BOOM PART 2 - THE AFTER SWIM PARTY! parental guidence required!!!

BOOM PART 2 - putting Lisa to bed!

As with all races, success breeds the need for celebration and the monster crew allowed out to play certainly had playing in mind. After relaxing at the race venue in the lush Scottish sun for a while it was time to return to the hostel where we were staying. All of us grinning from ear to ear, the swim had been a success, Nessie had tried her best to get us out of the water but we had worked hard and succeeded, it was now time to play hard!!!

But there were still a number of hours til the partying could start...so what to do. We stopped off in the village near the hostel to get some much needed nourishment after which some of the group decided to walk the rest of the way and enjoy the scenery that surrounded us. The remainder got in the bus and headed back. After hanging out wetsuits, towels and cossies we settled down in the sun to relax. Mike retreated to his bunk and attempted to sleep. Lisa and I suddenly realised that the sun blasting down deserved our attention. Now prior to getting to Scotland the weather forecast had informed us that cloud and rain would prevail...however Scotland had been kind to us, we had awoken to sunshine and it was still honouring us. Consequently none of us had packed any shorts or bikini's...so what to do....well with no-one else around it was decided that we would just use our underwear. And so a blissful hour of sun ensued. Lisa lay there with some light refreshments to sip, i just lay there enjoying the warmth of the sun's heat penetrating through to my bones. Chatting away like you do, our revere was disturbed by Nigel returning from his walk...never one to miss an opportunity to use his camera , he soon took up our challenge to get some pics. Pics duly taken it was time for Mike to surface from his slumber. This red blooded male appeared oblivious to the half naked women around him, plopped his rear down and proceeded to munch his way through a bowl of fruit followed by half a bar of chocolate (note he did not share the chocolate!!!) Lisa and i quickly scurried off to shower and start the ritual of getting ready to go out. Kate had already used the showers, smelling better than us so off we headed. 15 mins later and feeling a lot better we started getting ready...cue drink number two for Lisa, a pattern which would repeat itself many times throughout the night.

Once all of us were ready it was time to head out and find food and refreshments....the first place...a tad to up market for our liking..the second was already preparing for a 21st birthday party..we had a drink in there and debating staying on for the party...but sensible heads on (at that point!) we headed out to a pub that had been recommended for its food and real ale...they had me at the ale!!!

Walking toward the next venue we came across .Chris Wilson and his lady friend Lorna, both looked decidedly merry and rosy cheeked.They had just been to the pub and we manged to persuade them to join us. Enquiringly of the barman as to the possibility of food, we were informed of an hours wait...what to do while we waited...the debate lasted seconds as we realised that we could top up our moisture levels. Food ordered and the chat started. Ann suddenly quiet had a moment of reality, you see Ann has only been doing open water swimming for 12 weeks, she has an amazing 'not to be defeated' attitude and although she can not always swim with me she telephones me for hints and tips and then returns the call to let me know how it is going. It is no mean feat what she has achieved, when she joined the group she could only do breaststroke and after a session or two on how to do front crawl is managing well with it..(although in training she will sneak in the odd breaststroke as a point of recovery and thinks i do not notice!!!. Marie on the other hand had never completed a one mile open water race before so you see each of us had had a success. This was a hard swim as the times have shown, all of us down on our normal despite working three times as hard! So praise given where praise is due, Ann and the rest of the girls have done expectationally well to complete the swim and to have come as far as they have in the world of open water swimming in such a short period of time. Waves are now not on the list of things to conquer!

Food arrived and was quickly devoured, with the accompanying refreshments...Red Mc Gregor...wow, would have sat there all night with that one, i even had the offer of marriage as a real ale drinking female..who ever thought ale could produce that result....or maybe it was beer goggles talking!!!

After much swim talk it was time to head back to the hostel for further enlightenment into the world of alcohol. Now let me point out that i am an extremely lightweight drinker and there fore afforded the benefit of being about to watch others succumb to its influence..notably Ann and Lisa. Back at the hostel, the owner set up the karaoke machine....we gave it a go...badly ...then gave up the room too large to support our mauling of songs from the past. Trying to converse at this point was almost impossible with Ann and Lisa...anything and everything set them off convulsing in laughter. At this point Chris and Lorna decided to leave us to it (a wise move i may add), conversations and laughter abounded...i think we were keeping Scotland awake at this point. Several group members departed to try to achieve their much needed sleep quota for the night, which left me and Kate chatting and Lisa and Ann off on the hunt for more vodka!

Roughly an hour later Ann brought Lisa back down to put her to bed (a pattern to be repeated by me throughout the night!!) Kate and i decided to quit while we were ahead and head off to the land of nod.

