So, I've tried over the years to conquer this water malarchy!
Adult lessons, signed up for a Triathlon with no training, I was reminded after my last Forces March (5 marathons in 5 days) that I had said that I would swim around Burgh Island. Bugger! I had forgotten that! (conveniently)
Why now? Well, only because I was reminded that I said I was going to do it and haven't yet!
So, there was only one route to go, I had swimming lessons in the past, in the pool, just to learn to swim, and as good as the teachers were, they were not for me. Good at their job, but just as I am not the trainer for all, those that love me, get me and do well.
I needed more than swimming lessons, I needed someone who 'got' me and knew how to work with me, and is more mentor and guru to me than a swimming instructor.
I found her, she had two recommendations, Rory (Fitness Factory) and my lovely moustache-wearing friend Rachel who said she was the best!
Kari Furre, notorious wild swimmer and artist locally, messaged via Facebook and never met until my first lesson! I must tell you, the night before my first lesson I had the most hideous nightmares, I was worried about the cold, I dreamed I went into a garden where it had snowed and I was to swim in a cold outside pool, I think the cold more than the swimming was what I worried about.
I am known for being cold, my clients laugh at me being in a hoodie in the mid-day sun!
I drove to Bittaford, nervous belly, got there way too early, parked up and then Kari turned up, relaxed, smiley and immediately I felt comfortable. She was welcoming, warm, smiling and I wanted straight away to never let her down.
Then we went into an indoor pool and I was made up! My nightmares had bitten my arse too much, this was going to be good!
I was taken out of my comfort zone - dry land - and gently eased into water. I say gently eased as Kari knew my story with water and knew exactly how to deal with me in it.
By the end of the first lesson I could put my face in the water, blow bubbles and hum a width of the pool, do warrior pose shifting sides and eventually floating, kicking, and doing some awesome moves!
One hour! I couldn't even go under the water in the first five minutes! This woman is a legend, I trust her and I will not let her down.
Lesson Two!
Into the pool at Bittaford, still glad that it's a heated indoor pool, and showed Kari what I had practiced in Totnes pool.
She asked me if I could float on my back, I knew instantly that this was going to be an issue....... I tried, and sank. Tried again, got into a panic and sank!
I was, obviously annoyed at myself, Kari tried to assist me in my floating, instantly I had a panic again. This was not helpful to progress at all!
The dynamic changed and 'dynamic' is the keyword here, I dived down to the bottom, still obviously in the shallow end, but picked up my little targets with what seemed ease, for me, in the water, out of my comfort zone!
Then Kari suggested I hugged up my knees and allowed myself to mushroom in the pool.....panic on my face, she knew I was going to be an idiot about it! Slow progress, I wasn't happy just blowing out bubbles hugging my knees floating, but diving down to pick up something was okay? What am I like? We realised I love the dynamic, moving stuff, that's what I'm like though, it's my nature, my personality!
So, on went the flippers for the first time in my life, felt weird, but good at the same time. The task was to move my hips up and down, Dolphin-like, arms straight by my sides, under the water, breathing out slowly to the other side of the pool.
This was fun! Again, the dynamic stuff I get, and enjoy, I felt like a proper Dolphin swimming along there.
A little more of the dynamic, fun stuff and then I tried yet again to float on my back, without success, I'm like a stiff lead weight in the water and I just sink. More work required.
Kari was away the following week and I promised myself lots of practice......which evaded me, just two swims in between and not enough practice at the technique.
Sadly I was busy with work-related issues the following week, so two weeks lapsed without a lesson and by lesson three I was beginning to feel apprehensive again.
Lesson three.
My van was in the garage being mended, my only choice to get to my lesson was by motorbike, I didn't mind, the weather was beautiful and I love riding, it chills me out - a bit!
I got into the pool and Kari asked me to show her the gliding I was practising and she seemed impressed. I was obviously comfortable doing this, so maybe it wasn't going to be as bad as I had first thought.
We discussed floating on my back, I didn't have earplugs and after the last session my vertigo issues stayed with me for a few days due to water in my ears. We didn't do the floating - much to my relief!
Kari suggested that I float on my front, and she will gradually push me down to the bottom of the pool......you can imagine I am sure, the horrified look on my face as she said this! She immediately changed this prospect and said just float on my front blowing out bubbles. I lasted seconds before getting into a panic and coming up for air. What is wrong with me? I can glide the width of the pool, same thing, except I'm not moving with this?
The seven year old that got pushed in at Brownie swimming was still winning at aspects of this challenge, I was annoyed.
