The first I knew of winning a place in this competition was when I received a text message to say that an email had bounced that Henley Swim were trying to send me. (I had given an amalgamation of my old and new email address… how long can I get away with blaming “baby brain” for mistakes like that? I’m worried that I’m milking it already, given my youngest is three, but that I’ll be needing an excuse for a while yet). When I read it, my stomach flipped as eager anticipation set in wondering if the email was to say that I had been successful. I had been hoping that I would be offered a place but not expecting it as, well, why would they choose me?

Lo and behold, the “Congratulations” email came through and I squealed with glee at the prospect of taking part in the Henley Mile! I did it! I actually won a place! This is what I need – something that I can do for myself, something that will challenge me.

However, this was shortly followed by another flip of the stomach and this time a feeling of foreboding anticipation when it dawned on me… I will be taking part in the Henley Mile… I did it… I actually won a place.  Is this what I need??

A few days passed and I hadn’t started swimming yet. I’m not sure what I was waiting for, maybe it had all been a dream. It was the Easter holidays, the kids needed to be looked after, we had plans every day, the chocolate needed to be eaten, I needed to shave my legs and in case you hadn’t guessed already, I’m the Queen of Procrastination.

Then another email came through with the training plan. Instructions… I like having instructions. Why bother trying to work out how to do something when somebody else has put in all the hard work already?

So off I go, I’m a wo-man with a plan and THIS GIRL CAN!