Learning to Swim--Day 5

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A little over a hour ago, I had my fifth swimming lesson with Rachel at the pool. Though it was a bit rainy, grey and windy outside with a bit of a chill, it sure feels like fall than winter these days. Back to the leisure laps, Rachel wanted me to work on my breathing with the frontstroke once again. First I did it with the barbell after two laps, and then I did it without. She also wanted me to make it without stopping, but I came close to it. She also wanted me to do it at 3/4ths, but I also came close to it at maybe 1/4th, a little bit halfway. I've also practiced the glide and pushing off the wall to get more endurance. I just need a bit more confidence in doing it and grade myself at an A-. And I plan to practice it tomorrow morning after water aerobics and do a full lap and maybe back. Then we also worked on my backstroke, which is as perfect I can get it. She showed me how to push off from the wall and how to stop when I near it for a full lap and back. She also taught me how to do it from the water. I've managed to do it without stopping and almost hit the wall. This seemed to be my strong suit and still have more confidence in it. She's pleased on my progress! No lessons in the elementary backstroke too! I'll be practicing to do a full lap and back on Monday morning before my next session next Tuesday. I guess all the progress I've made with practicing on my off-time in the past month helped me tremendously. She's going to teach me how to get the water away from my face next week, though my haircut I'm getting this weekend would help get the bangs out of my eyes. It's one of the reasons I've been stopping every now and then in the pool. Rachel always mentioned she wanted me to try the lap pool, if I ever wanted to do laps. I'll be lucky to do two laps and nothing more. Plus, that pool is 4 to 12 feet deep, and I'm afraid to be in that side of the water, even if there are lifeguards standing by at the chair. I've seemed to progress from beginners to intermediate level in the past month. But I don't think I'm quite ready for the competitive level yet. I'm fin at doing it at own pace and skill level for pleasure and leisure. My back has felt better ever since I've started. Since the gym is closed on Thanksgiving, I bet I'll be learning the breast stroke, the butterfly and the front crawl, a week from Tuesday and into December. I probably wrap things up by Christmas, depending on the winter weather.