So I went swimming by myself for the first time last Thursday. I did activate my free 3-month Lifetime membership and I was right - it's a full 3 months. The great news is that the kids can come with me for free. There's no extra charge for them to go to the kid's place while I work out and they can also go swimming with me later.
Katie was spending the afternoon with friends so I dropped Will off at the play place and went off to swim. There were lap lanes open so I didn't have to share. I'm not quite smart enough to do that just yet, let alone good enough. I decided to use a kick board first - no arms, just work on my kicks and see how effective they are. Boy, it was a LONG way down the length of the pool. I think my kicks could be a lot better and hopefully they'll be able to give me some pointers at my lessons. I did 4 lengths of the pool with the kickboard, then 2 lengths swimming freestyle, then another 2 with the kickboard and finally 2 more freestyle. That's 5 laps total, half of what would be done in the tri. Each time I got to a wall, I waiting 30-60 seconds at least. I'm not at a point where I can just keep going. Also, the last lap I did freestyle I had to switch to a backfloat about 3/4 of the way down each time. BUT, I feel comfortable on my back and can at least keep moving. I just can't see where the hell I'm going.
I keep reminding myself it was this way when I started running. Remember? Remember when I could only run 1-2 minutes at a time and running a whole mile seemed downright laughable? Like anything else, it WILL get easier. Any progress towards improvement will give me the positive boost I so need right now. It was a bit disheartening to struggle so much. It's hard for me to not be able to do something, and even harder to admit it to other people. I may be able to get in the water today - depending on the kids. If I can talk them into letting me swim first this afternoon....then I'll be able to get a few minutes in. Otherwise, I think I should focus on lifting some weights at home and working on upper body strength - of which I have none it seems.
Next week I start my lessons. Every Thursday night at 8 for 3 weeks. If nothing else, it's more time in the water.
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I wrote this yesterday - so an update: I DID get in the water yesterday - took the kids swimming and Katie LOVED the two waterslides and the fact that she was big enough to go down them and a good enough swimmer to not need the lifeguard's help at the bottom. I was able to get Will to NOT go down the slide.
Then I set the kids up coloring while I went and swam inside. I did 3 laps (because I was not sure how well the kids would listen this first time....) It took me 9 minutes because I rested a lot, BUT I swam it all freestyle, with the occassional backfloat on the last lap. I felt like breathing was a bit easier - although I didn't put my face completely underwater....just like halfway, but I could turn and take a breath.
Earlier in the day I also did a Netflix workout video on arms, shoulders and backs. I figure that should help my strength and endurance as well - can't hurt.
Today we are heading to a Twins game, so no workouts planned. I'm going to try to go for a longer run tomorrow because I actually know how to do that.
Good for you Deb!
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