Back in the pool - reluctantly

The last time I blogged about my swimming lessons was in early March. It's now almost three months later and I think it's safe to say I'm not really any closer to donning my pyjamas and leaping majestically into the deep end to retrieve a brick.

With my trip abroad, the new job and generally doing loads of different things, the motivation to rise early on a Sunday morning and head down to Wombourne Leisure Centre has waned somewhat.

I'm expecting to have a similar expression
when I try the nose clip next week

But this weekend I was determined to get back into it. After all, I've only got a year or so to nail this and I can't let this one in particular defeat me. I  may not achieve some of the other things on my list - but there's no way I'm letting this one beat me.

It was good to see Clive again. He looked somewhat startled when I appeared poolside this morning - but then again I'm happy to admit I rarely look my best on a Sunday morning - I'm sure he's not the first person I've startled early on a Sunday (that sounds more sinister than it was supposed to).

There were some new faces in the pool since I was there last. It's always nice to know it isn't just me who can't do it!

One guy called Joe had, up until three weeks ago, never been in a swimming pool. He'd lost a close friend in the water when he was a kid so I guess he'd spent his life avoiding it all costs. Then there was another chap, probably in his late forties. He was telling me that his ex-wife died of cancer a couple of years ago and she was a great swimmer. It was great to hear he's met someone else now - and she's a swimmer too. I think he wanted to finally overcome his fear and have something they could do together. Really interesting to hear people's reasons for why they've never swam or why they suddenly want to do it now.

Now, having not been in the pool for a few months I was more than a tad apprehensive this morning. I actually remembered more than I thought I would. The buoyancy belt is long gone and I only used a float for ten minutes or so. That's when it starting going a bit wrong.

I can move my arms, I can move my legs and I can breathe - but all three together is still causing my brain some confusion. I know it'll take practice - I just can't seem to find the time (or, in fairness, the motivation) during the week to do it. I'm also a bit wary of going to a public swim in case I get shouted for being too slow - or sinking.

Does anyone know a millionaire who's got a pool I can practice in??

The basics are there - I just need to really get my head down and build my confidence. Oh, and stop breathing in half the pool as well - I'm sure that would help. Next week I have to use a nose clip. The indignity just doesn't end does it.

Clive's still really supportive though and if you're thinking about learning - just go and do it. It's a new term next week so if you fancy it, you should pop down to Wombourne Leisure Centre - you'll feel better for it (eventually...probably).

I'll leave you with this. I swim a bit like this spaniel - apart from the diving in and going in the deep end bit...