What’s Next?
This is the question that is on everyone’s lips when they see me.
In 2008 I joined Virgin Active in Menlyn for the first time. I trained according to the programme they gave me. Every day on the treadmill I would look down on the swimming pool and watch the people swim. It wasn’t long before I was in there too!
One day in the pool I thought to myself: wouldn’t it be wonderful if I could partake in a swimming race, like in cycling? A few days later I heard about the Midmar Mile which takes place in KwaZulu Natal every February, and made it my goal. I never consulted a swimming coach, so I did what I thought was right. Four months later, in November, I was admitted to a mental hospital in Pretoria East. It was the first time I had experienced anxiety attacks. It was so extreme that I had to give up the swimming because my body was very weak and sore from the attacks. And so that goal was left unfulfilled.
But now I know I can do it, so I have decided to pursue the goal of swimming the Midmar Mile in 2016. This will give me the opportunity to prepare well. There is no other gym in Vanderbijlpark except Virgin Active where I can train. The idea of swimming was only two days old when somebody came up to me and offered to pay for my gym fees!
When I first started swimming I injured my shoulders but Rochelle said that was because the muscles around the shoulders weren’t strong. She gave me exercises to help loosen the muscles and strengthen them.
Cycling is not off the list. It helps me tremendously with balance. Every first Sunday of the month there is a race at Stonehaven that I want to participate in. This gives me a new goal every month.
Watch this space!
By Deon Labuschagne
