Barb, Janalee, Lynn, Cara & Me!
A few summers ago, a friend invited me to try out the masters team. I could tread water and get across the pool, but I had had no real swim training in my life. I wanted a good workout but I wasn’t sure how swimming would go. With her encouragement I showed up. I showed up at 5:45 AM wearing a noncompetitive style swimsuit, no cap, and no idea what I was doing. With kindness and encouragement the coach informed me that my goggles were on upside down. I could hardly make it 25 yards without huffing and puffing. I’m a runner, and I learned that the way you breathe in the pool is opposite to the way I breathe on a run and that was a whole new skill I had to figure out. I was spotty with practice for a couple summers and then decided to stick with it year round last August.
Every swim practice morning for many months my anxiety was at an all-time high just getting myself to the Y, but I had a group of people expecting me to show up and to try again and again. The coaches worked with me individually till I could keep up with the others. It has become one of the biggest mental and physical challenges I have been able to overcome for my own personal growth and confidence. I have six kids at home who consume most of my time and energy every day, which leaves very little time for myself. 5:45am Masters (while the kids are still asleep) gives me an opportunity to learn a new skill at 40 years old, find a new social group of friends, and grow a new found confidence I never imagined I would find in the pool.
I CAN do hard things. I CAN learn a new skill at any age. I CAN do anything I put my mind to!
Every swim practice morning for many months my anxiety was at an all-time high just getting myself to the Y, but I had a group of people expecting me to show up and to try again and again. The coaches worked with me individually till I could keep up with the others. It has become one of the biggest mental and physical challenges I have been able to overcome for my own personal growth and confidence. I have six kids at home who consume most of my time and energy every day, which leaves very little time for myself. 5:45am Masters (while the kids are still asleep) gives me an opportunity to learn a new skill at 40 years old, find a new social group of friends, and grow a new found confidence I never imagined I would find in the pool.
I CAN do hard things. I CAN learn a new skill at any age. I CAN do anything I put my mind to!
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