New Years Resolution: Learn to Swim

When I tell people I'm taking swimming lessons, the usual reaction is a shocked expression. "You don't know how to swim?!" I know, here I am in the land of ten thousand lakes, etc. It's not as if I sink like a rock. Prior to starting lessons, I could tread water, and sort of dog paddle, but I couldn't move myself through the water in any efficient manner. 

So, I decided to sign up for adult swimming lessons at the Y. I've had two lessons so far, and learned quite a bit already. In fact, today, I swam laps for practice. I actually swam back and forth for about 20 minutes. And when I say that, I mean I would swim a length of the pool, stand at the end panting for a minute, and repeat. Then I went home and immediately devoured a chocolate cupcake, which I earned.

Here are the things I like about swimming:

1. Not drowning

2. Blog fodder

3. Cupcake

Here are the things I don't like about swimming:

1. Freezing cold shower in the locker room

2. Changing in and out of my swimsuit in front of people

3. Swim cap rips out a bunch of my hair when I take it off

4. Swim cap does not actually keep my hair dry

5. Getting into cool water

6. Sensation of water in my ears

7. Water in my eyes

8. Water in my nose

9. Fear of the water makes me feel foolish

10. Fear of the water makes me swim badly

11. Exhausted after swimming only 25 yards

12. Self conscious because instructor is evaluating me and making note of what I am doing wrong

In summary, I am not a big fan of swimming, so far, but I intend to stick with it at least until the lessons are done. I would like to build up my stamina - and settle into a nice stroke that doesn't waste a ton of energy - so that I can actually swim for 20 minutes without the breaks for panting.