DID IT.

I swam the English Channel finishing on a beach in Wissant Bay, France in 14 hours and 53 minutes.

We leave tonight at 10pm(ish)

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"Gallivant"

what am I doing?

Well I am swimming the English Channel in August 2013

Why? 

I wanted a challenge and want to raise money for the NSE so what else then to swim the Channel?

Why the channel?

I am a swimmer so it seemed the most plausible challenge in comparison to running a marathon or climbing mount Everest... I don't run.

I suffer from epilepsy and swimming reassures me that I am not missing out on anything . I like to take on challenges that push you to the limit and this one really does/has. I also want raise money for a very personal cause.

So support me during my training all the way up to my swim. Carry on reading......

2010 SEASON

The Great South swim:

I swam it in 25 mins and came 203rd out of 5000 people. Not bad for a first timer.

Bournemouth pier to pier:

Just for fun but the gail force winds did make it quite hard

Spain

bit of training in the sun

Chiswick pier to pier

Top ten, against the tide: never swam so hard in my life!

Dorney Lake long swim

I swam on the 26th of september in sub 15oc temperatures a 3.8k race in 57 mins. Was very proud of myself. Came 12th out of the women and 40th overall, felling good all over

2011 SEASON

Gozo long distance training camp: I really got to know what it takes to swim the channel. booked my solo for August 2013.

Dorney 10km 28/5/11 decided never to swim with a wetsuit long distance: hurt alot

Windsor 3.8 km 5/6/11 really enjoyed this however still wish i could swim longer distances.

Champions of champions= Dover 18/6/11 A 5 mile swim then a 1 mile: These swims showed how far i've still got to go. I am not good in the cold.

British Gas 1 mile: Docklands 2/7/11: I participated in this event to help me boost my confidence after my pathetic attempt in Dover. Was a fun swim and met lots of people.

Hampton Court 3.65km 17/7/11: I swam without a wetsuit, one of few. Was a very enjoyable swim and did a good time.

Bournemouth 3.8 14/8/11: This was a very tough swim because the tide was against us, but i'm really beginning to enjoy swimming without a wetsuit. I didn't do a very good time but was an enjoyable day.

Dorney Lake 5km 20/8/11: Again a nice swim. I felt very fit and swam quite fast considering I wasn't wearing a wetsuit. I enjoyed a good sprint for the last km and met some lovely people.

Henley to Marlow 14km 21/8/11: my longest swim yet. I was surprised by how comfortable the temperature was but got very cold having to get out at all the lochs. My arms had never hurt so much and by the last km I was very much in agony. I'm pleased I did it and the pain could never out-way the achievement I felt. Like a channel swimmer says 'Pain is only pain'.

Bray 10km 9/11: non wetsuit, nice swim 2 hours 45 minutes, 1st female non-wetsuit.

2012 swim season- Round Jersey year.

This year was all about training for my round Jersey swim this August. I start in March with the Gozo swim trek camp where i completed my six-hour qualifying swim, which was a really big step for me. Back in England in May I completed a 10km in Dorney Lake which was very crowded with 400 competitors all swimming at the same time, I did it in 2 hours 41 minutes.

In June I completed the BLDSA Champions of Champions which consisted of a 5 mile swim followed by a 3 mile followed by 1 mile. This was tough and I was particularly pleased I completed this as I got out early during the 5-mile last year.

On the 29th of July I competed in the 7 mile BLDSA Ullswater swim in 12 degress, which was absolutely freezing but I finished it in 3 hours and 30 minutes and got a bronze medal which warmed me up.

On 23rd of August I swam the (aprox) 38 miles Round the Island of jersey in 10 hours and 24 minutes- my biggest acievement yet and a really big step closer to the channel next year. Watch this space.

 2013 Channel Year!!!!!!!

I have been training throughout the winter in sub 5 degrees and started increasing my pool work to 7 km 3-4 times a week.

In April I attended the Majorca long-distance camp and got my 6-hour qualifier done in 13.8 degress.

Since the camp I have increased my distance work and reduced my pool sessions down to 1 a week. I am spending every weekend in Dover training with Freda and other channel swimmers. Last weekend I completed 2 lots of 4 hour swims in 12.5 degress. 

Just need to keep this up with 5 weeks to go! eek!

 

 

 

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