Entering the room we found Lisa sat up in bed...asleep! Queue first round...getting Lisa under the covers...then finding out that she was fully dressed...we left her dressed. Twenty minutes later Lisa decided she would undress...successfully at this point she smoothly exited her top bunk and holding on to my leg for support she attempted to take off her jeans over her shoes...second round...get up and undress Lisa. Leaving her clothes on the floor and with her modesty intact i attempted to get her back on the top bunk...no not Lisa ,like Goldilocks and the three bears she tried to get into every bed apart from her own. Not sure what the french females would have made of that waking up to Lisa snoring next to them, but eventually i  shoved and pummeled her back onto the top bunk...repeat the getting under the duvet incident! One hour later..Lisa needed a wee...not so graceful exit from the bunk this time, but she managed it and off she trotted ping ponging down the path legs doing a sort of zig zaggy moon walk...this done for some reason she decided to go for a walk in just her underwear and t-shirt. Third round, finding Lisa and renegotiating her return to the room. As you can imagine thoughts of recording this on video were not entering my head, in hind sight i wish i had as she giggled the whole time and chatted on to me about fab everything was and i was and the moon was and the stars were and the group were....you get the picture!!!

Up in the bunk again she asked to be tucked in??? Having a 14 year old meant i knew what she meant and duly tucked her in...her response 'fanks Pauline, i love you!'...back into bed for me!

Now finally able to relax i descended into my own dream filled oblivion until BOOM!!!  Thinking that the roof had come in, i dived out of bed at the same time as Verity. Brain not functioning properly my left hand decided it could sign and off it went trying to communicate in the dark....sorry verity i do not know what on earth i was attempting to do at that point!!! Both of us with hearts literally pounding circled the floor space until we found Lisa...now having attempted to get out of the bed...this time unsuccessfully...and landing in a crumpled heap...one extremely sore foot later and we hauled her to her feet...apparently peanut bladder needed to go again. Round four....leaving Verity in the room i shuffled Lisa towards the loo. and waited outside watching the stars..upon her return to me., Lisa like a little lost girl and in a small weepy voice she informed me that 'I've hurt my hand' (the pain from the foot apparently not registering with her yet despite not being about weight bare at all!) Mother to the rescue....just like you do to children at school i went into the loo, got some toilet paper and wrapped it round her hand as if like a bandage. Clearly this woman needed a hug, duly given and off to bed it was again.

Verity had decided at this point that Lisa was not safe in the top bunk (don't know why we did not think of it before) and availed herself to the top so that Lisa could have the bottom. Installed in her new location and safe in the knowledge that if she fell out again she would fall onto luggage we attempted to sleep...no mean feat when you are now suffering from an adrenaline rush!! Verity gave up trying at 4am and woke me to let me know she was going for a shower and then for a walk. Again the left hand developed a life of its own and tried to communicate. I can only blame the sleep deprivation on this. Verity left and I lay there for the next 3 hours listening to Lisa snore..the better option would have been to join Verity on her walk to the castle and sit and watch the sun come up!!!

Getting up...now how to wake Lisa..would she be ill from the effects of her administrations the previous night...no such luck. She bounded out the bed not questioning the lack of height that met her feet and started to wander round the room. Do you remember getting up several times last night i asked...nope says Lisa.!!! Do you have a hangover...no just tired came the reply. Well as you can imagine i tried unsuccessfully to keep a straight face as i detailed her antics from the previous night others joining in the now virtual ripping apart of any shred of dignity that might have been left!. Lisa gasping and saying sorry with each recount, soon the whole room were in taking the micky out of her...oh and then the french ladies decided to join us. Thankfully they were understanding and politely mentioned the huge BOOM that they heard during the night, realising that Lisa was in safe hands they returned to their sleep (god only knows how) but that is how Lisa got her new nickname. The French's interpretation of the sonic noise that Lisa made as she catapulted herself out of the top bunk at high speed onto a tiled floor!!! So BOOM it is and long may it stick!!

Packing up and heading for breakfast this woman's constitution knows no limits it would seem as Ann produced a glass with the remainder of the liquids from last night...No thanks came the reply i don't need a hair of the dog!!! Is she human to even contemplate alcohol....no she was still under its influence it seemed. Downing breakfast at a rapid rate of knots..the rest of us turning as grey as Lisa's skin in our awe of her stomach!!! We alighted to the bus. Some of the bus instantly slept...most tried not to...i had my camera at the ready for any lightweight who descended into sleep mode!!!!

Ann

Lisa

Nigel



Marie


 Thanks to the power of the Internet we were able to chat to others via Facebook and continue the humiliation.....several comments we received brought much laughter...it seems Lisa has previous for doing this!!!

