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Fundraising for Mind
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Update 29/09/10
I did survive the swim, but it was one of the most challenging things that I have ever done. Having trained to swim a mile, havin gto do 2.25 miles was a bit like suddenly taking on a marathon rather than a10K, and the lateness of the date meant that it was far colder at Dorney Lake than it would have been at Lake Winderemere – the water was 15C and the air temperature 10C with a strong northerly wind which created quite a current. The Aqua Sphere “Long Swim”s are really aimed at the serious athlete, so I had to contend with swimming most of the course without any other swimmers in sight – most of them were getting out, just as I was about to embark on my third and final lap, by which time my hands, feet and face were completely numb. I am very proud of the fact that I was able to persevere to the end, and whilst I finished 121st out of 130 swimmers, we think nearly 50 people did not complete the swim as it was so cold. I am very pleased to have raised over £1200 for Mind, but would love to make it to £1500 (and beyond), in light of quite how tough the swim was...so please do sponsor me if you haven't yet, or let other people know...
*EDIT* 03/10/2010*
The
Great North Swim has been "postponed" due to a prevelance of green-blue
algae! Unfortunately even if it is rescheduled to next weekend
(unlikely) we won't be able to travel up to the Lakes again to do it.
Recklessly I say, because this swim is an ironman distance swim of 2.25 miles (3.8k or 152 lengths of a 25m pool). So I've decided to do that in aid of Mind instea. I hope those that have sponsored me, don't mind tooo much (after all you'll get 125% more swimming for your money as well as 3 weeks more training) and that those who have yet to sponsor me will do as the new distance is over twice as far as I've ever swum in my life... (If you've already sponsored me please feel free to sponsor me more)
I did survive the swim, but it was one of the most challenging things that I have ever done. Having trained to swim a mile, havin gto do 2.25 miles was a bit like suddenly taking on a marathon rather than a10K, and the lateness of the date meant that it was far colder at Dorney Lake than it would have been at Lake Winderemere – the water was 15C and the air temperature 10C with a strong northerly wind which created quite a current. The Aqua Sphere “Long Swim”s are really aimed at the serious athlete, so I had to contend with swimming most of the course without any other swimmers in sight – most of them were getting out, just as I was about to embark on my third and final lap, by which time my hands, feet and face were completely numb. I am very proud of the fact that I was able to persevere to the end, and whilst I finished 121st out of 130 swimmers, we think nearly 50 people did not complete the swim as it was so cold. I am very pleased to have raised over £1200 for Mind, but would love to make it to £1500 (and beyond), in light of quite how tough the swim was...so please do sponsor me if you haven't yet, or let other people know...
*EDIT* 03/10/2010*
The
Great North Swim has been "postponed" due to a prevelance of green-blue
algae! Unfortunately even if it is rescheduled to next weekend
(unlikely) we won't be able to travel up to the Lakes again to do it.
HOWEVER, I had somewhat recklessly entered a swim just before finding out that news, at Dorney Lake (the Olym...pic rowing venue) on 26th September.
Recklessly I say, because this swim is an ironman distance swim of 2.25 miles (3.8k or 152 lengths of a 25m pool). So I've decided to do that in aid of Mind instea. I hope those that have sponsored me, don't mind tooo much (after all you'll get 125% more swimming for your money as well as 3 weeks more training) and that those who have yet to sponsor me will do as the new distance is over twice as far as I've ever swum in my life... (If you've already sponsored me please feel free to sponsor me more)