Simon Bradbury - TNT shore-to-shore we can Challenge
Blog 1
We're fast counting down to the great day when we take to the Channel on August 23 and I keep asking myself, where has the time gone?
It only seems like yesterday that the team arrived at Sandwell Valley Lake in the Black Country for our first open water swimming session. Let me tell you, it was the coldest experience of my life, but nonetheless, strangely enjoyable!
The open water sessions have been great preparation and, although its not sea water, swimming the Lake is not without its own challenges.
Large thick weeds grow in certain areas of the Lake and swimming through it can be quite an unnerving experience. You run the risk of getting your arms and legs tangled up in the weed and the first time I swam through, it I have to admit, I panicked a bit.
There are lifeguards on hand but the Lake's pretty big and I certainly wouldn't want to chance getting tangled up and relying on them to save me from drowning. That said, the weeds are no longer a problem after my training partner Daniel Vines advised me to change the depth of my stroke to avoid contact with the green stuff.
I'm yet to complete a sea swimming training day and I'm told it's very different due to the salt and waves. I plan to complete at least three sea days between now and the Channel attempt. My training will be stepped up over the next three weeks from 10 hours a week to 15 hours. This will give me the best possible chance of completing my 'shifts' in the Channel, but for now the Gym and open water lake swimming will continue.
It's been a very hard slog and a few sacrifices have been made, but we're doing if for a great cause, and I love thinking how the money we raise will bring about a positive change in the lives of the children being helped by Wooden Spoon.
Simon Bradbury, July 2010