the shOemon chronicles

the Swimming returns

“I will swim today” I told my brother in the afternoon. And he un-unwantedly agreed to accompany me.(I may or may not have reminded him about who taught him to swim 9 years ago) 

I needed it today. I needed to get out of my head, and I couldn’t figure how to(drugs or death, apart).

I have been running 7kms, almost regularly for the past few months. I didn’t want to do something routinely as a stress-buster. 

So I decided to resuscitate my old love for swimming. 

Growing up, I was as sporty as Hitler was- romantic. I ate more than a fat Rajnikanth would, and often delayed peeing to disastorous proportions ‘cus of laziness. Running and sweating was something I would even punish myself by. But then there came swimming. I loved it instantly. And thanks to it, my height shot up, and tummy shot in. 

That was 7 years ago.

I have sort of lived freakishly healthy for the past year. I have enjoyed running 7kms, almost daily. 3 kg dumbells at home. Crunches. Push ups. Yada yada yada.

I had’t been to the swimming pool, for well, swimming, since almost 4 years now. 

So today I wallowed in self-doubts(I can make a list by now of those) if I would be able to un-notswim.

I entered the changing room, and recognized the wall sized mirrors. Always loved them. A quick shower later, and spit-cleaning the goggles(Its simple. Spit inside the goggle. Rub. Water.Rub. Drop excess spit+water mixture. Wear. FOGPROOF now!), I entered the holy sanctity of chlorinated blue waters.

I premiered up with 10 laps of freestyle.

Then came 10 laps of breast stroke. (Don’t grin. Its the official name. Irrespective of the gender.I swear)

Then again 10 laps of freestyle.

And now slowly the cramps started. Your calves sort of start being a B#$%. And muscles in atrocious places (depending on what you are using) start to revolt.  My weird place is, my MIDDLE TOE. For some reason IT cramps up.

Anywho, I pushed trough it. 10 more laps of breast stroke.(I keep doing that ‘cus it makes your chest awe-frikkin-some. Really)

And well, I was on the verge of giving up, but then I did 10 laps more of freestyle.

And then 6 laps more of random styles.

56 laps. First day after 4 years. Not bad eh? 

If you are a regular siwmmer, you would know. While you do those 56 laps, you think. ‘Cus swimming isn’t really a big deal, it almost becomes like walking. Rather, actually easier than walking. So you use that time to THINK. And So did I about why I loved swimming. 

1> You get to wear less clothes. I love less clothes.

2> The feeling of water on your head when it is submerged, is incomparable.

3> The sound of the water, its almost poetic.

4> You are below the frikkin twilight(Yes people.It ACTUALLY means something except the books/movies too.) sky. (5pm-7pm is my swim time)

5> Have you seen a swimmer’s body?. F@#$. Id kill to have it.

6> You have an excuse to eat a lot.

7> You are IN water. Isn’t that cool enough?

As you finally leave the pool, and admire yourself in the mirror(*cough*) you feel extremely heavy. Don’t worry, gravity hasn’t gotten stronger suddenly, its just that all your bodily muscles have broken down, and they will start rebuilding as soon as you put in food. So RUN(if you can), and EAT!

ps- Let me take you through what I have confused today after swimming over a span of 5 hours- Milk. Banana. Pakodas. Tea. Malpua. Chips. Tea. Paneer. Paratha. Chicken Biriyani. Sprite. Toothpaste(abit).

ps2- I have gained more than I could’ve lost in 3 days of swimming. FML!