So, I'm not a great swimmer. I never have been. I had a few lessons when I was a kid, but it was never something that my parents made a priority...and that combined with my wild imagination of the deep ocean (maybe Jaws had something to do with it), I have experienced a lot of anxiety and panic in deep water.
That's a pretty big confession right? I'm a personal trainer and a fitness fanatic and I can't swim to save my life (but I CAN float!). Well, let me clarify: I can backstroke, do a little treading, and enough flailing of arms and legs to get me across the pool. But do I like my head under water? No. Do I spaz out if I lose control in the water? Heck yes.
With my pesky sciatica issues, I should be swimming. It's totally low impact and you burn a crapload of calories. And with my sciatica flare-ups being a more frequent visitor as of late, I decided to face my fear and become a more confident swimmer. I'm gonna practise as often as I can - covering all the basics, and most of all, attempt to LOVE being completely submerged under water. I know this will be a process and that's why I picked this as my summer project.
The first time I re-visited the pool in a long time was with Brian just last week. Something about him being there enabled my weaker side - I grabbed for him a lot and felt panicked and wanted him to save me (he used to be a lifeguard and might as well be a mer-man). While he was super supportive and taught me a lot about technique, I knew I had to remove my crutch and really let go.
So I've been to the pool by myself a few times since then...practising a lot of treading water, kicking feet..all while small children are canonballing in the deep end. Despite my frusterations with the slow process I know I need to do it. Overcoming this fear would be momumental to me. I wanna feel confident and free...and also want to feel I have a new athletic practise.
Keep you posted!
