Back to basics or swimming first-timer

My last day of work was Friday, so I am now officially off, on maternity leave.  Our baby girl arrives sometime first week of April, and I have a big long list of things to get done and about 6weeks to go...

I have a wonderful week ahead of me filled with Susanne-time, Reed is either at daycare or with his loving grandparents.  There was once a time when I would feel guilty if I had a day to myself, and farmed Reed out... not so any more.  I just feel lucky!

First swim in a very long time, over a year to be kinda exact (not including the two swims I did over the holidays), and I am allowing myself to say that there has been zero exercise in eight months, and as my friend put it, I have been in a state of "cognitive dissonance" - where I am living a life I do not recognize to be me.

It was super fantastic.  Yes I am almost 40 pounds heavier and have a gigantic sail of a belly slowing me down, but I felt fantastic to be swimming again.

I was a sight. Having not been in the pool for a very long time, I was back to basics and looking very "first-timer"...

 I had no swim cap, so short hair was tied up with elastic and bobbypin, but it still was all over my face.  I had no suitable swimsuit (my maternity suit from last pregnancy was thrown out due to becoming see-through), so I wore bikini bottoms from a suit I have had since 2year university (aka very stretched out to fit over larger bottom!) and two sports bras given to me by my sister.  I did wear goggles, found at the lost 'n found, and I did keep them (they are cheap ones, but fit so nicely!)  People were looking...  I forgot a water bottle, so before and after I sipped water from my hands at bathroom sink.  (I also washed myself with the "luxury" hand soap provided by the facility!)  I have always prided myself on being a minimalist triathlete, as in, the bigger the bag/the more toys/the more crap, does not necessarily equate to being fast, but this was a bit much for even me.  Next swim I will take a water bottle (getting dehydrated while pregnant, leads to killer headaches and lots of Braxton hicks contractions later in the day) and I have now found a swim cap in our basement, I may even bring my own soap and shampoo!

I did swim 2k, and the lady I shared a lane with commented that I was faster even with a baby.  That did wonders to my ego.  Thank you lady, these are the small victories that I cherish!

Afterwards when I was getting changed, there were a couple moms with tots getting ready for swim lessons.  I almost felt guilty for being there for my own selfish reasons, but quickly got over that and felt lucky to be able to have the chance to swim on my own!  (Reed is starting his second set of lessons next month, so that helped ease the guilt...)

The rest of the day consisted of going for a wonderful long walk with Race and cleaning up/out the basement to make a nice workout area for Colin and I.