Swimming and Running
I enjoy triathlons but I have to admit that swimming is my weakest sport. As more of a runner, my legs are heavy and my arms are about as useful as those on the poor old t-rex. There’s even a lady at our pool who says she knows it’s me in the pool by my skinny arms! Even so, I still enjoy swimming. It’s a perfect cross-training exercise. The non-impact resistance training is a welcome compliment to the continual beating that muscles and joints endure while hitting the pavement. Core and glute muscles get a great workout too which can help prevent running injuries. Good form is very important though, and finding a good instructor will give you great feedback to point you in the right direction.
A couple years ago, my kids and I went to the pool and saw a man on the starting blocks during open swim time. We’d read the rules. All over the place, it says patrons are not allowed on the blocks. But the lifeguard seemed unconcerned so we watched as the man dove in and swam 50 yards super fast. The guard yelled “Did you even take a breath?” “Just one,” the man answered. We were later told this man swam for Dartmouth College, coached the Venezuelan national swim team and placed second (and more recently first) in the nation in freestyle swimming at the Senior Olympics.
Paying it Forward
When my kids wanted to join a swim team I asked this coach if we could hire him for a few lessons. He said he was retired but that he’d be glad to help us on a “pay it forward” basis. He added that he hoped we might take what we learn and return the favor someday to others. His coaching has been one of the the kindest and most generous gifts our family has ever received. Even after the kids learned the basics of each stroke, he has continued to help as we try to improve.
We know we can’t repay him for all he’s done and the debt we feel has given us a greater desire to help others. Not only that but we’ve found “pay it forward” to be a very tangible example for our Christian faith. To a much greater extent, the gift Christ gave us can never be repaid and it too should create a well of gratitude that overflows in giving to others. It’s one thing to know about being forgiving, kind and generous but to have a desire for this turns it from an obligation to a joy.
It even brings to life the parable in Matthew 18:21-35. This is the story of a master who forgives a servant a great debt. However when the master finds out that the servant then threw another man into jail for owing him a small debt, he sends the servant to prison as well. Selfishness and ingratitude is very symbolic of prison. That man was given a life-changing gift but he went back to treating others as if he had received nothing. I hope we always cherish the gifts we receive to such an extent that it changes the way we treat others.
Happy Training!
