The New Road

What a difference six months makes

It occurred to me a week ago to take a look back through my blog to see when the first day it was when I swam a mile. It was July 19th of last year, the day after my birthday and about a month after starting to take swimming fairly seriously. I can remember it like it was yesterday. Walking into Newark Java in my flip flops and sweatpants at 5:30. Telling the lady behind the counter that today was my day to swim a mile. I was so proud! I think I had it in the back of my mind that I would only swim maybe eight miles in my whole life, or something like that.

I mean, my sweet jeebus I sucked at swimming. Every length I had to rest to let my heart rate drop back below the red line for almost twenty seconds (sometimes even more). I couldn't swim a single continuous lap. And... I was in the fast lane. Honestly, looking back on it, if the me of today had to share the lane with the me of six months ago. I probably would have asked the guard to bump six-months-ago me down to the medium lane (something I have never done, by the way.)

I remember the few times that I swam laps at the outdoor pool while Lori and Megan were watching I think I almost gave Lori a heart attack. She was seriously concerned for my welfare as I finished each length, caughing, sputtering and wheezing.

What brings this into stark relief is that now I'm getting questions from another guy who was in the same position I was then, looking for answers to problems like 'how do I keep from being so out of breath at the end of the length'. And while I do have some suggestions; ear plugs, swim lessons, better suit, albuterol, simplified stroke, etc. The only thing that really counts in the end, is water time.

Also, I suppose another thing is to try for continuous improvement. I find it very interesting to watch some of the folks at the pool who just put in their laps and time, and don't really try to improve at all. I'm a regular. These folks are regulars. So they know me and I know them. And while I've gone from 1:15, to 0:45, to 0:40, to 0:36 and now 0:34, they keep doing exactly the same thing. Not that they can't swim. They surely can. But it's like they found a particular level of competency and said; good enough, thanks! I'm not saying that's good or bad, but it's interesting. I'm not sure I could ever take something seriously and not try to excel at it. I know I will never be a great swimmer, but I will be very good for me, and I will always try to improve on my times.

That's what I love most about Tiger Woods. (Not that I can in any way compare myself to him.) But, the big takeaway for me, is that he never stops trying to improve his game. He has gone through three major swing revisions. When most players go through... mmm.... none. And this is a man who understands history, understands stats, and knows the importance of tour wins and slam wins. And he puts it all on the line, to try to improve. And that's why he is number one, and will remain number one. His game is so deep, it's like watching the Buddha play golf.

That's the miracle of life; every day presents a new opportunity to do better than you did the day before.