6-4-11
It's been so long let's see if I can remember what a post is. I was happy when Josh asked me to head out to GSL tonight and do a double check on the 1 mile distance for the race that Josh and Gordon are putting on Saturday the 11th.
As usual the water felt chilly walking in from the boat ramp but immediately felt great after a couple strokes. Since I haven't been swimming for a few weeks my shoulders and arms got sore pretty early but pushed past it after a couple hundred yards and felt good the rest of the way.
It's always interesting to try and notice the differences in each swim. Tonight I didn't notice swimming through any cold or warm spots, just a constant temp the whole mile. I have also been able in the past to do a good job of keeping the salt out of my mouth except for being blind-sided by a wave once in a while. After this swim I didn't have any salt taste in my mouth and just a faint taste when I licked my lips. And besides the last swim this swim I didn't have any chaffing under my armpits---which I definitely won't complain about.
As I got closer to Black Rock I was able to notice a few cars when I sighted every few strokes and there were people standing around the edge but I couldn't tell what they were doing. When I reached shallow water and began to walk the last few yards to shore I noticed that the people standing around the site was a group of young girls and they were clapping. After I caught up to Josh the group started to chat with us. Turns out they were a Girl Scout group and had seen us swimming and watched us come in. It always makes us laugh that people are so shocked to see us out there. A couple girls came down the bank and were pretty interested with the bright hats we had with us, and Josh explained that they were a latex swim cap that make it easy for boats and other people to see us. One of the girls even asked me for a high five which I gotta admit made me feel pretty special.
I'm sure the first words out of the Dr.'s mouth when I was born weren't "It's a swimmer!", nevertheless that was life's ultimate plan for the years ahead. All growing up we spent summers in our grandma's pool and for a lot of us Gram would be our first coach. With my brother and sister along with cousins we would learn basic technique and the water became our second home. 'Reunions' were weekly if not daily. Swimming was my first love but sometimes life forces us to give up the things we love. At the age of 3 I was diagnosed with Chronic Renal Failure, more specifically Prune Belly; A kidney disease effecting 1 in 40,000. Attacking the immune system, reducing energy, and holding kidney function at 12-14% getting out of bed in the morning is nothing short of a miracle and everyday truely a blessing. When I was a Jr. in high school my swimming times began to slip and at first I didn't pay it much attention but I soon realized I was headed down a difficult road, a road that only went in one direction. Physically I didn't feel any different and for the next several weeks I wrestled with myself as I practiced. "Should I stay? Is it worth it anymore? What about the team?" Failure was knocking at my door and threatening what I loved. Without my hand on the knob the door opened and passion died. There was a moment standing waist deep in the water inbetween sets, everything slowed down and reality settled in my heart and sank to the bottom of the pool. Failure was not a choice but something I had to accept...or so I thought. For years after quiting the team I was bitter and angry, I didn't want to swim or even hear about swimming. I dont think my family understood where I was and quite frankly neither did I. Part of me died when I left and for those who have had a broken heart for whatever reason understand what I mean. Somewhere along the way my brother started to dabble in triathlons and other athletic events, soon my sister joined and before I knew it I had been sucked in as well. Emersed in a new journey, high school was in the past and another chapter in life was starting. Bitterness melted away and anger faded. "If you love something, set it free..." I don't recall who originally said this but for me this came true. I had a renewed love and a refined understanding and acceptance of the past. I moved on and gained a burning desire to rise above circumstance. Before I layed down and didn't fight, life will always find ways to knock us down but we only lose when we give up or give in. I'll push through the pain, I'll kick a little longer, I'll reach a little farther...I'll swim towards redemption
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Yeah they were really fun to talk to and had some good questions. I'm glad you were free to come and swim with me.
ReplyDelete