All to soon the journey home was almost completed. Dropping Kate, Nigel, Maire and her family and Verity off at the services, brought a fresh round of pics to record the memories. For that is what Scotland and this trip has brought all of us. Laughter, fun, frolics....sleep deprivation, swims, dark water to be conquered...would we do it again. Yes, i have not laughed that much in ages, to the point of sore stomach muscles. Would i go with the same people - without hesitation and with anyone else brave enough to join our merry crew. Would i share a room with Lisa again...yes with some notable additions...rope to stop her straying, kiddie gate to stop her escaping and a bucket for her to wee in!!! Oh and tissue to cover the bruise and a marker pen to draw on her.... i could not find one during the night otherwise she would have woken with all sorts drawn on her!!!



kate


It was the sort of trip where you HAD TO BE THERE. It was too short and went too quickly, but its already been decided...once a year (more if we can) the team will head off into the wilderness (if Scotland or anywhere else will have us!) and have a weekend of swimming and friendship and fun in such a relaxed and unhurried manner without real life interrupting. Rarely do we get the time to do what we love best (swimming) and to share it with those we love (Lisa apparently loves everyone at 4 am!!!) but from this point on it will be 'our' thing to do..and you are more than welcome to join us!! You will be pleased to know that after several hours kip on the bus Lisa's skin returned to its healthy pink coulour and she was back in full form!!

friday night

post race

home time!

Diary of an open water swimmer - great north (east) training group: BOOM - PART 1

Diary of an open water swimmer - great north (east) training group: BOOM - PART 1: "BOOM - THE TEAM DO THE MONSTER SWIM IN LOCH NESS, SCOTLAND The group go to Scotland....the plan...find the Loch Ness monster and bring her ..."

BOOM - PART 1

BOOM - THE TEAM DO THE MONSTER SWIM IN LOCH NESS, SCOTLAND

The group go to Scotland....the plan...find the Loch Ness monster and bring her home! Having trained together, raced together laughed and cried together it was time to take the next step and go for a weekend away....together....but around the partying and laughter we had to incorporate a swim!!! Searching the internet i soon found the perfect one...Monster swim in Loch Ness, Scotland. Unbeknown to me, Lisa Foreman had spotted the same event. It didn't take long to persuade the rest of the group to go....i had involved the vital words...swim, party and alcohol. Surprisingly nobody mentions the compulsory cake that we always have after a swim....food it seems was not really on the list of priorities!

Ann Middleton kindly took it upon herself to organise the transport and Lisa sorted the accommodation...monies exchanged hands. Swim booked all we had to do was pack and load up. So on a miserably grey and rainy Friday morning Lisa, Verity Joyce and myself got up at stupid o'clock and made our way to Ann's house. Gordon, Ann's husband quickly offered refreshments and after a visit to the ladies off we went! Two hours later we pulled into Southwaite services to pick up Marie Lovell, her husband Tony and children Tris and Bill. Kate Upshall Davis and her friend Nigel Judson also boarded...this man had never met us...i hope Kate had warned him!!

And so the epic journey started...vocabulary was exchanged and as normal tons of laughter! Leaving England and travelling north brought about a change of scenery. Rich, luscious shades of green assaulted our eyes, landscapes that mankind could never hope to replicate made even grown adults coo in wonder. If  you have never visited Scotland i would highly recommend it. The rain followed us through most of the journey. We took the scenic route as they say in England which extended our journey by approximately 3 hours on our estimated 7 hours. Aside from the odd pang of hunger it was not an issue. Marie, Kate and Nigel by some point on reaching Scottish soil resorted to 'finding' Loch Ness. As you can imagine Scotland's vast landscape is home to many areas of water (all of which were mill pond calm - not even a ripple to disturb the glass like surface) Now Loch Ness is a vast expanse of water a fact known by our trio of visual explorers.....but ANY expanse of water was met with 'is that it...it must be'! But then the bus would turn another corner and another Loch would appear. Out would come the mobile phones, GPS on while they sourced the name of the latest vision in front of them. Left to their own devices this 'game; would have kept them amused for hours!!!

We arrived at the hotel around 8.30pm, it was time to priorites...do we get race ready or do we eat and socialise.....almost telepathically we decided on the latter. Rooms found, luggage dumped, the hunt for food was on. Mike Richardson was in the dining area trying to keep a low profile...he had joined us on a dare and later may regret accepting. The local inn stopped serving food at 8.30, warned to give the takeaway a wide berth, several of the group trailed off to find a co-op (little but frequent stores around the country), with a list of requests. Others opted for pizza or jacket potatoes as you can imagine accompanied by a few pints of the local brew.

