Just before I jumped into the cold water today at Hampstead I was approached by a female fellow swimmer. She had noticed my Channel Swimming Association swim cap, and asked if I had already swum the Channel, or if I was training to do so (who else would be so crazy as to be swimming in 10 degree water at 07:00 otherwise?).
It turns out that the lady (who's name I have unfortunately forgotten) has already completed the Channel swim. This was an ideal opportunity for me to inquire as to whether I should, at this stage, be able to endure longer than an hour and a half in the cold water. She was shocked I could even handle such a period of time. 'If you can cope with even an hour in this temperature, you're doing very well! 15 degrees will seem to hot, I can assure you.'
This was a massive relief. I was beginning to worry that my inability to cope with the cold would reduce my chances of getting to France. Such positive encouragement was extremely well received, and I jumped into the water invigorated by her words, and enthused as to my personal progress.
The deadline draws nearer and nearer.....
It turns out that the lady (who's name I have unfortunately forgotten) has already completed the Channel swim. This was an ideal opportunity for me to inquire as to whether I should, at this stage, be able to endure longer than an hour and a half in the cold water. She was shocked I could even handle such a period of time. 'If you can cope with even an hour in this temperature, you're doing very well! 15 degrees will seem to hot, I can assure you.'
This was a massive relief. I was beginning to worry that my inability to cope with the cold would reduce my chances of getting to France. Such positive encouragement was extremely well received, and I jumped into the water invigorated by her words, and enthused as to my personal progress.
The deadline draws nearer and nearer.....
RSS Feed
