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

Friday, March 11, 2011

>200

3-10-11


With a temperature just a couple of tenths below 50 degrees I can no longer justify the prefix 'Polar' to our swims.  Our little winter swim team has grown by a couple members in week 4.  All afternoon the weather was perfect for a nice long relaxing swim in the pond.  But as fate would have it the clouds rolled in and the wind kicked up.  Betrayed by the weather our addiction to the numbing caress of the water overpowered flight.  We walked to the east pier as we have used the past few weeks and Gordon walked on to the south pier.  For our two new members today was their first experience.  Heidi took center stage and did a plunge for her first taste of the experience.  After she had successfully gotten out and warmed up; Josh, Goody, and I stood in the whirling wind and awaited Gordon to swim to our pier where we would join him.  He quickly reached us and Josh dove in, followed by Goody, and finally myself and we headed to the boat ramp at the northeast tip.  About 50 yards away from shore we tread water and made sure everyone was still above water.  During this time I raised my left arm out of the water to see if I could notice any change of color in my skin, however with my dark goggles and cloud cover this proved worthless.  Before starting again I turned to Josh and asked if he was gonna do fly the rest of the way.  He smiled and said no.  Thinking back on last week remembering that I wasn't sure my muscles had the mobility I wanted to try this week.  So with curiosity, and a bit of wanting to showoff, I did a few strokes of fly and finished the last few yards with free.  Even though I more than doubled the distance from the last attempt I felt great and immediately wished Josh and I would've joined Gordon at the farther distance.  Making no haste in getting out of the water I walked up the slippery ramp and over to where my towel was.  My skin was red and littered with tiny numb spots, but don't recall a single shiver.  I am continually amazed at the incredible resilience of the human body.  I hadn't even whipped myself off with my towel but just wrapped it around my shoulders and chest not more than 30 seconds and already the spots and the redness were gone.  My body had already recovered any heat that was lost and once again I was warmer standing in a dripping suit half naked against the wind than I was before the swim in a beanie and sweatshirt.

(As always Gordon has the video on his blog)
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1 comment:

  1. SabrinaMarch 13, 2011 at 8:25 PM

    I suppose I have nothing to be amazed about over the resilience of my human body! I'll take the beanie and sweatshirt over 40+ degree water any day!:)

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