British Gas - Great East Swim - June 22, 2104

Bring it on

Boy, had I been looking forward to this long awaited race.  Finally, I get to swim with my eldest son Mark Betts. 

Disappointingly, the Great East Swim was cancelled last year due to severe winds and Mark had been training so hard.  This year, all the training was done at the last hurdle.  Mark had gone back into semi-retirement, having trained so hard for the 2013 event, but had seriously lost his mo-jo this time round.


I forced him to join Woodham Swimming Club and insisted he stop over at our house every Monday night so I could keep an eye on his fitness levels.   As with all things, it started with great intentions but then it was "Mum, I'm gonna give it a miss tonight" and "Mum, I don't feel too good today".   I knew that if I didn't get him up to a mile continuous swimming, he would struggle out there. 

A cocky Mark - Stop worrying mum

I booked a few swims at the TRIFARM lake and the 750m loop was impossible at first.  I think he must have stopped about 10 times to roll on his back for breath.  How worried was I.  Each trip to the lake, I drummed into him to swim slow, pace himself better, but each time, we would only get a little further round the loop without stopping.   I was fearing for his life on the actual day when he would have to do it at Alton Waters.  A huge lake, much deeper, much colder and with 200 other people all flattening him!

I think on just one visit to TRIFARM we did manage to get round once with two stops?  That was his best effort.  He kept telling me not to worry, it will be alright on the night, so to speak.

Chris couldn't make this event and Sarah, Mark's girlfriend was there to support him as well as Millie.
 

Bored and tied up waiting for mum to swim.

The sun was shining, we took Millie and off we set.  Typical me kept drumming into him all the journey there of the importance on keeping to the outside and just going slow.  Yeh Yeh !!  

Just half hour into the journey, he tells me he has slept funny and has a stiff neck and in pain.  God - that's all I need.  I so wanted him to enjoy it today, so I over-dosed him on ibuprofen and told him to breath to the side that didn't hurt.  That's about as good as my medical advice gets in situations like this.


 

As always, the Great Swims are fabulously organised with a great turn-out and atmosphere.  Mark was feeling a bit better so off we went for the traditional aerobic warm up.

Our heat was one of the biggest of the day, so I insisted he keep right next to me and on the outside.  He didn't need to sight.  I would do the pacing and be his eyes for him.  Yes, I know, an over-protective mum - a tad!

I still can't believe what happened next.  He was going fast and I was panicking.  Hold back, I'm telling myself, hold back.  Nope, he kept going, kept going, and he kept going. 

And what was even more amazing was that in the final stretch when he could see the finishing post, he turned on a sprint and left me!!!!    I must say, I have
never been so proud of him as I was today.  This whole challenge started after he watched my video of the 24 hour challenge back in 2012.  Back then he was smoking, overweight and drinking far too much.  He said he was proud of his mum and I had inspired him to turn his health regime around.

Today he came in with an amazing time of 29mins 40secs and in his age group gender of 25-29, he came 32nd out of 75 and 159th out of 696, all categories/genders.   Not bad for a swimmer that doesn't swim!   Well done Mark, you did absolutely fantastic and I think if you put your mind to it, and of course, did some training, you would be amazed at the results.  You are a natural and I love you. x.  And I promise not to be the over-bearing, over-protective mum next time round.

I repeated the mile about an hour later on my own and swum it in 24.29.  I was first lady home in the +55 age group and came 28th out of 696, all categories/genders.

Eton 10k - 14th June 2014

First race of the season for me and I must say I definitely was not looking forward to it.  I don't know where the time has gone, but for some reason, although I have been training 3 or 4 times a week, I have certainly not been putting the distance in.  Thank god I only entered the 5k, and not the 10k event.  No matter how much you train in a pool, if you haven't been doing long continuous swims, you know it's going to be tough when you do.

About an hour before the event, the heavens opened.  It came down in bucket loads and we all ran for cover under the nearest tent.  The water became even less appealing now.

So, hence I started the long exhausting task of squeezing into my wetsuit thinking that it was going to be a long cold swim.  How wrong was I.

Good old British weather, just twenty minutes before the off, and not a cloud in the sky.  I was tugging at the neck of my wetsuit for air.  I was melting in all that rubber.  Well too late now, I was going to be stuck in it for the duration.

