Swimming with KT

Tonight KT came with me to swimming lessons and met Jennie.

She was really cute and really funny, so very interested in everything.  She asked a million questions while we were there ... why is there a smaller pool, why are there numbers at the end of each lane, do the lane ropes go all the way down to the bottom, which one is the teacher, are these the people in my class, what are there names, is the water cold, where will I sit, will I be able to see you, will you be able to see me, can I help you put on your flippers ....

Then when she listened to Jennie's instructions she said to me "I know what she wanted you to do, I think I could do it perfectly".   I think it is so much easier to listen and take in instructions when you are not the one in the water ... because I think the same thing when I hear her coach telling her things in the pool LOL!!!

I planned tonight's itinerary with military precision and it went without a hitch.  We took pooch for a walk at the usual time, came in and I had a shower and changed into my swimsuit, then KT had a shower after me (instead of a bath), I had promised her a hungry jack's dinner so after we were dry and dressed we drove through the drive through and bought chicken nuggets and chips for her.  While she ate them at home, I finished my preparations ... putting in contact lenses, putting my hair up etc.  We arrived at the pool right on time.

There were only 3 of us there ... last week there were 5, the week before there were 6, the week before that 7 and the week before that 5.  Hopefully people come back next week because if there are not enough consistent numbers the class may get cancelled. Apparently they need at least 4 or 5 to make it worth them keeping the lights on etc.

I got plenty of attention tonight and Jennie really focused on butterfly.  She said so much stuff and I really wasn't doing anything right ... i need time to digest the information ... but I think if I can remember everything she said and think about it and practice it I may be ok.  Lots to practice.  I really wish I had a video of her demonstrating the stroke to me ... she does all the actions for you on land (out of the water).

From what I can remember I have to lead with my head and arms, head, bottom, feet.  The head and arms lead and the bottom follows and then the feet have to follow (relax and undulate along with the rest of the body) and they actually have to come up out of the water.  She got me on the right track when she indicated I should try to lead with my head and arms as if I was trying to go into a hoop that was lying on top of the water, then the bottom follows and so should the feet  BUT you have to keep your arms straight in front and once you have undulated you have to come up to the surface of the water again ....I was going down further and further.  If your arms and hands point down, that is where you go ... so they have to come back up to the surface of the water again.

She said I had a good dolphin kick when I do 3 dolphin kicks then one breaststroke arms, but when I tried to incorporate butterfly arms things went awry.  She also does not want me to try breathing ... just try to do 2 or 3 strokes with head down to get a feel for the motion and then stand up for a breath when I need one.

I  am also not supposed to start moving my arms downward to push the water until after my whole body has completed one dolphin undulate ... ie. Head~Bottom~Feet, then push the water with arms, pushing with thumbs down, right back until past my hips and then arms over keeping thumbs in same position and rotating shoulders.

I can also try doing just one butterfly arm at a time - and when I do it I have to bring it down into the water in front of me and then extend (stretch) forward (I guess this is where the next head, bottom, feet comes in ... Then alternate to give both arms a go .... not sure if this will be easier or not ... will have to practise.

I didn't even get a chance to do backstroke tonight ... and when I did freestyle Jennie commented that my elbows come back too far and out of the water.  I need to do a full stroke back past my hip (ending with my arms straight) and then rotate my arm forward (kind of like in butterfly how your arm does a bit of a circle).

Hmmmpfff I think I'm doing great at the beginning of the lesson and by the end I am confused, kerfuzzled, tired ... but very eager to come back and get things straightened out in my mind on Friday.

I am working with the computer on my photos at the moment and working on a how to diary so that I know what the best way to work with my photos is ... which is the best program for burning CD's and DVD's etc


Ahhhh where is the spell check function on this new improved posting thing ..... help! what do I need a strikethrough function for goodness sakes WHAT ABOUT SPELLCHECK!