Ready to Race!

Yesterday, Tina from Tangerine PR helped me chose my Outfit for the race. Of course I needed to wear some tangerines representing my main sponsor. But the style of my outfit was mainly my idea. I want to represent my 'hood' in a fashionable way!

Check out the ace amulett with Tangerine's logo. It's pure gold (glitter)!

My new Tattoo, so everyone knows who I am (and that I'm dangerous). Other ducks, beware!

Just kidding...

Off to the Spinningfield's Duck Race now! Check me out! Who would have thought I'd take part in a race two weeks ago?

Wish me luck and sponsor me if you like: http://www.justgiving.com/Dunkan-Duck

So much water!

If you have been following my blog, you know that my plan for yesterday was to take on the big Swimmingpool. Without my float this time. With just two days of Training left to go it was about time I took the plunge. It was scary, I can tell you that much. I was sitting next to the pool on the ladder for about 20 minutes feeling very small next to the deep waters.

 Then I remembered the advice my mate Biggie from the Gander Gang had given me days ago: "Make a bomb!" What had terrified me back then suddenly seemed to make sense. The quicker I was in the water, the less time I had to get scared.

So... I jumped in.

And there I was: Swimming! And it was easy. It was just as my friend @YourStylist on Twitter had said: "The instinct kicks in." That's what it was like. I was swimming and it was fun!

Today, I'll try on my racing outfit that the Tangerine's made for me and tomorrow I'm off to the Race!

It's not too late, you can still sponsor me if you like: http://www.justgiving.com/Dunkan-Duck

Truth or Dare

As you know, my swimming career hasn't gone too far, yet. Apart from my successful adventure in the bubblebath on Monday night, I haven't dared to take on deeper waters without a float, yet. So, apparently, another dare was on order.

I asked my friends at Tangerine PR, if anyone had an idea, what danger I could face to push myself even closer to being able to swim. It had to be something that would be more scary than the bus or the dog. Then Sandy came up with an idea: "The dentist!", she said gravely. I had never heard of such a person but the sound of it, combined with the look on Sandy's face was so terrifying that it made me shiver.

So off we went.

A few minutes later, I found myself blinking into a bright light while sitting on a chair that seemed to be moving backwards. My heart was beating in my chest. I just didn't know what to expect but I was willing to suffer through it. Whatever it takes to become a braver duck!

Turns out, the dentist just quickly wanted to check if my beak was okay. And this was what I was scared off? Shame on you, Sandy for frightening me like that!

Still. I was brave and again a situation turned out much better than I expected. I'm ready. I will take on the big Swimming pool today!

If you believe that I can make it or at least want to help me to believe in it myself on Friday, please donate a few quid at my Just Giving Page: http://www.justgiving.com/Dunkan-Duck

I'm swimming, not floating!

Last night, I had some help from a human duckling named Georgie in the bubblebath. Karen, one of my friends at Tangerine took me home and introduced us and Georgie was excited to help.

I was scared at first to jump into the Bubblebath without my life-saving float but a duck's got to do what a duck's got to do and so I closed my eyes, jumped in and... almost drowned in the first moment of shock. But Georgie took hold of me and helped me adjust. He makes a good teacher.

After a while he could let go of me and I was swimming on my own! The bubbles seemed to carry me just like my float used to or was swimming maybe less difficult than I thought? And in the end, Georgie and I could even joke around wearing funny hats.

I have only three more days left to learn how to swim properly. If you believe in me, please sponsor me for the Spinningfields Duck Race on my Just Giving Page! It'll help, no matter how small the amount.

http://www.justgiving.com/Dunkan-Duck

A duck at Manchester Twestival

Before I start my blog about the Twestival in Manchester, I'd like you to know that I'm looking for more sponsors for the Spinningfields Duck Race: You can donate here. I want to give as much money as I can to the lovely Brainwave charity, a very worthwhile cause. I will probably not win the race but I promise I will do my very best! 

Anyway, back to the delights of the Twestival in Manchester….Manctwester was really fun and I made lots of new friends. I think, everyone was quite surprised to see a duck at the meeting, so many people where curious about me. My friend Tina, who took me to the event had to talk about me the whole night. I felt a bit sorry for her but it’s not my fault I’m so intriguing.

Turned out some of my followers on Twitter were there as well! Some people took pictures of and with me but I haven't seen any of them yet. So if you took a picture of me and read this, please comment!

One of my favourite parts of the night was the paper plane contest. I thought it was quite funny how competitive everyone got. I didn't make a paper plane because I was busy training of course, and it would have been very tricky having only wings instead of fingers. Tina was really pleased as her paper plane/spaceship didn’t come last! A plane that had landed in a wine glass got first or second in the end. I can't really remember to be honest. I only remember that it almost hit me. Also, I didn’t understand the game, if a paper plane lands in a wine-glass, wouldn’t that be a bad thing? I don't understand Humans sometimes.

I've found my first sponsor!

It looked like an ordinary day at the canal. I was hanging out with my mates, the Gander Gang, waiting for the sun to come back out when two girls approached me. I couldn't have been more surprised, when they asked me if I was Dunkan Duck. I nodded in astonishment and they asked "THE Dunkan Duck? From Twitter?". Yes, I guess, that's me. I must be famous.

Turns out there is an office building in the middle of my 'hood and I never even noticed! I know the gym, the canal, the canal boats and also the YHA  -   but an office building? Totally slipped my attention. Very stupid considering I'm looking for a sponsor - DUH!

And that's why they had come. So, 10 minutes later I found myself in the office of Tangerine PR, chatting away with a very nice lady called Malin, talking about them sponsoring me in the Spinningfields Race.

