Schneider reaches milestone in YMCA pool

MARYSVILLE On July 21, Marysville resident Peter Schneider walked his 1,000th mile in the citys YMCA swimming pool.
In geographical terms, that is roughly the distance from Marysville to Fresno, Calif.
For the last two and a half years, the German-born 72-year-old has been going to the YMCA four days a week to walk laps in its swimming pool. Schneider estimated he walks about a mile every day in the pool, averaging about 40 laps in the hour he spends.
Schneider, who suffers from Type II diabetes, said taking up water walking has helped him keep his blood sugar and blood pressure levels under control.
Walking here makes it easier to control the blood sugar. It doesnt go up, it stays the same, he said. The walking makes me feel great. It improves the health of my body.
Schneider said he opted for the sport because it was low impact. Even swimming proved difficult to practice regularly due to arthritis in his neck. But 40 laps in the pool often tries his patience, which is why he added meditation to his exercise regimen.
If I dont meditate, the hour is too long, he said. I usually go in in the morning grumpy and grouchy and I come out bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
Schneider attributed his success in reaching the milestone to the influence of his wife Ingrid who, he said, gets him out of bed each day and walks with him in the pool.
He added that the couple has made a lot of friends at the pool, meeting regularly in the facilitys early hours before the pool becomes more crowded with children who are apt to splash and disrupt his workout.
But Schneider seems fond of the pools younger users too, intending to share his celebratory chocolate cake with the fellow Y members who trickled through after his workout.