Off to bed at midnight we attempted to creep into our room. Three strange females were already in the land of oblivion. Now for those of you accustomed to hostel accommodation you will know the difficulties in locating your luggage, opening it....who would have thought a zip could sound so loud at midnight in the dark! Then trying to find nightwear, toothbrush and toothpaste...all of which in your absence have rearranged themselves in your bag. And then there's the inevitable plastic bag filled with goodies. I can inform you there is NO quiet way to move a plastic bag in a dark room. Toothbrush in hand we then had to tackle 'the door'!!! Now doors during the day the tend to be quiet affairs...but at night they come into their own, hinges squeaking and groaning no matter how quickly or slowly you try to open and close them. Toiletries completed we renegotiated our way to our beds and settled down to get that much needed pre-race rest! Easier said than done with the unusual house noises, bed creaking...oh and the combined snoring of the two unknown females in the bunk bed opposite! People 'attempting' to creep up wooden fights of stairs....grrrrrr!

Next morning breakfast was a relatively quiet affair. Mike had joined us for the race and tried to distance himself from conversations about pre-race prep. Mike is an ex army rugby player with an impressive build to match but what he has in size he equally has in humour combined with a pleasant gentleness that he tries hard to veil using a combination of quick wit and growls. Mikes night of blissful sleep had been so disturbed he resorted to sleeping on the communal sofa!

Quick checks on 'got everything' and it was all aboard the monster bus as it had been named and off to find Loch Ness, its sheer size should have made it easy to spot. One detour later and we were parking in a field. Lugging an assortment of bags we headed off to registration. Soft Scottish accents greeted our nervous faces. The loch is infamous for NOT being warm so the main questions abounding was its temperature, the response came back as a balmy 9.5 degrees. I could feel my innards shrinking, clamoring for that warm spot hidden somewhere in my body!! Numbers written on the backs of hands, wave times given and goody bags in hand we regrouped to compare notes.

Verity was up first, the 9.30 wave. This could not have been more perfect in my view although probably not in Verity's. Verity is profoundly deaf so for safety reason is given a different coloured hat, but this makes it easier for the rest of us to track her progress. Not only that she is a strong and  more than competent, highly experienced swimmer who would be able to report back accurately her view of the swim and also her observations, i.e areas to use to spot etc.

Befitting the organisers had sort a bag piper to play us into the water. Acclimatisation was compulsory due to the water temperature - in they went the majority of them gasping s the water entered their wetsuits. A few hardcore or should i say acclimatised folks opted for the non-wetsuit option having met the criteria the previous evening with an 800 metre qualifying swim. The horn sounded and off they went, it was great being able to watch Verity swim as all our previous encounters had been in the water together. She quickly found her place in the field and powered ahead leaving lesser mortals in her wake.

The lake which has apparently been like a mill pond for months had decided to change form. Was this Nessie expressing her displeasure of sharing her beautiful black waters. I think it was more likely to be the wind which with every minute was picking up its intensity...but the former sounds more dramatic. Already 'white horses' as we call them were forming on the tops of waves.

Verity's had meant we were able to see her for most of the race, her stroke strong and determined throughout. Medal collected and official photo taken she headed towards us, eyes sparkling with pure enjoyment of fighting the water. A rush of words and she imparted valuable information, ' you can't see the buoys', from where we stood they were huge and luminous yellow triangle. The size of the waves had made sighting impossible. Landmarks high on the surrounding mountains were disclosed and  with a check to make sure she was ok off she went to get changed.

Next up, Mike and Ann. Ann joined our group 12 weeks ago, only ever having done breaststroke, now she was to tackle the lake using front crawl. Mike a very fit man had also only taken up open water swimming this season and this was to be his second race and one born out of rising to a challenge from me. Nerves showed clearly on both faces, however, to quote Ann...its do able! A freezing cold hand slapped in the middle of my swim suited back by Mike told me that the water was COLD!! Whilst the organisers fussed round the swimmers huddled round shivering but again the piper picked up his pipes and off they went into the cold blackness. The waves were picking up even more, spectators starting to zip up coats despite the glorious sunshine, the wind had a chill to it. As quick as a flash both came back grinning from ear to ear!

