9-20-11
While the nephews were excited to go to Legoland, I was trying my best to be patient waiting for La Jolla Cove...And it did not disappoint!!!
At Alcatraz the signs warned against Sea Lions, at La Jolla cautions plastered the rails lining the walkway about dangerous riptides. The whole family played on the beach for a few minutes and the signs were right, the riptide would pull your legs out and drag you into the deep blue if you didn't pay attention. I'd never felt anything like that before it. After hanging out on shore and playing Josh and I couldn't wait any longer and headed into the water. While wading in the cove Josh brought up an interesting point about the salt content. He wondered if we'd even be able to notice it after spending the summer swimming in the Great Salt Lake. I hadn't even thought about that and after swimming a few yards I noticed that the taste was missing and had to lick my lips to make sure the ocean still had salt in it.
Leaving the cove we swam above the local fish population which was both exciting and eerie. Even tho they were just small fish it's visual proof that you are out of your environment and in someone else's. Out in the open the plant life kept sneaking up on me when I would take a breath. Rolling my head and putting my face back in the water I'd be surprised by kelp right in front of me and then be swimming over the top of the slimy and sometimes even pokey plant. We also had a few seagulls dive bombing us on the way to the buoy that we got a kick out of.
Even tho I'd been away from swimming for a few months before getting in I was feeling great and when we were a couple hundred yards from reaching shore I lifted my head up and to my right there a couple Sea Lions playing about ten feet away from me! It was pretty awesome but I gotta admit it kind of freaked me out being that close and I headed back in a quicker pace.
We did about a half mile round trip and had a blast. I'm so happy I finally made it to La Jolla and hope to get back there for a race.
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
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