EARLY RISER: JACKSON INTO THE SWIM, USES LOCAL POOL FOR FITNESS PROGRAM

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- After years of running to stay fit, Steve Jackson says he's found a better way.

"Running is really hard on you," he said. "With swimming, there's absolutely no way it can hurt you, and it works every muscle in your body."

For 11 years now, Jackson has been taking part in the early bird swim at Cape Central Pool. The long-time Cape Girardeau resident swims from 5:30 to about 6:15 each morning, usually five days a week.

Jackson said once you get used to being an early riser, the benefits of an early-morning swim are fabulous.

"You get this tremendous feeling of energy and confidence," he said. "It sounds corny, but it's the truth."

It takes Jackson about 40 minutes to complete his mile-long swim, which equals 16 laps in the pool. But it took him about a year to get to the point that he could easily swim a mile.

"It's not something you're going to just jump into and after a couple of weeks be able to swim a mile," he said. "People are amazed at how hard it really is. It's more difficult to get used to than running because when you're swimming, you're either swimming or you're under water."

He said many people try to push themselves too hard, and end up frustrated.

"When you start, four laps is pretty good. It takes a while to build up to 16 laps," he said. Some of the "early birds" swim two miles a day, he said.

Jackson, 43, said the best time to swim early is in the summer and spring, when the bubble is taken off the pool. Then, he said, you can watch the sun come up during your swim, and smell bread baking at a nearby bakery.

Dana Miles, pool supervisor, said the Early Bird Swim draws quite a crowd, especially in the summer, when about 40 people a day take to the pool.

Summer hours for the Early Bird Swim are 5 to 7 a.m., while winter hours are 5:30 to 7:30 a.m.

In the winter, Miles said anywhere from 20 to 40 people will brave the early morning hours to swim.

The pool also offers a noon-time swim for adults, age 18 and over.

Jackson said the people who swim regularly at the pool have become friends.

"It's like a club, but there are no dues," he said. "You get to know each other pretty well."

Jackson said that about four times a year, the early birds will get together for breakfast after their dawn workouts.

While Jackson enjoys being an early riser, he said it does have its downfalls.

"The bad side of it is you wake up at 5:30 or 6 on the weekends. That tends to irritate the spouse."

He said he hasn't slept past 6:30 in years, and goes to bed at 9 p.m. each night. "You always miss the end of movies," he said.

Jackson doesn't plan to quit swimming ever.

"It keeps you from getting sore muscles, and you have a tendency to feel good all over," he said. "We've got people in their 80s doing it. I see no point in stopping."