I'll Take You To The Candy Shop

As promised, tonight I swam! I did my full mile again, 50 minutes seems to be my standard pace. All helped along tonight as I had my waterproof MP3 player to listen to... I won't be able to listen to it for my actual swim (dems da rules) but it really does help to pass the time when I swim.

A lot of people have asked about my MP3 player, it's a Sony one that I spotted on Amazon & my sister in law bought me for my birthday:

I have quite a broad appreciation for music and so the music on there ranges from classical to hip hop and rap to 90's boy bands & even my friend's band My Psycho Analyst (they're pretty good you should check them out!).

Tonight I discovered the most PERFECT song to swim to, the beat it right in sync with my stroke... Candy Shop by 50 Cent! Just need to remind myself not to sing out loud to that one in the public baths, as if my singing isn't bad enough, it is rather explicit! Another  favourites to swim to is Goo Goo Dolls - Iris, this is just a favourite song in general but does have a good beat as does my all time favourite song RUBY by the Kaiser Chiefs... Just wish I knew someone called Ruby so that I could sing it to her!

Oh yes, nearly forgot, I got complimented on my legs today... all that swimming (and horse riding) must be paying off 😉

Progress Update

Training for the swim is going OK, I'm finding it difficult to fit time in to swim around work (or even just wanting to relax on the sofa after a day in the office!) but still aiming for at least twice a week. Definitely training tomorrow as my swimming buddy's car has died on him & so I am driving him to/from the pool so no making excuses to get out of it! I really enjoy swimming when I'm there, it's just difficult to motivate myself sometimes!

I'm excited and nervous about the swim, I don't think that the distance will be a problem as a mile is pretty standard for me now but there are a few things that I am concerned about; I've never swum in open water before so it will be a first, I won't be used to the choppiness of the water or the current, the crowds of people, the temperature or even the added buoyancy of my wet suit. I'm also nervous after hearing that a gentleman sadly died taking part in the Great North Swim last weekend!

So far we have raised £260 but there are plans for more of a push for sponsorship closer to the time and my friend & I have been talking about a cake sale (our last one raised over £100 for her charity) which should all boost our contribution towards St. Mark's fantastic work.

My post on my sister's blog

My sister asked me if I would like to write a guest blog post for her More Than Just a Bag Lady blog. Of course I said I would. It was quite difficult to write the post as it is quite personal and talks about things that I have only ever spoken to my Hubby about and definitely not my family, like how I feel guilty for being healthy! The response to the blog post has been overwhelming; I think it's very important to help raise awareness of IBD and the impact it can have not only on the person who suffers but also their family.

Well, if you fancy a read please follow the link:

http://morethanjustabaglady.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/guest-blog-from-kelly-my-sister.html?m=1

Wetsuit

So tonight I decided it was finally time to try on my wetsuit:

It's times like this that I'm actually pleased my Hubby works away in the week because me pulling and squeezing my way in to that thing was not a pretty sight - as my Dad says, a video could be worth a few quid from Harry Hill in You've Been Framed!  I did get worried at one point that I might get stuck... Pretty sure I looked a bit (a lot) like this poor girl:

And oh my goodness it was so hot inside that thing! Let's hope 30th August is not as hot and muggy as today or that will be unbearable, though something tells me the water isn't going to be that warm so I might be thankful for the insulation!