Tonight was our first scheduled swim test...the Cooper swim test. At the mention of the word "test", I naturally get nervous and am taken back to graduate school days of oral comprehensive exams. But tonight was a different kind of anxiety. To begin with, the pool was closed upon our arrival due to a chlorine issue. What normally requires no wait was now a 45- minute wait. Once we got onto the pool deck, we settled into our lane and began preparation. Enter anxiety-provoker #2, Janice, the Drew Wellness swim coach and she was headed right for us. She was wonderful enough to provide us with an early Christmas present which was a swim stroke evaluation. She has done this for us from time-to-time and we are always little sponges soaking up all of the tips that she provides. However, in this situation, this added more anxiety to the anxiety I was already experiencing because now I was being observed for a new stroke technique.
We began the test. Midge first...Midge took off and completed 25 lengths of the pool in the time allowed. Oh the pressure, I was next. Could I even complete half that? I looked at Janice, who was ready right along with Midge to hit the start button on the watch. I politely said, "you don't have to watch". She politely responded, "Go ahead and get started...I'll be right here..." AND she was for the entire swim test. LOL
I came in at 23 1/2 lengths which was very good for me, I thought. I was grateful for Janice and grateful that the swim test was over. It was exciting to have everyone cheering me on as if I was trying to qualify for an Olympic event. The good news is...plenty of time for improvement and a new admiration for competitive swimmers! The bad news...I don't think I would qualify for an Olympic event...but I was proud that I didn't resort to doggie paddling to complete the test. :)
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