Editor’s Note: This is Vance Kellogg‘s story from August 2019. He recently reminded me of it because his pulmonologist & other specialists have indicated that he is doing quite well & that his swimming is perhaps a big contributor. He regularly swims 6 days a week & it’s the part of his day that he looks forward to the most. His story, “Swim for Life”, is a beautiful example of transforming a setback into an opportunity to change for the better. Read on & be inspired!
“Alot has changed the last few years regarding my health, especially with my oxygen intake & lungs. Even so, swimming (pool laps in the winter – then some open water in the summer) has remained a constant, relaxing source of exercise.
I’ve learned that even if something seems healthy, if it’s fueled by something unhealthy, it’s still unhealthy. For the last 25 years, I’ve maintained an exercise routine of lifting weights & using cardio machines. I did this not because I enjoyed it, but because of how I felt about myself, expectations I had placed on myself, or, in some cases, to even punish myself. So many unfulfilling hours wasted, while robbing my life of balance & joy.
Why am I sharing this?
Because time & energy are precious. Find the ‘why’ in all that you do. If you’re investing time, energy, thoughts & feelings towards something for unhealthy reasons, starve it. If areas of your life are out of balance, due to one thing, starve it. Re-evaluate how & where you allocate your time & energy, be 100% honest with yourself & do what’s healthiest for yourself.
Not what’s comfortable.
Not what’s familiar.
Not simply what you’ve always done.
Not what feels good.
Not what others think you should do.
Not what you feel obligated to do.
Not what you’ve always told yourself you should do.
Not what avoids hurting someone else’s feelings.
Not what’s simply a healthier option.
Not what keeps you from being truly alone.
Not what enables you to escape reality.
Not what keeps you from feeling pain.
What is the HEALTHIEST decision you can make for yourself? Then, the most difficult part. Do it.
Despite my challenges, I am truly blessed. I swim 6 days a week because I absolutely love it. As long as I can do that . . . I really couldn’t ask for more.
Someday, I will swim Redfish again & another long post will follow.
I’ve always loved water, especially natural, open water. Over the years, while paddleboarding, floating the Boise River, boating, or white-water rafting, I would usually spend most of my time in the water (versus on top of it) . . . My daughter asked me a while ago, ‘Daddy, if you could be any animal, which one would it be?’ Without hesitation, I replied, ‘A dolphin.’ Yes, I would love to be a peregrine falcon, to be able to fly, and to dive at 200 mph, but I’d rather be part of a pod, be incredibly social, very intelligent & an excellent swimmer.
I first encountered Redfish Lake, an alpine lake near Stanley, Idaho, 14 years ago. The moment I saw its crystal-clear water, I knew I wanted to not only be in it, but to swim across it someday.
I am an emotionally-driven human being who battles thoughts on a daily basis. My daily workouts are necessary for me to maintain my own emotional & mental health. Due to my love for water, years ago I started to incorporate swimming into my daily workouts. After years of self-taught, YouTube-based lap-swimming, swimming was taking its toll. Fatigued shoulders, pinched nerves in my neck, excessive exposure to chlorine, endlessly bouncing off walls & the time waiting for an available lane made swimming less enjoyable. I knew there had to be a better way.
A couple of years ago, I called Coach Michelle, a local triathlon coach who teaches swim lessons at my gym. After a brief chat, she asked, ‘What are your swimming goals?’ I replied, ‘To relax while swimming long distances in open water.’ She responded, ‘I can teach you that!’ My lessons started a week later.
So here we are, present day. I have just returned from a camping trip to Redfish Lake with some friends. On our way up, I was so excited to experience it again, while nervously questioning my ability to swim across it.
It’s early afternoon. My wetsuit is on, it’s 83 degrees outside with a water temperature of 62. A few boats were racing around the lake, which was something I hadn’t thought of before-hand. I waded in up to my knees & stood there for a moment. It was a long way across &, until I swam it, I had no idea how far. I was alone in this & I tried not to think of the ‘what-if’s’ of the situation. Even so, I had to know if I could do it. It was time.
As I started my swim, after a few strokes I remember thinking ‘water is water’ & that this was no different than swimming in the gym pool or Quinn’s Pond back home. I noticed the more I relaxed, the more effortless it was & the straighter I swam. The wakes of the boats interrupted my stroke rhythm a few times & I could hear the boat props underwater. I closed my eyes most of the time during a swim, but I remember looking up to see how close the boats were & to be sure I was swimming straight. A couple of times, I opened my eyes during a side breath, and I could see the beautiful, jagged peaks of the Sawtooths.
Before I knew it, I had reached the other side. When I initially started the swim, I didn’t know if I would be able to return the same way I came. There I was, not even tired or winded, enjoying the moment. It was easier than expected & everything I had hoped for. I then swam back with a new-found confidence.
I enjoyed it so much I did it again the next day. To this day, Redfish Lake is still the most beautiful place I’ve experienced in Idaho!”
For info on adult swim lessons, click here.