Race Reports: Two Marathon Swims in Two Weeks!
What a year!
I’ve just completed two marathon swims in two weeks … in addition to Coniston End to End 5.25 mile swim in June. So I’m quite proud of myself.
Training was going so well in 2023, I felt strong and excited for a big swim year in 2024:
- The Triple Crown (Coniston, Ullswater, Windermere)
- Thames 13k Marathon
- Dart 10k
- Hurly Burly 10k
But life got in the way a bit and a few of my planned challenges were put on hold, due to lack of fitness and limited time to train.
Dart 10k – 7th September 2024
The Dart 10k in Totnes, Devon, such a beautiful part of the world.
There was lots of pre swim chatter – will it or won’t it happen? Mainly due to water quality and the weather forecast. But race day came and it was all ok.
I registered the night before, so felt well prepared and quite excited. I’d qualified as a skins swimmer but on the morning, I had a wobble and decided for the first time in 4 years to wear my wetsuit!
I figured if my fitness wasn’t quite there, it might help me along, but I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I swam a lot of breaststroke at the start and throughout as a result and was so disappointed, actually shouting at myself for being ridiculous. I got into my stride eventually and was just so glad to finish.
We had to walk along the longest pontoon ever to reach the timing mat which added a further 8 minutes on.
I was glad I did it, but feel that it’s unfinished business. I have already decided I’m coming back for this swim and I’m determined to do it and myself justice next time.
The Hurly Burley 10k – 21st September 2024
Roll on two weekends to Barmouth, Wales and the Hurly Burly 10k swim.
What a beautiful beach – and a stunning sunset greeted us the night before. I’d done a lot of soul searching since Dart and felt so much more positive and mentally prepared.
My pre swim breakfast consisted of a blueberry smoothie and Mars Bar, but I was feeling good and really focussed. I thought about my swim squad buddies and Bryan and all their achievements and support and I channelled that energy. I had no doubts about going in skins today, not for one minute.
I chatted to other swimmers at the briefing and soaked up the atmosphere, I felt calm and relaxed. Into the water we went and literally whoosh! We were hurtling towards the bridge and flying up the river.
Everything felt perfect, my sighting, my stroke, my pace and my breathing, totally different to two weeks earlier.
I made good decisions about my swim line and held it. I felt strong even through some big waves and chop. I drafted a bit and looked up every now and then to take in the beautiful scenery around me. My plan was not to look at my watch, as sometimes it gets in my head and I wanted to just swim and enjoy it.
I couldn’t believe it when I looked up and saw the pink and yellow finish flags in the distance, I swam hard towards them. Absolutely buzzing coming out of the water to see 1:30 on my watch – unbelievable!
I grinned as strangers congratulated and high fived me for swimming in skins. Some said it felt quite cold and I recalled that I didn’t see all that many skins swimmers at the start.
I thought about next year’s swim and being fitter, stronger and faster and smiled as I imagined how quick some of the fast lane swimmers could complete the swim in. Such an amazing event. I was chuffed picking up my post race memento – a red white and black enamel Hurly Burly mug. I chatted to the organiser Ian and mentioned they are our club colours and told him how much I loved the swim and that I’ll hopefully be bringing a few people with me next year!
Two Completely Different Swim Experiences!
Still can’t believe I could have two massively different swim experiences just a couple of weeks apart. Every swim is a learning experience though and I’m happy to end the event season on such a high and I’m ready and eager to plan my 2025 challenges!
Race Reports: Two Marathon Swims in Two Weeks!
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