I am a Sports Therapist from Abbeymead in Gloucester. I have always been involved in sport locally and used to work on the medical team for 11 seasons at Gloucester Rugby. I am now in partnership with my sister, in a Gloucester
By the age of 21 I was competing for the GB Triathlon Age Group Team, and took part in 5 World Championships. The swimming element proved to be my strength. Since then I have competed in many half marathons and multi sport endurance events. More recently my passion for the water has come to the fore; competing in Surf Lifesaving in the past and now Open Water swimming events, as a Master.
The previous 5 seasons have seen me race in 1 mile races (Padstow - Rock), 3.8k Ironman distance lake swims and sea swims of now up to, 9 miles (around Brownsea Island in Poole, across Tobay and around Dover harbour)! Last year I completed my goal of swimming the length of Lake Windemere (10.5 miles), and in a relay team across the English Channel! Each year my performances have improved slightly, as my endurance, stamina and confidence improves! So, naturally I've wanted to test this further!
Training for these events entails a lot of ‘anti social’ distance swimming! In 25m pools, the 50m Cheltenham Lido , Lakes and the Sea – to which I travel regularly with other like minded crazy swim buddies! In the summer swim sessions are far more regular, with some cross training sessions of running, cycling and gym work – to give the arms a rest! The lake and sea sessions are ideal opportunities to practice swimming in colder water with and without wetsuits, for sighting buoys (ie. trying to swim in a straight line!) and in choppier waters! The meterage will constantly be building throughout the spring and summer months!
I have always been one for a challenge and each year aim to do one event for charity. ‘I feel if I am going to challenge myself to go further than I have before in terms of training committment and the actual event, a charity should benefit from my endeavours!’ The choices this year are: the Pied Piper Appeal, a local charity helping sick children get better, at our local hospital. I have a few friends involved with Pied Piper, so it was the natural choice! Also the Brainstrust as I have a personal reason for supporting this charity as it is helping a family member through their recent illness.
I decided last year I felt ready to make myself available for a Channel Relay. I have some experience of distance sea swimming and this seemed the next logical step up! I was invited to join a team of 3 others, by Julie Bradshaw MBE (Google her!) I accepted! The attempt was in September 2010. It was the first ever attempt as a relay team to cross the Channel using Medley strokes! (E.g. Backstroke, Breaststroke, Fly, Frontcrawl) I was the frontcrawl swimmer. We made fantastic progress and completed in 11 hours 29 mins. I was lucky enough to land the team in France. It was also a new World Record!
So, the seed was sown! Could I attempt to make this crossing alone in 2011?! A completely different challenge. It would also mean a massive change to my lifestyle for a fair few months! Early mornings, relentless metres face down in water, lots of eating, sleeping and fatigue!! Time management and focus is key!
The conditions in the Channel are very challenging! The conditions will be similar for my solo attempt this year! Sections of it may have to be swum in the dark. The water will be cold, there will be big swell, waves, debris, jelly fish and many BIG ships passing through the shipping lanes we are attempting to cross! I could get millpond conditions and 18 degrees, or be faced with 15 degrees and 8 foot swell! I have to be alone in the water swimming at all times. I rest while treading water and feeding at the same time! My crew can feed me over the boat, but I cannot touch them or the boat! Although the distance is approx 22 miles, I am likely to swim a great deal more if currents/tides are not kind on the day. I could not attempt this without my pilot or my crew. So this challenge and the build up to it, also relies on a lot of support of those around me - for which I am already grateful! Fingers crossed the Channel Gods will be kind on the day, as there are many variables out of my control.
Channel Swimming Association Rules state we have to have an ‘Observer’ on our pilot boat – to verify our attempt and check we stick to the rules! We are only allowed to wear a costume, hat, goggles and grease!
I decided to attempt the challenge, and paid my deposit in Jan 2010! No going back now! I will have to be in Dover waiting in early September this year, and have a 7 day window in which to make the attempt. My boat pilot will track the wind and weather conditions, he will then calculate the most suitable time to start the attempt. He will also take into account my swimming ability, fatigue, tide times and currents! It could take approx 12-14 hours on a very good day, or maybe even more to complete, depending on conditions. The conditions could even change during the attempt and work against me.
I have chosen to do some Fundraising events between now and September for the charities. I preferred to do it this way, more fun, a few smaller events and this way a lot of people should be able to be involved in something! There is also a ‘Just Giving’ page for each charity and fundraising account details, for those people who are unable to support any events, but would still like to make a donation in some way! See the links.
Please support the Pied Piper Appeal, Brainstrust and me, by supporting the events or donating at one of the fundraising sites.
Many Thanks :-)
I will keep you updated with training progressions, races and fundraising details in the coming weeks!
Kim :-)
