Lake Windermere

Lake Windermere

Wednesday 25 March 2015

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

The clock is ticking as my Straits of Gibraltar swim looms next week.

This is a swim that is often disrupted by the strong winds that sweep along the southern coast of Spain but it looks like there may be a calmer spell next Thursday.

I will endeavour to post information here but my last request for a predicted swim time was met with a " we talk when you here ".

Training has gone well considering it is pretty mental to be attempting such a swim so early in the season. I had a good swim in the river yesterday, 7C water. It is ok as everything goes numb after 5 minutes.

Watch this space!
😝


Thursday 12 March 2015

NORTH SEA ADVENTURE

I had a lovely swim at Aldeburgh over the weekend. The North Sea was at its best, brown and lumpy.

Temperature wise, it was not too cold and I felt comfortable swimming. The main problem was fishing lines cast in from the beach as I had to avoid them as they are impossible to see in the water.

It was great to get a sea swim in, probably the last before Gibraltar.

I did a much longer swim in the river today as it was nice and sunny and warm(er!). The water was nice and smooth and although it was only 7C it felt ok with the sun on my back.

Counting down to the end of term next week, plenty of miles in the river and pool and then off to the Med!

Everything at school is now becoming the last, yesterday last refereeing performance, today last Maidwell Chase cross country. Retirement looms!

Planet Rock sounds good on my new DAB car radio.

Tuesday 3 March 2015

GIBRALTAR LOOMS!

Where did March come from? It is incredible to think that at the end of this month I fly to Gibraltar for my Straits swim.

Although I have been swimming in the river all winter this will be a tricky swim as I haven't had the chance to swim very long outside. My long swims are pool based at the moment but I hope the temperatures rise in the next few weeks.

I am going to swim in the North Sea this weekend as the temperatures look to be in double figures, virtually tropical.

My fitness is pretty good at the moment and I will alternate speed work and big distance swims over the next few weeks.

C'mon Black Caps. A Kiwi double World Cup for 2015.

Setting off. 7am. Only 13 and a half hours to go!