First things first: As usual, for Saturday, the day started out with football. BoBo’s school was going head to head with my alma mater. I was looking forward to a good game.
It was clear however, that freshman football was not a part of many of this school’s priorities. Their stands were empty; they only had about a dozen people sitting on the home side, while we had upwards of 50 people. We proceeded to cream them 30-something to zero. I felt a little bad for them. Perhaps with a little more support they would improve.
BoBo’s team hip-hopped, in their yellow bus, all the way back to our school. Apparently, the bus driver gave a little music lesson to the boys in order to get them clapping to the beat of the music (rather than that of the bumps in the road). They were clapping to the beat as they drove into the parking lot and were met with pizza and home baked brownies and snicker-doodles. Support – That’s what I’m talking about.
After returning home, it was time for a “real” work out. Why? Because, I have not had a truly good workout in 3 weeks now. I really “needed” one. I didn’t waste any time getting it started. I just jumped right in. The chilling pain was inevitable, and I already knew that I was going to be in for a shock. I didn’t want to prolong the agony any longer than I had to.
I have heard that you can get a good cardiovascular workout doing water running. It took me long enough to gear up to make it happen. My best option is actually only a couple doors down from me. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner. The only problem is that the pool is currently not heated.
I wore my swimsuit and a long-sleeved Under Armour shirt. I had BoBo’s wetsuit with me, but didn’t want to use it if I didn’t have to. We got if for BoBo when he was 12-years-old. Now, both he and I can barely squeeze into it, but it would do in a pinch.
After dipping my foot into the water, I made the decision that, although it was definitely cold, it wasn’t really *that* cold. I’ve never been good at getting into the pool, even when it is heated. I decided that, this time, I would get it done quickly. With the water belt semi-strangulating my middle, I let my body drop quickly into the pool. I gasped in horror. The COLD was inconceivable. My immediate reaction was to get out.
I thought back to how the water didn’t feel *that* cold when I tested it…with…my foot.
Yes, I tested it with my foot
The foot that has been soaking in ice water for the majority of the day for the last 3 weeks.
Go figure?
It was* that* COLD.
But I did persist. I “needed” a good workout. And so, with the need for a good workout, as well as the need to generate some body heat, I went at it. I ran as fast as I could, for as long as I could stand it. Surrounded by flowers, clean air, and a nearby waterfall, I ran circles around the deep end of the pool for 40 minutes.
I feel much better now.
I think I can afford to skip the next ice bath for my foot.
Good job! I hate cold water too! I can barely breathe when I jump in
good job juls, glad you got the workout in!
YIKES! I hate cold water. Good for you for sticking it out and getting in a ‘run’. I’ve never done water running but it’s nice to know it’s there when you need it.
Good job with the water run, even though it was “that” cold. I’ve heard it can be a great alternative during injury. Was it easy to do? Does it feel like running? I’d love to hear more about how it works.
You brought back lots of memories for me of last Nov and Dec when I was water running. I had several sessions when lessons were going on and all the parents in the stands would STARE at me wondering what the heck I was doing in that pool for an hour.
It’s sad when you see a lack of parental support. I always feel sorry for those kids.
I’m a big pool runner when I’m injured and find that the shock of the cold water really makes me pump my arms and legs harder to get the body warmed up and actually start to sweat. Now, that’s very weird. (And thanks for the kind words earlier.)