just keep swimming

Thought I'd better do some distance training last week - so off to the local pool. It's adult's only lane swimming on a Sunday, so that's ideal when I just want to plough up and down the pool.
I got in at 4.15 and just kept swimming, swimming until 5.30 when they made me get out!
I wasn't counting how many lengths (I find I loose my rhythm when I do that, and it's not as relaxing), but I timed a length and was doing about 1 per minute, so it looks like I did about 70 - 75 lengths.

As Dorey would say... "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming"

And We're Off

Having been swimming in a cold, cold pool on my holidays last week, I thought it was time to start thinking about whether to do a Great Swim again this year. I looked at the Great Swim website, and then just couldn't help myself! So, Salford it is, but much earlier in the year - mid May in fact, which gives me about 12 weeks to get back up to fitness and acclaimatised!

It may be obvious to many of you why I've chosen to do this for Dr Kershaw's this year. Dad died in this hostpice last year not long before I did my swim, and so I wanted to do something in his memory, and for a cause now so close to my heart.

So this is where I'll be logging my thoughts for this year. If you want to see what happened last year (where were you?) then you can read last year's blog.

Swimming in the rain

I know I've now done my mile swim, but I've developed an addiction to outdoor swimming! So when someone suggested a dip in Pickmere on Sunday morning, of course I said "yes". It'd been nearly a week since my last fix, and frankly, I was aching for an outdoor swim.
I hadn't bargained on the weather though - when I got up on Sunday morning the rain was relentless. I checked my phone to see if the swim had been called off - but I should have guessed! Calling off a swim because of rain just doesn't enter the heads of the diehards who swim in October!
I met a friend and car shared to Pickmere - she was already in her wetsuit, and had even filled up at the petrol station, much to the astonishment of other customers!
Then it was into the (cold) lake and off for a swim. The others did a mile swim, while I did a smaller circuit, trying to avoid ducks landing on my head.
The rain continued, but we were already wet, so it didn't matter. I trod water for a bit watching the raindrops splash onto the surface of the lake - very hypnotic!
After a while, I was looking across the lake and couldn't see the others - the rain was making a misty layer on the water. And then they came - black triangular arms rising out of the water like shark fins! Quite eerie!
The others were Acky, Nez and Michelle (who took the photo, and very bravely swam without a wetsuit). Thanks to them all for the company!
I really enjoyed getting home and into a hot shower - and then cursing that the sun came out all afternoon!

And finally...

So yesterday I finally completed my measured mile.
As I set off up the quay, I really didn't think I'd be able to do it, but by the time I got to the swing bridge, the self doubt had made way for hope, and at the end of the first quay, determination had blocked out everything else.
It took me 1 hour 16 mins and 2 seconds - but than's not important. Neither is the fact that I finished 1356 out of 1366. The important thing is that I finished!
With much help from family and friends who walked the whole course with me, giving me encouragement all the way, and from other swimmers - who are the most generous and supportive group of people you could wish to meet.
So here I am, with wetsuit rash, an aching back, a medal and a huge sense of acheivement! And £3,000 in the bank for Alzheimers! Thanks to everyone - you've really all been great - I really couldn't have done it without you.
Take care,

Swimming in tears

I did a mile swim in the pool on Sunday, just to check I still could. I'm doing the Salford Swim, and to be honest, I haven't done any training for ages, possibly months.
If you've been reading this blog, you'll know I had a bit of a "medical incident" at the end of May, which was initially diagnosed as a stroke, but turned out to be nerve damage in my brain. 6 weeks off work, no driving, and rest. So that was most of June and July gone by.
Then my dad became ill - he'd also had a couple of suspected mini stokes, but his too had been mis-diagnosed. Then on August 6th, after he'd got suddenly very bad, he was diagnosed with brain cancer. The cancer had spread from his lung, and was causing these stroke like symptoms.
He was really looking forward to coming to the lakes for the Great North Swim, but in the end was too ill to make the journey. He was really proud of me, of doing the swim and of the money I was raising.
I was thinking about this as I swam my mile in the pool. At about length 50, I was imagining what it will be like when I finish the mile, now being swum in Salford. How lovely it will be to climb out of the water and be greeted by my family and friends. And how sad it will be that dad won't be there. That's the point I started to well up, and then I really started to cry.
He lost his brief but intense battle with cancer on September 15th, just 5 weeks after being diagnosed and just 6 weeks before his 71st birthday. By the time I get in the water on Sunday, I will have been to his funeral, and will have shed many more tears.
I'm hoping I can get round most of the mile without breaking down - I discovered on Sunday that crying makes you sniffle, and then water goes up your nose, and the tears fill up your goggles.
So, I will be getting round that mile, and whilst I will be raising money for Alzheimer's, I'll be swimming for my dad.
Take care - life is short.

The New Mile

I've just found out that the Great North Swim is officially cancelled for this year. This leaves me with the options of deferring to next year or cancelling altogether!
I can't bear the thought of either of these, and decided to see if there were still places free for the Great Salford Swim.

Unbeliveable! There are still places! I've signed up for 2pm - better get some more training in quickly!

Third Time Lucky

After my two previous failed attempts to swim an alternative mile (and earn some of the donations I've already had from people) I was even more determined to get in the water today. It had been a lovely sunny day, and the evening was still and bright - perfect swimming conditions!

Out came the O/S map, and the search for a suitable spot began - we needed somewhere not too far away, close the road and safe to swim in (so rivers were out - they need a good recce first). Then we saw it - Yew Tree Tarn, just by the road to Coniston.

Bag packed, we were out of the door and in the car - wending our way south west and upwards.

The tarn was lovely - with a big layby for easy access, and still water, just the right depth.

In I got - heaven!

I'm not sure how far I swam, the tarn isn't very big so I was basically swimming up and down the middle of it. It was so peaceful - pure therapy!

I got out as the sun was going behind the fells, a big grin on my face and a sense of achievement in my heart.