I had no pre-conceived expectations of how I would do, but when the gun went off, I never realised how much of an uncomfortable race this was going to be.  I struggled in my suit, was drinking loads of yukky water and melting fast.   So when the race was finally over, I was glad and exited the water rather weary to say the least.

I won the ladies over 50 event as was 6th fastest female over the line in a time of 1hr 21mins. 6secs.   So, everything considered, I was glad to finish in a reasonable time.



Always makes it a good day when lots of Redcaps are racing too.

Not much more to say on this one.

Lakeside National Relays - September 2013

At last, a chance to swim with my son Mark. 

Disappointingly, The Great East Swim at Alton Waters had been cancelled this year. I had been training my eldest son, Mark up for his very first outdoor swim and he was doing so well, so when we heard the news it was cancelled, having done all that training, we decided to enter the Lakeside 750m event instead.  Mark used to compete in his childhood but then the typical teenage phase of booze and fags got in the way and he became quite unfit.

It was whilst watching my video of the 24 hour swim challenge back in 2011, that he decided enough was enough.  If his ole mum can swim 24miles in 24 hours, then he's inspired to do something.

He sent me a beautiful text saying how proud he was of me and that he was going to cut the fags and booze, get fit and do something energetic! 

Here's a reminder of that epic (and sometimes sad) video of my challenge. 24 Hour Challenge You might need to put the kettle on before watching but if you want to see a grown woman break down, then just skip right to about minute 13.

Gary, my youngest son, was my swim buddy on this challenge and helped me through the night along with Chris.  Unfortunately, would you believe it but the tape ran out on the very last length so the grand finale was not caught on camera.

Anyway, that's old news.  Back to Mark.  The end of 2012 saw me without a job so I was able to devote 3 months to being Mark's swim coach.    Jeez, was he unfit on the first few trips to the pool.  All he could manage was 2 lengths max. before dying with exhaustion.  He trained his butt off for 5 months, we entered The Great East Swim and then just a couple of days before, we received the news that due to bad weather, the event had to be called off.

I don't think I have ever been so gutted before that a race had been cancelled.  Poor Mark was all hyped up and ready to go, it was so disappointing.

Unfortunately, he wasn't able to get the time off work to switch to The Great London swim, so I entered him in the 750metres at Lakeside instead.  By now though, he had lost his mo-jo.  I don't actually think he went anywhere near a swimming pool between June and September so when the day came to race at Lakeside, he was out of shape, but determined to do it.

I was in an 800m relay event and I had also entered the 750metres too so that I could keep Mark company (well he is my baby).

Chris was also entered into the 750 metres and when the gun went off, me and Mark were soon left far, far behind.  3mths out of the water, more booze and fags and he was rolling on to his back just kicking to get his breath and compose himself.

I told him not to worry about anyone else.  It was not a race, it was a challenge and we were going to complete it no matter what.  but I could tell by his face, that he didn't like being left behind.

However, funny how things take a turn for the better.  I noticed that we had been making some ground on another swimmer so said to Mark (as we had plenty of time to chat whilst we doggy-paddled round), hey look, I think you are catching a swimmer up.

To my surprise, of all people to catch up, it was Chris.  He was struck down with severe cramp and could not swim at all.  LOL, -- Come on Mark, we ain't gonna come last after all - HILARIOUS. 

We caught him up and I had a pang of guilt - do I stay with my husband who is in agony, or do I stay with my baby.  No brainer - See you laters Chris - we ain't coming last.  Apologies Chris, but Mark is only 28 years old after all and still needs his Mum :)

Mark was so pleased he finished, albeit it was not the swim he had imagined  He learnt his lesson, that you need to train for these things, so we have now entered the The Great East Swim again for f 2014, he has joint a Swimming Club and we are keeping fingers crossed that come June, he will get round the mile course without any hitches. 

Little bit disappointed that the first thing he grabbed when he climbed out of the lake was - A FAG!

Well done Mark.  Now it was your mums turn to have a tear in her eye and be so proud of you because you didn't give up - you did it and I am so so proud of you. x

BUDE Channel Challenge - September 2013

Tracy Russell - Pod Mate, settling in.

The busiest weekend of my life, I think.  Below - From left, Dave Southgate, Steve Knights, Jon Yorston, Tracy Kemp, Clive Hatch, Tom Durhsen and Tracy Russell.

