I did it!!

Well it's finally done and what an amazing experience. We set out on Friday on the long journey up to Windermere. Friday afternoon traffic was pretty horrendous and after what seemed like forever we arrived. The nightmare that was the journey quickly melted away when we saw the hotel and our room. It was perfect. The rain had stopped and I was beginning to feel more excited than nervous. Sleep sort of happened but it was fitful to say the least.

We woke up early on Saturday and grabbed a rather meager breakfast as we were too early for the kitchen to be open. A Faulty Tower moment followed as the patron of the hotel was only too keen to help us and get us anything we wanted just not breakfast at 7.30 but just to reiterate, again and again, just ask her if we needed anything!  We did eventually get some cereal and tea but to be honest that was all I could eat as the nerves were kicking in.

The taxi arrived on time and we piled in to drive the 3 miles to the event site. I can not tell you the feeling that went through me as we pulled up in the car to be looking out on the lake and the starting gate.

We walked in and I was keen to get changed and into my wetsuit. Hats off to the guys at the GNS as the event was so well organised. There were big tents erected so that swimmers could get changed and I just walked straight in and 5 minutes later I was ready. It was at this point I realised that I could not find my timing chip. An electronic tag that you secure around your leg and when you go over the starting mat it starts timing and when you swim across the finish line it obviously stops. Where was it??!!!!!

What ensued was what seemed like an eternity of me turning out my bag again and again to no avail, suggestions of people returning to the hotel and then finally a sensible suggestion of asking for help from one of the event stewards. It then became clear that this happened all the time and I was directed to the information point where they had boxes of chips and new hats etc. I was given a new number, 3369 and a new chip and within minutes relief took over. Now, I had only to wait for my 'wave' to be called. Phew!

It was about now that I realised we were really quite early. This however turned out to be an advantage as we got seats in the grandstand which for my family was great as the rain was beginning to fall again. The first wave was about to start - Red wave.

The waves were categorised by the what colour hat the swimmers had been given. I was green wave, second of the day. It was good to be able to see what would happen but by now I really was beginning to feel sick with nerves. No sooner had red wave left, and they called the swimmers for green wave to come to the start line. I felt like a small child being pushed out onto stage having forgotten all my lines. Or perhaps a better analogy would be that I felt like I was about to walk the plank. One last hug and I made my way down to the acclimatisation pool. At this point it was still raining and the adrenaline was starting to kick in. I waded my way in, and finally I was actually in Lake Windermere.

It was at this point I relaxed. The water was nowhere near as cold as I was expecting. In fact it was quite pleasant. We all bobbed up and down filling our wetsuits, dunking our faces and then over the speaker came a voice "Would green wave swimmers make their way to the starting line".

Now it was time to get serious. After a short warm up and a pep talk from the Olympic Open water Swimmer, who's name escapes me as I was a little distracted, the countdown began and then the air horn went. Time to put it all into practice.

It was fantastic. I didn't rush in with the nutters at the front. I was somewhere in the middle and walked down to the water and calmly got in. I was off. The exhilaration of finally doing it was overwhelming. A big pink bouy marked halfway and that was my aim. The rain had stopped and the view was breathtaking.  The water was lovely. Much clearer than I had expected and nothing like Leybourne lakes. I have to say that I didn't go for it with the front crawl as yet again my breathing was hard to control and so I just relaxed and decided go with the breast stroke and enjoy it. I was surrounded by people but it was silent and calm. One of those moments in time where all your senses are working overtime to etch the scene onto your memory. I didn't want it to end.

The pink bouy of half way approached as did the shore line and a drumming band drew us closer in.  I was still feeling ok but now round the bouy I could see the end. By the time I got three quarters of the way to the end I was beginning to become a little tired. I wanted to use front crawl but where I was hot and my face had been out of the water, now trying to put it in the water was like putting my head straight into a bucket of ice. It was too painful so I had to continue with the breast stroke now.

The big orange markers of the last 200m were looming but I could have sworn at this point they were moving away from me at the same time. What spurred me on was seeing my family on the bank and trying to get them to spot me. It was understandably hard for them as we all looked the same in our green hats. Maybe a balloon tied around my neck next time will help ;-) However, in the end my teacher voice won out and I was able to gain their attention.

Finally, the finishing marker approached and I reached up to give it a hefty whack as I passed through it. It had to be done. Unfortunately my calf muscle did not agree at this point and cramped, painfully. I am so glad that this did not happen earlier in the race as having never really suffered from cramp I now understand that I could have been in serious trouble.

