You know what I'm like by now?
I like a challenge, but within that, I like to challenge myself.
Speaking to Danny and Rob from The Veterans Charity recently I was discussing the fact that I don't raise much sponsorship anymore. I put it down to the fact that most people, when they see I am going for a run will know that I will do it easily. And also, I keep doing challenges and raping the pockets of friends and family!
So we discussed something new, a proper challenge!
I can't swim, I'm scared of water and I cannot stand anything to do with swimming. Of course, this is due to the fear, and also I hate not being able to do something.
This evening chatting to a guy Shane at the sports centre, he comes to some of my classes. He was struck dumb that I cannot swim, he had a little laugh about it, but this reaction is what I'm getting all the time.
No one ever sees me in the pool, because I never go in there!
So, I'm only 37! Plenty of life in the old tiger yet, so I have decided to do the following - firstly, properly learn to swim, but with that I need to gain confidence in the water, I am seriously lacking in this.
Secondly, take on a challenge that involves swimming! I'm sure there are plenty out there but it has to be right.
Thirdly, make swimming, a fantastic exercise a proper part of my life and embrace it in all it's glory!
So today, before going to kickboxing I popped into Newton Abbot with my 2 sidekicks Jo and Lauren, and we went swimming costume shopping! Oh yeah baby!
We went into Sports Direct, finally managed to find the adult swimming stuff amongst the chaos of the place! (anyone else think Sports Direct looks like a jumble sale?)
I found a suitable all in one jobbie and some goggles, we walked around a lot making squeaking noises on the floor a bit too, that was fun! haha and then I paid for it and had made a certain amount of commitment!
The girls joked that they would keep my receipt so I couldn't return it!
I had checked out the Totnes Pavilions swim timetable and spotted a ladies only swim at 8pm! That was where I would start!
Ensuring that Karly and Shaun (work at the centre) knew the score about my lack of swimmingness I donned my new fetish wear, wacked on my goggles and with extreme trepidation I finally got into the pool!
I had some lessons way back in my 20's and know a bit of breast stroke *giggles* so I had to just get on and do it!
It's the whole face in the water thing that gets me!
When I was about 7 I went to Brownie swimming. Mum and Dad didn't really swim much so therefore, I didn't. Lots of the other girls there could already swim, I, however couldn't.
To this day this memory gets me, which is why I don't swim.
All the girls were jumping in the pool, Mrs Willows our teacher was on the side, making sure everyone jumped in.
I had no idea what to do! If I jumped in, what would happen? I was absolutely bricking it. Then suddenly, without a word she pushed me in!
I panicked and sank!
I remember breathing in water, arms and legs flailing, seeing the blurry images above me but not being able to get up to the surface, I had no idea what to do, then suddenly I was grabbed and dragged out of the pool.
Needless to say, Brownie swimming was the worst thing in my life.
I pushed off from the side, gained my breath and went for it like a fat dog with 2 legs, the most ungraceful swimming attempt you will ever see!
My breathing was laboured, my feet were erratic, my arms were like jelly and my head was a spin of panic and fear.
And then I remembered that Cider-fuelled conversation with Danny and Rob, about challenge, I was not going to be beaten.
Plus, Shaun was about to walk onto poolside so I didn't want to look like a complete tit, so I tried to relax, focussed on my goal and tried to swim like I knew what I was doing.
I kept on, length after length, each one becoming more comfortable and less tiring, and each one even more boring than the first!
I did it though, swimming session #1 now done, 50 lengths in about 45 minutes.
Not bad for a starter I reckon?
Next step, get more confident and learn front crawl! This is going to be interesting.........
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