The Great North Swim - June 2015

On Saturday 13th June 2015 I took part in The Great North Swim in Lake Windermere, for the second time.  I did it last year not long after taking up Open Water Swimming so I was determined to beat my time this year!

I was in the 9.30am wave, which had a registration and acclimatisation time of 9am.

I set my alarm clock for 6.50am and was pleased to see when I looked out the window that it was dry despite a horrendous forecast!

I had a couple of Weetabix for breakfast (I decided my usual of porridge was too heavy to swim on!) and a mug of coffee.

We left our home town of Kendal at 7.30am for the 11 mile journey to Bowness on Windermere.  We arrived in plenty of time to get parked in the nearest car park at Brockhole, and then walked the 3/4 mile to the Race Head Quarters situated at The Low Wood Watersports Centre, arriving at around 8.15am.


Once we got there we sussed out the start and finish points and then sat and watched the crowds arriving for 10 minutes or so.  Even at this early hour it was beginning to fill up with anxious and excited swimmers and supporters! 

At around 8.45am I headed to the changing Marquee to get into my wetsuit and swimming cap, and attached my timing chip to my ankle. I arrived at registration at exactly 9am!

My number was written on my hand to correspond with the one on my hat (for safety reasons) and my timing chip was checked.

Before I knew it I was paddling into the acclimatisation zone to get used to the cold water before the swim!  I was pleasantly surprised as I have had some freezing cold swims recently and the water had miraculously warmed up to a near tropical 17C!

After this we were all gathered together in a holding pen where we were given a safety briefing, the route was explained to us and we did an aerobic style warm-up!  Surprisingly despite being wet I didn't feel chilly hanging around at all!

After a pep talk from an Olympic swimmer we were told to get ready to start! I was desperately trying not to let nerves get the better of me, and was doing lots of "positive self-talk" to keep me from freaking!

I positioned myself about a third of the way back!  Last year I started too far back and got stuck behind some very slow breast strokers!

There was a countdown before a horn sounded and we were soon on our way down the jetty into the water.  

Last year I stayed to the left so I decided to go right this year!  I don't think it made any difference at all as I was still stuck behind those swimmers who couldn't decide whether to breaststroke or front crawl or perhaps were just in the middle of a panic attack!  

Last year this stressed me and put me off my stroke but this year I felt much more confident and just weaved around them determined not to breaststroke at all! Even when I was hit on the head with an arm and kicked by a foot I remained calm and focused!

I tried to find my own space so I could get into a comfortable pace but other swimmers kept invading my area and getting in my way!

I made it to the half-way buoy fairly comfortably but struggled to get around the buoy because of congestion!  Once passed here I was able to get back into my pace and motored to the finishing line! 



Before I knew it I was swimming under the finishing board and attempting to walk out the lake on wobbly legs! 

I was pleased to have finished in 37:31 some 3 minutes 3 seconds faster than last year!

I collected my finishers bag which contained a bottle of water, some samples, a banana, a T Shirt and most importantly a medal!

Before getting too cold I went into the extremely congested but very hot changing marquee to get dressed and duly wore my finishers T Shirt!

I can honestly say I really enjoyed this swim and was pleased I had managed to get a faster time than last year!

Hopefully if I continue Open Water swimming I can improve even more by next year!