It is at this point that it is worth mentioning the Kayaks positioned all around the course who did a fabulous job of supporting us all and helping people out when they got in trouble. The whole thing was so well organised and I felt completely safe throughout.

So finally I had crossed the finish line. I was somewhat hauled out of the water as the slope was really steep, and with cramp it wasn't easy but I did it! I had swum Lake Windermere. My time in the end was officially 40 minutes 26 seconds but I made it just under 40 when you count getting in time. I could have gone faster but actually I am so glad to just have done it.  Sadly I found out that later in the day one man did actually lose his life and it makes you realise just how tough it actually was.

For the rest of the day I wore my T-shirt proudly and also my medal (I've never won a medal for anything) and on top of all that I think I have raised close to £600 for the NAS. I have exceeded my target which is amazing.

Now it's Sunday night and I'm finally sitting down at home after the journey home. I've done my washing and ironing and am nursing a slightly sore leg on the sofa with a cup of tea as I write this.

So what's next? Oops.... I just signed up for next year :-) Gotta get quicker and the 2 mile race is also slightly tempting me too. I've got a year to train after all!

Finally, thanks for taking the time to read this blog. I hope you a have enjoyed it.

A very proud,
Gemini6x

Training Complete!

Wow ! Well it's done! I can do no more. My last training session today went really well and now it's just rest until Saturday. Can't believe it's only 3 days to go.

The weather report is looking rubbish unfortunately but I have resigned myself to the fact that it's going to rain and I'm going to be wet anyway so lets get on with it. Temperature in the lake has increased to 16.4 C apparently so that's a good. I think that is roughly close to the temperature that Leybourne was when I had my first training session. Not too worried about the cold now. I think the adrenaline will kick in and it will be ok.

So feeling excited, nervous and surprisingly calm. Must sleep now though.

Gemini6x

Green Algae in bloom.

I'm learning things everyday with my swimming and today is was all about the algae being in bloom. During my last couple of swims I've been aware of the spotted green water more and more. Today it was like swimming through sludge and it was really not very nice.  Apparently the algae is in bloom at the moment and with the weather at the weekend it's churned it all up. I'm told that it will improve but I really did not enjoy it today. The lack of visibility in the water also meant that I didn't see the random bits of weed floating in the water that crept up on me and entangle itself in my fingers and round my legs!

Fearless open water swimmer.... I think not !

Gemini6x

Demons are on the way out:-)

Well I got to the lakes and it was sunny :-) Did the 750m and 550m circuits which isn't quite the mile but it felt much better today. (It was just a time issue today, in that I didn't have enough). Anyway, I got my head down and actually got over the water issue that I've been having. Not sure what was different today but I'm glad that it was.

I've been reflecting tonight on the changes that this training has made to me. For a start physically things are toning up, which is always a good thing. I feel so much fitter and mentally the regular exercise is great particularly when you work in a job like mine. When you swim you can't think about anything else and I find that however I feel to begin with I always feel so much better when I have finished my training.

Then there is the gear :-) Wetsuit - I can now get in a wetsuit in under 5 minutes and it doesn't involve rolling around on the floor liked a beached whale. Body Glide - to prevent wetsuit chaffing. Goggles - I have 3 pairs now; reflectors for sunny weather, clear for cloudy and my spare pair, just in case.  Ear plugs - to prevent water getting in the ear, ear drops - to wash out any water that has.  Swim hats - one bright pick to be seen in open water,  a cloth one to go under the other and to create an extra layer for warmth and a normal black Speedo for the pool ( don't think I'll swim without a hat now - although I am aware of how ridiculous I look in them.) Finger paddles - a random invention that I didn't even know existed but actually are very effective at creating resistance and help improve your stroke. It does feel odd when you take them off though. 3 swimsuits - particularly useful for weeks like this when I need one a day.

Aside from the gear, the biggest changes have been in my technique. When I started I thought I was a strong swimmer. I used to race when I was at school and thought that this challenge would be easy. How wrong I was. However, now I can swim front crawl in the pool for an hour without stopping to collapse with exhaustion. To be honest my stoke was rubbish and unsustainable for any great length. I would always resort to lengths of breast stroke with the odd couple of front crawl lengths thrown in to try and prove to myself that I could do it.  Now I am most comfortable when swimming front crawl. Even today I was in the lake looking at ways to improve my stroke and maybe that was what made it easier as I wasn't thinking about the water so much.