Lisa, Kate and myself were next up. Lisa is the faster swimming here, so i knew that i would be able to chase her, possibly catch her but not overtake her. Being wary of the cold and letting mental snags inhibit my thoughts, i usually put myself in the front of the pack but worries over getting in other swimmers way if the cold got to me, meant that i placed myself further near the back of the pack. Piped into the water  i was surprised to find myself quickly out of the throng and getting into a rhythm, the waves plus a swell of 5 feet in places meant it felt like i was in a roller coaster ride! Verity was right the buoys were almost impossible to see, only if you were on top of a wave did you get a glimpse and even then it was difficult to then see if you were heading in the right direction. Water so black you could not even see your hand in front of you, it was a soon becoming a battle of water and body, mentally i was as determined as the others to finish. Surprisingly the temperature did not factor in at all, there was another war to be won, Nessie was doing her best to get us out! Three quarters of the way towards the first buoy i had the sensation of working hard but not moving, my legs and arms were pummeling away but it seemed as if i had stopped making progress and if anything it seemed like the buoy was moving further away. Dropping my legs slightly and stopping kicking to give me a feel for the water i realised that some sort of tide, current or rip tide effect was occurring. Literally using every ounce of strength i pushed through this stretch of water forcing it to release it clamp like grip on my body and sped to the buoy which was spinning like a coin on a table top. Once round two people in a boat, clip boards in hand started shouting at me...'number?' 91 i shouted back, 'name' Pauline Squire' i screamed over the waves, not easy with water forcing itself in your mouth and up your nose. They were checking for signs of hypothermia...but it had broken the rhythm of my swim, not impressed i pushed on. Wave now battering me from behind, it was more like body surfing, not a buoy in sight. Thank god for Verity who had told us where to sight, so battling a current that wanted me to go left i pushed hard to the right only realising where the buoy was when i almost hit it. A sharp right and look for the finish flags....had they shrunk???? 

Waves now crashing in from the right and breathing hard to the left i fought my way along the shore line, it felt as if i was in a washing machine and going nowhere slowly. Suddenly i could see rocks underneath me and was at the finish. What a hoot, getting out my first comments were, 'God that was fantastic can i do it again!!!'

Marie Lovell bless had the worst of the wind to contend with. All other races after hers were cancelled. Marie with her can do attitude and self proclaimed 'one swim one pace one style of swimming got in with no hesitation. Off she went into the dark. By now waves made it difficult to spot her and knowing Marie's pace i dived off to get changed...in the changing room soon realised my schoolboy error...having got dressed that morning i put my swim costume on under my clothes....and forgot to pack underwear...exclaiming this i was soon joined by roughly 6 woman to had done the same!!!!! What are we like!

Changed i headed back to watch Marie, but where was she, walking along the shore line we eventually found her, swimming along...and chatting to the canoeist! Obviously not in any difficultly despite the pounding waves, and maintaining her pace, her sunny voice and gentle laugh reached us. In true team spirit we bellowed at her to get a move on, clapping her and cheered but no Marie refused to alter her pace or interrupt her conversation and on she went to the finish. Getting out of the water in the same way she had enter with a huge grin on her face. 

What about Kate i hear you ask, yes she was in the same wave as me, but unfortunately ended up getting taken from the water. She had been making progress, un-perturbed by the waters or swell, game plan in her head. Kate made it to the furthest buoy, given her name and number and been congratulated by the people in the boat who then informed her that she had to get out of the water. Querying this she was told it was because she had been in the water an hour. Apparently we had been informed this would happen at the start of the race but i can confirm with the wind blowing straight on us, ear plugs in and silicone hats on you could not hear a thing. Kate was not suffering from hypothermia  nor showing signs of going into it, nor was she in difficulty or showing signs of distress, a fact proved in that she could talk freely in the water. She was making progress and in my mind and also in hers she would have completed the race. However a lack of canoeists meant that the next wave could not start until she was back to shore. Kate accepted her fate and clambered on the boat even stating that she loved the boat ride back to land. In chats afterward Kate informed me that the one hour policy was to protect swimmers from the cold but not one swimmer came out and complained about cold, all talk was about the swell and waves. For those non-wet suited swimmers i can understand this but wetsuits offer an enormous amount of buoyancy and warmth so it is felt that this time span should have been extended for the wetsuiters. Its a case we will raise with the organisers. Kate is disappointed at not finishing but determined to try again next year and we will all be there to support her. Good on you Kate!!!!

We took on Loch Ness, the monster did her best to protest but undeterred we entered the battle, fought hard and won!!! What an adventure and such an exciting race. Working hard against the swell and waves meant that none of us felt the cold. Resting for a short while out of the wind and in the glorious Scottish sunshine surrounded by some of the best that Scotland can offer was brilliant. Meeting up with other facebookers was superb. It was great to meet Maureen Londra, Chris Wilson and Lorna, Shirley Emerson and many others (sorry if i have not named you!!!) Putting faces to names, new friendship started, stories shared but we will meet again. It was a superb event and felt great to participate in the first ever one!!! Walking back to the monster bus other plans were being made, the evening entertainment (Boom part 2....coming soon!!!) but also plans to return next year! Nessie hasn't beaten us....We will be back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

pics from the day taken by the monster people, more to follow from us, i am the one in the 3.8 orca in a yellow hat!!! click to view
 and some taken by me...more to come!!!
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2126871663526.114046.1597953444&saved#!/media/set/?set=a.2126871663526.114046.1597953444&type=1

HOW TO SWIM OUTDOORS - ONLINE! - MARIE LOVELL

HOW TO SWIM OUTDOORS – ONLINE!

