After my swim lesson today, a gentleman getting into the pool stopped me to say that he “thinks I’m really making progress!” He said he’s even told a couple adults he knows about my swim instructor because she’s so good with kids and grown ups.
I had a nice conversation with him (he used to do biathlons, swimming and running, and wishes me the best of luck on my tri this summer) and then headed to the locker room. In the locker room one of the regulars at the water aerobics class said “Oh, and how are your swim lessons going?!”
And that’s when I realized.
My swim lessons are a spectator sport.
It makes sense… I meet with her for 45 minutes, the same time each week. The aerobics class lets out during that time, and they all trudge past the lane where I’m flailing across the pool. Any regulars who come Wednesday mornings have probably seen me at least a couple times over the course of the last few months; I’ve been taking lessons since February!
So there I am, focused on my instructor and the water for 45 minutes each week, oblivious to the fact that there are other regulars casually observing my progress. (Or, some weeks, lack thereof.)
It really makes me laugh.
Part of me feels like I should be embarrassed that people are watching, but mostly I find it funny to think about what I must look like learning to swim as an adult.
I can’t really be embarrassed, because I’m proud of myself. I get in the water with a smile every week and do my best. I come back and practice multiple times in between lessons. And I’m making progress.
Having two people speak to me with encouragement this morning makes me feel like I’ve got a little community rooting for me. And it’s not so hard to believe, because I love watching beginners make progress. I root for people all the time. I get so excited about beginning runners.
Do you ever drive by a runner struggling up a hill and silently cheer for them?
Remember that.
Remember that when you’re visibly struggling somewhere, there are probably strangers silently cheering for you. You know I would be.
