Somewhere, I heard a statistic that it takes the average adult 20 hours of lessons to learn how to swim. I’ve probably just about hit that milestone in lessons so I guess that might technically mean I can swim? If I’m an average adult?!
We’ve just passed the halfway point of the 6 week #getspeedofit challenge – the point where it’s basically do or die. Sink or swim. Literally.
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| Photo Credit: David Shepard |
I have 3 short weeks to pull it out of the bag. Swim 3-4 times each week. Plus a little triathlon thrown in for good measure.
In the last 3 weeks, I’ve felt my confidence grow. There was a point though where I had a little crisis of confidence – I got into my head and started to panic about my capability in front crawl and was a little devastated that I would have no choice but to swim breaststroke in a triathlon I completed in May. On the day, it turned out that front crawl felt more comfortable for me – something that even surprised me a little!
It may sound stupid, but I felt a little self conscious before taking my training aids into the pool with me but now me and my fins (aka flippers) take charge of the lane!
In my most recent lesson with Speedo Coach Dan Bullock, we worked on drills to help my overall technique. This included ensuring I keep my front arm straight (and not push it down) when breathing, practising the position of my face when breathing and working on improving my kick through less bend in the knee.
…You’ll know by know that I completed the challenge in addition to Windsor Triathlon. I wrote this post in real time but for some reason just didn’t know how to finish it or how much to share. The full results of the 6 week challenge aren’t out yet; we headed back to University of Bath to repeat the fitness testing.
I haven’t been in the pool as much since the challenge ended; I just needed some time out after dedicating more than 6 months to learning to swim and taking part in the triathlons. I miss it though and I’ll be back. I still have one more triathlon to train for at the end of the season and I want to finish strong.
It’s been such an amazing journey; it’s opened up the conversation with so many people I know, and those I don’t know. I’ve learnt that many of us are not strong swimmers and even if I’ve inspired just one person to learn to swim or take up improver lessons I would class that as a success.
What’s your swimming like?! Would you take on a triathlon?!
Elle
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