Suffolk Open Water Swimming Training - Session 4 - May 16, 2010

Left to right: Sheila Facer, Philip Beer, me and Dr Heidi Mcdowell about to get in the 10 Degrees C North Sea at Felixstowe, Suffolk.

After a bad week in the pool due to work and other commitments, I couldn't wait to get in the sea this week to make up for it. There were four of us in total, with of course Beccy and Luca on the beach. Sheila Facer from Culford School, one of my official swim partners for the 2010 season, ever present Philip Beer and Dr Heidi Mcdowell who is new to the area, moving up recently from Plymouth and has previous open water experience. Sheila had not been in open water like this before and was looking forward to it.

Last minute cold water tips before...

...we're in! As usual it felt cold. Somehow it never seem to get any easier to prepare yourself for that initial shock when you enter the water. However, after checking everyone was OK, I set off for a 30 minute swim which would be the longest in open water so far this year.

I swum 1,200 Metres, 600 with the current, and 600 against. It felt great, and arriving back on the beach at 28.5 minutes, I loitered in the water for 1.5 minutes to ensure I was in for 30 minutes. You wouldn't be allowed out in Dover at 28.5 minutes, so I disciplined myself to ensure we do the same in Felixstowe. If I'm swimming The Wash, I'm not going to get out 1.5 minutes before the end, so I need to ensure that mentally I do the same in training.

We had a great Haddock, Chips and peas at The Fludyer Arms Hotel, which I thoroughly recommend if you are in the area, then headed back home, satisfied, and determined to get more pool time in this week to ensure that I am fitter for next week when I want to do an hour.

Same time next week, Sunday May 23, 2010 at 11.00am. See the website for more details:-

www.SuffolkOpenWaterSwimming.com