Sitting alone in a hotel room in rainy Glasgow in January 2011 the invite via Facebook from my friend Kate to enter the Great North Swim (a mile across Windermere in June) seemed quite unreal so without really thinking about it, and in a sugar rush induced by the complimentary chocolates, in the next half hour I had found out that 12 year olds (and 44 year olds) can do a half mile version, texted Tristan my son and got a positive response and gone online and registered us both – half mile for MIND, the mental health charity.

Waking up the next morning I remembered it all as a dream…then I remembered it was real!

OK so we weren’t regular swimmers – I hadn’t swum outdoors since I was Tristan’s age – but we had 5 months to prepare and all the resources of the world wide web to help…after all it was the w.w.w that had got us into this.

One of the reasons it was important to me to do this was that last year I had experienced months of chronic back pain and sciatica…following about 10 years of grumbling lower back pain.  A MRI scan had revealed ‘a massive prolapsed disc, severely compressing the sciatic nerves on both sides’ – surgery was recommended with the comment that ‘the best surgeons can now make over 20% of people more than 20% better’ – which didn’t sound all that great to me given the risks of major surgery.  Instead, I followed both physio advice on exercise and also a programme based on ‘Tension Myositis syndrome’ – the theory that chronic pain can be caused by psychological issues – with structural changes such as prolapsed discs being normal aging changes.  The programme involves among other things releasing the fear of pain and disability and resuming activities that you have ceased – or always thought were beyond you.  In May 2010 I was in constant pain, taking 5 types of painkillers and could not stand up straight.  I could shuffle from one end of the house to the other…with difficulty, couldn’t drive and needed help to get dressed or washed.

So to find myself 8 months later experiencing virtually no pain and taking no pain medications I felt both confident and exhilarated and I knew that this challenge could only help me stay well and set a good example for my kids.

Using Facebook, Kate contacted some other people signed up for the GNS and a ‘GNS training group’ was set up – seeking advice on when and where we could start some outdoor training brought us into contact with the redoubtable Pauline Squire.  So one Saturday lunchtime in April saw us getting ready to travel to Ellerton to meet her.  Wetsuits bought from ebay I thought I was ready as I boiled water for a flask…then she called me;  “Bananas?” she said “bananas.  Have you got some to eat half an hour before you go in?”

“er, no but er….”  I thought about where I could get bananas from…

“and swimming hats, 2 each.  For warmth.  Got them?”

“no…maybe somewhere”…I started to run from kitchen to living room rummaging for fruit and sillicone

“Never mind I’ll bring spares. Goggles?”

“no”

“well, not to worry, today won’t be about swimming very far.  Or at all really, the aim of today is just to get you in the water and teach you how to not hyperventilate when your body goes into shock because of the cold.  See you there!”

And off she went leaving me staring at my baby and wondering if I was really up to even the packing required let alone the swimming.

On arrival though I was glad of Pauline’s ‘can do’ attitude.  Kate (who, let’s not forget, had got me into this in the first place) declined to swim that day to protect her new tattoo so it was up to me to fly the flag and I actually loved it straight off!  The lack of hat and goggles were irrelevant since my head didn’t go under the water and I probably travelled less than 50 meters in total but I got in on that grey and rainy day and followed up with training most weekends at the lake – learning not only to put my head under   but to love the view of the landscape of the lake bottom so much that sometimes I forget to swim over the waving weeds and flickering fish and just float there transfixed.  Together, Tris and I have done something we thought we never would…..and isn’t that what life is for?

On Sunday 19^th June 2011 Tristan and Marie swam half a mile across lake Windermere to raise over £350 for MIND – the mental health charity  …   mostly by people sponsoring us 50p or a pound each.  We have since swum 500m and 1,000m at Capernwray and are now training for longer swims.

And as you can expect I will add the last words. Marie and Tris's amazing acheivement has been borne out of determination and hard work. Their grins at the end of the Great North Swim said it all and they continue to go from strength to strength. The pain relief that Marie now experiences is testimount to the restorative and rehabilation powers that open water swimming can bring where other sports would deny the experiences . Marie is due to swim in a race in Loch Ness soon so please support her efforts by donating to Mind...lets keep her in the water. x

THE ROCKS ARE GOING TO GET ME!

THE ROCKS ARE GOING TO GET ME!

At some point during a swim anything can mess with your head, be it on your first swim or the hundredth!

