by Donna Swagerty Shreve
I had survived the full force of a major operation, chemo treatments and then radiation treatments. I was so weak and I wanted to get back into some kind of “normal” shape. I have never enjoyed running or even walking. Swimming is my idea of tolerable exercise. I also attend group exercise classes.
First I looked around for an outdoor pool I could use. My distant cousin Bill told me he swam regularly at the University of the Pacific pool and invited me to join him. The pool opened to swimmers at 10:00. I signed up and paid my semester fee so I could swim on a regular basis.
I had to dig out my swimming suit and various other equipment that aids a swimmer. I now had my swim cap, goggles, kick board and fins. At the same time a group of Master Swimmers were also using the pool. At the far end of the pool were the U.O.P. water polo team practicing. I had plenty of company!
The pool is 50 yards long and 25 yards wide. At the shallow end, the older swimmers swam the width. The locker rooms are a good distance from the pool and there is no convenient place to place a towel, unless you don’t mind a wet towel left on the deck. I took a deep breath and walked to the pool in my speedo feeling quite naked and exposed.
A Speedo, or any other swim suit designed for a competitive swimmer, does not leave much to the imagination or help enhance one’s figure. I felt quite naked as I walked my 63 year old body to the waiting pool, encased in my suit that resembled sausage casing. Bill decided to be helpful and gave me a guide to the pool. Realize that Bill was situated on the far side of the busy pool and was yelling his instructions for all to hear. I did not want any attention at this point. I had been around many a pool and was convinced I could figure it out.
“Donna! Use the ladder. It is right there. The shallow end also has steps leading into the pool.”
“Thanks Bill.”
I then went to the end of the pool and snuck into the pool from the side, not using the ladder. I swam some few laps and was horrified at how out of shape I was. I had a lot of work to do. Later in the year I worked up to swimming 40 laps nonstop in a 25 yard pool. I might have made 15 laps doing one or two at time on that first day. I was now exhausted and needed to exit the pool and get back to the locker room.
Used to my normal routine of a few years previous, I swam to the edge of the pool to pull myself up out of the water and on to the deck. I got about half way up and collapsed on the deck like a beached whale stuck half way out of the pool with my rear end on full display. Then Bill was trying to be helpful by yelling, “Use the ladder, Donna. It is right there to your left!” Of course heads turned to witness the pitiful collapsed old lady resting half way out of the pool receiving instructions from the other side of the pool from Bill.
Somehow I was able to use the ladder and escape my torture and retreat to the locker room. The locker room is full of many various swimmers taking showers to rinse off the chorine and then getting dressed. I am not sure if our culture or my sheltered background was the influence, but I am not used to strutting around minus clothes. Of course to add to the drama, who do I see in the shower room without inhibition but my former, naked gym teacher from college. She was now in her mid 80s. She was quite friendly and I hope I did not come off as too aloof as I was still dealing with my recovering body and was not ready for prime time.
When I emerged from the locker room, I found Cousin Bill waiting for me. He proudly told me that he told everyone in the men’s locker room who I was. I had attended U.O.P. and was from a athletic family. He then went through the various family athletes and their accomplishments. Just my luck, several of the men swimmers knew some of the family.
I was determined to improve and did return to try again. I did get better but I never forgot my introduction to that pool. I later found an outdoor pool closer to home and continued my journey back to being physically active.
815 words
7/20/2024
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