Saturday, September 17, 2011

First swimming lesson

This picture was taken by Amber last week. I didn't get to do THIS at all today, but instead we did drills, in my very first swimming lesson ever! It was fun, and I learned a lot, which I'll share with you. In the picture, I'm pleased to see that my right shoulder is out of the water, because it's supposed to be. It's one of the only things that I taught myself properly. The first thing Amber did is have us put on flippers. Wow! What a kick (heh) you get with those babies! And then she had us swim to the other side of the pool and back five times, using a paddle board with our heads out of the water. I felt so powerful with flippers, I felt invincible!

But then she had us swim to the other side of the pool with our heads in the water, coming up to breathe on either side, with our arms pinned to our sides!! I learned two things right off: I'm MUCH more comfortable breathing on the right side, and I stop kicking when I am breathing.  Needless to say, I took on more water than I was supposed to. This took several lengths to get fairly good at. Then she had us put one arm out straight, breathing on that side, other arm pinned to my side.

What I am learning is that the crawl (or Australian crawl), which I have been doing, is the fastest way to swim, if you do it right. But I have to disconnect my head turn from my body's actions. Since I forget to kick when I breathe, it's important to return to the basics. Once I learn to kick continuously, I'll be a lot stronger. If you look at that link, there are three animations of someone doing the crawl, and I learned a lot from them, too. In short, my first lesson was very exciting, and I'll practice these techniques next time I'm in the pool.
After the swim, I went to the Farmers' Market to get some greens, and I had lunch at this new place: 22Greens. I had the Bitchen Salad, which was simply wonderful! Now I'm home and writing this post before settling down to finish my latest novel, which isn't great but I have to know what happens.
:-)
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20 comments:

  1. Elephant's ChildSeptember 17, 2011 at 3:18 PM

    I also stop kicking while I breathe. Nice to know I am not alone. And I am so glad you enjoyed it. Have a wonderful day.

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  2. Brian MillerSeptember 17, 2011 at 3:18 PM

    nice...glad you had a great lesson...wonder if i stop when i breathe...and i bet you were def hungry after swimming...know i usually am...happy saturday!

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  3. LilliStJohnSeptember 17, 2011 at 3:52 PM

    Being born on the Bay of Fundy, I feel quite at home in the water and the dolphin and I - I swear we are related :) Great to hear your lesson was so rewarding and that 22Green stop sounds like my kind of reward. Have a great day tomorrow. Cheers

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  4. Teresa EvangelineSeptember 17, 2011 at 6:09 PM

    Well, I'm intrigued by another dish on their board: Honky in Peru. Sounds like a fun place with a great name and good food.

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  5. RedSeptember 17, 2011 at 6:16 PM

    Good on you for having the proper attitude to learn the basics of swimming.
    You sound downright enthusiastic.

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  6. AkannieSeptember 17, 2011 at 9:14 PM

    What fun! The cafe sounds wonderful and I'd definitely eat something called a Bitchen Salad. lol

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  7. KaySeptember 17, 2011 at 10:57 PM

    I love your new header. You are being so healthy, DJan! You're inspiring me to be more healthy and active... now I just have to follow through.

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  8. SquirrelQueenSeptember 17, 2011 at 11:47 PM

    I'm glad you enjoyed your lessons but now you've got me wondering how off my strokes are.

    22Greens sounds like a great place to eat, I am definitely intrigued by their menu and wondering what's in the Bitchen salad.

    Have a great rest of the weekend. We finally got a tiny bit of rain today. Yay!

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  9. Grandmother MarySeptember 18, 2011 at 3:13 AM

    You make me want to re-learn to swim properly. It looks so graceful. Enjoy.

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  10. CrazyCrisSeptember 18, 2011 at 4:47 AM

    Sounds like a great day DJan!

    Thanks for the swim lesson recap and the link! I don't have problems with the kicking, but you've made me realise I probably don't turn my body enough 'cause I don't think my comes up like that. I'll have to go jump in the pool after lunch today and check that out! ;o)

    Keep enjoying the classes! :o)

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  11. HilarySeptember 18, 2011 at 6:54 AM

    Just catching up now and seeing that you're just as busy and active as ever. I'm glad the bronchitis didn't hold you back and that you're able to do all that you love to do... and share it with us.

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  12. AnonymousSeptember 18, 2011 at 6:57 AM

    I swim like a sinker nowadays. I can't breathe good enough to float.

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  13. CiCiSeptember 18, 2011 at 7:18 AM

    What is in the bitchen salad?

    Good on you for your swim lessons and your enthusiasm. Hugs.

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  14. TrishSeptember 18, 2011 at 7:24 AM

    A Bitchen salad! Love that. I'd definitely order than one. You look like a pro in that wter.

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  15. Deb ShuckaSeptember 18, 2011 at 7:51 AM

    I'm catching up with you today after being away from blogs for a couple of weeks. I'm struck by what a happy, adventurous. learning-filled life you lead. So cool that you're willing to re-learn to become a better swimmer, that you're excited about it. Your positive energy and optimism (I loved the elephant post) add so much to my life right now. Thank you.

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  16. AnonymousSeptember 18, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    It's great to feel "invincible," isn't it. Good to see you enjoying the water, DJan.

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  17. RitaSeptember 18, 2011 at 10:37 AM

    What a fun and exciting lesson. Been decades since I was swimming, to be honest. Growing up in Minnesota--Land of 10,000 lakes--I grew up swimming and had lessons at the local lake when I was small. Your recounting brings back memories or lake water up my nose--LOL!

    You have the most interesting farmer's market! And it even has a cafe...with crazy food titles. Love it! I, too, wonder what is in the Bitchen Salad?

    Have lots of fun with your classes!! :):)

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  18. Stella JonesSeptember 18, 2011 at 11:24 AM

    Now I could do with classes. I never have perfected the crawl. I'm afraid of breathing so I prefer the breaststroke but that gives me a bad neck after a while.
    How could you just eat a salad after all that activity? I'd have to eat a bowl of pasta to restore the energy.

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  19. Linda ReederSeptember 18, 2011 at 5:01 PM

    I had no idea swimming was so complicated. But then I don't swim.

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  20. Sharon WagnerSeptember 19, 2011 at 11:14 AM

    No friggin dessert?

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