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Swimming

Swimathon Masterclass and Interview with Keri-Anne Payne

Sometimes, life brings you opportunities that can shape how you move forward and feel about yourself and last weekend’s Swimathon Masterclass was one such moment.

It was the Ambassador launch event for Swimathon 2018 at the truly outstanding London Aquatic Centre and I am both proud and privileged to be a part of this amazing challenge.

Proud because I am not a chiseled instagram friendly fitness blogger showing off my abs, but instead an overweight but passionate try-athlete who simply wants to show that sport is for all, regardless of your shape, size, age or ability. My goal have never been to move products or promote myself, but to move people and to promote the benefits of being active. Swimathon is providing me with another platform to challenge myself and the often stereotypical view that the overweight and obese are lazy.

And privileged because being an ambassador does come with some amazing perks, not least the opportunity to meet and train with not one, but two Olympis legends

Anyone of a certain age will have grown up with Duncan Goodhew’s exploits in the pool, his Olympic Gold Medal (not actual size above)in Moscow and with his unwavering promotion of swimming. It was no surprise to learn that he is the President of Swimathon, although I was both disappointed and surprised that he was not a fan of my beard (although he is right about the drag).

Throughout the course of the day he provided invaluable feedback and advice. However, it was another Olympian present who really left their mark on me…..Double World Champion and Olympic Silver medalist, Keri-Anne Payne

Not only did she deliver a swimathon masterclass that has transformed my swimming and boosted my confidence, but she also kindly sat down with me for an interview.

Keri-Anne Payne Interview

Hi Keri-Anne, what is it about Swimathon that made you want to be an Ambassador?

I love swimming and everything I do is focused on encouraging and helping others to swim, so when approached to take part, I said yes. Swimathon is a brilliant challenge supporting wonderful charities.

You made the transition (couldn’t help the triathlon pun) to Open Water Swimming; what is it that you love most about the sport?

The freedom. Being in the wide open space of an ocean or sea, with no lanes, brings you closer to nature and it is the most amazing of feelings

What would you say to those interested in open water swimming, but who are maybe worried about the whole getting closer to nature bit?

Get in! Don’t be afraid! The sea is full of creatures and almost all of them are more frightened of you than you are of them.

It has been a year since you officially retired from competitive swimming, so what have you been up to?

My husband David and I set up Triscape, a swimming retreat and coaching business. People can attend our SwimFit sessions on Caribbean retreats in St Lucia and in Nevis, where you can participate in or watch the amazing 2.5 mile swim between Nevis and St Kitts that includes sea turtles as companions and also in Scotland for the Great Scottish Swim. At every retreat, we focus on making people more efficient and better swimmers while we also deliver masterclasses with our team of experts.

David is also an Olympian and I once listened to him speak at a sports symposium where he described that world class swimmers look to make incremental improvements to every aspect of their swim; that individually might only make them fractions of a second faster, but together could make the difference of getting on a podium or not. For those participating in Swimathon, what would you suggest are the fundamental areas to focus on to improve their swimming?

There are three areas that I would advise everyone to work on.

Breathing. Although we take it for granted, how you breathe while swimming dictates how well you swim. Don’t take huge inhales and exhales as this tires you out. Instead, inhale gently through your mouth and exhale via your nose. Not only does this prevent water going up your nose, it is a more efficient way to release air.
Posture. At Triscape we coach swimmers to adopt a straight line swimming approach. You want to reduce drag, so keeping your body straight will enable you to more efficiently and to feel less tired. Rather than looking up and ahead, which can result in hips and legs sinking, keep your head facing down and only turn to breathe.
Propulsion. We want to be as efficient as possible and by rotating our bodies slightly from the hips, our shoulders follow and this gives us extra reach in our front crawl and further reduces drag.

You make no secret that you love cooking and eating, so any nutritional tips for those of us training for Swimathon?

Years of experience have taught me that eating within 20 minutes of a gruelling swim session is optimal. Ideally, it should be a good source of protein and I love making a smoothie of milk, berries, seeds and nuts

Like me, you also love cake. Any tip on having your cake and eating it?

Always share any cake that you bake so that you don’t eat all the slices. Yes, that does make me a bit of a feeder, but it means that I don’t pile on the pounds

Finally, you’ve seen us all swim today. Who is your Star Pupil?

(sorry fellow Swimathon Ambassadors, I could not resist)

After the interview, we headed poolside where Keri-Anne delivered the Swimathon Masterclass and provided us with feedback on our form and some drills to help us improve along with some training plans. We all listened intently and everything she said struck home, especially my head positioning (i.e. it is ALL over the place).

