Sunday May 31st 2009

I knew something was wrong. This despondency was more than my imagination and I just couldn't work out what the problem was. Then Harry came to the poolside on Monday. I managed to get there in good time this week and Harry decided to look at my stroke, and hey presto! My stroke has gone array, and I was losing power causing extreme inefficiency and therefore losing seconds every length of the pool.

He asked me to warm up as usual with a steady 500 meters. I did it in just less than 9 minutes. Then he adjusted my stroke which was mainly that my left arm is pulling almost at right angles instead of down towards my body. Also I am reaching too far forward. After a couple of practices he asked me to do another 500 meters at the same steady pace. I did it in 8.12......WOW what a difference. This technique could shave 30 minutes off the Ailsa Craig swim.

Since then I have been unable to get in the pool but I have been concentrating on stretching, jogging, and rowing.

Delighted that Jane and Chris are also going to the Queens garden party at Hollyrood Palace on June 30th .....I don't know who nominated me or why, but we think it must be something to do with the swim. Strange eh? It's something I haven't done yet and I haven't given anyone any money yet!!! A funny old world.

The photo was taken by Chris at the top of Byne Hill on the walk last week. I love it. Plans are that we head to Ailsa Craig the weekend after next...Back in the pool tomorrow and then I'm away Wed Thurs and Fri. Friday is the final for the Care Accolades in Dundee, so I'm hob nobbing!!!! I'll let you know how I get on but work is playing havoc with my training this week.

By the way, I do apologise the setting for leaving comments was restricted so now I have adapted it, so anyone can leave a comment....so please do!

A famous day

Sunday May 24th
Have you ever had one of those days when everyone says 'remember that famous day when....?' Well today was the famous day when we didn't go to Ailsa Craig.

Giddy with excitement we arranged to meet the boat pilot in Girvan at 9.30am. Apart from the boat pilot, the crew were my mate Chris his friend Linda and our Harry. I had that much stuff with me as instructed by Harry who always says be ready for anything. We were hoping do a combination of climbing to the top and down again which would take about an hour and a half and swimming round it which is about 5k we think.
The day was sunny and the mood was riotous as we headed up the coast with the taste of adventure in the air. Soon to be dampened however as we met an unhappy skipper who said the wind had picked up and it was just too risky. Undeterred we decided to walk and headed up Byne Hill which was very steep. How lovely to sit on a hill in the sun with good friends eating sandwiches. Yep well you have a point ...obviously being on Ailsa Craig could have topped that but what can you do?
Then I swam at Girvan beach for about 40 minutes.......aaaah it was cold and I am reducing my comfort aides....so no boots and my feet never actually stopped hurting with cold. It may have been because we had been for long walk, but Harry did point out that the sea was only 13 c and hasn't warmed up for 3 weeks.
A bit shivery afterwards.

Plan B we will try again and again till we get there. It was wonderful to swim with Ailsa in sight.

Meanwhile the plan is to break the myth that I hate 500's. Monday night sessions will be short training sets with a mixture of drills with pullbuoys and paddles, and Wednesday mornings will be 500's with split timings breaking it into 100's but not stopping....get it? Then a weekend open water swim with some stretching and rowing inbetween.

Well done Ian who did a fantastic time at the triathlon in Lanzarote yesterday. Mmmm Lanzarote warm, sunny what a good idea. There must be a rock out there I could swim to.

By the way, did I tell you I've been invited to have tea with the Queen?

A new world order

So there is a new world order but someone forgot to tell me. I turned up on Monday night last week for the 8pm session with the Stingrays and the pool was empty...like a bad dream. Similar to when you find yourself with no clothes on, maybe not! The good news is that the 8pm slot has shifted as it was really too late for the children to be finishing at 9.30pm and not getting home till 10pm......never mind the children, what about 50 year olds? So today was a challenge as now I have to get to the pool between 4pm and 5pm on Mondays so it will take some organising to get out of work in time. I got there tonight just in time to see the kids getting out! I swam, but I missed them.

Harry suggested that I do sets of 500 now in 10 minutes. This means that any time left up to 10 minutes I get to rest. Harry wanted me to keep times down to below 9. Euan timed me on Wednesday morning and Rachel and Kieran joined me. We warmed up with 10x100 IM's with 10 seconds rest. Then the sets. My first set was 8.37. Next one 8.55, next 8.57 next 9.10......damn it! Felt lumbering and slow, new swanky goggles leaked and had a tantrum throwing my goggles off. Euan said gently that maybe I could work on my self belief ....Ok Ok I can I can I can. Help!

Took off that night to stay in Stockport for a few days R and R staying with my sister. Saw Eric Clapton at the MEN arena on Thursday night and I love him so much. The concert left me breathless and I loved being with my family just spending time together. Went shopping in Manchester with my sister on Friday. It's years since we have done that together. Managed a good run on Thursday maybe 3 miles or so we reckon, and then I went to circuit training with my sister on Saturday which was great.

