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Swimming, I've decided, is less like riding a bike and more like walking in ridiculously high heels. I was able to hop of a bike after not riding for years and managed just fine. Swimming, on the other hand, is a bit trickier.
And I'm not talking about the 'managing not to drown' flailing about. That I'm just fine at. I'm talking about actual swimming, with the proper motions and all. Theoretically, I know how to do it. I understand it. But putting all the pieces together, well, that's a bit different. I have a huge problem managing to breathe properly during the stroke (we're talking the crawl, nothing fancy).
And in that way I think it's a lot like when I started wearing heels again. When I bought my first pair of 'high' heels (2-1/2"!) after years of not wearing them, I was a little wobbly. It took a little practice. Then I moved up to higher and higher heels until I could sashay about in 4-1/2" spike heels, no problem. I can even run in them! (Well, insomuch as I can run at all) If I employ this method to swimming I'll start out with a kick board and some doggy paddling, then slowly start trying to work out the breathing and arm movements.
On the other hand, I could have just slapped on really high heels and I'd have learned pretty quickly (you know, the whole 'sink or swim' method!). Sure, I would have looked completely ridiculous doing so, but I'd have no choice but to learn or continue to look really silly. Or, you know, break an ankle. And so I could just continue to try to swim as best I can, and look like an asthmatic whale while doing so, but learn more quickly.
Either way, it's going to be a LONG road to getting into shape. Ugh.
And to Mr. Smeddley, who (with no prompting and completely out of the blue, after we'd gotten home from the gym) told me I didn't look horrid in my swimsuit, *that's* why I love you.
And I'm not talking about the 'managing not to drown' flailing about. That I'm just fine at. I'm talking about actual swimming, with the proper motions and all. Theoretically, I know how to do it. I understand it. But putting all the pieces together, well, that's a bit different. I have a huge problem managing to breathe properly during the stroke (we're talking the crawl, nothing fancy).
And in that way I think it's a lot like when I started wearing heels again. When I bought my first pair of 'high' heels (2-1/2"!) after years of not wearing them, I was a little wobbly. It took a little practice. Then I moved up to higher and higher heels until I could sashay about in 4-1/2" spike heels, no problem. I can even run in them! (Well, insomuch as I can run at all) If I employ this method to swimming I'll start out with a kick board and some doggy paddling, then slowly start trying to work out the breathing and arm movements.
On the other hand, I could have just slapped on really high heels and I'd have learned pretty quickly (you know, the whole 'sink or swim' method!). Sure, I would have looked completely ridiculous doing so, but I'd have no choice but to learn or continue to look really silly. Or, you know, break an ankle. And so I could just continue to try to swim as best I can, and look like an asthmatic whale while doing so, but learn more quickly.
Either way, it's going to be a LONG road to getting into shape. Ugh.
And to Mr. Smeddley, who (with no prompting and completely out of the blue, after we'd gotten home from the gym) told me I didn't look horrid in my swimsuit, *that's* why I love you.