I can’t remember the last time I went swimming. Before tonight, that is. I’d forgotten how much I love it. Maybe it was something in The Artist’s Way, maybe it was hearing a friend, and then another, say how much they enjoy swimming. So, why not me? Actually, the truer question became “How could I find a way to do that, too?”
On Saturday sitting in the Northeast co-op savoring my deli salad, I noticed a poster for “public swim.” Of course! The public gets to swim! I’m part of the public! Somehow I’d assumed that when I let go of my club membership it would be the end of swimming for me. Forever. Ha! Now I was inspired. A bit of searching online turned up a great find: the U of M public swim at the Natatorium for $2. Isn’t that great?!
So, I’ve been working my way up to it for days. It may not seem like a risk to you, but for me this feels like bungy jumping from a bridge would feel to others. Or public speaking, or ballroom dancing, or whatever makes you lock your knees and your heart flutter.
But I did it. I gathered up my inner swimmer (I think she’s about 10 or 11), packed a towel and a snack (truth be told, I packed my bag Saturday afternoon… except for the snack) and set off to new territory. Now, parking at the U is not always an easy feat, but that turned out to be easier than finding the entrance to the pool! After three laps around the building, I actually swam a dozen blissfully giddy laps in the slow lane of this huge and beautiful pool. Ah! What can be better than that?! Maybe my next trip to the Natatorium.
