The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) rescues hundreds of severely injured or ill patients every year throughout the North East, North Yorkshire and Cumbria. Their doctor-led critical care teams deliver life-saving treatments at the scene of the incident whether that is on a fell top, a roadside or in a city centre. The charity responded to 1,640 call outs last year* alone, via their helicopter and emergency response vehicles, where they performed treatments and procedures which can mean the difference between life or death.

Here is my story...for anyone interested 🤦‍♀️

What can I say.

Yesterday I swam the length of Ullwater. Again... but this time I was in skins. It was really tough and I suffered alot.

This particular journey began back in 2019 when I was fit and planning a great 2020 I entered many events with high hopes of doing half iornman distance, an iornman distance and qualifying for 4 GB age group races too. Only to differ to 2021 due to covid, then again differing to 2022 due to my first operation which required a 6 month sedentary recovery. And then they all refused to refer for another year despite more surgery and my total lack of physical fitness, stamina and fatigue to do many of the events. And so I had to accept I just could not take part.

It's not all bad. I've been back at work for 7 months now with out a break which is the longest time since covid begain and I am beginning to develop some stamina and regain some form of my life.

The one thing I've kept in my mind is swimming the length of Ullwater again. Which was another differed entry. I was very poorly after the last time I swam it because the cold water heightens my fatigue from a Brain injury I sustained in my first accident. After which I was airlifted by GNAAS. 13 months after this was the first time I swam the length of ullswater with no preparation at the end of September 2018 to raise funds for the GNNAS. Only to be Air lifted for the second time 3 weeks later. Yes its true. I've been airlifted twice. Both times I had life threatening injuries and they assisted in saving my life.

In 2019 I returned to fitness and racing with a great freind supporting me however my mental and physical health dwindled as the year went on. Until by the time covid hit and I had to isolate and Sheild I was not well at all. I have since had two more major operations, lost so much strength, agility and fitness. And above all lost stamina with fatigue plagueing me, meaning I have struggled to work my two 7.5 hour shifts as a nurse. This is all down to the brain injury I suffered in my first accident.

But the water is now 18 degrees, we're in a heat wave and I'm going to give it ago on Saturday as part of the @chillswim events. My poor preparation means I've only ever swam 4 miles in skins and that was Monday this week because I ripped my wetsuit. But after much deliberation about sun burn and warmth I decided to go for it in skins!

I was really very nervous. I stood at the briefing not listening to a word as I was too busy panicking about what I was about to do. 10 mins later they told us we could get in. I walked across the start timing mat entered the water and immediately thought what have I done!?

It's FREEZING!  I very nearly turned around to go get my wetsuit then thought no I'll just not do it at all.... but we all know I'm a badass and so I took the plunge. Did some breast Stoke then just started swimming. It took a good 15 mins or so before I decided I was actually going to be ok.

I had put two coats of factor 50 on to try to prevent sun burn. I had decided that I'd spent many years in the water all day with only factor 8 on as back in the 1980s this was the highest factor there was. So if I could survive that I would be ok now.

Here we are swimming in my costume, I'm warm enough despite some very cold sections to the lake, I'm not gonna burn to death but wow this non wetsuit is really tough. Like so much harder!

By 2 hours my "good" shoulder was niggling and I thought my double hat was too tight but i realised it was infact my fatigue head and it was in full swing. Its an awful pain and the only solution is sleep. Which isn't happening! I trundle on and the realisation hit that when I last did this it wasn't the neoprene hat that hurt my head it was indeed a fatigue headache. But back then I didn't get them as much because I was fitter, healthier and had more stamina.

3 miles half way ish there i can do this.... 3.5 miles my shoulder is excruciating. My head is painful, I feel dizzy. My back is painful and my hands are sore probably from the cold. But I find something else to focus on. The pink tow float in front and I make it to 4 miles and 5 miles I'm constantly passing people now. But I'm way out in the lake and they are in a nice line over by the shore. I'm hardly sighting as it hurts too much I'm not swimming straight because the power in my arms is not equal. 5.5 miles.... I am struggling I stop a few times eventualy have a drink and a word with myself just before the half mile marker and say 2 miles...less than an hour! (I'm kidding myself here and I know it. But I don't acknowledge that little fact).

I can see Pooley Bridge, parkfoot and the finish. At 6 miles I stop for another drink and when I set off I focus on a tow float and I pick it off, then another and another. The pain in my body is incredible but I told my mum 4 to 4 and a half hours ish (this was before I'd decided no wetsuit) it's already passed that she'll be worried. Kick and pull more people gone. Finally made it to mile 7! Right at the end of the lake. 20 metres and I'd be out, this is where I'd done most of my winter dips and my swimming.

BUT NO we do a 135 degree turn and swim back across the lake! I knew this was happening of course but the temptation to just get out was so appealing. But I've got a chip on. My mum, my neices, Phil and toni are over there. I've got 10 mins to get across and I'll make it in under 5 hours!

I focus on my catch and pull. I kick hard. I'm drifting away from the swimmers so I sight more too. Nearly there.... I can see the duck. Just gotta get past these yachts. They are moored but I hate being near boats. Jesus I'm nearly under one. I can see the rudder. I stop.... I've gone off again. The weakness in my arms is bad but there is a disparity making me swim off to the right. It's only about 50m to the finish. Sort yourself out. Off I go. Everyone is standing up! I swim until my hand touches the bottom. I attempt to stand. Slowly does it. I focus on the timing mat and I make it.

I then stagger very slowly two steps forward one step back to the tent. The ladies pass my bag. I can't talk. They are very concerned. But my brother and mum make it to my side (they had strict instructions to get to me and deal with me) they help me walk straight enough to leave and sit down get me food and I'm greeted with cuddles from the girls who are board of waiting for me 🤦‍♀️.

I lie down and recover enough to talk again and get home. Still not walking straight but you can't have everything. I'm disappointed in my 5 hours 3 mins. Not that I've blown my shoulder up and am in agony! 🤦‍♀️

I had to keep telling myself to enjoy it you can't be competitive and you've not got your wetsuit on so just pack it in. I did it. I'm pleased I did it in skins as now I never have to do it again!

Can I go on and do the challenge I'd set myself yesterday?? Honestly? My shoulder says absolutely not. I know windermere will be the big problem. So maybe I need to give myself more time? Will I? We'll see. 

What I will say is this is not something I've always wanted to do. I don't even know why I dreamt this up. Whilst I am a strong swimmer I'm not fit and I don't actually like open water swimming. So this challenge is HUGE.  Wish me luck