Fastest 10k ever and swimming problems

Yesterday I did the traditional first 10k of the season, in Prestwood. This is a lovely route if you love hills, starts off going down a little, then up a little then down, down, down a long way followed by up, up, up a long way, to the 5k mark. Well, after all the hill training, it paid off, steamed up the big hill no problem and got round the whole thing in 53:04, was a little disappointed as I really want to do a 10k in sub 50mins but when I checked my time for last year I realised that I’d knocked off almost 5 and a half minutes off it – 58:26 last year – whahey, bit chuffed with myself now.

The next challenge is a triathlon, should be no problem after running the marathon, 400m swim, 20k bike ride and 5k run – apart from I have never learnt to do front crawl. I was taught breast stroke and reverted to back crawl of which I was school champion and am still quite fast. The thing is, I hate getting my nose under water which makes breathing in front crawl a little difficult, I can do it with a nose clip on but still have a problem breathing properly.

So I had a lesson with my friend Kate, who is a super duper bloody brilliant swimmer and swimming teacher. Got in her pool and as soon as she asked me to put my head under water and blow bubbles out through my nose I felt myself instantly reverting to being 5 years old in Redcar baths at my first swimming lesson. Wanting to scream for my Mum and trying to stop myself having a total strop.

So, bit of deep breathing and telling myself I’m 43 not 5, get a grip, you’re the one who wants to do these stupid things, it’s only swimming, stop being so flipping pathetic – no doesn’t work, I’m still 5 and still want to have a total strop…………anyway 45 minutes later Kate has me swimming lengths breathing out through my nose, in through my mouth and I haven’t drowned yet. This is such a confidence thing with me, why can’t I just be satisfied with NOT wearing a bikini, give up and grow old gracefully – hah, no way, I have an 11 year old daughter driving me on as she thinks it’s really cool to have a Mum who runs marathons and does triathlons…………..so, front crawl, you are going to get conquered in less than 7 weeks, panic!