I joined the new YMCA in Koreatown and went swimming today for the first time in years and years and years. Swimming is, apparently, just like riding a bicycle because when I slipped into the water and took off free-styling, I felt weightless and smooth and each breath each stroke was the millionth one I'd taken and made, effortless. When I climbed out, I was as limp and weak as a cooked noodle, the mostly elderly and impassive Korean men and women nodding pleasantly at me as I made my shaky way back to the locker room. It will be good to be anonymous at the Koreatown YMCA, a big pink-goggled white woman noodle in an Asian sea. It's what I love best about living in an urban area -- that unique ability to be surrounded by humanity and still feel utterly alone.
I love swimming laps because I can work out like mad and never feel like I'm sweating.
ReplyDeleteAnd one of the things I love best about living in the city is the people-watching.
We've taken to the water like fish this summer and I'm more relaxed than I can recall feeling in a long time. I think we're supposed to go back to our roots (or fins?) in the water, so to speak.
ReplyDeleteps-Those glasses are FIERCE.
Swimming is great and you are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, when i first started swimming a few months ago, I didn't feel weightless and smooth. I felt like a giant lead ball of flailing limbs practically hyperventilating! LOL! You must have been a swimmer all your life. Me? it was ugly and horrendous. But now, I love it. (ok, not love it... fond of it.) I do enjoy the "noodle" feeling of a whole body workout too :)
ReplyDeleteand I agree - you're gorgeous :)
I love swimming. That will be great exercise, with the anonymity an added plus!
ReplyDeleteLove the sunglasses, BTW. Very Jackie-O.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, me too. Anonymity is the thing I miss most.
ReplyDeleteGood for you!
ReplyDeletebeen swimming lately myself ( I consider it much easier than running on an elliptical). The feeling as you exit the water is like no other excercise experience in the world. I know many mothers who swim every day and the only bad thing about it is the high goes away usually by the time you are putting the kids to bed!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!