Almost a year ago I took the then three-year-old R to our local Olympic-sized pool for a spot of training for her swimming trials. She was supposed to swim 50 metres, but she did that and then swam back again, so she officially swam 100 metres before turning four.
Trials are coming up again next month, so I thought a bit more training would be in order. She hasn’t done any long-distance stuff for ages, so I decided just a length would do for the first session, and maybe back again if she really felt like it.
We swam a length. She turned and headed back. Then she did another length, while I kept pace with protesting arms and legs. Then she turned and swam back.
It was with great relief that I grabbed the end of the pool after the fourth length. It was with great horror that I observed young R setting off again almost immediately. Another fifty metres, with me plodding doggedly after her. Then she turned yet again, and went for the sixth! Aaaargh!
I crawled out thankfully after that. Not R. She stayed in and romped until finally I almost had to yank her out. Now I have this horrible idea that her dear mother is setting sights on 500 metres. That’s great – except that I will have to train up to that too! Did I explain that swimming has never been something I do really well? Or that today I have probably swum for the longest uninterrupted distance (not counting snorkelling, of course) of my entire life?
© Colonialist March 2013 (WordPress)
Colonialist's Blog 
Col, she got it from somewhere. You’re very fit if you can keep up with that! Sorry, seems as though swimming is your next favourite hobby 😉
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I must admit that it is great exercise for the whole body! Only cross-country mountain-biking gives a similar workout for arms and legs at the same time.
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You need to train daily to keep up with a kid
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It would seem so!
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Hehe, so good for you
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My goodness, but she’s a little athlete! Fabulous! You sound like you do alright, too…you are a great encourager.You’re undoubtedly a better swimmer than you think! And we know you can climb trees!
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She is certainly making me far better at it than I would have thought possible And she hasn’t finished with me, yet.
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Oh, I love it! I wish I was there. What a wonderful grandfather you are. Well done!
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I’m glad you think it gives me Brownie points!
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Training her for the Midmar Mile at such a young age 😉
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I see a five-year-old has already done it!
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ooo don’t even think it, you’ll have to keep up with her! 😀
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Perish the thought!
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Sounds like a champion in the making – Little R that is;)
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If she can keep this up she may well be!
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hehehe and if her gramps can keep up with her 😉
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Seems like she is forcing you to get fit no matter what you think 🙂
Enjoy your time with her – and as Dori says, “Just keep swimming” 🙂
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🙂 What we won’t do for children and grandchildren!
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Not sure why I got elected for this particular task!
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Why do you have to train up for that as well?
Small kids have bottomless energy – not so us older folk. She’s quite clearly found one of her talents 😉
But, if it’s a case of wanting to do that as well, go for it Col. Suppose it can only be good for you.
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She likes me in with her. My muscles aren’t in agreement that it is good for me. They are protesting!
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Well done to R, and a jolly well done to you Col. You should be proud of yourself! You may not realise it yet, but your granddaughter is doing you a huge favour…
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What, trying to bump me off? 🙂
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Strengthening your heart muscles so she can (maybe) have you around longer… 😉
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Heartily hope so!
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She will get you fit in no time. Happy splashing.
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She is already making strides in that direction. On the latest visit … but I must post on that.
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Haha – try breaststroke – that might help you keep up 😀
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Isn’t crawl supposed to be faster?
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Yeah, but breastroke helps you stay the distance even if you lag behind like Eric the Eel 🙂
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Right. Lagging is something I’m quite good at.
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http://www.gizmag.com/go/7148/picture/33670/
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I want one! What a fantastic idea. Pity they are so %&$%%^#!!! pricey!
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That’s why the best coaches coach from the sidelines. 😉
Perhaps your granddaughter is an olympian in the making?
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That is a thought!
Not with me to pace her, she isn’t! 🙂
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The things us grandparents do…
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It goes with the territory. These days it is not enough to tell stories on knees, or take them for slow, halting and stick-supported walks!
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Or fall asleep when they’re excitedly telling you something impor … zzzzz
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hehehe, slow, halting and stick-supported walks! Whom are you trying to kid?
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She must be something else, Col. Are you sure she’s totally human? Could she perhaps be a water rat? Or a dolphin? Four years old and swimming like a mermaid! Poor you.
Of course the image of you chasing young R. made me smile. Let’s go for the full 500 😉
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I agree there is something fishy there, somewhere!
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