I decided to enter the Great North Swim as a training incentive. When it's cold and wet outside and you're feeling tired it is difficult to find the motivation to go for a swim. The fear factor of an open water swim next month has made me far more disciplined in swimming 2 or 3 times a week.

I have never swum in open water before and am rather apprenhensive about the wind and waves and of course the cold. I will wear a wetsuit but even so Lake Windermere will be pretty chilly.

I am hoping to swim the mile in about 30 minutes. In the pool I can swim it in just over 25 minutes but with weather, other swimmers and no push offs I will be a little slower.

There are so many charities to choose from that it can be difficult to know to whom one should donate. As I teach children to swim I thought it would be apt to support a children's charity. Martin House is a children's hospice and from what I have read about them the work they do for children and their families is very supportive. I am sure that they would appreciate any donation from you however small.

 

The race takes place on 19th June. My wave will be at 10.30am. I'll try to keep you updated on my training schedule and of course let you know how the swim went after the event.

Thank you

Renate

 

 20/6/11

Well, I've swum the race and it went quite well apart from going a bit off course. I managed to come 4th in my wave in a time of 27 minutes 27 seconds. There are all sorts of fascinating statistics on the Great North Swim website which tell me that overall I came 351st. I was the 100th woman to finish. In my age group I came 37th and I was the 7th woman in my age group.

Thank you to everyone who has donated to the charity so far. I am sure that Martin House appreciate any money raised.

Renate