But I was proud of myself, because I had been swimming 10 lengths, or 20 laps, in the 50 metre pool. Until I bragged to my father last Friday.
I went to their house with the kids, for turkey tacos and a swim.
"Dad, guess what? I started swimming again."
"How much are you swimming?"
"10 laps."
"That's about a third of a mile. Do you mean 10 lengths?"
"No, 20 lengths. 10 round trip."
"Oh, that's 2/3rds of a mile. Even better. What stroke?"
"Mostly breast stroke. A little freestyle. Maybe 4 lengths. Some backstroke."
"Breast stroke is a lazy stroke."
My dad swam in Memphis, growing up, and held some state records in the butterfly. He went to Iowa, a big ten school, on a swim scholarship. He swam alongside Mark Spitz. When he realized he probably wouldn't make it to the Olympics, he applied to med school to escape the draft. He was accepted, I understand, days before he got drafted to the Vietnam War. So he didn't have to go. Which is why I probably exist on this planet, today.
Damn it, I am NOT lazy. So when I went to the Racquet Club earlier this week, I swam 24 lengths. I added a bunch of freestyle, which really gets my heart rate up. I asked my kid's swim instructor, James, how many lengths was a mile.
"1500 metres."
I had only done 1200. So today after work, I was determined to do a mile. And I did. 12 laps breast stroke, 12 laps freestyle, and 6 laps modified backstroke - no arms. Just kicks. I had my arms extended above me, like a rocket ship. Or an enema. You pick.
When I was finished, my legs were like jelly. I had one of those awful cramps in my toe - the lack of electrolyte cramps that occur from overdoing it. Despite the fact that I was late picking up Ike to host a party, I had to lay down on a chair and rest for ten minutes, before I was able to walk again.
Hopefully I can impress my dad. If not, I will push it even harder next week.
4 comments:
you are anything but lazy! i can't believe that you swim so much! no more running in underwear?
Swimming and running!! Only underwear if I am on the treadmill.
Aren't you still biking and running marathons? Oops, I mean after Luke comes along . . .
My dad was just teasing me, but you know how it is with your dad.
If I had a similar conversation with my dad, it would be about how many acres I mowed (or neglected to mow).
Whew, what a close one! I didn't realize you and your siblings had come so close to not existing!
Glad to hear you limit the underwear running to the treadmill. Just this morning, I was stepping out the door to go for a walk and realized I had on no pants. Another close one!
When I went to Florida with friends and family last year, I packed my running clothes. I had not yet run outside, and forgot to pack running shorts. I stupidly realized I couldn't run in my underwear, and had to wear some cheesy stiff khaki shorts all week.
I went to the mall the next week and bought running shorts, for traveling.
Watch out if you try it - running in your underwear is so liberating, you'll have trouble putting those shorts on to go outside.
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