Butterfly Stroke Finally

Sat 9 April.

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6 Apr Wed

Today 1st time finally successfully swam 50m Butterfly stroke correctly. Half pool twice (50m) without stopping. 3 times separately. Pool divided into 2 (damnable but fine).

Was so well done, lifeguard stood in front to watch. When done, he strolled away.

I am happy. Been trying for months. Always glad & grateful I am not Muslim or in a Muslim country. Otherwise, won't even be able to swim. I would have missed out on swimming the most beautiful stroke in the whole world. What is life then?

Oh! As a woman, I'm so glad to be born free in Singapore. Born of a free race that does not force any religion on me.  My mind & my intellect are free.

There is a secret to swimming Butterfly. And I think I have just discovered it after so many months of trying. To be able to swim 50m without stopping means I am doing something right.

Previously, I couldn't.  I used to call it my Sinking Fly. Now, it's almost effortless.

Didn't expect to complete 50m Butterfly today.

Was very tired from waking up so early for 2 days. Monday met customer at 9.30am. Today Wed met this customer at 8.30am at Dhoby Ghaut (woke at 7am. I refuse to wake any earlier. Tues didn't swim because right ear water-logged).

After delivering the bag at 8.35am or 8.40am (customer late waiting at wrong place), was so early, I went home. Arrived at the pool at about 10.30 (swam till before close).

Wasn't thinking of being able to complete half pool x2 without stopping. Usually, I must stop and rest at the end of half pool. But I found I still strength left when reaching the end & so made it back without stopping to rest. Was surprised at myself.

Did a few other strokes & tried Butterfly again. Did it again without rest. Another 50m. Wow. 2nd time lucky? And I was supposed to be very tired from lack of sleep. Odd.

Did a few other strokes & tried again. 3rd time successfully. Confirms it isn't a fluke.  I got it right.

Yesterday Fri 8 April, I did it again. Also half pool but non-stop. Once. When I tried again, arms too tired.

Needs fine-tuning for even smoother flow. Need faster.

Real test will be to swim 50m straight with no divider. See if I can complete it.

Odd thing is, seems swimming early in the morning is better than afternoon, even though early morning very tired.  Maybe that's why athletes swim before sunrise.

If not for meeting customers these 2 early mornings, I wouldn't have known, because I don't wake so early. Might not have been able to complete the Butterfly that day if I hadn't specially woken early for the customers. Pushed out of usual zone.

Previous night, prior to Wed's successful Butterfly, had brushed up on watching tips. But... I've always been watching tips & nothing happened. Something clicked into place on Wed morning such that I was finally able to swim it.

Update 11 April Monday. Finally tested it on straight 50m. No divider. Was able to complete to the end without stopping.  Was too tired to do it again.  But at least for the first time, I did 50m straight. Finally.

Today, I learnt another secret about swimming it. Will test again.