A Leap of Faith

Swim drills, swim drills, swim drills. We cranked out 2450m last night at Drew Wellness Center. This was one of the better swims that I've had as far as really pushing myself harder and trying to stay as focused as possible on swim stroke. I am still trying hard to "get my glide on". Having ventured home to my parents' house for Father's Day, I finally was able to see the video my mom taped at the Langley Pond Triathlon. Okay, what an eye opener and an ear opener with my father commentating in the background most likely without even realizing it. This was the first time I have been able to see my swim stroke rather than relying on someone to describe it to me. (Not to mention really getting to see what moves the most in my tri suit while I am out there running...some things are just not meant to be seen in video footage.)

Anyway, our swim was overall a typical swim night; however, a young lady (late 20's, early 30's) working with a gentleman in one of the outer swim lanes caught my attention upon arrival. It quickly became obvious that she was taking swimming lessons. The more I watched her the more inspired I became by her, step-by-step, overcoming her fear of water. She'd giggle anxiously and at times struggle somewhat frantically in the water to make a connection with her surroundings. Eventually, her swim instructor tied an apparatus to her as a swim aid - almost like a leash of sorts that would allow him to pull her back up after she jumped in the deeper end of the pool. I wondered whether it was beneficial or more gave her a sense of security that she wasn't completely on her own and unattached. Regardless of the swim aid, it was written all over her face - terror. Over the next hour, I watched her evolve. As if she were a child again, she was jumping in and getting out ready to do it all over again. Several times during my swim, I had given her verbal encouragement and an occasional "thumbs up." At one point, she said, "I am making progress." So, when my workout concluded, I could resist no longer. I had to go speak.

I went over as she was attempting to master floating on her back. As I introduced myself, she giggled again but this time with pride rather than apprehension. Her accomplishment was huge and was written all over her face as she told me, "I'm from the islands and I don't know how to swim." I had to tell her that she was my hero last night! What an amazing transformation in the span of less than an hour.

I say this in my blog not to give myself acknowledgement for encouraging her but to recognize what she did for me last night. There are so many times in our lives when we never stop to think about who is actually watching us. You never really know, unless someone tells you, the indirect impact you're having on an individual's life. I found strength last night in an unexpected place simply watching her take a step off into the unknown and conquer her fear. I couldn't have been prouder! She was an Iron(wo)man last night and she probably doesn't even know it :)