Run like a...fish?

I know I said I would post about New Year's Resolutions.  The thing is, I am not really one for resolutions, especially in January.  It is the middle of the school year, and things don't really feel "fresh and new" even.
When I think about resolving to do anything, I realize that I am already doing a lot of stuff that I am really happy with, and proud of. I am already doing things that I know I will continue. Getting up at 5:30am to shiver through the neighbourhood run is kind of a habit. It would feel strange not to do it.  Spending as much time as I can enjoying my family is something I would love to do more, but I do it as often as I can, and I couldn't possible resolve to do it more.

So.  Back to the fact that it's January, and the fact that I am not making any actual resolutions. I do, of course, have goal races, deadlines in my work, and hopes and dreams for 2013. Boston marathon is a big race I am looking forward to once again, and if I could resolve for it to be beautiful weather on race day, I would. I am hoping it will be a fun race, and I am working and training hard already in preparation for it. I have another few races in mind for this year, and I am excited to train for them.

I do, however, have a huge milestone coming up. Tomorrow.

Wednesday is the day I will learn to swim.

Or at least jump into a pool with an instructor that will start the process with me.

It will may take more than one (or ten) lesson for me to feel as though I have actually learned, but, through pure determination alone, I will find success.

Why now, you ask?

Well.  I have always said I would like to "learn to swim". This should not be confused with floating, blowing bubbles under water, getting 'comfortable' in a pool. I loved getting in the water as a kid, I would float, doggie paddle around, and play and play until my skin shriveled. I just never took lessons, so I have never done lane swims, and, let's be honest here...I always think it is pure magic when I watch competitive swimming meets. The kicking, breathing, paddling, Oy. Seems like a lot of coordination to me!!

I said once that I would like to try one  triathlon at some point, before I am 40 (I said this before I even turned 30...it seemed so far away).  Every season, I ponder carving out the time to learn the swimming part (which, to me, seems like a good part of a triathlon to invest some time/training in, as it seems like the part that has higher chance on injury/possible death if you just try to 'fake it').  I usually find some reason to put off lessons. Then. I mentioned it casually at work. Then the snowball started to roll.  Then, it was sink or swim, so to speak, when my colleague/friend Jay said, "I'm in, let's do it.". Jay made some calls, and that was that.
Jay is leaps and bounds ahead of me, as he is looking to perfect his stroke and would like some coaching, so we are going to share an instructor (read: Amy will hog the instructor while he is too distracted by swimming to notice).

Tomorrow is the bathing suit day. Flip flops not runners. Goggles not sunglasses.  Every Wednesday I will learn more for the next 10 weeks or so.

I Am excited to get started. Now if only I could find my water wings...


Stay tuned...