For myself it was fish, whilst drinking alcohol with friends one evening I was asked if I could swim I replied to the affirmative, did I like to race...again the affirmative. Great they said hand over your money and we will book it for you. You see alcohol and me don’t mix...I get very relaxed and agreeable and also willingly enter into any challenge! Several days later a dim memory came into my head....hadn’t I entered a race, if so which pool and where and what distance. I had not swam properly for years and would definitely need to get in the pool again! Putting down the phone several minutes later I did not know whether to laugh or cry..you’re doing Windermere and Scotland I had been told, the distance 1 mile, the Great North  and Scottish swims. Open water.......I am scared of fish!!!

With the first race several months away I joined the local triathlon club to get me pool ready...the first session almost killed me, are these people human I kept thinking to myself as they flew up and down eating up the water, I was in the slow lane...and boy was I slow! What they did as their warm up took me the whole session, had my fitness vanished so fast..it must have done. The coach had faith, apparently my technique and style were there, it was just fitness that was letting me down. Would I go again...definitely, that first session made me determined to get into the fast lane. The next day I was in the pool again doing the warm up over and over again, timing myself. It felt good. Under the guidance of the coach I was doing the required distance in no time at all and I had made it into the fast lane. But it was not enough. I had to get in the open water – gulp. I had put it off for so long but the race was coming up and I knew I could not delay any longer.

So in preparation I decided to enter the unknown and see what it was all about. Being a strong-ish front crawl swimmer I would have no problems so I thought. Linking in with the local triathlon club at Ellerton, the trainer there Donna informed me that she would have a wetsuit to fit me, she told me the date and time to attend. And so I duly arrived at Ellerton Lake in the middle of one hell of a storm, rain pelting down (that didn’t matter I was going to get wet anyway), a gale blowing. I was confident that I would not have to get in the water after all I am a tiny framed girl, 5 foot 6 inches and on a good day weigh 8 stone, trouser size 6. Haha, I though....sorted, I can’t get in without a wetsuit and no one will have one small enough. My heart desperately tried to exit my body via my toes when Donna opened up the back of her Volvo estate and there in the back were tons of wetsuits. She had loads of her own, and some she had borrowed off of friends..so I could try them on. Into the changing rooms we went...me still quietly confident that she would not have one to fit....after all she had only brought 3 in with her. The first one too small round the shoulders...the second one, and Orca...fitted like a glove...time to put up or shut up. Do I thank her and say I will come back once I have one of my own or do I take her up on her offer of a swim to see what it’s like in the water. Donna put no pressure on me what so ever...it was my own demons I was battling with. I desperately wanted to get in but..there were fish!

Heart literally pounding I agreed to get in, Donna said she would stay by my side until I was confident. Huddled like penguins in a pack were all the ‘watchers’ those partners, husbands etc that had been dragged down to watch as us neoprene clad people brave the conditions. Everyone else looked so confidence as they strode into the water and set off swimming. Myself, I felt like everyone could see me shaking...thankfully it was cold so I told them it was the wind.

Taking a deep breath I started to get in the water, the waves made it impossible to see the bottom, Donna waited patiently until I got myself in to the thighs..shivering uncontrollably by now. Finally I had to just do it so I go under. Holy cow...how can water be that cold and not turn to ice! Swimming front crawl for a bit I was fine...then the inevitable, I saw something under the water. Something BIG. My mind was telling me it was a large rock...my body had gone into panic mode, I must have looked like a children’s bath toy trying to get away from the rock arms and legs swinging wildly. I desperately wanted to get out but was determined to stay in. How many big rocks were there in such a short space of water I do not know but I spotted them all and each and everyone of them messed with my head. Eventually deeper water beckoned and on we swam eventually reaching the other side. Relief momentarily passed through my head until I realised that I would have to swim back. Donna at this point must have thought I was ok as with a quick see you in the showers she swam off towards the awaiting warmth!

With no choice I started to swim back. This was not funny...the rocks were waiting to pounce I was sure of it, things were going to grab me and drag me under I was positive. But I had no choice I could not get out and walk back I had to swim. Technique and style out of the box, I flailed my way to shore. Getting out I rushed over the pebbles, feet oblivious to their sharpness having been numbed by the cold of the water. Diving under the shower....where was the hot water...a voice behind the curtain told me it was there and to stay in. Eventually the warmth of the water seeped through enough for me to use my hands to get my wetsuit off. Now what was wrong...my feet, wrists and hands were a different colour to the rest of my body..what was that all about...the voice behind the curtain duly informed me..relief for a moment I thought they would fall off! Getting dressed shivering as hard as my body would go, I was grinning...I had done it. Strangely enough I had not seen one fish.

