being so hard on myself. I guess it’s my nature. Exercise was never part of my routine … I didn’t grow up valuing physical exercise, so it has always been hard to prioritize it. However, I find as I age it is becoming more and more important to try to break old habits and old ways of thinking, because it really does make a difference in my health.
So if you want to include me in your prayers … I would be happy to know folks are sending me strength, intention and patience to be good to myself, and make the pool a priority in the coming months as I try to get back on track. My body, mind and spirit will be grateful!
In the meantime, as Dory says in Finding Nemo … Just keep swimming!
I am looking forward to our 1st year Anniversary of becoming an Affirming church on Sunday. We will welcome the Women Next Door Choir to our worship service. Some may remember the wonderful concert the choir offered in the fall of 2024.
Blessings folks
Martha