By the end of the masterclass, I was confident that I had made some genuine improvements in how I swim while I had also identified key areas in which I need to make further adjustments, not least the sharing of cake.

Being a Swimathon Ambassador is a huge honour and it feels wonderful to be part of an amazing group of people and I am really enjoying being back in a pool after spending most of my life believing that I was not a swimmer. However, since returning home, I have been to the pool to hone my skills and on Sunday, it all came together.

Not only did I almost swim 2km ( a wee Garmin malfunction), but I did so freestyle. Prior to my session with Keri-Anne, I struggled to swim 25 metres freestyle and it is a mark of her ability as a coach that despite still needing to improve, I now look forward to spending more and more time in the pool. I have not felt this excited or determined for a long time.

For I am now a swimmer!

You too can look forward to swimming more by joining us at Swimathon 2018. You do not need to be a world champion like Keri-Anne or swim 5km with me, but with distances for everyone, this truly is a #swimforall

But do not just take my word for it. Watch this fantastic Swimathon video and then feel free to ask me any questions on Facebook or on Twitter at @hommanymiles_.

Together we can make a splash!

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January 30, 2018 0 comment

Physical Activity Swimming Triathlon

Aspire Channel Swim Review and a wee look back at 2017

written by Stephen Morrison

Believe in the impossible.

Aspire to prove yourself and your doubters wrong and look not to the failures of the past but to the glories of the future to inspire and motivate you.

Not the words of some literary genius or some motivational speaker, just what I tell myself when I reminisce about 2017.

While it has not been a great year, there have been some notable events that stretched what I thought I could accomplish and which gave me hope for the future.

In the past, I would have filled every weekend with races and events, but this year I chose four that would test me and also provide a much needed boost. Or rather, three chose me as an unlikely ambassador.

It all started with the Bishopbriggs Sprint Triathlon. Coming last provided me with the simplest of benchmarks, while finishing it provided me with a huge confidence boost.

This was quickly followed by the Men’s 10K which I was not ready for and it showed in my time and in my bouts of walking. However, I finished it pain free and with a smile as wide as the Clyde.

Although I withdrew from the Big Belter, I did set my sights on the 45 mile Classic Challenge at Pedal for Scotland (look out for my Cycling Scotland magazine article) and it turned out to be a magical day.

It all set me up for my final challenge of the year

The Aspire Channel Swim which you might have read about here. While not confined to my house, I did struggle to leave and I also wanted to do something special, so I vowed to my Aspire Channel Swim Relay Blogging Team that I would swim the 2.4 miles in one go.

If truth be told, I was not sure that I could, but I was determined that I would!

Watching my relay team members, such as Father and Mutha Fitness complete their swims inspired me and although I did put my own attempt off until the very last week, I made a commitment to swim the 2.4 miles at my local Nuffield Gym who kindly agreed to provide me with my own lane.

However, a few days prior to the event, disaster stuck. My beloved Garmin Forerunner 735XT stopped working. If I could not count lengths and record the swim, will it still have happened?

Thankfully Garmin stepped up to save the day, not only promising to replace my 735XT but to send me a swanky Fenix 5 to test.

And test it, I did

I arrived at Nuffield Giffnock and made my way tentatively towards the pool. With goggles on and my Fenix 5 prepped, I entered the pool, in trepidation due to a lack of preparation.

But then, I remembered the wonderful thing about swimming; why I was delighted to be asked to join the Aspire Channel Swim Relay team and why I asked for my fee to be donated back to Aspire.

Swimming is an activity that is easy on the joints; it is great for improving lung capacity and efficiency which can be transferred to other endurance sports and for those with spinal injuries, it is an effective means of therapy.

It is a sport that is for the many.

Swimming is also good for the mind as the rhythmic nature of it is relaxing and soothing. With 160 laps to swim, I was going to see just how relaxing it was.

I’d like to say that I simply jumped in and got on with it, but the first 30 lengths seemed to take forever and I started to worry that three hours would not be enough.

However, as I settled into my own rhythm and let my mind wander, it did not feel long until I was at 60 and then 100 and soon enough (ok, 2 hours and 24 mins later) I had swum 4,000 metres.

I had completed my Aspire Channel Swim Relay

In one go. To say that I was happy was an understatement and I must have looked at the reading on the Garmin Fenix 5 about 4,000 times, which is about half the amount of times that I have debated whether to buy it or not (I am leaning towards yes).

