Swim #1: Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center

It has begun!  Swim #1 had to be here, where I swim several times a week.  I would call this my "home field" -- the Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center (lsjcc.org) in Newton, MA.  The pool at the JCC always has a diverse cast of characters swimming, which is part of what I like about it.  There are preschoolers in the free-swim area, elderly folks in the slow lane, and plenty of good lap lanes in between.  And on days when I don't feel like swimming, the running track, cardio area, and weight room beckon.

My normal swim here is 48 lengths, and takes roughly a half-hour.  I'm not sure why it's 48 and not 45 or 50.....I think when I started really swimming for exercise, I increased in multiples of four.  48 has stuck around for about 20 years now, and feels like the right number.  Numbers one through 30 are always crawl;  I work in some back crawl and breast stroke during the remaining 18. 

What is 50 Swims?

This is me, Cathy.  I love to swim.  Indoors, outdoors, pools, natural water, anywhere, and as often as possible.  I have often said that swimming is what keeps me out of a padded cell -- or, as a friend once said as we jumped in the water together, "Instant good mood!"   As I approach my 50th birthday, staying healthy, flexible, and happy has become even more important.

About that 50th birthday:  I decided that I wanted to come up with a challenge for my 50th year.  What could be more natural that a swimming challenge?  But swimming 50 times in a year is not a challenge -- I've been doing that and more for years!

So, in honor of my 50th year, which began on February 10, 2010 and ends on February 10, 2011, I am attempting to swim in 50 different locations.  There are very few rules to my swims, but the most important one is, I have to swim.  No hot tubs, kiddie pools, or lily dips.

Here we go!