Well I got to the lakes and it was sunny :-) Did the 750m and 550m circuits which isn't quite the mile but it felt much better today. (It was just a time issue today, in that I didn't have enough). Anyway, I got my head down and actually got over the water issue that I've been having. Not sure what was different today but I'm glad that it was.
I've been reflecting tonight on the changes that this training has made to me. For a start physically things are toning up, which is always a good thing. I feel so much fitter and mentally the regular exercise is great particularly when you work in a job like mine. When you swim you can't think about anything else and I find that however I feel to begin with I always feel so much better when I have finished my training.
Then there is the gear :-) Wetsuit - I can now get in a wetsuit in under 5 minutes and it doesn't involve rolling around on the floor liked a beached whale. Body Glide - to prevent wetsuit chaffing. Goggles - I have 3 pairs now; reflectors for sunny weather, clear for cloudy and my spare pair, just in case. Ear plugs - to prevent water getting in the ear, ear drops - to wash out any water that has. Swim hats - one bright pick to be seen in open water, a cloth one to go under the other and to create an extra layer for warmth and a normal black Speedo for the pool ( don't think I'll swim without a hat now - although I am aware of how ridiculous I look in them.) Finger paddles - a random invention that I didn't even know existed but actually are very effective at creating resistance and help improve your stroke. It does feel odd when you take them off though. 3 swimsuits - particularly useful for weeks like this when I need one a day.
Aside from the gear, the biggest changes have been in my technique. When I started I thought I was a strong swimmer. I used to race when I was at school and thought that this challenge would be easy. How wrong I was. However, now I can swim front crawl in the pool for an hour without stopping to collapse with exhaustion. To be honest my stoke was rubbish and unsustainable for any great length. I would always resort to lengths of breast stroke with the odd couple of front crawl lengths thrown in to try and prove to myself that I could do it. Now I am most comfortable when swimming front crawl. Even today I was in the lake looking at ways to improve my stroke and maybe that was what made it easier as I wasn't thinking about the water so much.
Finally, my thoughts today rest with my other motivation for doing this swim. Raising money for the National Autistic Society. This has been such a challenge and I still have fears to overcome but the pupils I teach and people who are affected by autism face challenges on a day to day basis. For some just going outside their front door into the chaotic environment that is our world is a massive achievement every day and one that I think most people are not even remotely aware of. So if I can somehow raise awareness and help fund the work that the NAS do, then it will be well worth it.
This started out as something I wanted to do for me and raising money was a bonus. Now, I really understand why so many people do crazy things like swimming across a lake, running marathons and generally stepping outside their comfort zones for a short stretch of time to raise money for charities. My day on Saturday will be chaotic, scary, unfamiliar and I know I will wake up with a feeling of shear dread and not want to do it. How many people with Autism face those sorts of feelings everyday of their lives? However, despite those fears they still walk out into the world and face their challenges. Which is exactly what I will do too.
Feeling a bit profound tonight.
Gemini6x
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