Apologies for the short post! This blog was written a few weeks ago but I never posted it. I didn’t think it was worth sharing since I was yet to get to the open water part of this open water swimming journey. I’ve since decided that there’s no shame in sometimes taking a step back to balance other commitments and any progress is progress!!

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The past few weeks of training have been pool-based, following the Henley Swim Festival plan. Having been overwhelmed with the stress of several university assignments, I decided to stick to the familiarity of the pool for the time being. I’ve really come to appreciate the challenge that this opportunity has given me to get back into the routine of swimming, with the additions of the new Zoggs swimming costume and goggles!! 

When I was in high school I swam competitively (pool based) and trained most days of the week. However, five years later I don’t have the same dedication to the pool. It took a good week to really start appreciating the swimming routine rather than dreading the small things like the constant wet hair and the smell of chlorine. 

I have realised that I missed the swimming community the most. As Filipa magically worded in her last blog, swimming really does bring people together. Myself and my flatmate have been going to the pool together and I’ve really appreciated her company. There’s really nothing quite like the bond thats formed whilst sharing the pain of the swimming sets and complaining about the lack of lane space.  

I really cannot wait to meet the rest of the ‘This Girl Can’ girls next week and share our swimming highs and lows. Partaking in the swim festival with them will be amazing!

Next week I am going and staying in a youth hostel in Snowdonia National Park then camping in the Llyn Peninsular. I’ve written up a list of swim spots and I am very excited to get back into the open water. I hope the weather will be warm enough to get my friends in the water with me and hopefully pass on the open water swimming bug!