We tried with me being pushed, even slightly down to the bottom, it was not going to happen, around a second in I fought and came up like a stupid little girl in a blind panic. This was a massive step backwards in my mind.
I could see Kari thinking it over and she got out of the pool and picked up the flippers, she saw the relief in my face and then decided that the calm and floaty things will only come when I have more water confidence, I would get this with the dynamic and technical stuff, the floaty could come later.
I did widths under water, pushing down with my feet in the flippers. I also dived down to pick up the last object from the bottom of the pool, I was okay, feeling more comfortable.
We then switched to lengths!
I stayed on the right of the pool so I could if I needed to, reach up and grab the side.
Same routine, under water, just working the feet, it was amazing fun, I didn't really mind being out of my depth.
We then switched to some front crawl arms and body turning, I am not flexible at all in my shoulders which was a hindrance to the technique, I have to work on that myself outside of lessons and it will help my stroke. Still, a few widths of that and a few lengths and I actually felt like I was doing some relaxed swimming! Result, and I feel like I was back on track again.
Lots to think about and work on, in and outside the pool....roll on next week.
Lesson four.
Well, I missed a week sadly, so finally Tuesday I was back in Bittaford.
I actually had a dream about swimming at the weekend, as weird as dreams are I was actually enjoying it, but someone drained the pool, it was empty and I am trying to swim on some soggy red carpet! My dreams are odd sometimes.
So, my flippers arrived but I can't practice in the Totnes pool in them due to their rules and regs sadly, but I packed them into the van with my goggles and towel and drove to my lesson in just my swimming cossie!
I parked up and then Kari turned up. I explained my sore shoulders from the new Insanity round and hopefully they would loosen up in the water.
I seemed a little more comfortable with the calm and floaty than the last lesson, but as soon as Kari took my hand/wrist to move my arms, I panicked.
Being a control freak I guessed that this was the issue, Kari having my hand meant I didn't have control over it.
I have thought since being home and writing up my blog notes that it may have had something to do with the abuse that Matthew put me through. He would control me by grabbing my wrist or hand so that I couldn't get away from him. Bit deep, but these things sit in you and come out without warning.
She is brilliant at knowing the right methods for someone as awkward as me, apparently I'm not normal - something I think we all knew anyway!
Less focus on dynamic and more about movement for most of the lesson. It seems I'm okay with body movement as long as I am in control of myself.
Lots of turning and side gliding - spaz hands! It seems they don't relax! I have this ridiculous tension but I am sure it will reduce the better I become technically.
Kari filmed me at the end, and watching it back was interesting - again, my hands are just so tense - I need to work on this for next time. Let's see what next week brings........
Lessons five and six.
Before my fifth lesson I had had a two week break due to work commitments, luckily I wasn't set back as much as I thought I would be, but this cow was my nemesis of the day.
I learnt more front crawl technique and Kari kept adding appendages to me. First it was my flippers, then she added some hand paddle things which were great, then a belt went on me that clicked when I turned into the correct body position. All these things were great and really helped me understand what I should be doing with my body, at what time.
It went one step too far for me though, please don't forget that I actually am extremely scared of the water, I can swim now, I can control it, but underneath that 7 year old little Brownie who sank to the bottom still rears her ugly head from time to time and we have to manage her.
So Kari thought I should try a snorkel....well, panic, coughing, spluttering and spaz hands, the thing had to come off! I don't always know the things that are going to panic me, with the exception of what was to happen on lesson six.
This lesson finished on a high, more length swimming front crawl, with and without the many appendages, and one final go of the cow, I dived down, swooped him up, continued to swim and eventually come up at the side. I conquered the cow! He did not beat me.
So......lesson six, no gap in between, it felt like I'd barely left the pool, my brain was fresh with the previous weeks knowledge and I was actually looking forward to getting on with it.
Some gliding under the water to start with, the cow came out again, and not so bad on two attempts.
I then did some lengths of crawl, focusing on the 'pull' side of the stroke which I thoroughly enjoyed, it must have shown that I was enjoying it and in my comfort zone because Kari then came up with the suggestion of going into the deep end and letting go of the wall and going under towards the bottom.
The air changed in a second, the look of fear on my face was evident, but Kari knows her stuff and also knows that I need pushing. I can do the dynamic, I'm not great at the 'face my fear' at all.
We swam into the deep end, Kari next to me, holding onto the side wall. First I was to go down under the water, but keeping hold, not so bad, although I got a noseful of water as I came up.
Then, Kari showed me how easy it was to let go, sink down and float gracefully up. To be honest, everything that Kari shows me looks effortless, but I hear this from my own clients when they say, 'oh that looks easy' and then they try it and find it very difficult.
