This has been an interesting swim season for me. It’s had
many ups and downs, new swim mates and coaches, and some definite challenges.
I may have finally learned to kick, albeit very slowly. It
only took 4 coaches, two years, and many, many conflicting instructions for me
to finally adapt a “special” style all my own. It’s not a good style, but it works for me. More or less. Or
less.
My Olympic career is probably over.
I realized this year that my stamina is poop. I could
complete the first length reasonably well, but then I basically sunk after
that.
I also realized that I’m getting old. The coach working with
me was an astounding 17 years younger than me. Oh lord, even writing that is
terrifying. That said, she was an
amazing swimmer, and was great to work with. She was the first person to get my kicking with something
resembling efficiency.
This year I also swam like a rock star. Not like a rock star in the sense that I was
amazing and swam like a fucking boss, but more like I was a pretentious rock star
who rented out the entire pool so I could swim alone without the unwashed masses
bothering me. Fucking masses.
Or more accurately, I was often the only adult swimming
during our time slot, so it was just me in the pool being watched by the coach,
essentially getting a private lesson on how to suck less at kicking. It was
very awkward.
But now swimming is over and the final lap complete. My hair
is straw-like and faintly green, my stamina is still pitiful, but marginally
less so, and I actually miss the evening solo swim sessions.
And unlike the kids in the swim club, the adults weren’t
recognized for our swimming excellence at the awards night. This doesn’t bother
me at all, but my daughter didn’t feel that this was fair, so she made me a
medal for excellence in breast stroke, because it’s the stroke I’m the least worst
at.
Here it is. It is possibly the best award I’ve ever
received.
(I wonder if my other breast will be jealous?) |
Until next year, swim fans. Just keep swimming... :-)