In this guest blog, Beth Herman-Davis (@inspire.transform) shares what she misses most about swimming, since her local pools are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Beth is a lifelong swimmer and is certain that once upon a time she was indeed a mermaid. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, she is also a triathlete, nutrition coach, personal trainer and blogger. She shares nutrition and fitness tips, pretty pictures of healthy homemade food, Boston sunsets, and her most favorite home workouts with her training partner, Scout.
Swimming has always been my jam. And although I have a deep love for cycling, running and strength training — swimming is like a warm and comforting old friend that I can always turn to and rely on. Until now.
I’ve had a long relationship with swimming. When I was a little kid (and all the way through high school) the swim team was my outlet. It’s the one place that offered me a sense of community and acceptance. It’s where I felt I could simply be me — my best me. I’m certain many of you identify with that.
Being without a pool, or even a place to swim in open water (it’s too cold here in New England still) has solidified for me how invaluable swimming is — mentally, physically and even spiritually.
I miss shaking out my upper body and doing some dynamic stretching before I head down the ladder into the pool.
I miss that initial little shiver I get as I take that last step from the ladder into the water for my swim.
I miss setting my intentions for the workout before I start that 500 warm up.
I miss touching the wall at the end of that first 500, a little winded and peeking at my time on my Garmin.
I miss the drills. Even the ones I don’t particularly love.
I miss the speed I feel when I wear paddles and fins. Come on, who doesn’t love that?
I miss those last few intervals of a set where you’re trying to hold on to the pace or even swim just a little bit faster.
I miss those last couple of warm down laps where you don’t worry about your form or technique, and you just leisurely swim your way to the end.
I miss that sense of accomplishment and contentment when I climb back up that ladder and head toward the locker room.
I miss my Saturday swim dates with my training partner and comparing yardage and splits.
I miss the smell of chlorine — you know the one that lingers even after you get home.
I miss the outlines of goggles around my eyes.
And then…I remind myself that this is all temporary. And that first swim back…it’s going to be awesome and fulfilling and comforting and joyful.
Wishing everyone health, joy, and chlorine-scented dreams of that first swim back.