From flounder to dolphin (well cod then)
Until now my swimming experience has been swimming to the edge after sliding down a tube before the next person down lands on top of me. Could this be speedwork? Triathlons come in lots of distances, all of which have a swim of further than I thought possible for me to swim. A plan was needed, and a cunning plan came about when I went to pick Oliver up from swimming class. 'Masters Swim Session, all abilities welcome', said the noticeboard and after a quick email I found myself at a Masters Swim Session talking to a real live swim coach.
I estimated I could do about 15 x 25m but this estimate was far exceeded at that first session. I am not good at counting lengths but I must have done 30-40 lengths that night. All of them slow, and the coach giving me frequent tips, 'S' shaped stroke, finger and thumb first into the water, reach forward, high elbows. I had trouble breathing and after an hour had to leave after a massive cramp in my leg.
But I came back again, and again, and again and on Wednesday night I felt like a swimmer. I could feel a surge as I stroked through the water, I actually caught someone up with my breaststroke and the class regularly does over 1500m. (My goal for an Olympic triathlon). Just need to do it without stopping and hanging on the pool edge every 25m.
Practice, practice, practice.
Until now my swimming experience has been swimming to the edge after sliding down a tube before the next person down lands on top of me. Could this be speedwork? Triathlons come in lots of distances, all of which have a swim of further than I thought possible for me to swim. A plan was needed, and a cunning plan came about when I went to pick Oliver up from swimming class. 'Masters Swim Session, all abilities welcome', said the noticeboard and after a quick email I found myself at a Masters Swim Session talking to a real live swim coach.
I estimated I could do about 15 x 25m but this estimate was far exceeded at that first session. I am not good at counting lengths but I must have done 30-40 lengths that night. All of them slow, and the coach giving me frequent tips, 'S' shaped stroke, finger and thumb first into the water, reach forward, high elbows. I had trouble breathing and after an hour had to leave after a massive cramp in my leg.
But I came back again, and again, and again and on Wednesday night I felt like a swimmer. I could feel a surge as I stroked through the water, I actually caught someone up with my breaststroke and the class regularly does over 1500m. (My goal for an Olympic triathlon). Just need to do it without stopping and hanging on the pool edge every 25m.
Practice, practice, practice.
