I spent some time thinking about it. Why is it that as an "adult onset athlete" I've come to enjoy running, walking, cycling, Zumba, elliptical, and many activities and exercises, yet I have not enjoyed the one athletic activity I liked as a teen, swimming?

The first time I tried swimming after years of not swimming, I dove in in front of my child, grandkids and husband and swam the American crawl. I kicked with all my might and thought I was doing really well, when I ran out of steam and had to stand up after probably 20 yards, 5 yards from the wall. I was totally out of breath and uncomfortable. What a disappointment!! A couple more times I swam and found I could swim 16 or 20 laps breast stroke or backstroke or sidestroke, but when I did the crawl I felt uncomfortable. I just couldn't seem to make it 25 yards doing the crawl.

Today I decided to take my own advice and approach swimming like I do running. I swam a lap breast stroke slowly to warm up, then I swam one lap crawl slowly, breathing every 2 or 4 strokes. I swam another breaststroke lap and a fourth lap of crawl, just a little more vigorously. I did not feel claustrophobic or uncomfortable. Then I got out, considering it a success.

I'm thinking of crawl/breaststroke/crawl as being equivalent to run/walk/run. I believe with this slow and steady approach, I'll come to enjoy swimming again!

(PS That was not my total workout today. I did 30 minutes on the elliptical and a fast 10 minutes on the stationary bike before the pool. I still need to do 10 more minutes of cardio to meet my goal for the day. I'll do it!!)