June 2010

Having been retired from Masters swimming for approximately 4 years, at 52 I had put on a bit of weight, got re-married and was settling down into a lifestyle that I certainly wasn't used to.  Working full time, coming home to a glass of wine and telly, 6 years of that was just too much and I was getting very sluggish.  Having obviously already lived half my life, I could see the remainder of it becoming a couch potato and it needed to change.  From the moment I learnt to swim at 8 years old, I just couldn't stay away from a pool.  With various county records under my belt, a 'B' International status in 1976, various county masters records, British and European Masters 800 and 1500 metre champion in 1998, British Masters 1500 metre champion in 2003, my life was certainly busy.  So needless to say, having had the longest time out of the pool, I needed to get back.

I knew I didn't want to race again from the block.  My nerves always got the better of me to the point where I felt sick when I knew I had a tough race coming up.  That's something I never ever overcame.  But on the other hand, I also knew I would  not be content to just swim for fitness.  I always have to have a goal in life.

So it came as no surprise to my husband when I said I needed to re-join a swimming club.  As coincidences go, just one month after getting back in the water, a call came from an old friend of mine that had also been a bit lazy for a few years and needed a challenge.  The only difference was, she already had her challenge set - to swim the Channel - Solo.

I had been a swimming teacher most of my adult life, taught in schools, clubs, was even a manager of a diddy squad at one point and also a swimming coach to a triathlon group, so when Karen Eyles approached me and asked me to coach her to swim the Channel, I had some serious thinking to do.  What did I know about 'open-water' swimming - Nothing.  Did I like the open-water - No.  Did I have time to take on such a huge commitment - No.

But, it got me to thinking.  I don't want to go off the block anymore.  Open-water swimming is so much more challenging, so much more interesting - and the world really is your oyster.  There are lakes, ponds, rivers, the sea all over the world - and they are free!   I also love endurance swimming.  Having been a long distance pool swimmer, it seemed the next obvious step.  But and it was a big 'but', I was petrified of the sea.  However, just so happened - so was Karen!!!!    So my mind was set - Yikes, I found myself saying 'Yes'.   I would use the next year to coach Karen for her channel swim, I would read and study everything I had to, to assist her and throughout the journey, I would make my own mind up whether or not this is where my future relationship with the water lay.

As soon as I started surfing the net, I became aware of how popular open-water swimming was becoming.  And I couldn't believe how many people recorded all their experiences for others to read by way of a 'blog'.  I found these so useful.  Just reading others peoples experiences, achievements, advice etc., it was all helping me to educate myself on the huge task ahead.  And so now - guess what - I have a blog!

So that's it.  I am back in the water full time.  Gonna coach and learn and train with Karen and then gonna enter some open water competitions - only this time round, I am gonna try not to get nervous.  I don't care anymore if I am not the fastest - I want to enjoy it this time round.  I want to use my events to raise money for charity.  I want to socialise with my old swimming buddies again.  I want to forget all that rivalry stuff that brings butterflys to your stomach.  (Well, perhaps I do care a little bit if I am not the fastest 50+ woman around, but I've got some serious catching up to do), so for now, I will take one step at a time.  First step - get past my knees in the sea without the Jaws theme creeping into my head !