Alcatraz 2008

It's been more than 20 years since I swam laps in a pool.

I swam so many in my life, that when I gave up competitive swimming, I walked as far away as possible.

The stench of chlorine, blood-shot eyes and speedo swim suits were all a memory.

I figured more than 10 years of swimming year round was enough.

Then, my son discovered the sport.

His cousin Colin, who's about the same age, swam Alcatraz last year with his swim team in Arizona, as part of a fundraiser for drowning prevention.

Michael's been swimming for a club team and wanted to try it this year.

After all, that means a wetsuit!!

Trouble is, anyone under 18 has to have an adult chaperon.

Someone to jump into the 55 degree water with them.

Someone to swim the one and a half miles from Alcatraz to the shore.

Someone to help navigate through choppy waters and water freshly saturated with oil.

Someone who didn't realize that after all this time he was aching for a reason to get back in the water, and now there will be plenty of aches to go around.

Not to mention, how many more bonding chances will I have with my son?

And yes, maybe I feel like I have something to prove to myself.

A mid-life crisis, nah, I'm not there yet.

So, I'm back in the pool, with several people helping me out, to transform my body back into Aquaman.

Or at least what an out-of-swimming-shape Aquaman would look like at 43, after being dry-docked for 20 some odd years.