05/22/2017
Heminsley (Running like a Girl), books editor for Elle UK, explores the world of amateur open-water swimming in this thoughtful memoir and how-to guide for the novice swimmer. Heminsley had a fear of open water, but the excitement of getting married motivated her to “leap in” to the sea on her wedding day in Brighton, England. Having initially overcome her fear, she wants to go further, and begins to practice in a lap pool. As she gets stronger she searches for open water—whether she is winter swimming in her home waters of Brighton or crossing between islands in the mythic waters of Ithaca, Greece. New swimmers may find solace in Heminsley’s painstaking descriptions of her adult swim classes and find gems of wisdom in them. For instance, Heminsley discovers that with proper breathing technique, she can reduce stress. She humorously recounts her trials, from the claustrophobic struggle of getting into a wet suit for the first time to later being annoyed and intimidated by a group of boisterous male triathletes donning the latest gear. Transcendence arrives for Heminsley when she finds herself alone for the first time in the open water, herself her own “boat, cargo, and crew.” She writes, “To discover a new skill as an adult is like noticing a door, deciding to open it and finding an entire room in your own home that you never knew you had.” In this informative and inspirational memoir, Heminsley shows us that sometimes a room of one’s own can be the whole ocean. Agent: Zoe Pagnamenta, Zoe Pagnamenta Literary. (July)
"It's a meditative act," they said. But it was far from meditative for Alexandra Heminsley when yet another wave slammed into her face. It was survival.
When she laced up her shoes in Running Like a Girl, all she had to do to become a runner was to get out there and run. But swimming was something else entirely. The water was all-consuming, confusing her every move, sabotaging every breath. Determined, Alexandra would learn to adapt, find new strengths, and learn to work with the water. She does not want to stand on the beach looking at the sea any longer. She wants to leap in.
In doing so she will learn not just how to accept herself, but how to accept what lay beyond. Soon, she will be able to see water, anywhere in the world and sense not fear but adventure. She will dive into water as she hopes to dive into life. And it has nothing to do with being "sporty" or being the correct shape for a swimsuit.
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When she laced up her shoes in Running Like a Girl, all she had to do to become a runner was to get out there and run. But swimming was something else entirely. The water was all-consuming, confusing her every move, sabotaging every breath. Determined, Alexandra would learn to adapt, find new strengths, and learn to work with the water. She does not want to stand on the beach looking at the sea any longer. She wants to leap in.
In doing so she will learn not just how to accept herself, but how to accept what lay beyond. Soon, she will be able to see water, anywhere in the world and sense not fear but adventure. She will dive into water as she hopes to dive into life. And it has nothing to do with being "sporty" or being the correct shape for a swimsuit.
Leap In: A Woman, Some Waves, and the Will to Swim
"It's a meditative act," they said. But it was far from meditative for Alexandra Heminsley when yet another wave slammed into her face. It was survival.
When she laced up her shoes in Running Like a Girl, all she had to do to become a runner was to get out there and run. But swimming was something else entirely. The water was all-consuming, confusing her every move, sabotaging every breath. Determined, Alexandra would learn to adapt, find new strengths, and learn to work with the water. She does not want to stand on the beach looking at the sea any longer. She wants to leap in.
In doing so she will learn not just how to accept herself, but how to accept what lay beyond. Soon, she will be able to see water, anywhere in the world and sense not fear but adventure. She will dive into water as she hopes to dive into life. And it has nothing to do with being "sporty" or being the correct shape for a swimsuit.
When she laced up her shoes in Running Like a Girl, all she had to do to become a runner was to get out there and run. But swimming was something else entirely. The water was all-consuming, confusing her every move, sabotaging every breath. Determined, Alexandra would learn to adapt, find new strengths, and learn to work with the water. She does not want to stand on the beach looking at the sea any longer. She wants to leap in.
In doing so she will learn not just how to accept herself, but how to accept what lay beyond. Soon, she will be able to see water, anywhere in the world and sense not fear but adventure. She will dive into water as she hopes to dive into life. And it has nothing to do with being "sporty" or being the correct shape for a swimsuit.
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Product Details
BN ID: | 2940171359607 |
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Publisher: | HighBridge Company |
Publication date: | 07/04/2017 |
Edition description: | Unabridged |
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