I swim. No not because of Michael Phelps in the Olympics. I’ve always been a swimmer. Since I was 5 or so. It’s got to be one of the few sports that one can do pretty much forever. I’m not one of those people who get in the water doggie paddle around for thirty minutes and call it a workout, quite the opposite really.

When I made the decision to get back in the water after a 6 year hiatus I wanted to make sure I was going to be dedicated about it. Sure Olympic Trial and the Olympics has helped immensly. It’s always refreshing to have a catalyst all around you when you’re trying to accomplish something. Thanks to my coach (Kevin Salisbury) I’ve been able to get back in the water, lose a ton of weight and get back into shape. I still have a bunch of weight to lose but I’m already feeling really good in the water and hoping for some big things in the coming years.

There’s no doubt in my mind that is extremely tough to stay dedicated to something on a daily basis. The good thing is I swim (most days) with two 80+ year olds (Petey & Billy). The way I see it, if they’re getting out of bed every morning and coming to the pool there is absolutely no reason that I shouldn’t be up and at the pool as well. Billy has been undergoing Chemo the past few weeks so that has sidelined her and Petey from coming to practice everyday, which is unfortunate but when they do show up in the mornings coach and I always seem to have a much better practice. The days coach doesn’t get in and swim with me are rough. It’s pretty much me, alone, in the water. Go run by yourself and let me know how far you get. Now run with someone and tell me how much better it is for you and your running partner. Same thing goes for swimming. If I have coach to push me I swim 100% better than I do by myself. Maybe it’s all a mental game. Who knows?

I’m about to enter my third month of being back in the pool and it’s time to start thinking about competitions and perhaps joining a club squad. Not quite ready for the club yet I probably need about another month. It’s the goal that by October I’m entered in my first meet and ready to go.

The great thing about being active again is I get so much more done. Whether it be design work, writing, reading, normal everyday to-dos, etc. I get it done and I get it done fast. There’s no better feeling than that. One of the side effects about swimming as much as I am is that I’ve got to consume a ton of calories a day and that puts a hurt on the wallet. The price you pay I guess eh?

This is has been one of the best days all summer. What did I do? I sat in my backyard and got work done. It’s been quite cool here the past couple of days and with no swim practice today I took advantage of my day off. I figured I post a photo along with the image here for some geekery that this post needs.

There’s nothing better than walking around your yard barefoot when the grass is super green and feels cool to the touch. I sat in the grass and got a book done that I’ve been meaning to finish. Then I figured I pull out the chair and sit around, take some photos and get some design work done. This blog pretty much went from concept to completion in the hours that I have been sitting out here.

Needless to say I enjoyed today and it’s not over yet. What did you do today?