Finally, my thoughts today rest with my other motivation for doing this swim. Raising money for the National Autistic Society. This has been such a challenge and I still have fears to overcome but the pupils I teach and people who are affected by autism face challenges on a day to day basis. For some just going outside their front door into the chaotic environment that is our world is a massive achievement every day and one that I think most people are not even remotely aware of. So if I can somehow raise awareness and help fund the work that the NAS do, then it will be well worth it.

This started out as something I wanted to do for me and raising money was a bonus.  Now, I really understand why so many people do crazy things like swimming across a lake, running marathons and generally stepping outside their comfort zones for a short stretch of time to raise money for charities. My day on Saturday will be chaotic, scary, unfamiliar and I know I will wake up with a feeling of shear dread and not want to do it. How many people with Autism face those sorts of feelings everyday of their lives? However, despite those fears they still walk out into the world and face their challenges. Which is exactly what I will do too.

Feeling a bit profound tonight.

Gemini6x

1 week to go!

Haven't written for a while as I have been battling a chest infection. However, got back in the pool last week and finally the lakes this weekend. It seemed a lot colder and I'm still struggling with the isolation of it all but with only a week to go, facing my demons seems eminent.

Met up with my coach briefly for a few last minute tips. I am now on a carbohydrate diet for the week which is lovely as normally carbohydrates are the route of all evil. I have also ordered some energy drinks and bars on her advice and so should be really raring to go on the day.

Looked up the current temperature of Windermere and it's 15.9 C which is 4 degrees colder than Leybourne lakes so it will be a shock to the system but once I'm in it should be ok. I just really don't want it to rain. The weather this weekend has been horrible and I have my fingers crossed that it surely can't be worse?!

So last few days of training involve lake swims up to Wednesday and then that will be it until the big day. Can't believe it's here and this time next week it will be all over. Have started to think about what will be the next challenge.

Any suggestions greatly recieved.

Gemini6x

Doc's Orders

No swimming for me today as have chest infection. Not impressed.

On a good note though my official and very green (!) swim hat arrived today, number 3095, along with my timing chip and general information about the day of the swim.

All feels a bit real now.

Gemini6x

A beautiful description

The following is not my writing but I found it on a website talking about swimming in Lake Windermere and it really sums up my thoughts. Off to swim at Leybourne again tomorrow.

'Whatever the case you enter into a very different environment as a swimmer. You may be only meters away from friends and support but you feel in another world emotionally. Water has always been associated with the feelings and deeper intuitive urges of our nature. Your view is restricted to looking out of goggles that are often misted up and distort the vision at the best of times. As you twist your head to one side to breathe you only have a split second to interpret what you see. A few seconds later you have another chance to build up a better idea as you twist your head back again but this time you may be lower or higher down due to the waves and the object of your attention may have disappeared. What may have looked like an elephant just behind you turns out to be an island in the distance and what appeared to be something like the decorated ceiling of a church just to one side of you turns out to be some poles on the boat with some light reflected off a window. The feeling of confusion caused by goggles and movement of water is further exacerbated by the fact that you are in an almost soundless environment under your swimming cap. In fact I’ve found that low flying military jets overhead are about the only thing that can break into that space. What you do hear is your own breathing as you lift your head up to inhale and then a soothing surging sound as you exhale sending a stream of bubbles into the murkiness of it all.
 
On the emotional and psychological level there is a similar stirring up of feelings. There is the sense of isolation as well as the feeling of being burdened and having a task to fulfill that others around you seem to be free from. You wish you could be the man strolling along the beach or the tourist hanging over the rails of the small ferry in the distance. All the time you know that there is no escape and that you cannot stop and pack it all in.It is cold and uncomfortable and the times and distances seem too much. Inevitably you ask yourself if there is any point in the whole thing. You are not in extreme discomfort but enough not to want to continue for another 5 hours or 10 hours or however long it is likely to take. Feelings towards family, friends and loved ones are thrown into sharp relief as you realise just how important they are to you and how painful it would be to lose them or cause them any suffering. These worries, fears and anxieties seem to revolve about as your mind moves from one thought to another but they slowly give way as you get bursts of energy and moments of intense joy and well being. As the event progresses and you have some mileage and time under your belt the goal comes into a clearer focus. Physical tiredness and muscle ache start to set in but you know deep down that you will complete the distance. Time starts to pass by much more quickly and the tricky feelings and emotions seem to fade away leaving you in touch with a core of inner strength.'  

http://channel.srichinmoyraces.org/channel_swimmers/karteek/windermere


Here's hoping I can find my inner strength on the day.

Gemini6x