positive strokes

The glut pain from Sunday’s treadmill run continued into Monday.  My thoughts of possibly trying out the Masters Swim were easily pushed aside by YaYa’s protest.  It seems that he wanted to play with his friends before dinner — instead of going swimming with mom!  I obliged and we went directly home.   As it turned out, his friends could not play, but by this point the Masters Swim was already going full force and my confidence level was otherwise occupied.  I cooked dinner while we waited for the fast swimmers to leave the area.  

By the time we hit the pool, darkness had fallen.  The air was crisp but the pool was warm.  I got in easily and began with alternating 50s of breaststroke and back.  I marveled at the clear starry sky as I went, and only hit the wall once.  After a couple of each, I switched strokes.  I gave my poor excuse for flip turns another try.  Much to my delight they were working out (regardless of form).  I mixed up the strokes for a good 30 minutes before grabbing a set of hand paddles and a leg buoy.  

Of course YaYa and I did our usual kickboard race.  For once, I beat him.  He was crushed.  He sat complaining that my arms were longer and that it wasn’t fair.  Can’t I win once?  Wasn’t okay that my kick was finally coming around?  Apparently not.  Just as it seemed that YaYa’s night would be ruined completely, a man came out of the gym and said “hello” to YaYa.  He noted the obvious; my arms were longer.  *sigh*

I settled back into my swimming.  I’d covered the distance that I set out to do but did not want to leave before giving my butterfly a go. With the man now gone, I collected up my confidence and began moving.  Again, I was pleased to make it to the wall without feeling like I was drowning.  The best part was when YaYa looked up at me and exclaimed, “Mom, you look strong swimming like that.”  It was great to get a few positive strokes on my swimming, even if I hadn’t willingly given YaYa positive strokes.  I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face as I did the return trip to the wall doing backstroke.  And, since I didn’t look like a drowning butterfly (as is my usual), I did another lap.

Also good, the knee didn’t hurt.