SWIM CHALLENGE

I can’t swim. Well, I can as in that I won’t drown when I’m thrown into the pool, but I can’t swim fast – or do front crawl. A few of my friends have recently got into doing triathlons, and one is even doing an iron man this year. She is very inspirational, and has been trying to get me into doing a half ironman with her and another friend this September. I’d love to, but I’d first have to practice swimming. A lot.

I pick things up relatively quickly when it comes to fitness, but my main worry is that I won’t enjoy swimming. I never really have. (UnlessI’m swimming towards the pool bar on holiday.) In terms of a tri, I’d also need to train cycling. (I used to teach spinning for years but besides that, I haven’t been on a bike for years.)

I’m now thinking I should start with one or the other. And after seeing that bikes are about £2000, I think I’ll start with swimming. As I don’t even own a swimsuit, I reckoned I should invest in one that is gorgeous and will make me want to get in the cold yucky pool… As much as I love the Stella McCartney bikini above, I don’t think that it would be the best option for a competitive swim. The back of this other McCartney number is great even if the print isn’t totally me. I have added it into my Net a Porter shopping bag…

I also really like the We are Handsome ones, but I don’t think I should be spending £200 on a swimsuit. This horse print is pretty cute, but I think I’ll stick to my original choice of the Stella McCartney one, as it promises to “enhance your swimming performance.”

I’d love to hear how any of you get on with swimming, how hard it is to learn front crawl and also please share any tips you may have at all.