Now, as Clare expressed so well, swimming the 2.4 miles in one go does not make a great deal of difference. Everyone who managed to complete any distance over any amount of visits helped to raise funds and awareness for Aspire , but given the year that I have experienced, this was an important milestone for me.

It proved that despite my size and recent lack of confidence, I can still enjoy sport and I can test myself. And so can you. I believe in you, but how much do you believe in yourself? Can you think of a challenge that will spur you into action and off of the couch?

Well, over the next few months, I am going to highlight some ways in which almost anyone can participate in sport and as I return to work and to my passion of encouraging civil servants (and everyone else, for that matter) to move more, I also vow to get my own life back on track (I have had so many false starts).

So far my lack of consistency and my desire to discover the finest vegan cakes have cost me three pairs of shoes!!

I cannot have my cake and eat it!!

Especially of I am to do the Aspire Channel Swim and a 5K Swimathon next year.

Huge thanks to Aspire Channel Swim for inviting me to join their blogging relay team and to Nuffield Health and Garmin for supporting my efforts. It was an amazing and often humbling experience viewing on social media the awesome and inspirational efforts of every participant. Swimmers came in all shapes and sizes, in all ages and ability, but with one thing in common.

They believed in the impossible and they aspired to achieve greatness. Will you join them and myself next year?

December 15, 2017 0 comment

Physical Activity Swimming Triathlon

Be Part of the Amazing Aspire Channel Swim 2017

written by Stephen Morrison

Just because I have decided to reschedule (indefinitely) my Ironman challenge, doesn’t mean that I have given up on swimming.

I still intend on competing in Sprint and Olympic Triathlons and I am still going to swim 2.4 miles (the same length as the swim leg of an Ironman) this Autumn.

Not as part of an Ironman though, but instead as part of the amazing Aspire Channel Swim 2017 Blogging Relay Team which is something that I am excited to be a part of.

Come on and Dive in. You know you want to

The Aspire Channel Swim 2017 challenges you and anyone (of any age) you know to swim the length of the English Channel, but do not worry, nobody expects you to a) swim the English Channel (although many brave swimmers are) or b) swim the 22 mile distance in one go or even by yourself.

You can either swim the distance as an individual over a 12 week period starting 11th September and finishing on the 4th December or join a relay team, like I have (still to meet my virtual team), and swim only part of the 22 miles.

There are many inspirational individuals swimming the full 22 miles in days rather than weeks and while I could spread my distance over the 12 weeks, I am going to attempt to swim the entire 2.4 miles (160 lengths) in one visit to my local Nuffield pool. This will be my longest swim ever and I might need to build up a little, but I am really looking forward to getting back into the pool, instead of sitting here writing about it.

Time for less words and more action

Whether you sign up as an individual or relay team, you can swim at your own pace and at your own pool (or outdoor location for my hardy open swimming pals) and you do not need to be an Olympic standard swimmer to participate in the Aspire Channel Swim 2017, although I probably do rival Michael Phelps in calories consumed.

I am not the greatest swimmer (understatement of the year), having only been taught how to swim this year by Robert of Vigour Events, but I love being in the water and as someone who has problems with my joints and who weighs considerably more than I should, the water supports my weight (much like it does for sea living mammals…cue beached whale comments from the fat shamers) and makes swimming a relatively easy activity that is so rewarding, both mentally and physically.

Swim and reap the rewards

The Aspire Channel Swim 2017 is a free to enter challenge and you are urged to fundraise for this vital charity that supports over 40,000 people recovering from spinal injuries. However by signing up at and participating in and promoting the event, you will be helping those paralysed by spinal cord injuries. Sadly, someone is paralysed every 8 hours from a spinal injury and Aspire provides practical support that enable these people to lead active and independent lives

With no statutory Government funding Aspire depends solely on donations and proceeds from the Aspire Channel Swim 2017, so please sign up HERE and please consider even the smallest of donations. The target this year is £800,000 and every penny and every lap counts.

In return, not only will you get to support this amazing charity, but you’ll also get the amazing welcome pack below while the sponsors Zoggs have provided some brilliant prizes for fundraisers.

Even more rewards for signing up to Aspire Channel Swim 2017

So, come September 11th, why not get off the couch and head down to your local pool? Dive in and let us see what you can achieve by sharing your experiences on Twitter and Instagram using #ACS2017

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September 4, 2017 1 comment

Swimming Triathlon

Ironman Update : Total Immersion with Vigour Events

written by Stephen Morrison

I have regained 60lbs (having lost 170lbs); I have arthritic knees; I fall off my bike more regularly than Evel Knievel (look him up, millennials) and I cannot swim.

