Subject: RE: Decided to set a goal and follow it through for once. Just got back from a hike up to lake near where I live. It is a tough 90 minute clime. I have done this hike dozens of times. What I have always wanted to do was jump in and swim in this lake. It is drop dead gorgeous. Not once have I been able to jump in. I love swimming in rivers and pools. But a lake, in the middle of the forest? No way. I can see trees, and sticks and what I swear to god appears to be a human leg. And an OWS in the Ocean? No thanks, I've seen Blue Planet, I know what's in there. I realize that in order for me to complete a triathlon, I'm gonna have to get over this silly (? ) fear of the deep blue unknown. This brings me to earlier today. There I am, in my swim trunks, trying to jump in and swim. I can't do it, but I want to so bad. I close my eyes, take some deep controlled breathes, and I say to myself, out loud, with out even thinking; "Go!" Next thing I know, I'm in the water, eyes closed, swimming. I have no clue how far I swam, but I stopped when I tired, and started treading water. To my pure joy I was in the middle of the lake, surrounded by the beautiful rainforest that is Vancouver Island. Then I look up to the sky just as an eagle soars by and lets out a screech, and I have a moment. I then swim back, smiling all the way, and eat. I pushed myself today. I'm dead tired, but I feel so alive. I can't wait to see what else I'm capable of! |