I’m no athlete but I love to move my body.
It all started when I was in middle school and a doctor told me my asthma would get better if I started running. I did and I loved it. That runner’s high was amazing. I even won a trophy for a school marathon.
Swimming, though, predates running. I’ve been in the water as long as I can remember. But it wasn’t until I started swimming laps as an adult that everything changed.
First there is the simple act of showing up. The gym I belong to is a dedicated twenty minute walk away. Second there is the physical act of moving my body in water, which is both blissful and tiring. A good combination. Finally, there is the need for focus. Swimming is the best test of my ability to be present.
Oh, and another thing. No phones in the pool. No one can reach me. And that’s a beautiful thing.