10-13-11
Today was the first swim for the new Wasatch Polar Bear Club. With the cooler weather the last couple weeks I've been getting excited for cold water season.
Josh, Gordon and I met at Saltair and headed out to Black Rock in Josh's car. It was a nice clear day and close to 70 degrees. When we were walking in the water it was cool but not cold. I think the temp we ended up with was 63. So although it's not 'Polar' yet it was still a great chance for a swim.
The water was the clearest I've ever seen it at the Great Salt Lake and was awesome. I also pulled out my SSD to try out tonight for the first time...I forgot to get it out at La Jolla. I'd heard Josh and others talk about not noticing it behind you when swimming but I still wondered if it would be an annoyance. Thankfully like the others I didn't notice it in fact I forgot that I even had it with me. Before we turned back to head for shore we layed back and relaxed in the water for a few minutes and I learned just by chance that you can lay your head on the SSD like a pillow and the strap will support your back so it's like a bed, it was really comfy and fun.
Although the water was in the 60's the plates in my head got cold and gave me a headache for the first few minutes but was able to warm up and felt great. The only bad thing is that the salt let me know that my lips were a little dry because they were stinging the whole swim but still had fun. I was also worried about my shoulder because it had been hurting for a few days but after being home from the swim it feels like its back to normal. Guess my new medicine is swimming therapy :)
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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