That's a very good point...there's definitely less "checking out" going on at the pool, compared to the fitness machines.

This is going to sound sooo silly, but much of my self-consciousness stems from the fact that I usually have to share the pool with the swim team kids. Nothing like being out-swum by 8-year olds to do a number on your self-confidence...and yes, I'm fully aware that they and their coaches don't give a darn about me. Combine that with the fact that I couldn't swim well enough to be a swim team kid when I was that age and all of my classmates did....

Maybe it's time to get over myself.