FabSwingers.com forum: Swimming the Channel

By *ee Viante OP Woman
over a year ago

Somewhere in North Norfolk

At the gym the other day I saw a leaflet advertising a Channel swim for charity in the comfort of your local pool

I like the concept but I don't like doing things that involve asking people for sponsorship. Charity is great and all but times are tough for most people at the moment and, as we discussed on here recently, a lot of the money ends up paying directors and managers.

Also, it started in September so I'd have a heck of a job to catch up, given that I've not swum regularly for two years.

Still, this time two years ago, before life got insanely mad, I was swimming a bit over a mile every morning, (66 lengths. A mile is 64 and a bit, so I rounded up to 65, which left me at the far end of the pool, so I swam back again). So I ought to be able to swim the 21 miles that represents the shortest distance across the Channel (without tides and necessary detours that an actual Channel swim involves) in three weeks, once I get used to swimming that distance again.

I think I may use December as time to build up my distance again and then try this as a personal challenge in January.

I can't do it this month, or next, due to lack of time.

I need a couple of decent goals to get stuck in to.

Anyone else planning or working on any personal goals?

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I always set myself targets to keep myself fit

I run at least 3 * 10km Road races a year, and also a half marathon.

They're spread out so I don't block my diary with lots of events and i have plenty of recovery/ training in between

I was always asked why I never ran for sponsorship/ charity, but we're so overwhelmed with requests by every Tom, Dick and Harry at work that to ask for more is unproductive.

So I just run for my own pleasure now

By *ee Viante OP Woman
over a year ago

Somewhere in North Norfolk

I'd love to be able to run but I'm just not built for it. Top heavy, dodgy knee, dodgy ankle (caused by a running injury!), and various other niggly things.

I've tried C25K a couple of times, on a treadmill as it's lower impact than road running, but I only get so far before my progress grinds to a halt.

I think I'll have to accept running isn't for me