Growing Gills

One of my pupils said today 'Miss, you're turning into a fish' and I think he might well be right! Swimming again tonight found be back in the pool. I have to say it wasn't quite up to standard in that I didn't swim the distance tonight but it was probably because I was trying to keep up with a lady that looked like she could swim the channel and back in her sleep. I think I might be becoming a little bit competitive. 

It was a good workout and it was good to talk to the Channel Swimming Lady (she didn't actually swim the channel but for argument's sake I'll call her that) .  She told me about lots of places to go swimming. Who knew there was an 50m open air heated pool in the middle of Hackney that's open all year round?

Driving home I thought about my conversations with the lady in the pool. I believe that you should should try and learn from the people you meet, even if it's the smallest thing. Channel Swimming Lady made me think about the race at Windermere. I have been thinking about the route that I will take on the day. I naturally thought that I would swim wide of everyone to get some clear water but actually she pointed out that this was madness, why take the long route round? Go for the most direct, head straight for the buoy at your pace, the shortest route possible. Seems obvious now but I hadn't thought about like that. So I am very grateful for my chance meeting with the Channel Swimming Lady, both for my workout tonight and for my pre-race tactics talk. (I am however slightly concerned that I have started calling it a race!).

Gemini6x