My new Saturday morning routine is now incorporating a swim. Although going to the pool was not unusual for me, actually doing some swimming was. My previous efforts, were just that, an effort and I had not really bothered trying.
I sort of got pushed into it (not literally) when agreeing to help out a running friends cousin meet new people after she moved back from the USA. I had assumed we were going for lunch or something, when swimming was arranged I was surprised but went along.
My previous swimming attempts were pre-C25K and it pleased me when I now found it a lot easier than before. Running obviously has improved my fitness and I can do length after length rather than beginning to panic at the 3/4 way point on a length.
I still go for a run before, but am now limiting this to a 5K outing before the little ones are up and about.
This weeks run was great, nice and bright, nice and cool and nice and dry!! Back home and showered and ready for the day.
We got to the pool and planned a new routine. Mr. GI and myself stay with the little ones in the small pool for a while, then I go off for a swim. Once I am done, I get out, dried and changed and Mr. GI sends in the little ones while he has a swim. When they are ready, we wait in the café for him. The pool is not the closest to us, but has men's, women's and family changing areas. Very handy as we can both get the little ones ready if needed.
The main pool has two lanes roped off on once side for those that want to swim lengths which is great (usually). The etiquette seems to be, swim up on the left of the lane, down on the right. Slower swimmers in the lane nearest the pool edge. I seem to fit in with the slow swimmer group.
There was one woman in the slower lane who rather than keep to the edge of the lane, swam up and down in the middle. This meant a clash of arms as you passed or missing a stroke. Not a disaster, just an annoyance.
I finished my swim and signaled to my husband that I was getting out and went to get changed just at the same time the lane hog woman got out, typical!!
I gathered my belongings from the locker and looked for a free changing room. The lane hog woman passed me with a towel and bottle of something in her hand. She proceeded to the shower area (which clearly states to be used before entering the pool but I never see anyone do that) and in full view, takes off her swim suit!! Maybe she had not realised, but she was in the family changing area, a man could walk in at any moment. Before I could say anything (as it turned out, quite luckily) another woman with a young baby pointed this out. The response was not what I expected; Lane hog woman ripped into the other lady telling her not to stick her nose in where it is not needed and the language she used was definitely not suitable for a family environment. The lady with the baby said she was only trying to avoid embarrassment on behalf of her, or a man that may come in. Lane hog woman then told her in no uncertain terms that she was quite comfortable in her skin and if others have an issue with her, then its their problem, again punctuated with several four-letter words.
By the time I emerged from my changing room, the drama was over and the naked woman nowhere in sight thankfully. After a few minutes my husband brought in the little ones and then went off for his swim.
This woman appeared to be on her own, so although there is nothing preventing her using the family changing area, considering there are a limited number of changing cubicles, it would be courteous to use the women's facilities, particularly if she wants to strip off. It wasn't so much her nudity that I found offensive, it was he attitude to the other lady (who was trying to help) and the language used. I was just glad my lot were not there to witness it.
Apart from that unfortunate incident, I am enjoying my new (additional) form of exercise and am sure it helps my flexibility as I can feel the difference in posture between running and swimming (breast stroke). I am also using my upper body more too, so it can only be a good thing.
Training with an athlete
