I'm addicted to... swimming. Well, exercise really (running mainly - even the gale force winds last week didn't stop me from fitting in my running) but I don't think there's been a week in the last few years that I haven't fitted in at least 2 miles of swimming. Whether I've been on holiday or been to the city for a few days I've ensured the Hotel has had a pool that I can swim lengths. I mostly swim on Wednesdays and Fridays at 7 before work, a minimum of 1 mile each time, sometimes 2 kilometres, sometimes squeezing in an extra session at the weekend if I can. I don't really do any drills just use it as thinking time mainly - planning lessons, brainstorming ideas or planning recipes.
During the summer I was trying to swim 4 or more times per week, everyday abroad. All sounds good. But then, hang on a minute - wasn't it the summer that my hip was getting more and more painful? I started talking to some of my other running friends about my hip injury (who also swam) and they concurred that their hip pain went away when they stopped swimming. We all swim very similar - front crawl, only rotating to breathe on the right. We chatted away on our Christmas night out about it "you can do it Elaine, you can break the cycle.... if I can give it up, you can too!" they said giving me encouragement, meanwhile I clung on to my wine glass nodding my head, agreeing, but deep down thinking I can't give it up! If anyone overheard our conversation they would've thought we were talking about smoking, alcohol or drugs. No, just swimming. I fobbed it off, thinking, I'll give up at Xmas but I've already collected the Christmas leisure centre opening hours leaflet and mentally planned out my swims around the days off. However, sure enough after my swim yesterday morning my hip pain returned and it got me thinking. Could it really be that swimming NOT running has given me this injury?!
All of the above, however, seems trivial when reality comes knocking at your door. Nelson Mandela wasn't the only great person to pass away last Thursday. Marion, Stuart's much loved Gran sadly was taken from us. It wasn't a shock to anyone, she had been ill for the last few years but it still doesn't take away the sadness of the loss of such a wonderful, caring and kind person. Stuart's Mum always described her as a person who would be "killing you with kindness" as every time we saw her she would feed you with rolls, tea, biscuits and cakes! She was generous to the core and doted on her grand children. It's obviously in the genes as Stuart's Mum could certainly be described as very similar! After her long period of illness and needing so much care, at least now she is at peace. Her funeral took place this week and although it was upsetting, the close-knit family came together and remembered her and the good times. Stuart's Mum asked me to read a poem at the service. A poem actually written by Stuart - when he was 11! It was entitled "My Gran" and it was so sweet. It completely summed up Marion's personality and spirit. I don't think an adults words would've done her justice. Marion herself loved that poem and carried it around in her purse all these years. Life is so busy and time is going so fast, it takes times like these to realise that you have to make time to slow down sometimes and appreciate what you have before it's gone.
I really want to do that this Christmas. I'm looking forward to some time off work just to relax and be with family and friends. Work has been hectic but enjoyable particularly the seniors ceilidh dancing on Friday where all of them joined in and gave it laldy! I'm starting to get into the festive mood - the Christmas tree and decorations are up at Bodega, Santa Dash completed (only 3 miles due to a Bodega after party...), shopping done and presents are in the process of being wrapped. A few token mince pies have been demolished and xmas party nights out (see my food diary below, December really isn't a good month!) and the customary Christmas movie watching has begun with some of my favourites The Holiday, Elf and Miracle on 34th Street. Just to look out that Christmas jumper now and try to keep away from that swimming pool - wish me luck!
All of the above, however, seems trivial when reality comes knocking at your door. Nelson Mandela wasn't the only great person to pass away last Thursday. Marion, Stuart's much loved Gran sadly was taken from us. It wasn't a shock to anyone, she had been ill for the last few years but it still doesn't take away the sadness of the loss of such a wonderful, caring and kind person. Stuart's Mum always described her as a person who would be "killing you with kindness" as every time we saw her she would feed you with rolls, tea, biscuits and cakes! She was generous to the core and doted on her grand children. It's obviously in the genes as Stuart's Mum could certainly be described as very similar! After her long period of illness and needing so much care, at least now she is at peace. Her funeral took place this week and although it was upsetting, the close-knit family came together and remembered her and the good times. Stuart's Mum asked me to read a poem at the service. A poem actually written by Stuart - when he was 11! It was entitled "My Gran" and it was so sweet. It completely summed up Marion's personality and spirit. I don't think an adults words would've done her justice. Marion herself loved that poem and carried it around in her purse all these years. Life is so busy and time is going so fast, it takes times like these to realise that you have to make time to slow down sometimes and appreciate what you have before it's gone.
I really want to do that this Christmas. I'm looking forward to some time off work just to relax and be with family and friends. Work has been hectic but enjoyable particularly the seniors ceilidh dancing on Friday where all of them joined in and gave it laldy! I'm starting to get into the festive mood - the Christmas tree and decorations are up at Bodega, Santa Dash completed (only 3 miles due to a Bodega after party...), shopping done and presents are in the process of being wrapped. A few token mince pies have been demolished and xmas party nights out (see my food diary below, December really isn't a good month!) and the customary Christmas movie watching has begun with some of my favourites The Holiday, Elf and Miracle on 34th Street. Just to look out that Christmas jumper now and try to keep away from that swimming pool - wish me luck!
No comments:
Post a Comment