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On the joys of swimming and becoming a water baby in my 50s

28/1/2017

28 Comments

 
Diver - photo purchased via Creative Commons - Liz Posmyk Good Things
Standing tall, with her shoulders back, she stares out over the shimmering depths beneath her. Drawing her eyes to the edge of the board, she takes two steps forward, her hands outstretched and her toes pointed, like a dancer. Lifting one leg, she jumps into the air, while balancing on the other, then quickly bringing up both knees and lifting her arms high above her head. Bouncing as she lands at the edge of the board, she springs forth into the air, bending slightly at the waist as she points her outstretched arms and body towards the pool below. She pierces the water in a clean, streamlined fashion, leaving a mere splash of tiny bubbles. Moments later, she emerges and swims to the edge of the pool, exiting gracefully by the tiled ladder. 

That, dear friends, is how I would like my first ever springboard dive to go. For now, the mammoth leap will take place only in my dreams, until I can conquer my phobia of diving into water from anything other than the safety of the tiled ledge on the inner side of the pool.
Ducks enjoying the dive pool at the Canberra Olympic Swimming Pool - Liz Posmyk
My older siblings all learned to swim and dive not too long after the family arrived in Australia. Mum sent me with them to the Olympic Swimming Pool in the Canberra CBD, and I would sit on the grass and watch in awe as they leapt from the highest tower into the five metre depths of the dive pool. I don't remember any of them ever asking me to join them in the water, or encouraging me to swim. So, despite my best efforts, I never made it out of the 'Tadpoles' group at swimming lessons after school. It may have had something to do with my fear of drowning and the fact that I hate the feeling when water enters my eyes, ears, nose and throat simultaneously.
Hand rail leading to the dive pool at the Canberra Olympic Pool - Liz Posmyk
In the middle of 2013, at the age of 55, I decided it was time that I was more adventurous, so I ventured into the deep end of a swimming pool on my own. It was at a resort in Noosa on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. We had both just retired from full time work and I was still recovering from pneumonia, so my lung function wasn't the best, but I was determined that I would teach myself to swim.
Flippers and the dive pool at the Canberra Olympic Pool - Liz Posmyk
Peter suggested that I try a centre-line (front) snorkel to help with my breathing technique, so I ordered one made by Zoggs. The snorkel arrived in the mail a few days later, with a metal nose clip in the package. A nose clip to keep out the water? Who knew that such things existed!? If I was going to give this swimming thing a shot, I might as well do it properly, so I also invested in a pair of titanium goggles, some ergonomically-designed silicone ear 'plugz', and short-blade swim fins. Fully kitted out, I was ready to swim. Woo hoo!
Swimming - Liz Posmyk Good Things blog - image purchased via Creative Commons
Of course, shortly after we committed to regular swimming sessions, I fractured the metatarsal bone in my left foot (power walking to the bathroom!), and had to have surgery. Thanks to the good work of my surgeon, three screws securely hold the shattered bone in place. Once the wound had healed sufficiently, I was back in the water. The 25-metre 'baby pool' at our local leisure centre is heated to 32 degrees C, providing an almost perfect environment for pain relief and aquatic therapy. Eventually, I ventured into the 50-metre pool and attempted to swim laps. I found the snorkel, nose clip, ear plugs and goggles to be brilliant, but because the bones in my foot needed to fully mend, it would be at least a year before I could consider wearing the swim fins.
Goggles at the dive pool at the Canberra Olympic Pool - Liz Posmyk
Eighteen months on, thanks to Peter's sage advice, and my own determination, I have taught myself to swim - albeit with the full regalia and at the age of 58. My fitness has increased remarkably, my body is more flexible and feels lighter in the water. My strokes are long and smooth. As an added bonus, the swim fins have helped build up my speed, as well as my lower body strength.

I can now comfortably swim one kilometre (a thousand metres) in a session and have, on a few occasions, swum up to two kilometres. I follow up lap-swimming with at least 30-minutes of resistance training (bicep curls, chest flys, bicycling and punching), using aquatic dumbells (another excellent investment).

Swimming and aqua training, coupled with a revised eating plan (and cycling in-between, when the weather allows), has seen me shed 17 kilograms. ​The weightlessness provided by the water has a way of calming one's mind and body. You can swim at your own pace and focus on nothing but the thin black line at the bottom of the pool. And, because swimming is such a meditative form of exercise, I find that I am more relaxed and much happier within myself. 

I am reminded of the Speedo mantra: 'You're only one swim away from a good mood.' Yes!

​
To me, swimming is like taking a mini holiday, not to mention that my joints feel as though they have had a 'grease and oil'. It's such a good thing and I only wish that I learned to enjoy it sooner.

Will I ever muster up sufficient courage to take the plunge from the dive board? I know not. For now at least I can bob about in the dive pool and watch the youngsters hurl themselves into the water, from great heights and with amazing talent. 
Aqua dumbells at the Canberra Olympic Pool - Liz Posmyk

Tell me dear readers, do you enjoy swimming? Have you been a good swimmer all your life? And can you dive?
28 Comments
Judy link
28/1/2017 08:23:48 am

I have never been much of a water person, but hey, maybe in my 50's that will change (turning this year). I am so impressed to hear your adventurous side is blooming! Most of my friends have already entered this decade of their lives and the happiest are definitely the those open to new experiences and greater challenges. Live it up, Liz! :)

Reply
Lizzy
28/1/2017 07:37:33 pm

Hi Judy, happy 50th for this year... It's a great time of life, enjoy xxx

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Karen (Back Road Journal) link
28/1/2017 08:41:41 am

Good for you to teach yourself to swim and be comfortable in the water. I'm sure you will be up on that dive platform before you know it.

