Had a swimming lesson today, which brings me to my 3 - 5 hours of swimming tuition.
Today's lesson consisted of me trying to reach the bottom of the pool and swim across the bottom and various swimming drills. Trying to swim across the bottom of the pool sounded easy. In reality getting to the bottom of the pool was hard enough! After much giggling from the instructor I came to the conclusion that this wasn't going to happen! So imagine my surprise when it was then suggested that I try a forward roll under water! This,as predicted, didn't go to plan but provided some highly amusing entertainment for the other swimmers!
Towards the end of the session I had a breakthrough. I swam a hole length (25m) front crawl unaided with correct breathing and technique. This for me is a mile stone and a great achievement. Look at the early posts and you will see the poor swimming ability I had in front crawl. However this provided me with a slight dilemma. At what point does it count that I have learnt to swim? Do I have to do a length properly, or a set distance or what? After careful consideration I decided that as I can now do 25 metres, and only stopped because the wall was there, I can now swim front crawl. Swimming section of my challenge now ticked off. I'm still going to have some more lessons though to work on my technique and to try and get triathlon ready as soon as possible.
3 sections complete, 7 to go!
Tuesday 21 June 2011
Sunday 19 June 2011
Double training day, why do I do it?
Its been a while since I updated this training blog. I've decided that unless there's something of interest to write about, I'm not going to update every time I do something, but will do a weekly update.
So, today. As usual for a Sunday Boot Camp this morning for an hour. As usual, hard work and very tiring but worth it. It would appear that the local council have decided that in an effort to save money they wont cut the grass in hells bowl. This meant the grass was far too long and wet for us to safely do any PT on, so we used the field nearby. This presented a new element to boot camp as it would appear that this particular area is used a lot by dog walkers that don't believe in clearing the dog "waste" up. This made for great entertainment in the dog poo sweep before doing any PT!
Boot camp finished at 1030am. At 430pm I was in the gym for a 1:1 PT session with the fitness guru. This meant approximately 45 minutes doing various weights working on chest (now sore) shoulders (now ache) and triceps (didn't know they could hurt, but they can). This didn't just involve free weights, but also body weight exercises. These body weight exercises incorporated a new(ish) piece of kit called TRX suspension cables. Essentially these are straps that are attached to the wall one end, and have handles the other end. Now most of the exercises were okay using this. Then we came to the triceps part. It was demonstrated by the trainer, then it was my turn. Okay I can do this I thought, so started the 10 reps requested. I got to 9 reps, looked at the trainer and pointed out confidently that they weren't that hard. The reply came back, "There not if you do them wrong" and I was shown again how to do it. On second try I can confirm it was really difficult! Mrs L who had come into the gym was on a CV machine at this point laughing!
Next came the CV section. Level 8 on a static bike for 1 mile in under 2minutes 50 seconds. I started and blasted the bike section in 2:22 seconds. 28 seconds to spare, I was chuffed! Then I got a minute rest before being placed on a cross trainer. Again, level 8 and this time 1km in 3 minutes 22 seconds. Easy I thought. I can do that. I started, and wished I hadn't. I hate the cross trainer at the best of time. I truly believe it is a torture instrument designed by the devil himself! I got to 1 minute and wished I had taken that extra 28 seconds on the bike! Sweat every where, cussing under my breath, hair gel in my eyes, it hurt! It now became apparent that I have a competitive streak, I was not letting the machine beat me! 3 minutes 11 seconds in total and I had done my 1km! Get in there!!!! I then got off the cross trainer and struggled to walk. I was walking like Mr soft!!!!!!!!
Off for dinner now!
So, today. As usual for a Sunday Boot Camp this morning for an hour. As usual, hard work and very tiring but worth it. It would appear that the local council have decided that in an effort to save money they wont cut the grass in hells bowl. This meant the grass was far too long and wet for us to safely do any PT on, so we used the field nearby. This presented a new element to boot camp as it would appear that this particular area is used a lot by dog walkers that don't believe in clearing the dog "waste" up. This made for great entertainment in the dog poo sweep before doing any PT!
Boot camp finished at 1030am. At 430pm I was in the gym for a 1:1 PT session with the fitness guru. This meant approximately 45 minutes doing various weights working on chest (now sore) shoulders (now ache) and triceps (didn't know they could hurt, but they can). This didn't just involve free weights, but also body weight exercises. These body weight exercises incorporated a new(ish) piece of kit called TRX suspension cables. Essentially these are straps that are attached to the wall one end, and have handles the other end. Now most of the exercises were okay using this. Then we came to the triceps part. It was demonstrated by the trainer, then it was my turn. Okay I can do this I thought, so started the 10 reps requested. I got to 9 reps, looked at the trainer and pointed out confidently that they weren't that hard. The reply came back, "There not if you do them wrong" and I was shown again how to do it. On second try I can confirm it was really difficult! Mrs L who had come into the gym was on a CV machine at this point laughing!
Next came the CV section. Level 8 on a static bike for 1 mile in under 2minutes 50 seconds. I started and blasted the bike section in 2:22 seconds. 28 seconds to spare, I was chuffed! Then I got a minute rest before being placed on a cross trainer. Again, level 8 and this time 1km in 3 minutes 22 seconds. Easy I thought. I can do that. I started, and wished I hadn't. I hate the cross trainer at the best of time. I truly believe it is a torture instrument designed by the devil himself! I got to 1 minute and wished I had taken that extra 28 seconds on the bike! Sweat every where, cussing under my breath, hair gel in my eyes, it hurt! It now became apparent that I have a competitive streak, I was not letting the machine beat me! 3 minutes 11 seconds in total and I had done my 1km! Get in there!!!! I then got off the cross trainer and struggled to walk. I was walking like Mr soft!!!!!!!!
Off for dinner now!
Tuesday 7 June 2011
Progress at last.......
Just returned from my swimming lesson. Might not sound that great, but managed 3/4 length front crawl unaided and three overtakes along with navigating the on coming swimmer when I took over the down lane swimming the wrong direction!
Its getting there.
Its getting there.
Updates and a fundrasing increase
So, its been a while since an update. Thats mainly due to my internet connection going on leave for a week!
This week I have been swimming a couple of times, boot camp on Sunday and circuits yesterday evening. That pretty much brings you up to date so far on the progress.
On the money side of things, the unit Curry and Quiz night happened on Saturday evening. This was a HUGE success and all profits are going towards my sponsorship total. I aimed to raise £300 in total, and on Saturday alone we raised £380! This means that a new total is needed. I am now aiming for £600.
Thank you to all the company's, staff and supporters for making this evening so successful. Photos will follow later.
Off to get my swim stuff sorted for this evening now. Another swimming lesson booked.
This week I have been swimming a couple of times, boot camp on Sunday and circuits yesterday evening. That pretty much brings you up to date so far on the progress.
On the money side of things, the unit Curry and Quiz night happened on Saturday evening. This was a HUGE success and all profits are going towards my sponsorship total. I aimed to raise £300 in total, and on Saturday alone we raised £380! This means that a new total is needed. I am now aiming for £600.
Thank you to all the company's, staff and supporters for making this evening so successful. Photos will follow later.
Off to get my swim stuff sorted for this evening now. Another swimming lesson booked.
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