a month out of the water…. [into the blue]
So, it’s been over a month since the last time I swam. I’ve been kicking in the pool, and going for ocean dips every once in a while to clear my head, but I haven’t swam a single stroke. It’s forced me to step back from the swimming community for a while, to try to figure out who I am outside of swimming. There are so many things I miss about it. The mental clarity it brings, the rush of endorphins. The sense of freedom I can’t really get from anything else. The adrenaline before jumping in for a long training swim. Backstroking to watch the sun peak up over the horizon and fill the sky with its warm glow.
But the thing I’ve missed the most, I think, has just been that sense of purpose that marathon swimming brings to my life. The motivation, the drive to improve. The excitement of getting closer and closer to achieving a goal. The adrenaline rush every time I think about my next swim. That sense of empowerment and pride that comes from achieving something I didn’t know I could achieve.
I know what my goals are for next year, but thinking about them right now just gives me a sense of hopeless longing that isn’t really helping anything… I’ll start planning once I get back in the water.
Which, according to my doctor, should be another 2-3 weeks from now. I thought I might be able to start swimming again next week since my shoulder has been feeling a lot better, but it turns out I still have a ways to go. I swam on Wednesday for probably 3 or 4 minutes before my shoulder started hurting too badly, and 3 days later, it still hurts from those few minutes of swimming. So, clearly my body isn’t ready, but I’m getting there.
In the meantime! I’ve been hiking a lot and working out the gym almost every day (on the elliptical, stairclimber, bike… anything that doesn’t require the use of my shoulder). I’ve started to really enjoy hiking, and although it doesn’t even begin to compare to ocean swimming, being in nature is very healing, especially when you’re sweating.
Anyway. I have a few more post ideas that I’m planning to write soon. Thanks for reading, and have a great day!