I cannot describe the feeling that was going through me at that moment, fear, challenge, I hate failure, but I am really scared of the water.
I took a massive breath in, let go of the wall and started to sink down, I then started to panic and flap around, Kari expertly grabbed me by the swimming cossie and helped pull me up.
I came up to the surface, grabbed the wall, coughing, water up my nose and in my mouth, I was holding onto that wall for dear life and then I started to shake.
It started with my hands, then arms, legs and then I had whole body tremors, adrenalin from my fear kicked in big time, and there I clung on in the deep end, coughing, laughing at how stupid I felt.
I didn't stop shaking, Kari said that she wanted me to do it once more, focus more on the movement and knowing that she could do the same and lift me up out of the water.
Failure is something I fear, water is something I also fear, but my determination to do this without looking like a complete idiot won, I was ready to do it again....still shaking like a loon at the same time!
Couple of big breaths, and then the one that would let me do it, I let go of the wall and dropped down, tried not to panic, and gradually felt myself rising up, with a helping hand from my arms to get me to the surface I did it, still trembling!
I think Kari rewarded me after that by doing some more dynamic swimming technique work with me, which is my favourite. She then brought back the cow.....I dived down and picked him up with no sign of a panic, this was easy compared to that deep end nightmare I just had.
He was thrown in a little deeper next. I still went down and got him, swam along and came up with confidence. So the cow is successfully conquered in the shallow end, I have a feeling it's only a matter of time before that cow gets deeper and deeper!
The fact is though, I enjoyed moving in the water, I need to work on my kicks as I kick like a kickboxer in the water, which, I guess is what I am, I now need to ditch the martial arts when in a watery environment and start to behave like a swimmer, because, I truly believe that I am becoming one now, that fear lives on in me, I just need to control it, know that I will soon have the skills to know the water, to deal with it in confidence. I do believe after all these years, I have found a teacher who understands me, how to teach me but push me, I don't want to let her down, jut as my clients want to do the best with me. I get it!
Lesson seven........it's only in the sea!
So, this morning I prepared my kit, went to the loo around 1,000 times.....nervous excitement, then got in my beautiful green van and headed towards South Milton Sands, with varying traffic issues in between!
I used to live in Malborough when I first moved to Devon 13 years ago, and every evening I would take the dogs down to South Milton sands, it was my local beach and I love it there, so I felt comfortable with swimming there today. It was the only place I swam in the sea before my disastrous triathlon.
Free parking as a National Trust member and I spotted Kari there a couple of cars away from me.
We sat in the sun on a bench by the cafe and waited for Kari's other swimmers to arrive.
Carola turned up, she comes to my Thursday morning Insanity class, was good to see her, she is doing the organised Burgh Island swim in a couple of weeks, she isn't afraid....that really helps!
Then the second Debbie and hubby turned up and we were ready to get suited up!
Wetsuits are not easy to get into, but after a time we were ready to go and wandered down the sand and found a spot to park the gear....base camp!
Glided and swam a bit of crawl, what I did notice was how clear the sea and the view down was. WOW! It was stunning, something you don't get in a swimming pool.
Talking about buoyancy and Kari tried to get me to pick up some sand from the bottom, it was so hard, and this released the 'I've never done a handstand' comment.....future challenge, get this over first! So I was happy that my wetsuit would just keep me a-float.
We swam out, it was a little choppy, more-so than when we first got in and I found it hard against the water, breathing, thinking about body position, breathing, legs....tough times for me!
well, we swam out to a small rock and I realised how tough sighting is too in open water, avoiding rocks...I have open hand wounds!
I kept this in sight the whole time we were there, not sure if it was Kari's plan but it made me goal-focus and that's what I do best.
My swimming was awful, wooden, stressed, bad breathing, forgot lots of things, wetsuit constricted my arms, but hell....I was there in the sea trying my best so that this challenge can be completed, and as I agreed today, my swimming can start, once this has been done.
What I have to say is that under the sea is a magical world. Some people have said to me...'oooh aren't you worried about what's underneath you? Fish and seaweed?'
I never gave it a second thought, but if I had seen a fish today, that would have been amazing!
I felt like today I became part of another special part of life....seaweed flowing beneath, rock, other plants, below is like another special world that I am excited about.... I want to see a fish, many fish, I want to share their space and broaden my world.
Kari is not only an amazing teacher, but the wisest of the wise when it comes to me.
We went back to base camp as she had other work to do.... I put on my flippers and went back in the sea to see how well I could swim with them, I was powered up, so we think these are a must for the challenge.
