The training has picked up a gear now, both with the coaches and my effort outside of these sessions. I've basically had a swim, gone for a bike ride or a long walk every day in the past week. it seems to be paying off which is good. i was pretty happy with my effort last night- my stroke is starting to feel really good and my coach seems to be happy (but there's a chance he's just being encouraging). My lane -the lowest one before the people who can't really swim any great distance- was empty bar me last night due to some dropping out, some dropping down and some moving up. This was a good thing though cause it meant i didn't have to worry about getting stuck behind anyone and could luxuriate in the whole lane. But as a result i was keeping an eye on the better lane next to me and was pretty well keeping up with people who were actually fit. We swam a total of 1.75ks last night which, though broken up, is the furthest i have ever swam.
I took my enthusiasm down to the beach this morning to do manly to shelly. The surf had other ideas as it was huge and messy. i walked to Shelly instead and planned to swim to Manly. This didn't work so well as i had a bit of a crisis of confidence as i hit the waves drawing out to the bower. Being really early (before 6) not many people were about and i felt pretty isolated. Visibility was practically 0 and i didn't feel like i was really going anywhere so i wussed out and swam back in. Not a long swim at all and i was pretty dirty with myself after getting out. I plan to get right back on the horse tomorrow morning and just push through.
On a positive note, being so disappointed with myself, i pledged to ride all the way up the hill without getting off and pushing (for anyone who doesn't know i live on top of a huge hill). i normally go up Margaret st and end up pushing for about 30 or so metre and then ride the rest of the way up woods. today i pushed through which was great but now means i can't allow myself to get off again. What have i done?!
On the fundraising side i'm really happy. I've gotten donations from only a handful of people but those people have been very generous (particularly Jane and Lyn, thanks again guys) and i am well on my way to my half way total. I was thinking i was going to have to work harder at the fundraising than the swimming but if this early generosity continues i will have no problems at all.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Week 2
I've been told that i was a little too negative and cynical in my first post so be prepared for some sweetness and light (the fact that beno referred to cantoo as charity nazis kind of gives it away!)
I had my first surf session on Saturday and it was lots of fun. i actually had some stuff about the surf explained to me which really complimented what i have decided for myself over the years. We must have looked a sight- about 50 people of varying ages and body shapes donning bright orange swim caps running through the breaking waves and porpoising through waves about 1 foot high. I took a pretty cool trip on the escalator (rip at the point of south steyne) and realised i do need my goggles if only for a small swim.
The bad news was it was bloody hard. it's one thing to run into the surf and then have a nice little swim. it's just silly to run into the surf, around a dude in a wetsuit and back onto the beach to do it again.
It was nice tho to meet a bunch of new people and the fact that Maya and Eva were hanging around worked wonders with the ladies (note to all the boys find some small kid and act like their yours- you can sort out the truth later- and watch them swarm).
The second pool session was pretty cool too. We found out that one person has raised the minimum already which makes my $0 look a little sad (hint hint). Having said that she works for Macquarie and her efforts totalled emailing her workmates!
I've also been putting in some effort outside of the standard sessions which has been fun (swimming laps and walking etc) and horrible (core strength). Overall i think things are coming along really well. i'll try to get some photos and stuff to make future posts a bit more interesting.
Thanks for taking the time and please comment so i don't feel like i'm writing for myself
I had my first surf session on Saturday and it was lots of fun. i actually had some stuff about the surf explained to me which really complimented what i have decided for myself over the years. We must have looked a sight- about 50 people of varying ages and body shapes donning bright orange swim caps running through the breaking waves and porpoising through waves about 1 foot high. I took a pretty cool trip on the escalator (rip at the point of south steyne) and realised i do need my goggles if only for a small swim.
The bad news was it was bloody hard. it's one thing to run into the surf and then have a nice little swim. it's just silly to run into the surf, around a dude in a wetsuit and back onto the beach to do it again.
It was nice tho to meet a bunch of new people and the fact that Maya and Eva were hanging around worked wonders with the ladies (note to all the boys find some small kid and act like their yours- you can sort out the truth later- and watch them swarm).
The second pool session was pretty cool too. We found out that one person has raised the minimum already which makes my $0 look a little sad (hint hint). Having said that she works for Macquarie and her efforts totalled emailing her workmates!
