Sunday, March 17, 2013

A Different Lens

When I got to the "big city" fitness center which I can swim at through my gym on Friday morning I was amazed at how full the parking lot was. Doesn't anyone work?  But I managed to park and went in.  At one time my gym had a deal where we could use this fitness center on weekends and I think Wednesdays.  Every time I go I am waiting for them to tell me this is not a day I can be there. But it has never happened. I was going to beg to use it since I was already there but no begging necessary.

There was a fun looking class going on in the gym using large balls.  Then I saw millions of women wearing bathing suits and wondered if I would get a spot in the pool. I got a lane when I got in there but I was next to 3 open lanes that had a class happening.  There were easily 35 older women in it, a fair amount older than I am.  The class looked fun, not the level of aerobics I want at this point in my life, but they were active and having a blast.

Back to my lane. A woman asked to share it with me and I may have wanted to say no but of course I said no problem.  She wasn't in it too long before she disappeared.  I did my 64 lengths which is kind of a big deal for me. I was under a time crunch because I was meeting friends for lunch and I wanted to have time for the hot tub.  But I had a great workout.  I feel like I am speeding up and making my swim workout a tougher one.  Who knows what I look like but in my world I am feeling good.

So I get into the hot tub when I am done and the lady who had been sharing my lane was there.  She went on to say:
You were in there a long time.
Yes.
You're a really good swimmer.
Thank you.

There were so many things going through my head, so many denials going through my head, knowing so many people would think this woman was NUTS to say I was a good swimmer. But she seemed sincere and I decided I would be gracious and just say thanks. It is annoying to compliment someone and get all kinds of protestations.

Besides..............I loved it and I'd be lying if I didn't say it made my day.
Maybe this coming summer I won't be quite as nervous
before the swim???

We got a lot of snow last night and it's continuing to fall so maybe I'm okay with the whole no racing for St. Patrick's Day.  I'd certainly hate to misstep!  

Hope you all had a great weekend working out however you chose!




14 comments:

Runner Leana said...

Yay for a great swim!

I think when people compliment us on our athletic abilities there is a tendency to downplay or to qualify it somehow. It was very nice of her to say something to you!

Runner Leana said...

And what I meant to say but forgot to type is that I do this all the time too! I definitely see things through a different lens.

Kate Geisen said...

Oh, I know JUST what you mean! I tend to be very self-deprecating, but I think that's bc I'm only comparing myself to people who are stronger, faster, braver than I am. The only person "behind" me I ever compare myself to is Old Kate. But oh. It's still so nice to hear.

Anne said...

You swam 64 lengths!! I'm in awe...seriously, I totally agree with that woman! I am so impressed :) Hopefully, the foot will be back to normal soon...until then, you are definitely staying strong!

christa said...

You got snow last night and today? None here.

Ransick said...

Nice swim! Awesome you got a compliment on it too. That is a long swim, so you did the right thing by accepting the compliment. You deserved it.

Haha, you'll get a kick out of this. I was running in the woods today and rolled an ankle. After hopping on one foot cussing for 30 seconds or so, I started walking it off. I was two miles into a six mile loop and thought about heading back or continuing. Decided to continue and that if my ankle swelled up like a grapefruit, I would blog that I pulled an ajh :-). I mean that in a good way of course.

Jill said...

It's not easy for me to get compliments from people who really don't know what exactly I DO do. But 64 laps is good and you felt strong and happy with the workout, so own it girl!! Good for you!

Fran said...

You've been swimming for a while now and I bet you are a good swimmer too.

Stop doubting yourself about that and say "I'm a good swimmer!"

Johann said...

Your swimming is certainly getting better and better. This will be so good for your tri season. See, not all is lost and bad with this at all. Lots of positives are happening as well. But I do hope you'll be running soon... Have a great week!

Kandi said...

I'm glad you were able to accept the compliment. Sometimes it's tough since I know we are all hard on ourselves. I know I am trying to be better at just accepting when people compliment me.
64 laps is awesome!

middleagedrunner said...

That is a ton of swimming so shw was correct in her compliment :-) Sounds like you'll be nailing the swim at all your tris this summer!

Amy said...

Good on your for simply accepting her compliment with no qualifiers - I think a lot of us have a hard time doing this! And I bet if I saw you swimming, I'd be very impressed, too!

Char said...

I'm pretty sure that you're a good swimmer. I couldn't do 64 laps if you paid me.

HappyTrails said...

You have worked SO HARD on your swimming - accept that the woman was truth'in you - you ARE a good swimmer! I couldn't swim one lap. It is so hard to accept a compliment. Is it because we are embarrassed? I am not sure why. You were a good example by being gracious and accepting it at face value. I want to be like AJH when I grow up! :-)