Debbie's husband (other Debbie who swam today) agreed to sea kayak on the day, as support, we do also need a support boat, and I need to borrow off someone a proper swimming wetsuit - trisuit, if anyone can help on both counts please?
Then it was time to go....and the general consensus is... if I can sea swim practice, couple more pool lessons then we go for it in October....this flipping year! No point wasting time, I'm in the flow and Kari is with me!
So......the important stuff....I've set up a new Virgin Money-Giving page as I am not doing this for fun, it's for my favourite charity - The Veterans Charity, of which I am the South Devon volunteer rep.
Go to www.virginmoneygiving.com/debbiedoesdevon
And support my cause......support me finally tackling the biggest fear of my life!
More to follow.............
Lesson eight.
Back at Bittaford for another indoor session, I didn't know how I was going to be as I felt that the outside session was fairly successful, even with my wetsuit constrictions. Today's lesson was all about breathing.....a vitally important part of everyday life, and something that I am reminding my clients how to do all the time. Now it was my turn to learn.
The morning before my lesson I was teaching a fairly new client how to punch, and brought in some combinations, all very well for me, I've been doing it for years, so I took a step back and reminded myself of my upcoming swimming lesson and tried to teach in a slightly different way, knowing the struggles of learning something technical and new.
I have to say, that although I have conquered the cow, there are still massive elements of being in water that throw me and turn me into a shaking mess. Kari thought I was going to cry this week, I didn't, but I do get so frustrated with myself when something as simple as floating on your back (which I did in the sea) completely throws me. And letting Kari turn or move my body in the water, taking control of my movement, even in the shallow end, completely spazzes me out! (a term frequently used by me in my lessons by me)
I managed to let go of the side and bounce off the bottom this time, but not in the deep end, a little more shallow, but the result was full body shake again, I have absolutely no control over this happening and it does actually make me laugh now because it's such a mad response.
I know that the wetsuit gives me a false sense of security as it helps with float, be more buoyant, but I certainly didn't have this ridiculous shaking, although looking back to that sprint triathlon I did 5 years ago in Dawlish a similar thing happened and that was why I had to get into the rescue boat. I'm a much better swimmer now than I was then, and I won't be on my own when I take on this challenge.
Mum said to me last night that she was worried about me doing the swim, I think it's because she had just read my blog, and as much as I'm being honest, you can't beat a bit of over-dramatisation to help with charity donations!
So, I finished with a final cow dive, slightly sad at myself for being such a failure in some elements of this water malarchy. Next lesson will be in the sea again, at Bigbury.
Practice in the pool.
So, after what I would call a 'rubbish' attempt on Tuesday in my lesson, I was given my homework by Kari to practice some elements of the breathing in my own time.
Up to now, I've been a bit lame on the practice front due to work commitments and general life things happening, and the one time I had planned to practice in Totnes someone had had a poo in the pool and it was closed!
This morning, I got up and decided that I had to go and do it, the lane swim was on and I could go in the slow lane and practice.
And this I have done, and I am sat here now with a little grin on my face feeling jolly proud of myself for what I have achieved in just 40 minutes.
I practiced my homework and more and eventually managed to so several lengths of front crawl with the breathing, and breathing both sides. I am certainly getting there. It's interesting, maybe because I work at the leisure centre and I knew a lot of people who were swimming and the life guards I didn't want to look like a disabled seal, so I really focussed on everything Kari had taught me, each length I focussed on a different bit of the stroke, the glide, the pull, the turn and eventually trying to keep half of my goggles in the water as I turned to breath.
More sessions like this and I will be way more confident. The journey continues in the right direction!
Lesson nine - I think this says it all, I have only had nine Kari lessons.
Feeling poorly, snotty and under-the-weather I got up in the dark, drove and picked up Kari and off we went to Bigbury-On-Sea......the challenge venue. Kari was also suffering from a cold, which made me feel bad dragging her out at that time in the morning!
I didn't sleep that well, I think that the swim was playing on my mind and I wasn't feeling as excited as I was when we swam at South Milton Sands the other day.
We had a conversation in the van on the way that this swim would pretty much dictate if we do it this year or next. I was glad for that conversation as I was worried I haven't had enough time in the water, practicing as I should. I also still didn't have the confidence I wanted.
We pulled over before the car park and looked over the wall towards Bantham - my initial thoughts? 'Oh my god, it looks horrendous out there!'
Kari sensed this and decided we needed to get into the van and get on with it.
Never before this day have I ever seen Burgh Island as anything other than an impressive and beautiful thing - particularly with my Agatha Christie geek-ness.
This morning, however, before the sun had come up, I looked at the size of only the bits I could see, and felt a huge load of doubt dump itself on my cold shoulders.
