Thursday, April 3, 2008

Dancing Bubbles and Little Balls of Frozen

Yesterday at swimming, I decided it was time to bring out the kick board and see how my ankle was doing. It performed quite nicely, I'm happy to say -- and I am itching to get out there and run. I could probably run tomorrow, but it is still a little sore, so I am going to wait.

I had this "moment" yesterday when I was swimming. My workout consisted of warm up, drills, then 4 sets of 5 x 100 building intensity within each set of 5 with 30 sec rest. I have to laugh at myself though -- I wondered if I was actually building intensity or if I was just getting fatigued which made it feel like I was building intensity!!LOL! Onto the moment now... The sun had started to shine through the pool's windows and the way the light hit the pool enabled me to see all these little tiny water droplets popping up through the air. Sort of like the water's version of dust motes. Every time I turned my head to the right, I would catch a glimpse of these dancing bubbles and they made me so happy!! :) :) I have not had many Zen moments while swimming - and this one caught me totally off guard.

I've experienced the runner's high before, but my favourite Zen moments have been on the bike. Like swimming, it hasn't happened often, and when it does, I have found myself gently eased into this peaceful, flowing, completely aware state. It has never happened on my trainer, and only during long bike rides. Ooooooohhh I crave outdoor riding again!!

I did core work after swimming, and instead of running, I biked for an hour. Then -- last night, the dancing bubbles must have inspired me! I made this awesome dinner -- yes me!! Yippeee! It was chicken breast with spinach, feta, sun dried tomatoes (I even "blanched" them!!!), and pesto, all wrapped up in puff pastry. Granted, when I took it out of then oven it looked like two mini loaves of bread -- but it was good. It was funny, I brought out the plate to Mike,and said "Here it is! A nice homemade loaf of bread -- let me just get you some butter." Hahahaha!! He didn't know if I was joking or not - which is quite telling... LOL!!! :) :) When I returned with my plate, Mike had pricked his fork all over his loaf, still uncertain as to whether or not it was a loaf of bread or not!! LOL!!

Later on, we were both just about to doze off as our conversation dwindled away to talking about nonsensical things. This is the best time for conversing -- the things that come out are hilarious. Mike told me the reason frozen peas were so good for applying to an inflamed joint was because they were "little balls of frozen" that could conform to the area!! LOL!!!!

9 comments:

Susi said...

i love swimming in the pool when there is sunlight streaming through the water! happens rarely, but is amazing when it does!

Jenna said...

little balls of frozen :) so true.

Shannon Wicks said...

"inflamed joint"

What are you referring to? Welding?

Shannon Wicks said...

Ok, Ok, Ok...I am not re-reading your post with open eyes this time and understand...LOL

Cath said...

Talking of inflamed joints - one of my friends at work was messing around with his kids, sprained his ankle, but because of a cut in his elbow the bacteria got through to his ankle and he now has blood poisoning - if there's improvement tomorrow he's being taken into hospital to go on a IV drip of antibiotics! Moral of the story is - don't play with your kids!

That's so funny about the dinner though - I can just see Mike's dinner with lots of holes in it, and Mike looking at it, thinking, hmmmm....not sure! Sounds nice though - can you cook it for us when we come over in july? Just waiting to confirm his hols with Steve and then the flights are getting booked for 5 July (only 13 weeks to go!)

kelsey said...

It just started to get light late enough to make my last 1/2 hour of swim. I love the reflection on the bottom of the pool with the sunlight. It keep me focused on tucking my chin to my chest!

Keith said...

I love watching bubbles in the pool. Especially other people's, since I don't do any I can see. If I see bubbles I'm doing something wrong.

I love watching bubbles in the pool, in the sunlight. There's a complicated formula that describes how fast they rise, with some of the dependencies being diameter, temp of the water, water pressure. Susi's an engineer, she knows the one and will be happy to explain it to you.

I love watching bubbles in the pool, in the sunlight, especially when they appear to be rising diagonally in a relativistic sort of way.

Susi said...

and then there are the bubbles that make you giggle...admit it, you know the ones i'm talking about. don't pretend that you don't! the ones that tickle you as they float up your back trying to escape your bathing suit after you've farted! giggle...giggle...

complicated formula eh...uhm, i think i slept through that class. LOL. but would be happy to search through my fluid dynamics book if anyone REALLY wants to know about bubbles.

Kelly B. said...

I totally read that "Little Frozen Balls".