I’m ready to face my FEAR this weekend!

October 2010 I joined my local Masters Swim Club. I have been absolutely loving it! The last I swam competitively was in high school. I was never very fast. I was average but loved the exercise, the social aspect and I love the water. I have always loved to swim. My parents started me as a baby. I’ve seen videos of me crawling to the end of the diving board and flinging myself off into the deep end. My mom would let me fully submerge then scoop me up.

At the age of 7 my parents signed me up for NYAC, a competitive swim team. I loved it and got to swim a few times per week. My mom loved it because she was hoping I’d lose some weight. I was a little chunky around the middle. I had great strokes, but was not fast and usually finished with a 5th or 6th place ribbon.

I remember after one race I proudly showed my mom my ribbons and she said, why do you do it? You are not good! Why not find something you are good at? Now I know my mom didn’t not say it with a mean intention. She said it coming from a place of wanting her daughter to be the best she could be so why not find something that you are naturally good at.

I was swimming for pure enjoyment not to win and for me that was good enough.

At one particular race we needed to dive in from the shallow end. I smacked my head on the bottom of the pool. It hurt like hell, but luckily I was okay. I remember how mad my mom was. “Why on earth would they have you dive from the shallow end?” I can still remember that angry and guilty energy that came from my mom. Well, my journey in swimming has come full circle.

I’m swimming in provincials this coming weekend…and guess what?? The girls have to start from the shallow end. I have to tell you, I am scared. I know everything will be fine, but it’s the what if factor that has been poking me. I am ready to face my FEAR. Scared but ready.

Send me positive energy!
Jacquie

One Comment so far:

1. PhatPinkyz says:

   March 24, 2011 at 2:30 am

   woohoo Jacquie!!! have fun!! no spinals in the shallow end lovey! xoxod

   Reply