I was asked by some cool people if I wanted to try and add some swimming to a "Get Fit" plan and I agreed.  It has been some time since I have gone swimming.  I taught swimming for close to a decade back in the nineties but retired from it as my lungs became highly sensitive to the chlorine in the water. 

It was quite sudden and had no explanation other than I took a couple of weeks off.  I worked with multiple lung infections in the last six or so months of my working in the water.  I went to my G.P. after the third lung infection in four weeks and asked why this had started  happening. 

"Now you know why they make chlorine bombs."

I laughed.  My last day came and I decided not to continue as my lungs were not able to handle much any more.  In the last six months, I went through 15 lung infections.  I would go to the pool, my lungs would start hurting and I would start coughing and a day or two later, it would be a full blown infection. 

Does this make me nervous now?  Not really.  It has been almost ten years since I have set foot in a chlorinated environment, so, it should be fine.  My doctor mentioned it would take a little while (a few years, he added) to get back into where my lungs would handle the chlorine.  Back into the water I go.  I am sure my muscles will thank me for it - or hurt me.

Tags: swimming, exercise, lungs