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My challenge for 2012 is to be able to swim British Gas Great London Swim - 1mile on the 26th May..... and then on June 16th take part in British Gas Great East Swim - option of 1mile or 2miles.

So two parts to this challenge.. firstly  to learn front crawl in 3 Months and then to actually swim both events....

Blog: I have had some swimming lessons, but still cant get the breathing right... grr

1st March - swam a 1 mile breast stroke... (tried front crawl and ended up drinking too much!)

6th March - Swimming lesson, can nearly swim a length front crawl with a float..... still cant get this breathing right!! been told to practise every day - out of the pool!!

13th March, Swimming Lesson: First 10 lengths with the use of a float to help me breathe, and then actually managed 4 lengths no float, breathing and didnt drink any water!!!

****11weeks 4 days until London Docklands swim**

20th March - I thought i had it mastered, but soon got very annoyed at myself when i couldnt get it right... drank way too much water.

22nd March - stamina training, did a mile breast stroke in the pool this morning.

27th March - Last week seemed to go back a step, this week, cant get my breathing on my left side correct, i seem to pauce waiting for something... back to float training... (i can breath on my right but if i just do that i get told off in my lesson!!)

3rd April - First 6 lengths with a float to warm up then, managed to actually swim 10 lengths unaided - (only breathing on my right side) - been told i need to practise my left side too... but soo happy with it,

Need to practise, pushing self twice as hard in the pool to show swimming coach i have improved!!

 ** 7 weeks 3 days to go!!**

6th April - With out really thinking about it, swam 10 lengths front crawl - yipeee, i think i need to slow it down so that i dont get tired... (but very happy with self)

10th April - 20 Lengths front crawl in the pool this morning.. a few pauces each end of the pool.. but didnt drown.

13th April - Went for a 7.30am swim... talk about being motivated!! Did around 26 lengths before some pro swimmer swam over the top of me (guess i have to get used to that in the Docklands...

**6 weeks 1 day**

14th April - Brought a wetsuit today - No opting out now!!

17th April - Swimming lesson - only me in the pool with 4 life guards - i guess just in case i drown!! Well i managed 12 lengths non stop 5mins breathing and then another 10 lengths. i need to slow down to keep my breathing steady.. but happy with what i have achieved.

19th April - Late night swim - Managed about 10 lengths and then 10 lengths with a break in the middle - in which i swam breast stroke. 

23rd April, 30mins swim - front crawl & then 1hr aqua Aerobics to losen joints ready for swim lesson tomorrow.

24th April - Gained a sore throat so only managed to swim about 20 lengths, with some stopping, couldnt seem to get the breathing right...

26th April- gonna push myself to do 32 lengths (1/2 mile) and 1hr aqua Aerobics again... to keep active.

1st May - Stamia training.. 20 lengths front crawl and 30mins beast stroke. getting closer and getting even more nervous/scared!!!

6th May - 7am swim @ NOWCA - open water swimming lake in Chertsey.. i was very nervous about the whole experience...once shown how to get into the water slowly to climatise.. the experience was amazing/odd senstation.

10th May - stamina training in an olympic size pool, 30mins front crawl and 30mins breast stroke.. arms are nearly falling off!!

***15 DAYS TO GO**

Sunday 13th - 7.30am swim... swam 1/2 mile in the lake... hard work but felt so good!!!!

17th May - Swam 30mins in the swimming pool front crawl, and 30mins breast stroke....

21st May - My PINK swimming hat (number 5745) and instructions have arrive ready for Saturday.... swimming at 3pm wave...

22nd May - Swimming @ Chertsey lake.. a managed 1/2 a mile in 45mins... not a good time but weather has been amazing....

24th May - Last pool swim before the swim... going to make sure i can swim a mile plus....

Count down......

*Due to a kid knocking me off my bike with a skateboard on tuesday i was unable to swim in the pool on the 24th - which would of been my last stamina training.. grrr

25th May - just a relax  day.... iam nervous, excited and a whole lot of other feelings about tomorrow Docklands swim... i will keep all updated on how well i do!

 

26th May - Result: my hat number was 5745, i came 2151st -Time: 1hr 31mins!!!!!!! wohoo,

Thames water tasted yucky.. not even 3 bottles of coke took away the taste!!! defo hard work when the wind and current is against you for about 3/4 of the way!!!

**3 weeks til the Great East Swim.. gonna be hard work but not taste as bad!!!

29th May  -Went to Chertsey to practise. body still tired, i only managed 1/2 mile..but defo nicer than the Thames water!!

**Had a lazy week, body been tired**

10th June - chertsey lake swim - 40mins was hard work after a weeks rest... lots more practise needed.....

11th June - 1mile alternate breast stroke and front crawl - took me 47mins!!! **Stamina training**

14th June - Last swim before Saturdays event - 11th June - 1mile alternate breast stroke and front crawl - took me 51mins!!! **Stamina training**

All set for my swim on Saturday 16th June.....

**British Gas.. have changed the event to Sunday 17th June.. due to the really bad weather coming across....**

17th June - Result: my hat number was 4590, I came 799st - Time 51 mins 39 sec - PERSONAL BEST!

 Swam front crawl all the way.. head in and out of the water..

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