I have just returned to India after a month at home visiting my daughters, my baby grandson, family and friends. Aside from the sheer joy of being on "home turf" again I was able to swim in a 25 meter pool. Whilst in India I am lucky enough to live in a hotel which has a pool that is almost exclusively mine during the week - bliss! However it is only 16 meters long; not great for open water training.
The first session I did in a 25 meter pool back at home really unnerved me. For starters swimming indoors feels claustrophobic and there were other people in the pool! I had to learn to share my pool space. As I lowered myself into the water my first thought was how warm the water temp was. I am used to the sharp stab of cold water on skin that has been warmed by 30c sunshine. Eyes at water level, I turned and looked down the length of the pool; it stretched out in front of me and I pushed off from the side. That first 25 meters seemed interminable - oh well only another 3,175 meters to go! In order to pass the time whilst I plough through those never-ending meters I try to imagine I am swimming in Loch Ness, jockeying for position with the other racers. I practice overtaking other swimmers; I remain foolishly optimistic that there might just be somebody who swims slower than I do. I overtake a couple of old men in the pool - touching one of them on the left ankle to let them know I am about to pass - and I as I glide past he winks at me. Apparently not everybody is as well informed about swimming ettiquette as I am and he thinks I am trying to pick him up! So I keep my head down and, avoiding any further physical contact, I am beginning to get into a good rhythm. I imagine what it will be like in the cold, silky black water of the Loch and drift off into a daydream.........soft waves gently lapping at my face; the majestic hills around me; dodging geese that are bathing in the icy cold water. Woah GEESE!!! Creatures not known for their tolerance when others invade their water space (bit like me actually). Do I swim around these cackling, sharp beaked, beady eyed monsters - thereby adding several more meters to my swim? Or do I brazen it out and swim right through them, risking being pecked at and beaten with those flappy wings? I need to make a decision as I am gaining on them. I decide on the former option (extra meters being preferable to losing an eye) and give them a wide berth; listening to their cackling as I pass by. I know I have made the right decision as the swimmer behind me takes a more direct route and swims through the middle of the geese - only to be tutted at and loudly remonstrated with by the one wearing an orange swim cap - obviously the top goose! Ha good decision Gill - no point in annoying the locals. As I move into the cool down phase of my swim I am dragged out of my reverie as I inadvertently swallow a mouthful of pool water. Yuck the cloying chemical taste of chlorine! At least there will be no chlorine to swallow in Loch Ness......just goose pooh.........ewwwwww!
12 Comments
Sophie Castledine
23/4/2013 08:54:32 am
Jesus Auntie Gill! Thanks for the scare!;) sitting here laughing being looked at strangely by mum and dad!:D
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Gill Thomas
23/4/2013 09:32:49 am
Haha Sophie. Maybe we will meet Nessie!! :0
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Katrina
23/4/2013 09:02:09 am
Just loving your blog Gill, once Loch Ness is conquered I think you should write a book!!!
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Gill Thomas
23/4/2013 09:34:56 am
Thank you Katrina - glad you are enjoying it. You never know, maybe I will write a book for my next challenge! Looking forward to seeing you all in June and getting some training in with Sophie.
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Mummy Trina
23/4/2013 11:20:53 am
Definitely think you should write a book after! What a great idea! Xxx
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Gill Thomas
25/4/2013 05:46:29 am
Hmmm this idea seems to be gathering pace!
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Sue David
23/4/2013 12:09:28 pm
Your blog is fabulous and so funny. You are certainly appearing to have fun with this weigh thing!! Please carry on passing this on to everyone and inspire them with your enthusiasm as you are doing 😉
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Gill Thomas
25/4/2013 05:47:41 am
Thank you Sue. I am so glad you are enjoying the bog. And thank you for all your encouragement. Xx
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Cindy
24/4/2013 01:45:55 am
To be sucessful, every long distance athlete needs to be motivated, determined and of course have a good imagination...... Check, check, and double check. I concur that you should write a book....you should pass it forward.
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Gill Thomas
25/4/2013 05:49:09 am
......and a great trainer who keeps them on track and kicks butt when necessary........triple check! X
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faith
24/4/2013 06:12:57 am
Dearest Gill, I am smiling reading your blog - you will absolutely nail this in August - i have no doubts at all. It is very boring here without you so hurry back in June and meanwhile keep telling us how you are. Remember we can facetime as well. Loads of Love Faithxxx
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Gill Thomas
25/4/2013 05:44:17 am
Aww miss you too Faith - not long to wait though! Xx
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