Enjoying

I love lying in bed. I think I’ve mentioned this before, but it’s so true. The weather has turned cooler, and we’re off Daylight Saving Time. My sheets are clean and crisp. I’ve turned on my side of the heated mattress pad to low. Absolutely luxury. Even the cat has been enjoying lying in.

The only downside is that I’ve reached my 6-week mark, maybe a little longer, in my morning exercise program. I’ve noticed that in the past, I do really well, then start missing a day or two, then a week, then it’s over. This time, I am determined to change the pattern. Yes, there will be breaks when I’m out of town, and realistically, I am not going to lie on hotel floors and do sit-ups. I’m also not going to carry my little weights to exercise my arms. However, there is not a reason not to start back when I get home.

I’m up to 26 back-and-forths in the pool. I never know whether 1 way is a lap, or is it 2? In any case, I always loose what number I’m on. So at Denny’s suggestion, I’ve changed to counting each way as 1. Finally, I can keep count. The water has gotten chilled down to 75°. Cold for me, but certainly not as cold as lots of places. I’ve decided my reaction is a learned one. Now I’m standing on the second step and falling backwards into the pool, saying out loud, “I love this brisk water.” It seems to be working. Then I backstroke one way, face-out-of-water breaststroke return, backstroke again, and then flounder in a crawl. 

Repeating this quartet, I  am adding 2 b&f each time I swim, averaging 3 times a week. I haven’t decided how many I hope to be my set piece. My friend Marie does 100 each morning, in her lap pool. In any case, eventually my number will be determined. And I will exchange some of the breaststroke ones for crawl, with the hope of being a little more relaxed about having my face underwater. I may even think about getting some coaching. As usual, I’m getting ahead of myself.

To quote the handprinted sign I bought in Sydney, “You Never Regret A Swim.” 

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