The cousin of one of the members of our running group recently came back from living in the USA for the last 4 years. Her and her 3-year-old son are living with her Mum while her husband has stayed on to complete the last year of his work contract. With no friends in the area, she is finding it tough. My running friend asked if she arranged something that she knew her cousin would be interested in, would we mind going along with it. I agreed thinking she was talking about going for lunch or something. So, Thursday night I get a message, “Are you OK with going swimming tomorrow?”.
Now I don’t mind going to the pool, we take the little ones quite often, however, for my part, there is not a lot of swimming involved. The last time I actually swam was before I had the little ones, and then it was only a couple on lengths.
So Friday, up early and went for a run. Just a 5K, then a shower, and get the little ones ready for school. Once back home, jumped in the car to meet up at the pool. It seemed really odd going without the little ones.
I had not really thought about it much, I had assumed we would just have a little swim and chat, however, the pool was divided into lanes, and it was a case of swim lengths or not get in at all. The two outside lanes were occupied but there was a middle lane free, so we got in there. I know you are supposed to be able to run and talk at the same time, but swimming and talking brings its own problems but we gave it a go.
Our friend’s cousin obviously spends a lot of time in the pool and was off like a shot but then slowed down when she realised that we were not up to her speed. I was quite surprised that after 4 lengths I still felt OK, last time I went swimming, 2 lengths left me gasping for breath at the end. We carried on and I lost count of how many lengths we did but we had spent well over an hour in the pool. I was really pleased with myself; my running has obviously improved my fitness considerably and this has been passed on in my swimming.
Once out we visited the café for a drink and had a good chat. When our friend’s cousin first moved to the USA, she did not know she was pregnant, and at first liked it out there. However, last year, one of their friends shot his wife and a guy in his house because he thought she was having an affair (she was actually arranging a birthday surprise for him). They both survived but gave our friends cousin a fear of guns. When she found out that the elementary school that her son would be going to are proud that they have metal detectors that all parents and children must pass through when going into school, rather than comfort her, it petrified her, particularly after hearing of school shootings. That was the final straw, and she came back. Her husband had to stay to finish his contract as the financial impact would be devastating for them. I can fully understand her not wanting to live there with that fear. She is staying with her mum until they can find somewhere permanent. Her own house in the UK is rented out.
When we left, she thanked us for inviting her along and we said we would have to meet up again.
My Saturday morning run was OK but felt a little stiff, but by the evening I was beginning to ache (everywhere!!). I think the running helped with the cardio aspects of swimming and allowed me to do a lot more than I have in the past, however, my muscles must have found it new and started to complain a bit. I may have overdone it for my first time but did enjoy it so it may become a regular thing if the others are up for it.
Swim 100 metres? Check. Run 3k? Check. 
First venture out alone on crutches
