A Humbling Experience

Yesterday, my lovely wife and I went swimming. She had been a competitive swimmer in high school, but it had a few years since she'd been in the pool. Nonetheless, I quickly learned the difference between a well-trained swimmer and, well, me. She gracefully and powerfully swam lap after lap, while I struggled and strained and tried not to drown.

But, I learned a ton of things, both good and bad. For example, I found that I was doing well breathing every three strokes, although I couldn't keep up a good rythm for more than a lap. I would get too winded, and my head would come up. Breathing every other stroke might work if I slow down my turnover a little: I'm windmilling my arms so fast that not only am I making myself extra tired, but I'm also taking breaths too close together and hyperventilating.

I think I just don't feel comfortable enough in the deep water yet to relax and take slow, smooth strokes, so I'm rushing. Also, I lift my head too far out of the water to breath, because I am still not quite certain that I can get a breath without a mouthful of water otherwise.

I know where and am and where I need to be, and I think I gained a lot of insight about how to get there.