It's nice to see improvement when one is in their 70's.

I did not really start swimming until December, 2008, when I was 69. While I was always comfortable in the water, I had never done a "lap" or even 1/2 a lap. Since then I have been diligently going to the pool 3-4 times per week.

I took a swimming lesson, as I was not breathing correctly, and needed some stroke coaching.

Most folks who are not swimmers are amazed at how much effort is required to get from one ond of 1 25 (meter or yard) pool, particularly for the crawl.. Even folks who are very fit from running and/or bicycling. I have had numerous folks who were totally surprised at the exhaustion and effort it took. You need to initiate a whole lot of different muscles, get arteries, arterioles and capillaries built up in those muscles, etc.

It has taken me a long time (almost 2.5 years) to be able to get from one side to the other easily.

Well, today, I was able to swim five laps (a lap is back and forth, or in my case 50 yards) without stoipping, a MAJOR increase for me.

Now, if you have been a swimmer all your life, you won't appreciate this much. But for those of us starting when others are starting to end things it is different and I am proud of myelf.