So my decision to sign up for an Ironman event in 2018 may seem a little reckless and a tad foolish. And it probably is. Ok, it definitely is.

However, I am a man of dreams and according to followers of the Law of Attraction, I just have to visualise myself crossing that Mallorca Ironman 2018 finishing line and it will happen.

Can’t Swim, Need to Swim

Of course, I may also want to do something about that whole unable to swim thing.

I say unable, but that isn’t strictly true. At the tender age of eight, my father instructed me. The instruction being not to drown as he pushed me into the water at Pollokshaws swimming pool. I didn’t, but as you might see from the video below, my technique since then hasn’t changed much. I basically flap my arms and try to stay afloat.

For years, I have vowed to learn how to swim and for years my fear of feeling embarrassed by my weight has stopped me. Even when I lost weight, I didn’t feel completely comfortable and any time I have tried to swim, my complete lack of talent has been clear for all to see. Even the brilliant Olympian Robbie Renwick failed to turn me into a swimmer when I trained with him for my Strathmore Water DoMore Blog.

So, if I was going to conquer my fears and feel confident about a 2.4 mile swim in the sea (what am I thinking?) I decided that I would need some expert coaching. Now, I don’t know any expert swimming coaches but I do know Robert Hamilton (sorry Robert, I couldn’t resist), of Vigour Events, and I also know that Robert teaches Total Immersion, the swimming technique that is seemingly quick to master and which makes swimming almost effortless and less exhausting.

Sign me up!

I had watched videos of Robert’s class in Hamilton and as the weeks passed, my doubts started to drain away. Robert and I engaged in a game of Facebook Messenger tennis. He would serve me an invite to a class and I would volley back an excuse not to go.

I didn’t have the time, it was too far way’ I had child care issues and I wasn’t competent enough to try Total Immersion. I used all of them and more. Eventually however, he broke down my barriers and for the past few weeks, I have been receiving and even enjoying his expert tutelage at Shawlands Secondary School.

With the changing room and pool almost to ourselves, my inhibitions didn’t surface as I approached the pool and climbed in for my first lesson.

The first thing Robert asked was to see how I normally swim and he must be a great poker player as at no point did his eyes or face reveal what he thought about my er, swimming “style”.

He simply advised that over the course of the next few weeks that he would instill upon me the basics of Total Immersion swimming and that the secret to success isn’t about the power or a high turnover stroke rate but in the positioning and alignment of my head, leading arm and body as I glide through the water.

At his request, I allowed him control of my body and relaxed as he coaxed my head into a neutral position under the water. It felt so relaxing and so right that my usual desire (and urgency) to break the surface and seek air was replaced by a calmness. Robert had managed, with a wee tweak of my head, to release the tension that courses through my body whenever I attempt to swim.

Floaty McFloatFace

Next he worked on my leading arm position. Again, I allowed him free reign and control of my limbs. He gently maneuvered them under the water until he found a resting point at which my arms automatically returned to when relaxed. Everything felt natural. I knew that I was in safe hands.

Over the course of two weeks and two hours, Robert continued to describe, display and direct me in the many small but vital components of the Total Immersion stroke and the result of our efforts is below.

I am far from finished and over the next few months my lessons and my practice sessions should help me progress even further. However, I have a wee confession. As I watch this clip over and over again, I am beaming with pride.

In just two hours, I had learned the basics of Total Immersion and the prospect of swimming 2.4 miles is a little less daunting.

Just a little.

If Total Immersion swimming sounds like something that you would like to try, then Robert has Swim Sessions on Monday nights at Hamilton College and in January and March he will again be at Hamilton College for his full day Total Immersion Workshops.

And if you want to support my efforts, please consider making a small donation to my Ironman Cancer Research page.

November 25, 2016 4 comments

Cycling Journey Running Triathlon

Father Figure and Father’s Day Gifts

written by Stephen Morrison

This week Daniel, Jack and myself feature in this Vitality Father’s Day Father Figures magazine article and we even star in one of their up-coming “Everyday Athletes” adverts.

However, I will not be celebrating Father’s Day, for I am not their father.

I am Stephen, their step dad kind of thing and although I have been a part of their lives for over four years, I do not seek to replace their daddy. I am very happy being a father figure and I am happy taking them to the park, to the barbers and often to task for not tidying their rooms or doing their homework (Jack!). I love them to bits and I get to spend every day with them and half my wages on them.