We changed, I had goosebumps and numb fingers before we even got near the sea, it looked cold, this was nothing like the sunny lunchtime at South Milton, people laughing and splashing about having picnics....this was just us two and an impatient-looking sea tractor driver. (I think we were in his way a bit)
Cold, uncomfortable with the waves, cold, did I say that? I knew this would be my biggest issue with outdoor swimming - I'm known to wear a hoodie in the height of summer training people on the beach!
I wasn't in any kind of comfort zone and as we walked further out I became more and more aware of the challenge. The Island right in front of me looked daunting, scary and totally impossible in the near future. The decision was made, reality hit me and I am nowhere near ready to take on this.
Even putting my face in the water and floating blowing out bubbles was a task today, I couldn't relax and don't even mention what an idiot I made of myself trying to float on my back, even with Kari to support me.
The facts..........
1. I need more time to practice breathing.
2. I need more time in the pool getting used to the water and letting myself go, leaving my panic and allowing myself to float.
3. I need more time in the sea, getting used to the way it moves and the cool temperatures.
So, I need more time........the sea will cool soon, so the challenge has to be put back months rather than weeks and I am more than happy with this. This isn't failure or even a backwards step, it's re-assessing what needs to be done so that I can do it confidently and safely.
The thing holding me back (other than the cold) is fear, and I need to work on this, that's what needs to be conquered, I can swim, and with more practice I will swim really well, it's the fear that needs to be dealt with.
We have come up with a sort of plan on the way back, it's worth a try...now, can anyone recommend a good hypnotherapist please?
Further updates to follow as usual....see you soon.
Swimming Practice......
So, after my decision to wait until next year to take on the challenge I have not been idle!
I've had 2 x pool swim sessions, practising in the slow lane in the morning. I chose the slow lane to give me time to glide and turn and focus on the technical side of crawl.
The thing is, swimming in a pool is easy, it's warm, calm and predictable of sorts compared to the wild of the sea, so I needed to get out there again before the sea cools too much for me to swim again.
I posted up on Facebook to see if anyone fancied coming swimming with me and my friend of many years, Little Jo said that she would come with me. She doesn't have a wetsuit but was going to come anyway - hardcore!
This was the first outing for my new wetsuit and to be honest I was quite excited about trying it out.
We could not have picked a better day for it, it was beautiful out, hot and sunny, which always makes everything much better. The last sea swim I had with Kari it was early, cold and dull, and I felt like it!
We ventured to South Milton sands, a beach I know so very well and love. We could just see Burgh Island peeping around the corner again and I know that the next swim outside must be there again.
We got kitted up, well I did, Jo was just going in, in her cossie and a t shirt, crazy girl! We walked down to the beach, hats on, goggles on and waded in to the sea.
Now, if I was cold, I have no idea what Jo must have felt, but with lots of splashing about we made it in and faces in blowing bubbles looking at the wonderland beneath us.
We swam along the beach line, I stayed within my comfortable depth, I could see below it shelved away quite significantly at points and swam so close to the beach my knees ended up touching the sand! Idiot.
Anyway, safe to say I swam along practised my breathing, gliding, turning, you name it I went for it, not kicking much but focusing on movement and upper body, and Little Jo said that she was actually impressed with me! Bearing in mind Jo saw me swim last in the sea at the Dawlish Triathlon....the biggest mistake of my life (after Matthew) and then I was splashing about like a dying seal, now I can do a slightly more elegant front crawl.
I then decided that I would try and float on my back again, something I hate, but I did it, Jo as my witness and I did it a further tow times before we exited the sea.
We swam about and along and floated looking down at the wonderland beneath several more times, by then my fingers had gone white and it was time to get out. It wasn't until we have got out and dressed that I realised that we must have been swimming for a good half hour. Much better than my last attempt, maybe because the pressure is off I can actually enjoy it, rather than see it as a chore that I must get done and dusted?
We got dried and changed and ventured to the cafe for tea and cake - well-earned I say! We sat in the sunshine overlooking the sea, enjoying our delights - that cup of tea was well worth waiting for.
Thanks Little Jo for being an epic friend and coming with me.....now, you did say you were coming to Bigbury, right?
So, the story continues, all positive and all good, let's see what this coming week brings!
I am the proud owner of a Fitbit Ionic! Of course, it's wonderful for work purposes, and it has one added detail - you can swim with it, it tracks your lengths. This very detail will help me along my journey no doubt, as I will want to keep improving and I will have a record of it.
I've scheduled in a couple of times and days amongst work and being on call that I can get some practice in ahead of my lessons with Kari starting again in March.
