Swim Like a Fish... Ok, Maybe a Dead Fish

So I've decided that  its time to start listening to the advice of the running gods over at Runner's World and start cross training.  So what cardio workout is more low impact than swimming?  This, I thought, would be perfect since I was always a good swimmer.  Well, times have apparently changed since 1995 when I was on the middle school swim team.  But how can this be?  I can run 8 miles over hills and through a wintery mix?!  My body and my lungs are supposed to be in shape?  So why am I gurgling, gasping and basically drowning before I've completed lap one?

Well, my faithful followers, apparently I'm not as fit as I thought I was.  While I may have come great strides with my running, I'm basically at square one with swimming.  I could just give up and hit the track or a spinning class, but then I would have to admit that I'm just a dead fish.  So, its time to regroup.  The first thing I did was whine to my fit friends.  Their advice? Relax.  It would appear that holding my breath for long periods of time and then trying to exhale and inhale in one short head tilt was not the best idea.  I needed to relax into my stroke and breathe every second stroke (not every 6th stroke like I had done day one).  I also had to cut myself a little slack.  I'm not looking to go to the Olympics here, so it would make sense to slow things down.

So I'm proud to announce that day number two has gone much better.  While I'm still working on feeling completely comfortable  and relaxed in the pool, I feel a million times better than I did on day one.  So back in the saddle I'll go until I can swim like a fishy, and a live one at that.