Swimming is so exhilarating!  I love jumping into the pool knowing that at the end of a vigorous workout that I’m going to feel so much better.  My pre-swim shower gets me into the soaking mood.

There’s is no doubt that the water in the pool will be cool.  It stands to reason that I should be taking a cool shower just to get me used to what I will experience.  A hot shower will emphasize the shock, right?

Scanning over the lap pool I notice that several lanes are open.  I have my choice.  The two wall lanes are secondary choices.  They have that crowded feeling.

I pull down my eye protection and push off from the wall.  My arm strokes are smooth and powerful.  My coordinated kicks steady my speed.

OK, is this sounding a little too much like I know what I’m doing?  In truth it’s ghastly to jump into that cold water!  My breath is sucked right out of me when I’m immersed into the pool.

It’s the only way to go though.  Trying to ease into the cool waters is like slow torture.  Jumping right in wakes you up!

My first strokes are as uncoordinated as a dog who hasn’t learned that the dog paddle was named after it.  I breath in when the water is pouring over my face.  Gasping for air and choking loudly alerts the staff.  There are no life guards here.  The water is only 4 feet deep so I stand up and spit, choke, and gulp for some air.

Swimming laps is the definition of boredom.  All of the mind games that I try and play are exhausted.  When I try and trick myself that I am almost done, I know that I would easily failed arithmetic. 

It takes me about four laps to settle into my routine.  By now the rythem of my strokes are in synchronozation with my breathing.  I have an easy lap counter at the start and so I can let me mind focus on my workout routine. 

I pray when I swim.  As the laps slip by and my counter keeps me on track, I intercede for others.  Those who are in trouble, I ask God for His provision, mercy, and grace.  Faces appear in my soul and I lift them up to the Lord.  It’s wet and cold in there but its perfect up there.

photo credit: Yahoo image