You don't need eyes to see, you need vision.

Am fost in week-end la Cupa de Vara Tribeach 2012. Un prilej de a contempla  frumusetea unor oameni. Recunosc fara nici o rusine ca am fost foarte atenta la probele masculine si nu ma interesau neaparat performantele lor sportive.

Insa lucrurile care imi rezoneaza in cap ( mai presus decat performantele personale sau medaliile castigate) si dupa 2-3 zile sunt altele. Sunt lucruri greu de spus intr-un singur post. Scot ideile principale si revin cu posturi dedicate. Dar pana atunci despre lucrurile care mi-au dat fiori pe spate.

Sunt de fiecare data uimita de Carmen Bunaciu si Anca Patrascoiu. Perseverenta si pasiunea pentru inot, naturaletea prin care se inconjoara de oameni, modestia, lumina pe care o radiaza, bijuterii pe care doar oamenii realmente mari le poseda, sunt intotdeauna o inspiratie. 

Pe langa faptul ca organizeaza ( impreuna cu Asociatia Municipala de Natatie Bucuresti si Clubul Tribeach Brasov ) aceasta competitie, pe langa faptul ca participa la concurs, au grija ca viitorul tarii sa sune cat mai bine posibil.

Duminica dimineata a inceput printr-o cursa speciala. 50m inotati de 4 campioni de care au grija Carmen si Anca. O demonstratie de putere, determinare, fair play, bunatate si atat de multe incat n-as avea loc sa le scriu pe toate. Cursa m-a lasat fara cuvinte. Am aplaudat pana cand nu-mi mai simteam palmele. Cei 4 copii cu deficiente au oferit o lectie blanda si frumoasa despre ... well, da - viata.

Iti vin in cap momentele in care te plangi ca nu mai poti sau ca iti e lene sa te misti la piscina, sala si de fapt la cam orice ti se pare greu de facut. Si iti dai seama cat de penibil si mic esti.

Keep calm and go swim.

Gear is not important

When I swim I wear this Little black dress and I'm considering this one as well - ( their knee length makes me feel comfortable )

I have IMAX vision and they continue to be my choice after 1 year - but you should always try them on before buying.

I occasionally use these fins for building strong legs and I consider getting this for my arms.

I count my laps and other data using this.

I don't believe in dry hair when swimming so any cap will do.

I used to listen to music while swimming but it didn't help my focus so I stopped. I used this player but eventually the headphones got wet ( with all my special care ).

If you have questions or maybe other suggestions feel free to drop me a line.

Pools in Bucharest

I'm far from being a good swimmer. I just practice a lot.

But since swimming is an important part of my life, I've been frequently asked about the best pool&gear.

As far as I'm concerned, I've tried several over the years and what I seek in a pool is perfect clean water, clean lockers, and if it's crowded I prefer people who swim to people who chat&kiss at the end of the lane.

And one more little detail - I like my pool blue - cause there is a black one, for the real depressed but posh swimmers.

1. Dinu Pescariu

been there for a couple of times.

+'s - 25 m, clean, far from crowded ( price I reckon )

-'s - the rather long corridor between the pool and locker area, price.

2. World Class Downtown.

used this one for 1.5 years

+'s - the price

-'s - 22m, really crowded if you go there to swim, crowded lockers as in walking naked silicon valley (boys, it's not pretty, trust me)

3. IDM - my recommendation

using it since November.

+'s - 25m, price, cleanest water ever, not crowded

-'s - the clerks.

4. Olympic Pool - Izvorani

++ 50m, great water.

I'd swim there everyday, but since it's out of town, it just counts as one of the coolest pools ever, not your everyday swim.

It's open to public but you need to call first.

5. Dinamo - outdoor

if you don't mind seeing the occasional leaf - from the trees near, it's perfect for summer week-days, early evening swims.

50m, clean water.

avoid during the week-end - it's very crowded.

Hope this is helpful.

I'll get back with a post about gear.

Second best

I went to a swimming competition yesterday. A serious one.

I enjoy swimming a lot but I never fooled myself that I'm really good. I got 2 medals, silver for 50m freestyle and gold for 400m freestyle. But due to a minor logistic issue, I didn't get the actual gold medal, the object . Don't get me wrong, I got the no. 1 diploma and there are pictures of me high on the platform, but I don't have the medal. At first I was a bit disappointed. Cause I like medals.

But later I realized that I love my silver medal more and I don't need the gold one.

It became my favorite and most precious belonging at the moment. I'm wearing it as I write this.

It's a constant reminder not to settle, that there will always be something or someone to look up to. Thank God for that.

Photo by Toth Eniko