This is a copy of her e-mail to Julie. 

 

Hi there Julie,

 

Catherine Marker here. You’ll be pleased to know that after my summer holiday I’ve booked myself in for a course of swimming lessons on a one-to-one basis with a swimming instructor recommended by my Pilates teacher. Bet you never thought you’d hear me say that, hey?

 

Thank you once again for your help – I thought I’d never get into a swimming pool without my life depending on it. Our holiday was more relaxed than I thought possible, and I even took the kids swimming on my own the first week that we were away. Although I didn’t attempt any swimming myself that week, I did sit in the water and play, which boosted my confidence no end.

 

The second week, when we had a small outdoor pool to ourselves, I felt braver. The first day I swam a width with a float – only about 5 metres, but that’s 5 metres further than I’ve swum for about 10 years. The next day I tried a length with a float, again not far, only about 8 or 10 metres, but I felt like I was making progress. By the end of the week, I had jumped in, put my head right under the water and picked up toys from the floor of the pool, and swum several lengths without the float!!

 

Even my husband commented on the fact that I had got in the pool every day, and the kids gave me "hug awards" every time I managed something new, which was lovely. I don’t think I’ll make the Olympic team, but I’m going to have the lessons to try and learn properly – I’m booked in with an instructor who teaches adults who are complete beginners, and several have been very scared, so he knows how to build confidence. I’ll let you know how I get on.

 

Thanks again,

 

Catherine

 

X

 

PS an update for you – have booked my second lesson having actually enjoyed my first one. Bloody hell, never thought that would ever be possible! Actually managed to swim quite a few widths of breast stroke, which is a stroke I’ve never managed to do before.