So, swimming app on and up and down I go doing some comfortable breast stroke lengths, then I spotted her, the amazing swimming guru that is Kari! She'd just finished her swim and was stretching along the side, I think she was surprised to see me in there!
We discussed my watch, and how it will help me get on track and back in the water.
Of course, I had to admit to her that I hadn't been swimming for over two months as she asked to see me do some crawl! I did some, rigid, weird, sinking bum, but I didn't hesitate to give it a go, I just did it, and when I ran out of breath and technique went completely to pot, we stayed in the deep end treading water and chatting about it. This is a significant change for me, I would normally be hanging out for the side of the pool for comfort - I think my self-hypnosis app may be working, I didn't feel at all in a panic, but comfortable. I'm glad Kari got to see this today, with all teachers, you want to do them proud, and the fact that I was actually in the pool and had been seen was good, but my new relaxed state was something I was more proud of.
Kari left the pool and I carried on practising crawl like a good girl. I was though watching another guy in the pool, just swimming a bit of crawl from the shallow end to half way, then back again. After a little chat he said he's only just learned to swim too and also wants to swim around Burgh Island. He does water rescue at Bantham but is reliant on buoyancy aids and boats. He has someone swimming with him, but we did discuss maybe doing it at the same time. So, I shall be keeping an eye out for Mark in future.
So, there you have it, now most of my courses are done I can get back to the challenge. Funnily enough, my next Fire Service course is 'Water Rescue' in the River Dart 17th/18th February! Brilliant! I am sure that will be my next installment for you.
Water Rescue course.........
I can't give you too many details on this without going through the Fire Service media team to check all is okay, what I can do is tell you the emotions I went through this weekend and what happened as an outcome!
The first day of the course was all theory, in a warm and dry classroom, easy!
Day two we met at the River Dart Country Park, it's massive there, didn't realise how big it was.
We got kitted up in our wooly bears, drysuits and PFD's (personal flotation devices) and headed off down to the river.
I had pre-warned the instructors about my water journey and all the guys knew and were there on hand with both physical and moral support.
Basically I had to launch myself into the Dart for self-rescue practice - the first time I got into the river those full body shakes came back with a vengeance, I struggled to get out the river when I'd made the eddy because my legs were so wobbly I couldn't stand up.
We continued to launch ourselves into the water, doing different body positions, ensuring we were in control of ourselves in the water and could make ourselves safe.
After a couple of hours I was shaking less, and because I actually did really well with the techniques I gained a huge amount of confidence.
I won't go on too much, but it's safe to say that I have come a long way, and the more confident I am, and the stronger I am in technique, the less I am worrying. In a strange way I really enjoyed the course, the guys were loving it, and towards the end, shooting off down the river on my back - yes Kari, on my back! seemed a lot of fun, and no more shaking legs.
The journey continues in the right direction, this weekend was a big deal to me, the guys said I did really well, they could see on my face I wasn't happy, but I did it, maybe because it's part of my new job I could keep my focus, but I reckon if it was this time last year, I wouldn't have actually got in the river. What's next on my journey? More lessons with Kari coming up in March, I'm actually excited.
Monday 3rd September 2018 - UPDATE!
Hiya all, long time no update, that's because I've been slack, I've not done any training, no lessons, my excuse is that I've been busy, it's a shit excuse!
It is difficult to try and get swim sessions in when I'm on call though, so have had to try and plan in sneaky little sessions in between work.
So, after not swimming for many months, Tuesday night I decided to work on my front crawl technique, and in particular, breathing!
The pool was nice and quiet and I managed to do 22 lengths, around a third of the distance I will eventually be swimming around Burgh Island. One length breast stroke, one length crawl.
I felt slightly pleased with myself, mainly because I actually did some training, I also think the hypnotherapy app I've been using is working to give me a little more confidence.
So......Wednesday after a good Tuesday session, I decided to squeeze in another little swim in between clients. The kids were still off school and it was rammed with them! I got into the pool in the deep end - something I never would have done, and swam crawl straight away, feeling much more comfortable.
I only stayed in there for ten minutes though, due to the large amount of screaming, annoying kids! Ten minutes better than none though, and progress, getting into the deep end I think.
Next......yesterday I went to South Milton sands with Georgina (awesome swimmer) for my first sea swim of the year. This would really show how bad, or improved I am!
With lots of encouragement from Georgina, I crawled, doggie-paddled, breast-stroked my way from one end to the other and back. This may be the only way I can do this challenge, it was never about being a technically perfect swimmer though, just to get round, and I feel more confident now that I can do this, although being out of my depth in the water still plays on my little mind.
