Well, it is now 2 weeks without running, and I honestly have not noticed anything different with my foot. I was hoping it would be around 4 weeks to get back to running, but may be more like 6 weeks or more now. I have to say, I am learning a ton with swimming, and maybe deep down this is what it was going to take in order to get me to swim better. I am taking a page out of my daughter Megan’s blog…swimming through life. She talks about her adventures, struggles, and accomplishments through her blog, and through swimming, like I do with running. But now the table is turned. I gave her pointers with her blog, and with her running, now she is giving me motivation and tips on swimming. I get a lot out of reading her blog as well, and would highly recommend it to everybody else as well! The aspect about swimming that is so foreign to me is the total concentration it takes for the timing of my breathing in conjunction with the arm stroke, and leg kicking. It is definitely all about timing. It is getting easier, and I am hoping as time goes, I won’t have to think so much about while swimming. That is what is so enjoyable about running…I don’t have to think about running, I can think about everything else in my life, and come up with solutions during that workout. I am like Forrest Gump…”I just like to run!”
It has been 2 weeks now, and I have swam 3 days a week. When I first started, I could not get across to the other side without stopping. I was in a hurry, and could not relax. Jason has been telling me and telling me, the whole thing is to relax, and go slower, and in the long run, you will become much more efficient. How true! My total distance the first day was 350 yards, and 3/4 of that was using fins! This last Thursday I could make it to the other side 8 times now without stopping, each of them one at time, and made it a total of 800 yards for the morning! It is coming. I am making progress each day. I still am constantly thinking of every movement, and the timing of my breathing, so by the time I am done and I am physically and mentally drained.
I am shortening the time I have at each end to rest. How many times I would hear from my daughter, and other people who swim, that running to them makes them feel “like a fish out of water”. Now I can safely say I feel “like a runner in the water”. They are completely different sports. Each takes practice. That is why I always tell people the best activity to do is the one you like to do, as that is the one you will stick with. No differences here either! For me, though, swimming is a lot like dealing with the struggles that come up each and every day. You have to keep focused, you have to concentrate. If you let your guard down, things start to fall apart, and you struggle. That is also what is great about Megan’s blog as well. I helped her come up with the title of “Swimming through life”, but she writes everything else. At this time, I am swimming through life, and can’t wait until I can get back to running through life again. With swimming, because you have to slow down, and relax, that is really what life should be like. It does not have to be this “hurry up” pace, and see “how fast can things get done”. Injuries in and of themselves are depressing, but you can learn other things from them. Take advantage of those opportunities when they come with the positives that they can bring. We always can learn something new. That does not mean it will be easy, and come naturally. But don’t give up! Keep “swimming” or “running” through life, just make sure you enjoy the adventure along the way.
Sarah has been coming with me to the pool at least once a week too. She does not like the water, so for her to do this, is great. It is another 45-60 minutes I get to workout with her, and spend time together.
Here she is by a bunch of the different type of equipment we can use to help get down some of those swim strokes. They really are helpful. The only way though that I/we are going to get any better swimming is getting in the water. So here is to “swimming through life”, one day at a time! Keep moving everybody, and never give up on yourself!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 4092
