Holy shit, I did it.
When I started swimming in November of last year, I remember it being difficult to swim 25 meters. I remember panting while standing in the shallow end, wondering how I'd ever do 2 laps in a row.
I've been swimming for about 1 or 2 times every two weeks since then. Sometimes, when I go home, I spam the community swimming pool because it's nicely heated and it doesn't cost $4 like the Culver City swimming pool I also use.
I did not plan on hitting this milestone today, yet I knew that I could push myself past my 200m drill. I thought, how hard could a little more be?
From my point of view as a beginner swimmer, doing 5 round trip laps is gargantuan. Throughout the swim, I kept calm by repeating "one, hold, two, hold". This corresponds to my 2-stroke form and a long catch where I try to glide through my stroke.
Oh, and I also learned how to do a flip turn!! Before, I would do a open turn and catch my breath. Not this time. When I get close to the wall, I bring my head down and my hips above my head, then push off the wall underwater. I recall being scared to do this because I felt out of air when doing this maneuver. It didn't click until today.
I'm not doing swimming practice for ironman training. Right now, I just genuinely enjoy it. Despite surfing and scuba diving, my raw, un-aided swimming skills were deprioritized. It's fascinating learning how to swim. I feel empowered and accomplished after a swimming session, similar to a long running session (except my lats are sore instead of my knees, a trade I'd take any day).
To more meters and swimming! I'll be in the pool.
-derek