Coming out of the changing rooms the swimmers came up to chat, how had I found it (to be honest I don’t think my brain had processed the fear I had felt). I replied that I was glad that I had done it. Then the confession...if I had not turned up they were not going to get in as the conditions were horrendous but Donna bless had asked them to swim with me to encourage me. I had not noticed them around me in the water but they all swore that they had been. None of them had swum in water that bad before and it was a relief to know that they were worried as well. I had been initiated into open water.. I had yet to face the fish but the first hurdle was over and done with and strangely I felt proud that the conditions had not worried me....just those rocks

Interestingly I saw Donna this last weekend (31/07/11) at Ellerton and reminded her of my first session... she told me she had never swam in such rough water as we had that day and has never seen water as rough as that before or after...still makes me a little proud that I had done it.

SWIMMING THEN YOU'RE WINNING - MELISSA HEPBURN

Melissa joined the group to get ready for her impending triathlon. It was not the warmest of days, but new wetsuit in hand she got changed, nerves showing clearly on her face as she came to the waters edge. The shock of the chilly water nearly sent her flying back on to dry land, but she perservered, made to through the weed, viewed the boats under that water, panicked massively on more than one occasion - but came back for more. She practiced her technique alot, learnt to relax and competed in her first race, here is her heartfelt story of getting into the open water which I am sure you will enjoy, please feel free to add your comments

SWIMMING THEN YOU'RE WINNING

When I was little I did the perfunctory lessons at the swimming baths and attained the dizzy heights of my 50 metre badge.  I have been lucky enough to live on the glorious Northumbrian Coast for most of my life.  With little money to go around our summers were spent with egg sandwiches at Druridge Bay hiding behind our wind breakers. We used to spend all day in the sea with my dad John who was a brilliant swimmer towing us around on his back accompanied by the family dog who loved nothing more than being in the water with us. I always remember my dad as being so fit and he loved to swim. 

For some reason I'm not sure why I developed a bit of a fear of water.  I could get up and down a pool kicking my legs with some kind of breast stroke arms, petrified at thought of my face being in the water.  I joined the Army in 1999 and was posted all over the world including Belize.  During an exercise in Belize we were required to a river crossing in our full kit.  I remember feeling absolutely terrified of swimming across that river, (crocodiles, Piranha's etc) to the point my knee's were knocking.  I managed to get across doing my doggie paddle best and feeling relieved I had escaped a certain death at the end.  I kept thinking I would love to be able to swim properly.

In 2005 my dad was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Multiple Sclerosis which has seen my fit and able dad slowly deteriorate into a wheelchair.  I left the army in 2007 and moved home to be closer to my family in light of my dad's health.  However I began to feel something was missing.... a challenge..... I kept reading articles and books by these crazy people doing Triathlon's.  I kept thinking I would love to give it a go....however my doggie paddle wouldn't be enough to get around a swim course especially in a lake.

I carried on with my running and started cycling in 2010 and a glimmer of hope appeared.  Maybe I could do a Triathlon after all.... I was speaking about it one day with my dad and he told me to go for it because you never knew how long your health would last.  I made a firm decision to learn to swim and in January 2011 I turned to You Tube.  I watched some tutorial clips and also with the help of my wonderful boyfriend Matt who is a very capable swimmer started flapping around at the local pool.  This turned to lengths with my face in the water and finally some sort of crawl.

I took the plunge and entered into a local sprint Triathlon with a lake swim which was scheduled for June 2011.  I was lucky enough to know Pauline through working with her Fiancee Geoff and I first met her in 2010 at Druridge Bay country park where they were doing an open water swim. They were in their wetsuits and I told them I thought they were crazy, there was noway I could swim in a lake.  Despite this I finally summoned up the courage to join the gang down at Ellerton for a swim in my brand new wetsuit in April 2011.  I freaked out the first swim however with Paulines gentle coaching I came along leaps and bounds and then it happened,  I was addicted.  The feeling of swimming outdoors is absolutely amazing.   I started doing crazy things like taking my wetsuit on holiday and swimming in a freezing cold scottish loch or taking the dogs for a run down to the beach and swimming in the sea whilst everyone looked on in jumpers. In 6 short months I felt like I could (and wanted to) swim everywhere although slowly! 

I completed my first triathlon in June 2011 and It was one of the best things I have ever done.  My dad was at the end waiting for me and I felt so proud.  What I have described isn't anything out of the ordinary for accomplished swimmers however seeing my dad the way he is has given me a new appreciation for my health and I plan to use to the full.  Ok, so being able to swim a couple of miles in a lake isn't that big a deal for some people....however for me I have learned something new, gained new friends and I have a whole new set of goals now (Iron man), I feel like I can achieve anything.  So go on be brave and give it a go, what you waiting for.....

Finally a note from me - Mel won't mind me tell you about the time she had a spot of difficulty seeing the buoys in the water and after going off at a severe tangent one day I dashed after her to put her back....asking her what 'object' she had be using to sight the buoy, she pointed and said that she was sighting the buoy...she then pointed in the direction of a large white object in the distance...the object was a swan...shes not the first nor will she be the last!!!!