I used to swim in São Paulo and it was the best thing EVAH. Then I moved to Canada and couldn’t find classes close to where I live or where I worked, and lost everything I had learned, which is very bad. I did lots and lots of yoga, and I really love yoga, it is AWESOME (I love it so much I am technically a yoga teacher, but, yeah, that’s another story) but, gotta say, there was a recent McDonaldization of the yoga studios here in Toronto and I am really spoiled when it comes to yoga – I like GOOD classes, not “gym-like” yoga. And these are becoming hard to find. It’s been disappointing to do yoga in most places. Most good studios are not close enough to work or home to become a choice.
Then I started looking for swimming lessons again, and decided to take a look at UofT Athletic Centre, which is in my way home. It is GREAT. The membership is reasonably priced, there are plenty of drop-in programs and I am ok with the prices of the registered programs – they are good. Like, there are competitive athletes who were/are trained there, so my money is sort of funding these people, I like this idea.
I’m now doing two very basic courses, although in the past I’ve been able to swim 2km/day 4 days a week and even learned butterfly, but 2 years outside of a pool is deadly for your swimming skills. So I’m interested in fixing my strokes (I’ve been told by at three teachers I REALLY know how to kick, well… I know I have VERY STRONG LEGS. but ridiculously weak arms) and getting more endurance, so I can join their swim masters club – people who swim like I used to when I was in São Paulo, or more. I’m not really into competition, just for fun.
Last night, by the end of the class, the teacher told me to “swim some laps”, and I started. Since I begun, two weeks ago, I couldn’t do more than 100 yards nonstop. Then magic happened and I kept swimming, 5×1, and only felt tired after 600 yds. And after this crazy swim spree, I rode 10km back home – a mini-duathlon! Of course today my leg muscles ache like there’s no tomorrow, but I rode to work again. In high heels, because I’m classy.
I have another class tomorrow, I’m wondering if I will be able to swim those laps again…