I've just got off the phone from Kari, and updated her on progress, so next step is to arrange another session with her, to see exactly how much I have improved, and what I need to do next. She was positive about the swim, and has said she will do it with me, so, more training scheduled for this week, and I will update you as and when I have more news!
Remember - there's only one reason why I am doing this, it's not for fun I can assure you, other challenges weren't really a challenge compared to this one, it's not just physical, it's mental. I am raising money for The Veterans Charity - and your donations will not only help me get through this challenge, but will help 100's of Veterans in need on a daily basis. You can go online and donate to my page - virginmoneygiving.com/debbiedoesdevon thank you.
Today, at 1300hrs, I had an hours lesson booked with Kari in Totnes pool. They were kind enough to let me hire in a lane during the general swim time for this, thank you for your support Totnes Pavilion.
It was lovely to see Kari again for a lesson, almost a year since my last one, you must be so bored of this blog by now? I'm taking too much time, or am I just taking 'enough' time, under the circumstances?
I won't bore you with too much detail, but Kari got my technique back, enough for me to practice on my own.
I still love flippers.
My fear is less.
I fight the water less and control it more.
When I pretend to be Kari in the water, I do better. (I wonder if any of my clients have ever pretended to be me to be better? I shall ask, and use in the future maybe use that one!)
I like to think that I have improved, Kari confirmed this, and we have just one more decision to be made.
WARNING! It gets deep, and I'm not talking about the water!
This time last year, Kari came with me to Bigbury in the early morning.I got in the sea, was not at all confident, and told Kari that I didn't want to do it in 2017. She agreed with me, then, well, to be honest, read the blog again from the start.
Today, we agreed the last determination will happen next Wednesday, 19th September, the day that would have been my Dad's Birthday.
Decision Day - for me now, there is only one decision to be made - the date of the swim, THIS year.
The hypnotherapy app is working, I let go of the side of the pool, touched the bottom with my toes, smiled at Kari, in the deep end today and I didn't get the shakes! I DID NOT get the shakes, I willingly did it, that was not me last year.
I am new and improved, last bit of practice, and I will get round that sodding Island, in the sea, swimming, in 2018!
Next update after the Bigbury swim next week.
The 'decision' lesson
Hi again, well, nothing in life ever really goes to plan eh?
Storm Helene decided she was going to try and ruin my lesson, she forgot who I am, obviously!
We were meant to be swimming tomorrow morning, but Kari has to go away to finish her epic film then, so when I saw her at The Dart 10k at the weekend, we re-scheduled for today.
Watching the Dart 10k start on Sunday with Mum was interesting. Last year I sort of watched in awe, didn't pay attention to much detail.
This year, I met my school friend, Anna, who now lives in Norway, she was swimming the 10k (nutter!) so I was watching out for her too. (Awesome swim Anna, if you're reading this)
Watching the yellow hats (first wave) gave me the hope I never thought I would ever have.
My swimming technique isn't that bad after all!
All sorts of styles and techniques, breathing only one side, faces out the water, breast stroke, everything goes! I could do that (with training) my random style could work?
I went away feeling the most positive I have done about this challenge that morning. Now to take it to the sea with me.
Kari arrives - to Broadsands we go!
Because of Helene, we couldn't swim at Bigbury today, but this lesson was essential, so we voted for Broadsands, sheltered from the storm winds.
I know Broadsands well, from the beach, I've been training clients there for over 6 years, it's like home.
Always wanted to swim there, today I did!
- I'm not as scared as I was last year!
- When Kari tells me not to lift my head too high to breathe, is for my own benefit (neck chaffage)
- I can tread water effortlessly in the sea
- The sea is an adventure and amazing
- I am a better swimmer than ever now
- Kari is the most patient teacher ever!
Today, was a massive stroke forwards, this year the challenge happens, possibly Sunday 7th October...date for your diaries!
We have two more Tuesdays of training together left.
This is it guys, the challenge is nigh!
The Tuesday before Challenge day.
An amazing day in reality. I picked up Kari and we headed to Slapton Sands.
Every lesson right now is a deciding point in when we actually do the challenge, although we have said October 7th, it's not set in stone.
Slapton is interesting, the water gets deep fairly quickly from the shore, so we could swim along safely, not far from the beach, but deep enough to challenge me.
There was a moment, when Kari told me that I couldn't see far down now, because the water was very deep, and I was un-phased by this news, oddly. We knew, that Sunday would be all systems go!
Sunday 7th September 2018 - SWIM DAY!
