I obviously had no idea what I was in for when I declared my candidacy for next year’s Skinnyman Triathlon. Sure, I knew I hadn’t swam with my face in the water since the age of fifteen... and even then, swimming laps was never my thing. But how hard could it be to learn?
Answer: really hard!
I started swimming one week ago today in my backyard pool. So, there I was, looking really “hot” in my swim cap and goggles as I struggled to make it those 36 feet from the shallow end to the diving board. Most of the time I had my head above water simply because I just couldn’t get that breathing thing right.
Then the weather got colder this week, so I trucked myself over to the community college indoor pool. I’m not sure how long those lanes are, but they’re WAY longer than 36 feet. Anyway, the lifeguard said that a half-mile would be 36 lengths of the pool. Gulp! I didn’t even attempt ONE length solo, but I did swim 16 laps Monday and 26 laps today with my kick board, as I practiced the breathing.
My plan is to swim laps three mornings each week. I’ve got 51 weeks until the triathlon, so Friday is when I ditch the kick board and begin with lap #1. Next week, I’ll add lap #2. And I’ll continue adding one lap each week.
This could feel like a lot of work. But it doesn’t. Yes, it’s hard. But it’s the kind of “hard” that truly brings me joy.
It’s the kind of challenge that tastes absolutely delicious!
I get to push myself out of my comfort zone, experience this sport in a way I never have, and train for a competition I never considered myself capable of competing in.
This one year of training reminds me of my weight loss clients who tell me, “It’ll take me a whole year to lose this weight.” They may be right. It may take a year. But I can tell them from my own experience, that there’s so much joy to be had in the process of losing the weight. I mean, the weight coming off is awesome and it’s healthy... but what’s absolutely amazing is that we’re all doing something we thought impossible. By taking on the challenge, making our way past all the obstacles, and staying on course, we are creating our own miracles!
How cool is that?
Next year’s coming, my friends, and either we’ll have created our own miracles... or not!
Which feels better to you?
Comments