A New Hope

So after the horrors of snow and the nightmare of closing pools I paid my first visit to The National Sports Centre at Crystal Palace - the nearest pool to where I live that is still open. Well, one where you can swim properly anyway. Well the first thing that gets you is the cycle route there. It's up hill most of the way, but I can probably get there in about 20 mins. The roads have been seriously damaged by the snow however and the pot-holes are scary. The centre itself is very poorly signposted but eventually I found the entrance and it's not difficult to be impressed. Sumptuous cherry-wood changing rooms; long lanes in a spacious pool; cool but not cold water. I did my mile (34 lengths) and whilst it was difficult for me I soon got into my stride. I was a little non-plussed as to where the showers were. I am SO not used to individual shower cubicles I thought they were toilets! Scary cycle home where I had my brakes on most of the time. God knows I am going to be late for work tomorrow. Oh well.

The important thing is that the NSC inspires one to be fit. It's so large and has just undergone a re-furb and I simply felt that I wanted to be fit and go here regularly. Certainly it has been a major jolt to my system, not having been in a regular exercise regime since my accident before Christmas.