The day had arrived, after a fairly restless night, I woke ahead of my alarm and took the dogs out for a long walk as the sun was rising.
It was chilly out, with a slight ground frost, but it looked as though it was going to be a warm Autumn day. Perfect!
I got home, put on the kettle and checked out the camera on Magic Seaweed, to see just what was going on at Bantham. It was like a millpool!
Breakfast was an epic supergreen smoothie with all sorts of energy-boosting ingredients, I managed to stomach it all, but my belly was doing nervous-excited somersaults.
Quick sort out of the van, triple checked all my kit and I set off to pick up Kari.
As soon as we got to Bigbury, we realised something was going on. The car park was packed for early Sunday morning, and then we saw Georgina, who told us that we had crashed an actual organised event - The Chestnut appeal Burgh Island Swim!
They were due to set off at 11.40 approx. which meant, we had to get a wriggle on and get going as soon as possible.
We then had the pleasure of meeting Andy, who had volunteered to kayak for us that day. He had found out about my challenge from a mutual friend, we chatted on the phone a couple of times, and being ex-Army, and me fundraising for The Veterans Charity, he willingly gave his time on the day. It was a bit of a speedy introduction, we had to get kitted up, kayaks out and get in the sea before the 150 others! There was no time to be nervous, we had to crack on.
Georgina's daughter, Keira was also in a kayak,
Once I had got my face in and was sort of swimming properly, me and Georgina saw some massive fish below us, very exciting for me, having never swam with fish like that before!
As we went round the first corner of rock, we swam through a little rocky gap, giving me my first taste of massive seaweed! It wasn't my favourite thing, I will be honest, I felt like it was going to pull me down, and I swam like an idiot to get through it. It was then decided that we would go the long route around and not through Kari's pretty lagoon!
We swam past a big rock, covered in Cormorants, they weren't bothered by us at all, it was really impressive. I have to say at this point, these wonderful photos were taken by my friend, and neighbour, Claire, who came down to support me and followed us on dry land around our journey in the sea.
I was impressed by the sheer size of Burgh Island. The view of the Hotel at the front gives nothing away to how big the island actually is, there is a huge sheer drop around one side, looked great to abseil down......anyway, we were doing well, swimming around the back, and I realised that on top of the water was a whole load of Oak leaves. There wasn't a tree in sight, but we were surrounded by them. Kari took a few leaves as a souvenir of the swim.
Coming around the next corner, we felt a current pick up, the water was cooler and it seemed that we were battling to get anywhere fast.
I was feeling a bit tired, and my hands were starting to cramp up with cold a little, but we couldn't stop, as the current was taking us backwards every time I stopped. I had to woman up and crack on.
It was not long after this that Keira and Andy informed us, that the other swimmers were in the water, and heading in our direction! Yep, they had decided to go clockwise around the island, they were heading straight for us!
We had to move in closer to the rocks, which meant lots more seaweed, oh what a joy that was!
The plan was to cut through a section heading back towards the beach so we could avoid clashing with the other swimmers. I wasn't happy about it to be honest, and it was all because of the seaweed, the thing I never I realised would affect me, but it was beginning to be an annoyance.
I have to be honest, so close to the end, the seaweed almost got the better of me!
If it wasn't for Kari pushing my feet, and Georgina in front encouraging me I would have swam a really long way around the rocks just to avoid it!
Anyway, we got through, and the last bit of swimming back to the beach where we were greeted by Claire and her dog Declan.
I had done it!
After so much time and effort, it was hard to believe that it was over, and I couldn't stop grinning.
We were also greeted by my friends Karla and Tristan, who had also been watching from the island.
The other swimmers all had medals on as they wandered around, I had medal envy and I think it was noted, because Claire and Andy went and spoke to the race organisers and managed to get me one. On it, it says, Burgh Island Swim 2018. Brilliant! What with that and my Oak leaves, and my happy memories, and of course, this little bloggy record from start to finish, well, it's done. Now, what next?
Kari Furre - the most epic swimming teacher in the World! Patient, knowledgeable, did I say patient?
My Mum - for being supportive, even though she was secretly afraid of me doing it.
Georgina Gregory - came in at the end of my swimming journey to offer support, advice, and swam with us on the day.
Keira Gregory - wanted to swim too but was support Kayak for the challenge.
Andy Robinson - never met any of us before, came prepared with radios and all sorts, I was in safe hands.
Danny Greeno - for being patient enough for me to wait another 12 months to raise money for The Veterans Charity whilst I got my arse in gear.
Everyone who donated, you made it impossible to fail as I had so much money for the charity riding on it.
Everyone who had to put up with me in the week leading up to the challenge!
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