So, including me, that makes eight of us, seven squeezed into one Galaxy (Dave went on ahead) with heap loads of wetsuits, towels and nutrition, and we headed off to Cornwall, ready to take on the Bude Challenge which was to swim the equivalent distance of the English Channel in the sea pool at Bude.  The purpose of the swim was to raise money to save the crumbling sea wall. 

We split into two teams and I was especially looking forward to this event as it was a chance to swim with some of my old buddies from Blackwater Triathlon Club.

Back in 2004'ish I used to be the swimming coach and Treasurer of BTC.  And although no longer a member, I was humbled that they contacted me to make up their second team for this epic challenge.

Tracey Kemp - Pod Mate, settling in

Spirits were high as we set off for the eight hour journey with Tracy R in the driver's seat. 

I have to say that having only ever stayed in little less than 5*, not that I'm a snob or anything (but I do like my little luxuries), when we arrived at our little Glamping POD, I chuckled to myself that thank god Chris was not with me on this occasion!



 

Tom D, first off for my team going non-wetsuit
 

Well here they are (above right).  Looking like lots of little beehives all around a BBQ stove.  Each was equipped with blow up beds, ice box, electricity and warmth and more importantly, friends.

I shared with the two Tracy's and to say it slept 3 was a bit of an over-statement.  The three blow up beds were crammed in corner to corner and I think we were all grateful that there was no snoring over this weekend.  Well not from our POD anyway.  If only Chris could see me now.  This would have been his worst nightmare.

A warm welcome was well received as Dave was already there with the BBQ on when we arrived and we cracked open the beer and wine!  Yes, beer and wine.  Well, after all, it was only a channel crossing we were doing at 6am.  Easy Peezy. 

A little sparring match between Tom and Cassie Patten,
Olympic Medalist.

Olympic medalist, Cassie Patten was there to cheer the challengers on and even managed a mile herself.  Our very own Tom D got in and managed to stay on her toes for a whole lap, albeit he did look a little knackered and soon tailed off. 

Not sure which Tracy this is - hard to tell

Here's a few more photo's of our fab weekend together.  Both teams completed the challenge and the heavens opened at the end on our way to the Curry House. 

Great weekend.
Great challenge.
Great friends.
Great time. x.

Holding Cassies Bronze Olympic Medal

A nice birthday treat for Steve K.

TEAM DOE do The Clacton Triathlon

Dress rehearsal

8th September 2013.

This year saw the start of a new career for me.  I said good bye to the busy day to day running of an accountancy practice and headed off to Ernest Doe & Sons Limited, the largest agricultural supplier in the UK.

I also landed myself the role of PA to the Managing Director, Mr Colin Doe.  So, if any of my usual gang need a tractor or combine, you know where to come for discount!  http://www.ernestdoe.com

It wasn't long before I learnt that I had something in common with my new boss.  Sport.  He is a competitive cyclist, and with me being a swimmer, our daily routine soon included chit chat about the past weekends training regime.

It certainly broke the ice in those first few weeks when everything and everybody is so new.  It's nice to have some common ground somewhere.

Almost ready

It was during one of these conversations that Colin jokingly said, "if we had a runner, would that make us good for a triathlon".

He really did say it as a joke, because he never realised at the time that team triathlons do exist.

A few days later, Kerry Marsh from accounts popped in to our office and our previous team triathlon conversation resurfaced.  "So we now have a triathlon team, what a shame we are three people instead of one".

I explained that Team Triathlons really do exist and how about we enter one.  It was said a bit 'tongue in cheek' as I never thought for one minute that both of them would be interested.  Surprisingly they were, so that was it, I was now on the case to find a team triathlon that the three of us could compete in.


I'm second in from the right of the picture

Before they could catch their breath, TEAM DOE was entered into The Clacton Triathlon. 

The only problem was the date.  8th September 2013. Colin and Janet's wedding anniversary!  How could we get Janet to agree to spending her wedding anniversary watching a triathlon!   "Well, it is Clacton.  Tell her your taking her to the beach for the day" I said.  OK maybe that won't work".