Home now and facing a really busy time at work. We seem to have reached the finals of the SSSC Care Accolades and this is very exciting but has generated a huge influx of work and travel. The final is on June 5th in Dundee so I'll keep you posted. Any of you mad YABBA's out there I may be in touch for a swim while I'm in Dundee. (See previous Blogs when I did the Woodhaven swim last June) Getting tougher to keep up all my training with extra work pressures

May go to Ailsa Craig on Sunday....watch this space!

Swimathon

May 10th 2009

When I said I ran to Ladybay and had no ill effects I lied to you. I ran on Saturday and spent the whole bank holiday weekend trying to pretend that I wasn't stiff!!! It was very painful and my legs felt wobbly and sore. However I had a great week swimming with the Stingrays and doing well.

However, I ran again this Saturday and this time I mean it.....NO ILL EFFECTS! This thing is working and I'm getting fitter!

The main story this week though is that the amazing Stingrays did their swimathon on Saturday for our fund.

They swam anything between 20 and 160 lengths non stop, and some of them swam further than they had before in one go. I think it made them realise how far 10 miles is! The atmosphere at the pool was fantastic and we had volunteers and parents counting lengths and shouting encouragement. Iain Dick and John Dougan came along to support us but didn't show their legs this time. I'll let you know how much the Stingrays have raised but they were awesome. I love this collaboration, and it will continue after the swim I'm sure. I get so much from knowing these young people. Please note that following this photo the kids lept up and John, Iain and I were left struggling to our feet, in my case knees cracking.

Swam at Sandhead today with Harry in the Kayak. It was fantastic to be out there again. No wetsuit now and although cold I did really well. 40 minutes with no problems. It was great to see my old buddy Ian Hannah who is training hard for a big triathlon in 2 weeks time in Lanzarote.....GOOD LUCK Ian. He's great company. The weather was stunning today and Scotland was looking its glittering best.

Back in the Driving Seat

May 3rd 2009
I got some good advice this week
'Ros, just get on with it! If we put you in the sea right now you know and I know that you could swim to Ailsa Craig. You've just got to believe it' Yeah ok then, but I'm not minimising my challenges regarding not feeling in the best of health. However having consulted the GP who also told me not to panic things really do seem to be back in hand this week.
Only managed one pool swim. Got on the rower and got sweaty a couple of times. Easily ran to Ladybay with no ill affects. Then today, I finally got in the sea at Ladybay. I loved it although it was extremely cold and I went numb, but I did really well and swam for 25 minutes.
Back? a OK
Heart? a Ok
Hormones? ***!?""*"!?

This week, I will be in the pool with the Stingrays tomorrow night, wednesday morning at 6.30am and then Harry and I are going to be at Sandhead or Port Logan on Sunday for a really good long swim.
I will row at any chance I get although I am away for work one night this week.
Ta Ta for now

A slump!

April 29th
I know I've been a bit quiet but I have had a couple of weeks of severe doubt! Not feeling at all well and facing some medical challenges hasn't helped. It seems like a clash when others around you seem to be feeling the same. On a positive note, I can tell you that the Stingrays taught me to tumble turn which has been a liberating experience. However, sometimes I forget to do them, I can't do them in the shallow end in case I hit my head and I definitely can't do them with flippers on. I will work on these issues by talking about them.....
So, I am over it OK? I will do it, I can do it and I will not be intimidated by those who are worthier than I and much more dedicated to their sport. I say this with admiration, not criticism or bitterness......no no no.
I can do it
I can

A fantastic boost to our funds

April 12th 2009
Easter Day
I have has some health problems and have not been swimming this week. Had some really good sessions with the Stingrays the week before which were good, and I have kept up with my rowing this week and upped the pressure a bit. The challenge with Concept 2 has now finished so I have to work hard at keeping my motivation up. However having increased the rowing I have enjoyed it much more and I can feel the benefits.
Harry is back which has really given me a boost and he has enjoyed reading the blog which has kept him up to date. We had a chat yesterday about my back which is in fact holding up at the moment.

Here's a story about cooperation and opportunity.

My friend Veronica who is raising money for an amazing project in Kenya which is called the Tara project had organised a couple of events to raise money which I had attended and donated some raffle prizes. Veronica reached her funding goal and asked me last Friday if we would like the bag packing session she had booked at Morrisons on Easter Saturday. I accepted immediately and tried to round up some volunteers at the last minute. Many of my friends were away, but we managed. We packed bags for 4 hours. I 'd like to thank Veronica, Jane, Thomas, Gina, Chantice, Kaitlin, Jane, Katie, Vicki, James, Anne, Dave, Lesley and EB for their hard work. Suzanne was away but came up to the house with buckets and stuck on posters and tops. Ladies and Gentlemen I would like to announce that we raised £1003. Can you believe it? A wonderful boost to our funds and great timing because it seems that many people had seen the article and photo of me with the politicians on the front page of the Free Press. People wanted to speak to me about the swim challenge and seemed interested in what we are trying to achieve.

At one point, my legs were aching and I hate supermarkets and shopping so it was in fact my worst nightmare. However I enjoyed meeting people and we all agreed it had been a highly successful event.

I'd rather be swimming though...any day