Let me first clarify: I am not old by just about anyone's standards. (A few years ago, a coworker of mine asked my age and, when I told him, immediately responded, "Wow, you're old." But he was a freshman in college and thus does not count as a valid opinion. His brain was still developing.) So, despite having the name of an octogenarian, I am in actuality a very young person. Just know that.
Nonetheless, my joints hurt. Swimming is a non-weight-bearing activity (my body doesn't have to support its own weight, as it does while running etc.), so I would have thought it would be easier on the joints. In general, I think this may be true, especially for knees and things like that. But swimming is an awful lot of work for the shoulders, which is a part of my body I don't generally use very much. It also is strangely tiring for my ankles, and I'm not sure why--the kicking, maybe?
Anyhow, my nice young shoulders that have never given me a lick of trouble are suddenly tight and spasm-y and just generally a pain. I had my boss, Dr. Eric, take a look at them today. He poked and prodded and adjusted and poked some more, while I squirmed and kicked and cussed and finally started to feel better. My right shoulder, at least, feels much looser and more able to fly through the water, propelling me from one end of the pool to the other. My left shoulder is better than it was but still feels pretty tight. My weekend plans include shoveling, swimming, and racquetball, so... hopefully I don't undo everything Dr. Eric did today! I am definitely inspired to work on shoulder strength. I'd really like to keep my young shoulders feeling young.
Happy weekend, everyone! If you're here in Minnesota with me, enjoy the lovely-though-traffic-inducing snow!
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