Categories: uncategorized
Date: 09 November 2008 22:47:01
Do I ache or do I ache? They reckon (whoever "they" may be) that it isn't the day after exercising that the pain kicks in, but the day after that. I think I can confirm that they (whoever "they" may be) are correct.
I survived Remembrance Day. The Smudgelet nearly didn't (survive Remembrance Day, that is) when I found him sitting answering his emails, stark naked under his dressing gown. I'd thought he was already washed and dressed and ready to go when he asked to use my computer! But he brushed up quite nicely, thank you very much, and I was a proud mummy when he was asked to be an escort in the colour party. He did a good job of it, despite having been in a grump at being told off.
This afternoon I took the plunge - literally. Well, if I'm going to get fit I'm going to have to overcome, somehow, the invitation of my comfy and welcoming sofa and force myself to do things... and somehow I managed it today. I wouldn't listen to any of my protestations, I just took myself off, kicking and screaming, to the pool where I proceeded to swim 16 lengths. (We won't mention the "breathing breaks" at the end of each length).
To start with I was worried that I was even less fit than I'd thought as I was swimming for all I was worth and yet making very little progress. I was quite relieved when I finally realised that the lane I was swimming in was the one where the water slide discharged its overflow of water and I was effectively swimming against the current! I'll tell you one thing, it's the hardest 16 lengths I've ever swum and I feel extra-virtuous as a result.
I'm kicking myself, though, for my cowardice. My word, I get more like my Dad every day. I swam alongside a young woman and we got chatting. She and I seemed to have equal energy levels and swimming speed and strangely it turned out that we were both aiming for 16 lengths, both struggling to stay motivated, and both at the same number of lengths, so we swam together and kept each other going. In the changing room we continued to chat and get to know one another. She was new to the Island and just starting to get herself exercising.
"Smudgie," I said to myself, "you're longing for a friend of your own age or younger on the Island, someone to exercise with and help with motivation. Here's your chance. You both got on well and enjoyed swimming together, why not ask if she'd like to swim together again?" It would have been so easy. I bet she'd have said yes. But what happened? That little niggle of doubt slipped in and I chickened out.
Maybe she'll be there next time.
I see Jack the Lass has posted about our day together in Glasgow - the women in red hitting the Science Centre (together with small boy and a purple cow called Bertha). I deny everything! I shall post about our Great Scotland Adventure as soon as I regain the feeling in my arm and shoulder muscles..... it may be some time!