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Lizzy
28/1/2017 07:37:55 pm

Whoa, not sure about that dive platform, but gee it would be good. x

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John / Kitchen Riffs link
28/1/2017 10:52:42 am

I essentially taught myself how to swim when I was 10 or 11. Up until then I just couldn't do it. Then one day I said heck with this, I'm going to swim, and started swimming. Obviously I must have learned -- or knew the theory -- but had never put it all together. When we lived in Florida we had a pool, which was fun. It was only 10 meters or maybe a bit more, so you were constantly turning. But it was fun. I miss that. Although towards the end of our time there I got arthritis in my shoulder, and swimming aggravated it, so I gave it up. :-( Congrats on your swimming! And I hope you make it off the high board at some point -- that is fun.

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Lizzy
28/1/2017 07:38:21 pm

Oh John, I'm envious that you learned so young... what a good thing. Thanks for your kind words x

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Amanda link
28/1/2017 11:10:23 am

Ooh, that pool looks so very inviting!
We have no pool close to us and the nearest public facility is an indoor pool that is used for lessons all week, so always very noisy.
I've resigned myself to just bobbing around in our back yard pool on hot days!

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Lizzy
28/1/2017 07:39:15 pm

It's a beautiful old pool, Amanda, in the CBD. The one close to home (5 minutes) is full of screaming kids and the pools are like human soup, hence why we drive into the city. Your back yard pool must be a godsend.

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Andrea
28/1/2017 05:22:02 pm

I have been following your posts about swimming Liz, being from Far North Queensland, swimming was something that I enjoyed albeit in a fun, jumping around in the pool, rivers or sea kind of way! I never considered it to be part of my fitness regime as I sort of always sunk when I tried to do laps. However, when my oldest son was 6 , he joined the Gordonvale swimming club and went from strength to strength, which then inspired me to join ( I was in the Dugong group 😁)...
Moving so many times , I lost the swimming bug, but having been reading your posts and latest blog, methinks it's time to do laps!!! Xxx

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Lizzy
28/1/2017 07:40:04 pm

Hi Andrea, oh how interesting, I didn't realise you are from FNQ. Yes, do it, do it. xx

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Jeni from Northern Rivers Dreaming
28/1/2017 07:39:03 pm

One thing I miss up here in the Northern Rivers is swimming. In Canberra I used to swim at the Australian Institute of Sport Aquatic Centre after work. I also joined the clubhouse fitness centre at the Park Hyatt, which was walking distance from the gallery. It's a small pool but the long open hours (6am to 9pm) meant I could go early in the morning and then walk to work, or at lunch, or whatever suited my usually stressed schedule at the gallery. Like you, I found swimming a really great way to exercise :)

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Lizzy
28/1/2017 11:24:45 pm

Hi Jeni, I bet you do miss swimming... it is such an enjoyable thing to do. : )

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@ChristineSalins (FoodWineTravel) link
28/1/2017 07:49:35 pm

Very inspiring, Liz. Not sure you need to bother with that diving platform though. You've already achieved enough!

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Lizzy
28/1/2017 11:25:14 pm

Thanks Christine. Ooooooh, I might get there, you never know. x

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Tandy I Lavender and Lime link
29/1/2017 01:24:06 am

I love to swim and my preference is in the sea, rather than a pool. The resistance training is so good. Well done on your achievements thus far Liz xx

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Lizzy
29/1/2017 03:23:57 am

I love the coast, too, Tandy, but the nearest beach is a good two hours away. Plus, we have sharks, bluebottles, strong rips and dumpers much of the time. Give me the safety of a coastal pool or Olympic pool in the city any day x

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Janet link
29/1/2017 06:45:02 pm

I'm impressed! I'm not very good at swimming myself, never could work out the whole breathing thing, which you know, is kinda important LOL ...

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Lizzy
29/1/2017 08:23:27 pm

Hiya Janet! Happy 50th to you, BTW. I cannot recommend the snorkel etc highly enough... truly, it has done wonders for this old bird. xx

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Celia
29/1/2017 06:56:16 pm

Brilliant! How wonderful for you! And the snorkel is a genius suggestion, thank you - I can swim, but I can never get the breathing right!

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Lizzy
29/1/2017 08:24:17 pm

Thanks darling one, I could not do it without the snorkel etc, particularly with my weakened lungs. Loving your posts about walking and mindfulness. xxx

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Peter
29/1/2017 08:22:20 pm

You're going great guns and I can still remember how you struggled in the baby pool trying to swim just two metres without the snorkel. Love you to bits. Swimming is one of the best things we've done in our retirement.

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Lizzy
29/1/2017 08:24:39 pm

Love you too... and I agree on the second point.

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Bob Bennett
29/1/2017 08:22:40 pm

Go you.

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Lizzy
29/1/2017 08:24:55 pm

Aw, thanks Bob!

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Elissa link
30/1/2017 04:00:29 am

Wow, that's impressive and quite an inspiration! Well done, Liz, and I hope you keep enjoying the benefits of all that perseverance.

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Moya link
1/2/2017 07:38:02 am

Well done Lizzy you deserve a big pat on the back. Years ago I did a high dive and ended up with bruised thighs... that was the one and only time I did this :)

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Lizzy
3/2/2017 02:31:48 am

Hello Moya, oh, ouch! Maybe I should think twice?

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Maureen link
3/2/2017 08:39:30 pm

I agree. I think I've always known how to swim and recently I've been swimming several times a week. Then one day I did the side stroke and I think I've cracked a vertebrae. It hurts more than before my back surgery. CT scan done, results on Tuesday. I would LOVE to get back in the water. At the moment I'd have to be carried there. :(

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Good Things is written and published by Liz Posmyk © 2011-2019.   All rights reserved.
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