Morning Swim in Base Four
It’s 7:20 AM, not really early. But early to be out in the cold. When its cold I don’t want to go anywhere, especially at 7:20. But today I’ve had my breakfast and now I’m sitting here on the side of the gym’s indoor pool. I’m here on the faith of exercise.
I plunge in headfirst (it’s harder to change my mind that way) and start my laps. After the first few I’m more awake and the blood’s moving. I’m happy to be here now, my faith has been justified once again. I notice the sun showing through the one particular window I start thinking of as the sunrise window. I look for the bright sunlight each time I take a breath.
Soon I’m at ten laps and I rotate my sandal 90 degrees clockwise on the tile to mark the laps. I’m using a four-position rotation now for base four numbering. It’s easy to keep lap counts up to ten. Each ten is a set: four breast stroke, two crawl, four side stroke. But when exercising it’s harder to keep count of higher numbers. Hence my base four “digital sandal” counting system.
The tens of laps easily roll by and the sun starts to move off the window. Soon I’m up to 50 laps. That’s enough for today I think. I’ll build it up over time to a mile or so, but swimming is different from running. After swimming I don’t notice the effort till later.
I go home, greet my wife, shower and get dressed for work. Say goodbye, and another day’s started.
Have faith in exercise, seek redemption through sweat. That leads to rebirth and rejuvenation. Or if not that salvation, at least it leads to better health and a calmer mind. Those are my thoughts for the morning.