I'm a bit hesitant to report that there was no Lesson #12 today so I have gone out with a fizzle rather than a bang.
The boss decided late this afternoon that we needed to write a paper for one of my projects and as I won't be at work tomorrow I had to get it done this afternoon/evening. This meant I didn't leave work until well and truly after the lesson had started (and finished for that matter). So no last hurrah for swim classes and to be brutally honest I hadn't exactly been looking forward to it in any case. I think that in my mind I had already decided I had come as far as I could with those lessons and was now turning my sights to practise and drills.
So while I want to look ahead rather than back I think I need to reflect on my 9 lessons.
Did I think they were worth it? ab-sol-utely!!!!
Being able to put my face in the water and not getting water down my nose and throat has been a monumental accomplishment for me and even if that was the only thing I got out of it it would have been worth it. It has given me a greater sense of comfort and confidence in the water and let me enjoy being in and around water more than I have in, well forever. I can now move around in the water in a more relaxed way and am starting to do something that resembles swimming. While I was hoping to be swimming better by now I do need to remind myself that 9 lessons is really only about 4 hours of instruction and when I look at it like that it's not tooooo band (given where I started from!). I think I probably did let myself down a bit by not practising enough in my spare time though.
Would I recommend lessons? yes!
I still think it is important to look around before committing to anywhere though and if I had my time again I would be asking for more information about the teaching style and program. I also think one on one is best for the first half a dozen or so lessons but I admit that it was nice to share stories with the other girls in my lessons and also be left alone to try things out.
Will I re-enrol next term? no.
As I have said before, I think I have come as far as I can with Jackie and freestyle for now. I do think that in time I will go back to some form of lesson for stroke correction but that's too far off to think about at the moment.
Where to from here?
As I mentioned in my last post I am embarking on the Total Immersion form of self instruction. I have no idea how this will go but given it relies heavily on moving through a series of drills I can do it at my own pace. I figure I have nothing to lose by just giving it a try. Whilst the cooler weather is already a challenge I can't let that be an easy excuse. Swimming will however now most likely take place only on the weekends and I already have my sights set on a buddy who may be willing to commit to regular sessions at the pool with me.
Is this the end of my blog? No. :)
Just because the swimming lessons are over doesn't mean the end of my blog. I am still committed to this learn to swim mission and almost feel accountable to my blog if I give up!
Kudos to you.
ReplyDeleteI am not a strong swimmer, despite growing up with a pool in the back yard, and swimming lessons.
I remember in high school I was terrified of swimming classes and would cling to the side of the pool, looking creepy in my bathing cap.
I can swim under water like a mermaid but thats as far as I go.