#10 I Can Swim!

To set the stage, swimming was not something I was great at before the accident. I could make it from one end of the pool to the other in a decent amount of time but never felt all that comfortable or strong.

Tuesday evening Harmony & I made it to the pool. The whole process seemed a little intimidating at first, crutching through the shower, in & out of the pool and such.

The doctor had given me the OK to swim under the condition I only kick lightly or not at all. To start, I swam four laps kicking very lightly. It was honestly the most comfortable I had been in the water. My timing felt right & I didn’t feel like I was going to pass out at the end of the pool from exhaustion caused from over kicking.

As it turns out swimming is a lot like golf. The harder you try or the more effort you put out doesn’t necessarily mean your going to swim faster or hit the ball further.

After about four laps kicking I switched off to using a pull float between my legs & not kicking at all. In total I think I swam about 500 yards. At the end I still felt strong but Harmony reminded me not to over due it.

Other than Harmony coming home from Hawaii, this time spent in the pool has been the best I have felt since the accident!

This was also the first time Harmony and I had been in the pool together. She has warned me over & over that she’s not a great swimmer & that she doesn’t enjoy it at all. I think she was sandbagging because she looked great in the pool, maybe she was trying to get me to place a bet.

Being that swimming is going to be one of my only good cardio workouts this summer I have a feeling there should be some big improvements. Once I’m off the crutches & feeling stronger I’ll supplement the pool swimming with some open water workouts. (Don’t worry Mom, I’ll do this in an area with a lifeguard)

Harmony, thanks again for helping me get to the pool and all your support!