So that's it. No turning back now. I have to train even harder, I really don't want to dissappoint any of my mates, my friends on Twitter or the nice people at Tangerine PR.

Defeating the Swimming Pool

After considering to sign up for the Spinningfields Duck Race, I decided I have to take my training a step further. The bubble bath wouldn't do it anymore. Bigger, more dangerous waters had to be defeated.

So I found myself floating in the swimming pool of my gym this morning, almost shocked by my own courage. Well, that courage left me five minutes later but I'm fine. I now know the feeling of deep waters beneath me, I just have to get used to it!

I haven't found a sponsor, yet, but maybe this act of courage will attract someone? I know I can do this!

Thoughts about the Duck Race in Spinningfields

 
I've been doing some thinking this morning while being in the gym. Some of my friends on Twitter mentioned a Duck Race in Spinningfields. That's just around the corner from my 'hood'. First I thought: 'Great! I can run.' but then I realised that it actually is a swimming race! I can't swim, yet... Although I'm getting there.

My friends on Twitter seem to believe that I can do it, my mates in the Gander Gang have also been telling me to go for it. Should I really sign up for the duck race? Will I be able to swim by 2nd April? Surely I have no chance of winning but just taking part would be such a great experience. I could prove to my mum and dad that I’m not useless and at last fit in.

Just like in this video I've seen on youtube:
Without the creepy hook in my head, I hope!

I need to find a sponsor though, hmmmm where to start looking?

Face the Fear

This weekend's training programme was all about facing my fears. A fearless duck is a better swimmer than a cowardly one, I reckon. It all started with travelling on a bus in Manchester for the first time. It might not sound scary to you but if you are a duck it really is. Human feet are very big. I did very well though, managed to climb a seat and even have a look at the newspaper.

It got really scary though, when I arrived at my destination. My mate has a friend who has a friend who has a dog called Humphrey and she wanted me to take him for a walk. Yes, you read right. I was supposed to take a huge dog out for a walk. It took me some time before I could make myself take a good grip of the leash but it was worth it. Look at me, my friends: I tamed the beast! Maybe I've also won a new friend but I wouldn't rely on that.

Anyway, after this weekend's adventures I not only feel braver than before but also stronger. Boy, dogs have quite a pull on their leashes...

Bring on the Water

My new-found friend on Twitter, George The Duck, a really cool guy who knows how to pull off a pair of sunglasses, gave me the advice to start practicing in a bubble bath. As he said that this is how he learned to swim, I decided to give it a go.

My mate Biggy of the Gander Gang gave me some tips although I was slightly alarmed when he said that the best way to conquer my fear and learn how to swim was to do a great big ‘bomb’, get my head wet and start ‘tinkering’. Well, firstly I thought, what the hell is tinkering? Then I was reminded of what he said before tinkering, bomb...there was no way I was going to do a ‘bomb’!

To say I was terrified is an understatement. Luckily the water was warm and I had a few bubbles to soften the blow. My mate, who lent me the tub also gave me a special float to help me get used to the sensation of being in the water without getting wet. Very grateful for that. Otherwise this first swimming session would have taken place on dry land that's for sure. But with a little help from my friends, I was swimming... well, floating actually, for the first time!

Dunkan in Wonderland

I felt I needed even more R&R after all this training so after dinner, I went to the cinema. I hoped there might be a film about swimming but there was nothing on. Just my luck. When you need Titanic, you get Avatar. But my mates said Titanic might just have scared me away from water forever anyway.

So, we decided to watch Alice in Wonderland in the end. Some kids walking by the canal had talked about it and it sounded as if it was a Must-See. Could have mentioned the scary cat with the huge mouth in advance though. Wasn't exactly happy to see that thing on the big screen. Even a brave, fit duck like me can get a bit scared being confronted with predators like that.

The trip to the cinema has inspired me though. Once I've succeeded with swim training, I'll pursue my acting career. If Arnold Schwarzenegger can do it...

Eating, Swimming, Sleeping...

I heard that it is important to eat properly when one is in training, because you lose many calories and so on.  Malicious gossip also has it that ducks can swim naturally because of all their bodyfat. I'm not an expert, I'm just a duck but I'm willing to try anything.

Anyway, I went out for dinner in Spinningfields after training yesterday. The restaurant was called GBK and all the staff were very friendly, even offering me my own duck seat.

I'm not into meat (for obvious reasons) so I went for a vegetarian burger with aubergine and goat's cheese.

After clearing my plate, while waiting for my dinner guests to finish, I took the opportunity to undertake some balance training. The waiters were looking at me a bit weird. As if they've never seen a duck balancing a tomato before... Pah!

A duck's gotta do what a duck's gotta do

Gym session today. Knackered.

This equipment just isn’t right for ducks for some reason. Got a bit of wing ache and a right sweat on. And some of the people in here are so rude – keep staring. Just because I’ve not got the biggest pecs in the world I suppose. But just you wait my buff buddies I’m getting there.

“Imma be spreadin my wings, Imma be doin my thing - do it, do it, okayyy…”

I'm on a mission...

I was hanging out with my mates, the Gander Gang in my 'hood' the other day. If you think that's a lame name, yeah, it kind of is but they are great mates so you better don't tell me that to my face!

Well, so we were hanging out and suddenly I wasn't happy with my life anymore. I wanted to dive into the canal with them. I need to learn to swim. There's no chickening out, I'm gonna make it and it will be beautiful. As of today, I'm on a mission. Will go to the Gym later to do the first step!