The Olympics

I'm sat again, as I have been for the past week, frequently, on my sofa with the tv on.

This is a recent new thing for me as I haven't really watched any tv properly since I got back from The Forces March.
This is vital viewing - The Olympic Games 2012 in our very own London!

I can honestly say I have never been so inspired by an event in my life. I have also never cried so much at the tv in my life, right from Muhammad Ali at the opening ceremony to now and our new Gold medal in rowing.

Last week I started to watch the Judo. I could not tear myself away from watching it. There was something magical in their movements.
For me and my very childish view on things, it looked like play fighting, play fighting that ended in rolling about on the floor. It made me giggle, and watch even more.

I started to see how they were working, in the heavyweight section, the massive difference in size, but how they used the bigger persons size against them.

I watched the fencing, looks like fun! On the plus side the gear you have to wear for it looks awesome and ever so slightly kinky! Love it.

So I decided that I wanted to try them, at least Judo.

Low and behold in the very Sports Centre that I work and train in, is a Judo club at a time that I can actually do!

I contacted Ray via the wonderful Facebook and he said to come along and 'play' which I did!

I sat downstairs in the reception at The Pavilions, listening to the class upstairs being carried out. Some of the adults came in and passed me, I was nervously excited. Trying something new on your own is always very daunting, but the exciting thrill and nervousness just makes you feel human, it's a very good feeling.
That was it, up I went and nervously entered the room.

Ray came over and welcomed me, then realised that although I'm 5ft 5in I have long legs, so I sported the 3/4 length look! I got changed, put on my white belt! Yep! A white belt! And sat and watched the Juniors finish their class. They were brilliant, and their parents were there supporting and watching.

The whole atmosphere was friendly, yet competitive. My kind of atmosphere!

We went through the basics of how to fall down safely, for my benefit which was nice and then straight into take down techniques, it was brilliant.

I was working with Charlie and Talila who were very lovely and patient and it was relaxed and friendly at all times.

I got to 'play' with the Instructor and a few other people there, I actually found it ok.
It's not all special hand holds and technical difficulty, it's grab, get them off balance and make the most of it to take them down.
I'm sure there is more to it, but to get it into my head, that's what I was doing.

I loved it, felt great, and although it was only my first time doing it, I wasn't that crap. I think that made me enjoy it more.
It's completely different to Kickboxing in all but two respects, competition and inner balance. Those were the 2 things that helped me get the most out of it.

I suffered only one injury, when we were putting the mats away I got jabbed in the gut by the corner of a mat being passed to me and it winded me! Funny really!

I left with a massive smile on my face and an emotional full feeling in my heart. This was the thing to fulfill my need to know that actually, I'm not that bad at Sports and Martial Arts after all.

This morning I woke up with some aches and a few bruises and decided the only way to get rid of the ache was to go for a swim!
I got my new goggles this week and I had to try them out. Yep, I was excited about going swimming! What a turn around from 5 weeks ago. Makes me laugh how you can adapt if you put your mind to it.

I've mastered Breast Stroke now, it's easy, fast and natural for me to do. If all else fails at the triathlon I will do breast stroke and be confident and competent in it, I have that ease of mind now.
It doesn't mean that I will stop trying crawl, as I did lots of work on the breathing today in the pool. Apparently I'm lifting my head up too far when I breathe in and it's making my legs drop, so I practiced with a float.

These Olympians train for hours a day at their sport, massive respect to them, dedication to it. If I had hours a day to train, then I would be better, much better.
I just have to take the time I have and use it wisely, and the sad fact is, although I'm enjoying watching the Olympics, I'm going to have time out for training.

Off out on my bike now, Totnes 10k possibly tomorrow, not got a place yet but think I may do it, lots of mud round there so will be like old time Cross Country when I was at school!
Will keep you posted.

Remember, if you get inspired by something, don't think about doing it, find out where you can do it, and go and try it, you never know you may actually love it!