Pages

Friday, June 13, 2008

first swim lesson

so the other day at the pool I got the itch to try to swim a lap after every one's encouraging words to try to swim.  
I pulled aside someone from the swim team to see if she would teach me a few things to get me across the pool.  She happily agreed and then I chickened out and said - What was I thinking?  She started chanting, "just do it, just do it, just do it!" over and over until I got the guts to go over to the lap pool. ( I know how to swim but have never been taught how to swim a lap for real)
She was very helpful and let me borrow her goggles but didn't have a swim cap so my hair kept getting in my face.  
She taught me a few tips and I was trying not to be too embarrassed in case anyone could hear or see me. 
Then she got out of the pool and walked along side me as I was giving it my best.  She would jump in a few times to tell me to hold my hands like a spoon not a fork, or to show me how to turn my head.  
This swimming thing is hard! I could barely make it to the end of the pool.  I have a whole new appreciation watching the swim team kids swim everyday.
I spent about half an hour with my on the spot instructor and was amazed at how much I had learned. 
I realized I needed some goggles and swim cap if I was going to give this another try.  I really want to continue to try new things as I get older and not be afraid - so this is a good way to test out that dream.
I don't know if I will have the guts to wear them at the pool, but could not miss the chance to take a photo of me in them.
... and thanks to my new swim coach - Annie Kate you are an awesome teacher and it was truly a bonding mom and daughter moment!

30 comments:

Mrs. McDaniel said...

YAY for you Kristi! Keep practicing. I'm glad you have a great coach!

You inspire me so much!

stacy{s} said...

I seriously gasped out loud when it was AK who was your coach. Such a great story. So proud of you for trying new stuff. that is one thing that I am not very good at. I'll only try new things if I know I can do it perfectly. So that obviously eliminates lots of stuff. That darn perfectionism syndrome! Thanks for the example to follow.

melanie said...

Love this story. Finding out that AK is your new personal coach put a full on smile on my face! You look great in the cap and goggles. Go Kristi!!

Jill said...

What a cute picture of you!

This is such a sweet post, I love it that Annie Kate was the one teaching you how to swim better. That's great!

andrea said...

Awesome! You are so inspiring and what a great example for Annie Kate. I bet you made her day!

Anonymous said...

This is the best story! Love the picture- I totally hope you wear the to the pool for another lesson!

Mary Elizabeth said...

Good for you!!! I used to swim a little and keep wishing I would again. Thanks for the inspiration!!!!

Keep up the great work!!

M.E. :)

Traci said...

That is sooo awesome! What a great time with your daughter for sure and what better way to learn than from her!
Keep it up girl!

Kim Sue said...

how special for you and AK. not only did she get to be a teacher but she got to see her mom going after something she wanted. Go girl!

patsy said...

wow so impressed. I am completely scared of water & don't swim at all.
Again--- you're amazing kristi!!!!

Lauralee said...

at first glance I thought that was a picture of AK! you look great.. love the story! perfect coach!

shauna said...

Glad to see you are taking the plunge! You will be SO glad that you did. ( I know that I was when I learned as an adult, more so I think, than -if I had learned as a "kid":) Just think, you'll be ready for a triathlon (or just a lovely dip in the pool!:) You go girl! :)

Alisa said...

I love this! Such a great thing to be able to have your daughter "teach" you something, and at the same time you being able to teach her to "stretch" out of the comfort zone!

Julie said...

Way to go Kristi! I can just see Annie Kate coaching you from the side lines and then jumping in to help you do it right. Thanks for sharing your special mom/daughter moment! Love you!

The 5 Bickies said...

I love that it was AK who was your coach. You look like a pro in your cap and goggles. It is hard to swim...keep it up!

Barb said...

That was a cute post. I never guessed that AK was your instructor!

Quelly said...

only you can make a swim cap adorable!

Price Cream Parlor said...

I LOVE that Annike Kate was your instructor! That is AWESOME! Totally made me smile! I could totally visualize that! Excitement on both ends - yours and hers- for sure! Honestly - cute photo of your in the cap and goggles! Way to go! I have tried to do new things as I am getting older. I have added to my list most recently - snowboarding,ziplining, and kayacking. SO much fun!
So great that you have a new appreciation for the swimmers!

Allison said...

Watch out Triathalon here comes Kristi!

LJ, DC and ML said...

You look super cute, and hurray for your AWESOME coach! Love you and AK

tootie said...

I admire how you always make an effort to try new things!

A new hobby always makes life more fun - and it's always a confidence boost to know that you can learn something new!

wende said...

i'm so proud of you! good job and keep at it! anyone that looks that cute in swim cap and goggles should definitely be swimming in them! just getting the swim cap on is a talent all by itself!

i have so enjoyed getting caught up on your blog. you are the cutest mom EVER. i really mean that, your kids (and their teachers) are so lucky to have you!

denice said...

Nice job Kristi! I'm excited for the post about you and AK comparing swim workouts and times. You are going to love how swimming makes you feel.

Charity said...

I love kids! Especially when they use something they know to help others...whey to go Annie Kate!

michelle said...

I was floored when I got to the end of the story! What a cool experience for you both -- and who else could look as cute in swim goggles and a swim cap?!

Liz said...

AK was your instructor! THat is awesome! Good for you! You can get some really good results from swimming without the stress of running on your joints.

Shauna said...

Hooray for you!

Amanda said...

This is so sweet! What a wonderful memory and hopefully more great lessons to follow! You should keep it up. Great cross-training for running.

Bond Girl 007 said...

hey kristi you look like a PRO! hooray for you! I love it.

Bond Girl 007 said...

ps...I tried kick boxing, and shadow boxing at the gym and I have a new appreciation for those boxers, I have so many muscles that hurt, even my flabby tummy hurted...how can that be! ayayayayay!