Seeing as I mentioned I was facing my final one, I may as well record how it went.
Great! Well, I wasn't made to practice my breathing, which I hate. Instead we worked on my feet (no matter how hard I try, I can't made them flex or flop!), did lots of sitting dives and practiced pulling myself out, and then spent about 20 minutes in the 2m end, doing much the same thing.
Afterwards the soles of my feet felt on fire!
Yesterday Pinky and I went to the pool and stayed the whole time in the 2m lane. it was great fun. We did 2 standing dives and 5 or 6 sitting ones. We never panicked once about being out of our depth (if we didn't have the boom to hold on to, I'm not sure how brave I'd have been!)
I hope to keep up a weekly swim for the summer.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
SWIMMING LESSONS
Just a thought on swimming lessons:
I've always been afraid of the water, terrified of drowning or going beyond my depth, though as a child I loved paddling and splashing in the sea, and when the weather is warm (on holidays rather than at home sadly!) it looks lovely to glide into the water and swim.
Although I would love to be able to swim, the thought of swimming lessons never appealed - childhood memories of freezing cold pools, horrible changing rooms, disgusting chlorine all added to abhorrence at the thought of being seen in my swimsuit and doubt that I would learn anything. Excuses all, I know but I decided to stay warm and dry and on land.
Recently a friend gave me a birthday present of private swimming lessons - four half hour sessions at a fairly recently built leisure centre. I thought the instructor so good I paid for another four. The first week she made me put my face in the water (still don't like that much)... over the next few weeks she got working on my breathing, the crawl, the backstroke, treading water in the deep end, a sitting dive, and at the 7th lesson, a standing dive into the 2 meter end!
The first time she made me go in the deep end, I was petrified, though I forced myself in. I'm still nervous but no longer sick with fear, cos I know if I don't panic, I can always float, crawl or tread water long enough to reach the side.
I'm only posting this to boast of my standing dive yesterday (I lost my hearing in one ear for 24 hours afterwards). I never expected to be able for the deep end, never thought I'd be able to dive in a million years. I don't think I would have made so much progress with shared classes, although each private lesson is very intensive, gruelling and tiring, and I always dread going.
So far I've learned something new at each one. I wonder what she has in store for my last lesson next Wednesday?
I've always been afraid of the water, terrified of drowning or going beyond my depth, though as a child I loved paddling and splashing in the sea, and when the weather is warm (on holidays rather than at home sadly!) it looks lovely to glide into the water and swim.
Although I would love to be able to swim, the thought of swimming lessons never appealed - childhood memories of freezing cold pools, horrible changing rooms, disgusting chlorine all added to abhorrence at the thought of being seen in my swimsuit and doubt that I would learn anything. Excuses all, I know but I decided to stay warm and dry and on land.
Recently a friend gave me a birthday present of private swimming lessons - four half hour sessions at a fairly recently built leisure centre. I thought the instructor so good I paid for another four. The first week she made me put my face in the water (still don't like that much)... over the next few weeks she got working on my breathing, the crawl, the backstroke, treading water in the deep end, a sitting dive, and at the 7th lesson, a standing dive into the 2 meter end!
The first time she made me go in the deep end, I was petrified, though I forced myself in. I'm still nervous but no longer sick with fear, cos I know if I don't panic, I can always float, crawl or tread water long enough to reach the side.
I'm only posting this to boast of my standing dive yesterday (I lost my hearing in one ear for 24 hours afterwards). I never expected to be able for the deep end, never thought I'd be able to dive in a million years. I don't think I would have made so much progress with shared classes, although each private lesson is very intensive, gruelling and tiring, and I always dread going.
So far I've learned something new at each one. I wonder what she has in store for my last lesson next Wednesday?
Sunday, June 15, 2008
SUCKED INTO THE VORTEX...
Yes, dear reader, I followed my first published fiction tale into the void.
Life is meaningless now that I can no longer read this story on line.
However, I am looking forward to the International Day of Books - I hope lots of writers have signed up for it!
Life is meaningless now that I can no longer read this story on line.
However, I am looking forward to the International Day of Books - I hope lots of writers have signed up for it!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
WHAT THE DOG BROUGHT IN
My first published fiction piece is no longer available!
Sob! I'm sad to see it gone, but at least it was there for a couple of months!
My next will be in Apollo's Lyre, in their August edition.
Sob! I'm sad to see it gone, but at least it was there for a couple of months!
My next will be in Apollo's Lyre, in their August edition.
Monday, June 2, 2008
CONGRATULATIONS, INKS
Congratulations to Inkpot, who completed the women's mini-marathon today!
A gruelling 10k walk or run, in the heat of a beautiful June day.
Well done, Inkpot!
A gruelling 10k walk or run, in the heat of a beautiful June day.
Well done, Inkpot!
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