Kristina Vikman

palm beach session tomorrow

Better hope it won't be as big and ugly as the stories we've heard so far.

Got my toe nails done in orange today to give me extra support for tomorrow. Hoping to be able to match it with a Can too swim suit as well... ;) which you get when you've reached your fundraising goal.

finally..

...Emma has got her wetsuit! I don't have to feel like the only "cheater" anymore! I've got a partner in crime. 

She had the same experience as me, just floating and cruising through the water with a nice protective layer between yourself and the ocean. Are we ever going to take these off?? I doubt it. I'm saying it again, I'm prepared to discuss the issue when the ocean temperature reaches above 25...or maybe 28..

this was manly beach today...

...and it is supposed to get bigger and worse tomorrow. Hm....I hope they have a plan B for our beach session tomorrow morning ;) which I'm sure they do. 

This week's swimming has been tough for me so far. At last night's pool session I felt like a stiff elephant in the water, no signs of gliding like a dolphin at all...Hugghh!! Have my hopes to tomorrow's session to find that rhythm again that I thought I had last week. 

This is for sure a challenge!!

week 6

Can't believe we are already in week 6..! We had our first swim trial last week, 30 min in the pool, swim as far as you can. great! ...except that I lost count on my laps after about...5 laps..so had absolutely no idea how far I swam. Didn't impress the coach by doing that...oops...! :) the swimming went well anyways but I'm still quite slow....but I swam 1 km at least! ...I think.

We had a gorgeous Saturday swim

Thought I'll just share a couple of photos from Saturday's swim. it was a perfect day, not much swell, sunny and nice. Apparently 21 degrees in the water, but I don't care....I'm wearing my Transformer suit anyways. I'm prepared to discuss the matter when the water temp reaches 26...or something. Until then it is on! Plus I swim so much better in it....it's like cheating almost. 

We did our first swim from one beach to another! yayy! Manly to halfway beach (halfway to Shelly beach that is. not 1 km but at least a good....500 m maybe??

Third week's beach session, and it was fantastic!!

 I think there is hope! Even for me. I think I can swim!! Don't know if it was the wetsuit that made the difference or not (...very much the case actually) but this Saturday's session went so well. I didn't even get exhausted like I expected. So much to look at, fish everywhere! I managed to swim in to two divers as well, plus a surf rescue board and a couple of fellow swimmers, oh well, I was busy looking at the fish, what can I say.

It better be as fast as it looks...

Just received my swim wetsuit that I've been waiting, yahoo! Can't wait to try it in the water and to not freeze anymore....no more blue lips and uncontrolled shivering! Didn't quite expect it to be as...avenger looking...ha ha! What happened to just blending in with a black wetsuit?! I know my lovely friend Marna who got it for me wanted me to look less like a seal, so fair enough, point taken, but still...it looks so...fast!

Second week beach session....and I'm nervous..

Woke up this mornng feeling really nervous and a bit scared of what to expect from today's beach session.. Last week was really pushing me over my limit, even if I was high on adrenaline afterwards, and I felt that I had to step way out of my comfort zone.. but isn't that what it is all about when you meet a new challenge??! Still felt really nervous though...what if I won't last the whole session and cramp up out in the water?! what if that is only me feeling this way and no one else,what if  it's a walk in the park for eveyone else?

I felt a bit better after chatting to Emma on the phone, she was feeling the same, huuhaaaa...at least we were in the same boat, and doing it together (thank God Emma that we signed up together!!)  We decided to talk to one of the coaches when we came down to the beach. Don't know why we expected to get any sympathy from them though....we didn't. :) Thankfully our lovely mentor Robbie was there by our side and saved us. Robbie swam next to us and provided moral support the whole way. (sorry Robbie for kicking you twice, just checking you were there ;)..) Thank you Robbie!! And yes, this session was much easier, felt all under control this time, piuuhh!! WE CAN DO THIS!! Already looking forward to next week's session. YES!!

I'm training with Can Too for the 1km Ocean Swim!

I am training for an event with Can Too, a health promotion organisation that engages and inspires individuals and the community to achieve personal health, wellbeing and altruistic goals.
 
Beginners and experienced athletes alike are given professional coaching as part of a team to run or swim in endurance events- including 10km, half-marathon and marathon runs; as well as ocean swims and triathlons.
 
In return, I am raising valuable funds that go towards innovation in the prevention, care and control of cancer. In 2014, our Can Too community has supported 19 early career researchers through Cure Cancer Australia.

Thank you for supporting me!
 
‘It’s so much fun and I can’t believe I’m going to achieve this goal that I never thought possible. A great program and team support is making it possible. You Can Too!’