Just thought I would let you know that I passed another milestone with my swimming today - my first wetsuit swim. My coach met me at Parnell Pools to help ease my nerves. This pool is 60m long and DEEP the whole length - two big fears - especially deep water. Also, it was raining, cold and the water is unheated, so was very cold too! I really did want to chicken out, but didn't.

It was only a short session, as we were getting very cold, and I needed some encouragement the first time. I was not totally comfortable in the deep water, but was probably better than I thought I would be. With a few more swims there, I think my nerves will settle down, and I'll forget about the depth of the water (here's hoping).

I intend to now use this as my regular training pool (hope it warms up though!). Today with the winterlike conditions, there were only 3 others there swimming in wetsuits during the whole time we were at Parnell - in a population of 1 million people, it shows just how crazy we are! Not many people had swimming in Parnell pool on their list of "to do" things today.

I must confess - in the pool, I live for my pull bouy (much to my coach's dismay) and it remains glued to my thighs. I have always been stronger in my upper body, so it suits me just fine. I have also used the argument that wearing a wetsuit is like a pull buoy, so why bother trying to kick in a pool? (Remember I am a beginner swimmer) So I was hoping like hell that today's swim in the wetsuit lived up to all expectations of buoyancy .... and it did - PHEW !!! And I even pointed out to her that I actually kicked today - a miracle in itself too!

So - another small baby step towards the open water swim ....