Wow, what a couple of days I have enjoyed. I was invited to speak at a conference for approx. 100 chaplains, about my heart transplant and how to effectively minister to donor families. For recipients like myself, we would not be here w/o them. When I share about my medals won swimming at the US Games, I am clear to say they are not just mine, but belong to all who helped me get where I am today. My life is a gift.
Becoming an athlete again is one of the most wonderful blessings I've received since my transplant in July 2005. Swimming is an integral part of my identity. Total Immersion has allowed that part of me to grow and explore new frontiers. Today was a great motivator for me in training for the World Games. How can you not be inspired when meeting a 12 year old girl who received a new heart from a 30 yr old man who died tragically last year? After hearing her mother talk about how she suffered and then received a life-saving transplant, it was hard not to be moved. It was awesome! Not many dry eyes today, including mine.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Why I pushed off w/ only one leg today!!
OK, I'll just be up front about it. I smashed my two small toes on my left foot. They are black and blue, and pointing west, while my other three are facing east. I performed this ingenious move while stretching my legs, which I am trying to do more often to stay loose. So, my toes are taped up, according to the "buddy taping" technique I borrowed from Webmd. Yes, I pushed off the wall today on every flipturn in my 2x500 free set w/ one foot. Good thing I wasn't going for speed.
Reflecting now that it was another confirmation of the efficacy of TI stroke technique, in that the "core" is the primary mode of propulsion, not the pull and kick. It is only logical to view the body as one unit, not two units (top and bottom half). My axis is not impaired when being unable to kick forcefully, b/c a 2-beat kick is the ideal method of kicking for most swimmers. Having less to work w/ still allows me to have proper balance and body position. Therefore, I still had a good swim today, focusing on my stroke rhythm and advanced breathing skills.
Thank you for supporting me in training and traveling to the World Games from Aug 22-30, 2009. Team USA is going for gold on the Gold Coast!
Reflecting now that it was another confirmation of the efficacy of TI stroke technique, in that the "core" is the primary mode of propulsion, not the pull and kick. It is only logical to view the body as one unit, not two units (top and bottom half). My axis is not impaired when being unable to kick forcefully, b/c a 2-beat kick is the ideal method of kicking for most swimmers. Having less to work w/ still allows me to have proper balance and body position. Therefore, I still had a good swim today, focusing on my stroke rhythm and advanced breathing skills.
Thank you for supporting me in training and traveling to the World Games from Aug 22-30, 2009. Team USA is going for gold on the Gold Coast!
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