Karen writes: 2013...the year swimming makes sense?

-
The coolest thing, just had a call from Andrew at Boost coaching, I have actually won a swimming lesson! This was a competition that came through the Ironman people, seems that these things are actually worth the effort sometimes, what a wonderful and useful surprise. Now those who have followed us on our journey to Ironman and beyond know that swimming...for me...ranks right up there with cutting grass with nail scissors or trying to convince a 2 year old that spinach is a better option than chocolate.  Kate goes to her swim club and rockets about in the water with apparent pleasure and piscine grace, I swim under sufferance, I swim with a distinct lack of enthusiasm, I swim to get to the end of whatever torturous length has been set.  I was last voluntarily buoyant in April, that was the King of the Bays harbour swim on the North Shore that Kate inveigled me into. The wetsuit has been bundled up in a drawer since, for all I know the moths might have carried the dratted thing away and part of me would say good riddance to it.

So, the motivation now is, when I get back from Spain, to get in the water and try to remember how to breathe, kick, and rotate arms all at once. I don't really want to embarrass myself TOTALLY by turning up for a swimming lesson being unable to manage 5 meters, but I also figure there probably wouldn't be much point in anyone commenting on swimming technique if I can't...well...swim. Will this be the year swimming, shock horror, becomes enjoyable?  Hmmm, rather a lot to pin on one swimming lesson, but I can dream.  Dream about swimming while I'm running as A has pointed out.  I think not.

Comments

Unknown said…
Looking forward to catching up with you after your marathon and helping you out with your swimming. Happy training - Andrew Mackay www.boostcoaching.co.nz
11 September 2013 at 11:51
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Still...swim, cycle, run...walk

-
Image
We've got some new staff at the organisation, which is now called " Diabetes Foundation Aotearoa ".  Sitting at the lunch table answering questions on the topic of endurance training and eventing, it reminds me of how long we've been doing the longer exercise efforts now, and that we take for granted how much we've learned over the years.   bike training isn't training without icecream Someone asked about nutrition in a long event and  I spouted off a bunch of words about the exact makeup of the breakfast that I've spent so many years messing around with, said something about a gel here and a banana there and a bumper bar somewhere else and a salt tablet when whatever and the importance of recovery nutrition...and then realised it sounded very much like I actually had it sorted.  I have to admit I don't really.  I'm not sure if anyone can ever say they have everything 100% nutrition or hydration wise for all conditions and circumstances,
Read more

Karen writes: Swimming pool blues

-
Image
I loathe the swimming pool.  With my severely cut down swim training I've been putting my effort into a few slow wetsuit swims in the sea, gently putting my dodgy shoulder under pressure to see how it copes with greater time in the water, not worrying about harder work just aiming to achieve the distance with a minimum of stress.  This week I just couldn't see how I could swim in the sea, the tide is way out in the mornings and evenings all week and it wont be possible to swim on the weekend. So I had to go to the Otara pool before work today.  Older daughter is off to school camp, tenting, so it was a bit muddly getting last minute items packed for her, is there enough sunscreen because its shaping up to be hot outside and what's the plan for the expected torrential rain?  Yep, good old Auckland smorgasbord weather, just pack everything.  Anyway, finally she was ready to go and I was too.  I had my togs under my clothes, wearing jandals, bag with undies/ towel/ toiletrie
Read more

Karen writes: Obstacles

-
Image
I went for a ride, of course that was not what the training plan said I should be doing, but it fitted.  Older daughter looked at my trademark pink legwarmers before I left, "are they new?" she says. "Nope".  "They're clean" she observed. I looked, they did look clean.  Why?  They were inside out. These poor things had been getting very grubby, more chain oil than clear space, but aha, here was a way to now double their reasonable lifespan. Anyway, with the old-new inside out pink legwarmers on, I took the easy route, headed off towards Clevedon and wandered round a bit there feeling uninspired. The most significant thing about this ride was something you only see when your training is mostly on country roads.  I came scooting around a corner on Monument Road and there was a significant obstacle.  Cows all over the road.  Ok I thought, they are just crossing I will wait for a car to push through and follow it. Well it turned out that from my low vant
Read more