It has been a while...

In the past year my swimming life has completely changed. From swimming in rivers regularly, I have converted the dream into reality and moved to Scotland. I have qualified as an STA open water swim coach. I get to swim all over Scotland much more often - all it takes now is will power. There is no excuse! I now live right next to a 10.5 mile long, 100m deep body of fresh water that has nothing in it, not even the dreaded weed. Those who know me know that I can not control my breathing if I can see weed. Weird psychological thing that I cannot explain. Just don't like it. I also have daily access to a really nice 25m pool that is never busy so training is much easier.

I have managed to swim all Winter, have been to the gym (this is the only time I will mention this - I hate the gym, but as I get older it is a necessity....), completed a few swim challenges, both distance and speed (against myself), taken part in events when family life allows and generally tried to keep the mojo.

Does anyone else struggle with mojo? I have never ever regretted going for a swim, whether it was in the pool or open water - so why sometimes is it just so difficult? The winter months are hard- especially in open water. The swim takes as long as it takes, but getting enough neoprene on before the swim takes effort, much effort, huffing and puffing, groaning etc - I know there are pureists out there who swim in 'skins' all year long, but I challenge you to swim distance in water that is 3.5 degrees C for any amount of time. Then there is the warming up afterwards. I am always mindful of not warming up too fast, and if I have been really cold I am always mindful that I will be very sleepy after as well. So a Winter swim takes ages. There is no place for chat - keeping warm is a priority, safety first etc. I know what is safe for me, but to keep safe it all tak

es a very long time.

I have also spent a lot of the last year messing around with different techniques in the bid to make me a better coach. Taking my musical training into account, I know that there is no one size fits all with any technique, and you have to work out what works for you/ your student/ client/ different bodies/ different swimming styles etc. Therefore experimenting with different techniques has definitely taught me that I need to keep my hands low and my elbows high- I have picked up a shoulder injury. It does not affect my swimming - but the swimming does affect my shoulder. And it has been quite sore at times. I can not reach behind me just now.

In the past year I have ticked a few bucket list swims off. I try to give myself a few each year. Where I swim a lot in the Summer, just sometimes it is not pleasant with the midges. This photo saw a 5km hike in pouring (no exaggeration) rain with the tweens, husband and picnic. Once we got to the loch, I produced my neoprene costume and they all rolled their eyes. While they all huddles in the heather complaining I had a truly satisfying face slappy pretty chilly swim. I didn't go all head in swim, but I have now ticked off that particular body of water. My husband has a thing- if he can climb all the Munroes, I can swim all of the named bodies of water in a particular area. No small challenge- especially as last year I was on the summit of Ben Alder in 30 degree heat with a big pack, noticed a small lochan on the map and set off for a swim - only to find that it does not exist in Summer. That took me most of a day to get to and suspect that if it has not dried up, it will be covered in Snow. Had a cracking camp up high though and swam the next day at the bottom before a superb and well deserved pint in the exceptional Corrour Station House.

I havn't swum many organised events this year as I am still getting settled, but as ever meeting pots of new people who share the passion for open water. Keep swimming. Keep loving it. My goal for this year is to put the guided swimming into reality - not just taking people out who ask me to!