So, I spent a few weeks advising my new boss how to stack up brownie points at home.  "You need to do the ironing this weekend, mow the grass and cook the dinner".  Basically, keep in her good books and stack up your points.  You then need to get the timing just right before you play your trump card.   The second she smiles and says thank you, -- PLAY YOUR CARDS, cash in those brownie points along the lines of "You deserve something really special for our anniversary darling, leave it to me.  I'm going to treat you to golden sands and sunshine" !!!!




Kerry coming into the finishing line

And I'll be blowed but it worked.  He had his play pass and was now ready to take on the spirit of TEAM DOE.  He even organised team t'shirts.  Amemo was issued to all employee's to see if anyone else would like to put a team together.  Amongst 500+ employees, we must have other cyclists, swimmers and runners out there.  Before long DO-NUTS (from the Dartford Branch), were also keen.

Sadly they had to withdraw at the last minute due to unforeseen circumstances, but what a great name eh, The DO-NUTS, hilarious.

We each took our gruelling training regime seriously as not wanting the let the team down.  I even managed to get Colin to take his nutrition seriously too by selling him, what he refers to as his chocolate muck!   As a Herbalife Distributor, I never miss an opportunity to sell 'muck' to anyone. http://www.slimmerswimmer.co.uk

Our heavy work schedule soon had to be adjusted to allow time for 'team pep talks', tactics and rules. We even had job roles.  Colin was Team Treasurer, Kerry was Coach and Mentor and I was Team Manager and Nutritionist!  God, we were serious.

We studied last years results to see how we each compared in each of our disciplines and the scary thing was, we were good.  We realised we were in with a chance to win this. :)

What a great 'ice-breaker' for my new career.  I was now part of a team triathlon with my boss doing the cycle bit and a lovely lady in accounts being our runner.

Race Day.

5am Sunday 8th September, and Team Manager sends the first text of the day.  "Good Morning Team Doe, the sun is shining and are we all fighting fit".

Janet and Chris were there to support us and thank god the sun was shining and the beach looked lovely, so at least Janet wasn't disappointed with her anniversary treat!

Our respective spouses wore the team t'shirts too and we really looked the part.

The swim was exhausting for me.  One of those really breezy days that create a lot of small choppy waves.  It was a complete battle to hold my stroke together.  What was worse though was that, having had both knees operated on, I am unable to run, but the swimmer had to run up the beach and up a hill, along the road before tagging the cyclist.  I think that bit hurt more than the swim.

I was third out of the water in my heat, and think the 7th fastest swimmer overall.   Colin did a fabulous cycle section with an overal result of 13th and Kerry did a very respectable 48mins for her 10k.  She looked absolutely exhausted at the end as the weather was so hot.


TEAM DOE came 4th out of 13 teams and our time would have won the event the previous year.

Lets hope that this was the first one of many as I would definately like to be part of TEAM DOE in 2014.

The Great London Swim - 31st August 2013

Well what an emotional day this was.  Life's been a bit strange over the past 8 months.  In a nut shell, we had a major kitchen overhaul which went drastically wrong and left us without a kitchen for 3 months, I had a cancer scare right bang in the middle of it and stress factor was flying all over the place, I had two biopsy's which thankfully I received the all clear, I was made redundant from my PA role of 13 years and had no work for 10 weeks and what with a severe lack of training due to stress levels reaching sky high, my head was in a really weird place for a while. So apart from the Southend Pier Swim, I've done jack all.

I've plodded along the seashore and the odd canal a few times but as for racing, no speed there whatsoever, so I decided to write this year off as far as targets go and enjoy a well needed rest.

Well in the midst of all this, my dearest, loveliest, friend Lizzie Wells,

who has often referred to me as a complete nutter that needs sectioning, decided she wanted to do something for charity.  Having lost her mum to cancer about 4 years ago and having had a little scare herself, what with my scare too, a cancer charity was the obvious choice.  What was not obvious was what the challenge would be.  You see Lizzie's only form of exercise in the past is weight lifting.  Many, many, many repetitions of lifting a glass of wine to ones mouth to tone up the arms.  And unfortunately she also suffers from a horrendous allergy know as exercise-a-phobia.  Exercise to you and me.  The thought of doing any exercise at all, or even so much as catching a passing glimpse of sport on the television, causes her to twitch uncontrollably and break out in a sweat.

