There is something very wonderful sitting post a swim, with the sun shining brightly and the first of the summer swallows gliding through the sky above. 

With a cup of tea in hand, I sat in the nicest company –  Becky and Juliet from The Henley Swim, Rachel, Abigail, Jennie and Claire – my fellow ThisGirlCan Henley Swim winners, and the fabulous Cath Pendleton (aka The Merthyr Mermaid) with her partner Robert. Sadly Jill was missing from our team due to Covid and she was greatly missed! 

The swim coaching session we’d just had at Queenford Lake was brilliant! It’s such a beautiful venue! It was quite strange as this was my first fresh water swim outdoors. All my dips through the winter have been in the sea or sea filled lakes so to put my face into fresh water and not have that taste of salt was bizarre. 

The first part of us all meeting, was a quick hello followed by the hilarious challenge of trying to squeeze into our new wetsuits. 

This is certainly the most effective way of engaging in laughter and conversation! 

I’ve never worn a proper swimming wetsuit before and we’ve been so lucky to win one from Zone3! It took some mastery, and us helping each other to get done up but once on and in the water it’s a really great suit, and I’ve loved wearing it on my swims since. 

I wasn’t sure what I’d get from the coaching session as I didn’t really know what to expect, but Ian & Emma Keys gave really great advice on how best to enter the water, how to adjust to the cold and then as we swum, how to improve our techniques. 

I couldn’t help but notice the other ladies heading off more quickly than me, mainly with a front crawl stroke, and I felt a disappointment in myself that I wasn’t as good as them. 

I knew it would be too much of a challenge to try to keep up, so I turned my attention back to what I was doing and I found so much benefit in focusing on my breath and listening to the tips we’d been given, as well as seeing how the suit aided my swim. 

My fitness isn’t where it needs to be and I’m acutely aware of that. Spending over two years of being sedentary through lockdown has taken its toll on my weight, flexibility, strength and stamina, but I’m taking small steps forward each time I swim and mentally I remain completely determined to finish the mile in July! 

One of the things I love about open water swimming is it’s ability to completely change your mental well-being. Not only has Covid impacted on my physical fitness but mentally it’s been really detrimental and I struggle at times to maintain mental strength. When I enter the water, all the emotional weight goes, because the water pulls your focus immediately to the moment! 

I was listening to a podcast earlier today and the guests spoke briefly on the benefits of cold water swims. As part of the conversation they said “I don’t always like the person getting into the sea, but I love the person getting out”

And that really resonated. 

In my times of poor mental health, its hard to be ‘me’ but getting out after a swim, it’s like it’s ignited my spark again. I’m not sure I can find the best words to describe the feeling when you finish a swim, but transformative… clarifying… and joyful are a good start. 

I think it was really fitting that Sunday morning that so many Swallows were flying around us as we got to know each other. Swallows are said to symbolise new life and fresh starts.. renewal and revival. The ThisGirlCan Henley Swim is a huge part of my own personal revival and I’m truly loving being apart of it! Thank you to all the ladies (and Robert) that morning for your brilliant conversation and friendship!

I can’t believe that we are now less than 6 weeks away from the big day!!! I’ve still lots to do to prepare!!! 

If you’ve not seen Cath’s documentary on BBC1 please have a watch – it’s so inspirational!!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000qnb4/the-merthyr-mermaid

And lastly, a very special thank you too to our sponsors for their wonderful prizes! 
Zone3 – For the wonderful Aspect Wetsuit

Zoggs – For the new Roar Scoopback swimsuit, and swim goggles.

SwimSecure – For the classic tow float and bubble hat.

Selkie – For their lush canvas barrel bag.

Dryrobe – For our awesome embroidered coats.

Outdoor Swimmer Magazine – For the 3 month subscription (great magazine by the way!!) 

Jason Tait from Swim Smooth for the free coaching session 🏊🏼‍♀️