Swim a mile

I did it! - averaged 55 seconds a length which I'm really pleased with.  My brilliant colleague Ian who is also a very talented athlete challenged me to a "race".  I had a 32 length start and he was trying to catch me.  This was a tall order as it means I was half way before he even started.  At the beginning I honestly thought he would catch me but he didn't.    So although technically I won, he actually swam a mile much faster than I did so well done Ian!   If anyone wants to sponsor me retrospectively please use my just giving page - link on the left.  I am trying to raise £1,000 for pancreatic cancer research.

Balloon Flight - in the post

Look what arrived in the post today - it's our tickets for the balloon flight.  They came with an adorable little wicker picnic basket complete with cava and truffles.  We've booked the date - weather permitting we take off across Rutland Water on 10th May.  Can't wait!

Swim a Mile - Sport Relief Challenge

This time next week I should have this one in the bag.  Next Friday is Sport Relief and I have been challenged to swim a mile by a very sporty colleague of mine, Ian.  Not only is he sporty - he is a talented athlete who has recently switched to triathlon.  Those of you who follow such sports will know this involves a swim. 

On the other hand there is me.  Other than a few splashes in a pool in Malta on holiday a couple of years ago,  I have been swimming a grand total of three times in the past seven years. All of these occasions have been in the last four weeks.   I can swim as long as my face doesn't go under.  Breast stroke is as good as it gets!  I do have stamina and can just keep going, but a mile is 64 lengths.  The most I have ever swam in one go without stopping is 40 lengths.

My time recently has been about 60 seconds per length, so this means it should take me just over an hour to swim a mile.  Ian's time is about half that.

So this is our plan:  I set off first and when I get to 32 lengths he starts.  The idea is that with this handicap we should finish at around the same time, meaning the race will be on. 

We will have an audience - staff and students at our school will be paying to watch and we are being sponsored.    We have asked staff to sponsor the person they think will win.  So far I have four takers for a total of £14.

If anyone would like to sponsor me, you can do this via my just giving page - this money will not go to Sport Relief but to Pancreatic Cancer Research (and will also go towards my 50before50 target to raise £1000 for them).

Many thanks and wish me luck - those of you who know me personally will also know that my competitive nature means that I just have to win!