I've also been putting in some effort outside of the standard sessions which has been fun (swimming laps and walking etc) and horrible (core strength). Overall i think things are coming along really well. i'll try to get some photos and stuff to make future posts a bit more interesting.
Thanks for taking the time and please comment so i don't feel like i'm writing for myself
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Here goes nothing
For anyone who doesn't know i have started to train to do the Macquarie big swim- palm beach to whale beach (a ridiculous 2.7ks)- with cantoo Australia. The basic premise is they provide me with free coaching in return for me raising money for cancer research. The only issue with this is i need to raise a minimum of $1250. This is where you all come into it. If i don't raise the money these lovely altruistic people will come at me with my credit card details in hand and attack (more fool them tho- i don't have $1000 on my credit card).
Now, being completely honest curing cancer is not something entirely close to my heart. It is no doubt a very worthy cause but hand on heart i'm here for the free coaching. But the beauty part is that the program does do really good things. The money raised goes directly to funding academics researching cures for cancer. They have raised something like $2.5mill already and are keeping a whole bunch of research going. As cynical as you all know i am i do think that's pretty cool.
The real deal with why i'm doing this is because i have been seriously lacking motivation in the fitness department after the arrival of the lovely Eva and need some sort of structured routine to kick my butt into action. Also i love to swim and have wanted to do an ocean race for some time now, but again motivation has been left wanting.
So, where you all come in is twopart. Firstly you can help me raise money for a really cool cause. I know in these times we all have donor fatigue and i do appreciate any enthusiasm for this type of support. The second way you all come into it is because sponsoring me is not only giving money to cancer research but also showing your support for me : ) ie, the more people with money riding on me actually doing this thing the more obliged i am to do it. So if you have any interest in seeing me drag my lazy butt into action, or just want to see if i can actually swim 2.7ks in the ocean jump on board.
I have links on this page to sponsorship forms and an online sponsorship section if you want to start giving. My suggestion would be for people to sponsor $2 for every 100 metres i swim ($56) but any amount, smaller or larger, would be greatly appreciated. I will also be emailing and generally harrassing everyone i know over the next couple of months so you don't forget. All donations over $2 are, of course, tax deductable.
On top of you just giving me money outright i have a bunch of interesting ideas for fundraisers along the way. i don't want to give too much away but jelly wrestling is certainly at the top of the list.
Over the course of this blog i will keep you updated about my progress and give you a little insight into the inner workings of my mind. I hope it will actually be interesting and not overly self-indulgent but who knows.
I've already started training, with a pool session and a surf session and i will give you all a more comprehensive update of how it's going in my next post.
Cheers!
Now, being completely honest curing cancer is not something entirely close to my heart. It is no doubt a very worthy cause but hand on heart i'm here for the free coaching. But the beauty part is that the program does do really good things. The money raised goes directly to funding academics researching cures for cancer. They have raised something like $2.5mill already and are keeping a whole bunch of research going. As cynical as you all know i am i do think that's pretty cool.
The real deal with why i'm doing this is because i have been seriously lacking motivation in the fitness department after the arrival of the lovely Eva and need some sort of structured routine to kick my butt into action. Also i love to swim and have wanted to do an ocean race for some time now, but again motivation has been left wanting.
So, where you all come in is twopart. Firstly you can help me raise money for a really cool cause. I know in these times we all have donor fatigue and i do appreciate any enthusiasm for this type of support. The second way you all come into it is because sponsoring me is not only giving money to cancer research but also showing your support for me : ) ie, the more people with money riding on me actually doing this thing the more obliged i am to do it. So if you have any interest in seeing me drag my lazy butt into action, or just want to see if i can actually swim 2.7ks in the ocean jump on board.
I have links on this page to sponsorship forms and an online sponsorship section if you want to start giving. My suggestion would be for people to sponsor $2 for every 100 metres i swim ($56) but any amount, smaller or larger, would be greatly appreciated. I will also be emailing and generally harrassing everyone i know over the next couple of months so you don't forget. All donations over $2 are, of course, tax deductable.
On top of you just giving me money outright i have a bunch of interesting ideas for fundraisers along the way. i don't want to give too much away but jelly wrestling is certainly at the top of the list.
Over the course of this blog i will keep you updated about my progress and give you a little insight into the inner workings of my mind. I hope it will actually be interesting and not overly self-indulgent but who knows.
I've already started training, with a pool session and a surf session and i will give you all a more comprehensive update of how it's going in my next post.
Cheers!
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