It was during one of these severe outbreaks (and in the middle of a heavy 'Wine Weight Training set'), that having overdosed on the alcohol intake, she found herself mutter some words which she would come to regret later.  "Well, I could join you Bettsy and do an open water swim".  To which I have to add at this point, that I came out in a hot sweat and had to join her in her wine weight training session, as I was knocked for six!

Now the other thing Lizzie won't mind me telling you is that a year ago from the time of writing this article, she weighed an incredible 5.5 stone heavier than she does today.  Did I think she would stick it - No.  Did I think she would get in a cozzie at the start of all this dieting (cough cough) - No.  Did I ever think I would get her in a cold, horrible lake in a wetsuit - Hell No.

The first time I threw her in the River Chelmer she had a severe panic attack.  She couldn't breath, she was petrified and shaking with fear.  We doggy paddled up the river with our other close friend Ulieja (Julie) who was keeping a close eye along the bankside accompanied by Vinny the dog.  (Pain).   Totally convinced I was going to have to perform a resuscitation move on Lizzie at some point during the swim, I was definitely not prepared for having to rescue a bloomin DOG!   Yes, Vinny fell in.  And with mum, Ulieja, throwing a tantrum on the side, Lizzie gasping for breath, I leaped into my baywatch mode and rescued the bloomin DOG!  Then shot back to calm Lizzie down.  God, how the hell did I get involved in this one!

So, here we are now.  A whole year on and she's able to swim a mile a day in a pool but has not returned to the cold outdoors for over 8 long winter months.

A place called TRIFARM had just opened which is fairly close to where we live and is basically a lake where triathletes can train at the whole discipline in one area under the supervision of lifeguards.  An excellent venue.  So once again, as soon as we had some decent weather we had to go through the whole procedure of panic attacks and "Don't speak to me" whilst we doggy paddled around the circuit.  (At least this time it was without Vinny the Dog!)

Then a really weird thing happened.  I used to
jump in the lake at TRIFARM on my way home from work and with the fantastic summer we were having in 2013, I certainly made the most of it.  Then one night I turned up at the lake and to my surprise, there was Lizzie, in it, on her own !!!!!   What is the world coming to?  I could hardly believe my eyes that she had gone to the farm by herself to practise.  The same thing happened the following week, but this was even more surprising.  As Chris and I did our usual 2/3 laps, we spotted Lizzie - AND HER HUSBAND.  Jeez, this is crazy.  But then, the thing that completely knocked me for six was that Lizzie, of all people, turned up at TRIFARM in protest to 'KEEP OUR FARM OPEN' !!!!   Do-good jobs worths, with nothing better to do than try to close our farm down meant that we had to fight to remain there and Lizzie was on the front line!

So, here we are.  The day has arrived.  And whats more, Lizzie has raised nearly £2,000 in her quest to lose 5.5 stone and be able to complete THE GREAT LONDON SWIM.  She dragged all her friends and workmates down to cheer her on and was ready for her big day.


I was going to race it at 10a.m. and then jump back in again at 11.30a.m. to swim Lizzies mile with her.  Well un-beknown to me, whilst I'm racing my heat, my mum, bless her, has chatted up the man with the microphone, told him all about her me and that I'm swimming it twice today and all about my amazing friend that's going to attempt this mile.  So when I completed my mile, there he was waiting to interview me.  Amongst the crowds, Lizzie hadn't managed to find me or didn't see my epic swim (I say epic because amazingly I broke the 24min barrier for the first time ever) which was unfortunately but she did hear a familiar voice over the speaker system telling the world all about her.  She came rushing over with tears in her eyes and then promptly told me I got the charity name wrong!   Ooops. Must pay attention.

When our heat was announced, we stayed right at the back and waited for all the other swimmers to go in.  Chris was racing it so off he went and then, an extremely scared Lizzie, dawdled into the scary water amongst cheers of 'come on Lizzie, you can do it'.   AND SHE DID.  The last 20 metres or so, she welled up because she knew her mum would have been so proud of her. We spoke about her mum as we swum round the course and she said "if she could see me now, she would never believe what I have done".    A true inspiration Lizzie, I'm so proud of you.  And then as we climbed out the other end, there was our young man again ready to interview this amazing lady who was able to tell the world her story.  Fame at last.

And which proves, if you look for reasons and excuses why not to do something, then the chances are, you never really wanted to do it in the first place.

Lizzie wanted to do this for her mum, she wanted to make a difference, and so she did.