Swimmers are so nice. I am struck by how friendly everyone is in the locker room after I get out of the pool.

I remembered how nice everyone was at the Y when I started swimming regularly. They met for breakfast on Saturdays. I didn’t even consider myself a real swimmer yet, and I was invited.

The ladies in the locker room struck up a pleasant conversation this week when I went swimming. I had thought I don’t go often enough for anyone to notice, but no, that wasn’t true.

I met a woman swimming through her second pregnancy. I remember being the pregnant woman in the pool. She lamented that she’s already slowing down. I remember that, too. How you sometimes must let go that ideal number of laps you wanted to swim, or resign yourself to the fact that it will take longer.

But, what are you swimming for anyway? A number? Love of the water? Or your health?

This week I had a set time I would swim. I wanted to be home before the kids woke up. So I swam for 20 minutes, ending up with 500 yards. In another two weeks, maybe I can get there earlier and put in more yards. If not, I will have still got my swim in.

Do you make or take the time to exercise? It doesn’t have to take long.

cross posted at imswimming