That being said, they rarely buy me Father’s Day gifts or even Christmas or birthday presents (hey I am still a big kid and love pressies) so I thought I would publish a wee wish list, especially for their mum and maybe other mums or partners to read and to then consider buying for their active and want to get active dads (anything but a jumper or “Best Dad” mug).

Let’s help get some of those father figures into shape with these Father’s Day Gifts

Danny, Jack and Teresa, this is the Garmin Forerunner 735XT. Just saying.

I love my Garmin Forerunner 235, but now that I am running less (damn knee), cycling more and hoping to swim more, I would give my right arm (I wear my watch on my left) for the new Garmin Forerunner 735 XT. It might mean that I swim only in circles, but I would be doing it in style. The 735 takes the great features of the 235, such as the wrist heart rate monitor, the smart notifications and activity tracking to a new height (or is that depth?) with the ability to track swimming, SUPing (read my SUP blog) and even strength training. It is quite expensive at £360 but it is feature packed and I just know that it will look amazing on my wrist and will undoubtably make me cycle and swim faster. It is most definitely not another waste of money that will lie in a drawer, darling Teresa.

While we are on the subject of Father’s Day gifts that I probably won’t get, let’s stick with Garmin. I have been having a wee look at their bike kit and I am dreaming of adding more value onto my bike than the bike is actually worth. More than I am worth, if I am honest. The Varia Rearview Radar, Insight Display and Smart Bike Lights all appeal to my “all the gear, no idea” mentality, but my “don’t want to be homeless” mentality is thankfully in control. For the moment, that is. While I am in dream land, I might as well ask for the VIRB XE Action Camera, Vector 2 Power Meter and Edge 1000. A snip at a mere £2,260 for the complete set of these Garmin Father’s Day gifts.

Back on this planet, your purse might not quite stretch that far and if looking for some more reasonably priced Father’s Day gifts, Garmin has a whole range of activity trackers. My pick is the Vivosmart HR. It is vastly superior to the the Vivoactive 3 and indeed is probably the most value for money activity tracker currently on the market. It is non intrusive, easy to operate and understand, while it is very robust. You simply put it on and move, with a single charge lasting five days. You can wear it in the shower and in bed, where it will track how restful your sleep is. It will even connect to your mobile phone and display smart notifications such as emails, weather and social media updates. It can currently be bought from several retailers for under £100

Just watch out for the red inactivity bar. Once you have been inactive for too long and it reaches its limit, you receive an electric shock to motivate you into moving. Ok. I made that last bit up, If you really want that feature you will gave to buy the Pavlock. Yes, this really exists and yes, you shock yourself. I am shocked that 10,000 people have bought into this madness to modify their behaviours. The Vivosmart HR simply vibrates.

Non Garmin Father’s Day Gifts

Away from Garmin gadgets, there are a couple of fitness items that have made it onto my Father’s Day Gifts list and which are slightly cheaper than anything above, but still mange to express how much you love him (or me).

Lululemon Men’s Shorts. Possibly the best shorts that I have ever worn.

First up we have Lululemon shorts at £68. Yes, I did actually type £68 and I would actually pay (or hope someone else will pay) that for these shorts, as I already have a pair. Lululemon Glasgow kindly gifted me a pair to wear in the Vitality advert and I LOVE them.

My initial opinion of Lululemon clothing was that it was expensive yoga pants for athletic women. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that they sold superb men’s gear all the way up to size xxl. And none of this Italian designer label xxl nonsense that fits the average 12 year old in Scotland (we really do have an obesity issue). The finish, feel, fit and functionality of these shorts is unlike any other shorts I have worn. Treat the special man in your life to a pair from HERE and maybe don’t tell him how much you paid!

Ideal for all outdoor activities, including standing on a touchline or at a Man V Fat Football match.

Next up, we have the excellent New Balance Tech Training jacket. Wee Jack is determined to join the local football team, St Cadoc’s, in August and I can see myself standing on a touchline as the wind and rain batter down on me (I live in Glasgow, remember). New Balance are positioning themselves as one of the top athletic brands and they are producing some excellent training shoes and apparel. With it’s fleece collar, water resistant shell, storm cuffs and hood it compares favourably with other branded mid range water resistant jackets. It is versatile and could also be used for running, cycling, walking or even at a Man V Fat Football League. Pick one up for £75 and encourage your man to get outside in any weather and to #sitlessmovemore

Start shedding pounds, without spending too many with Man V Fat

You might also want to encourage hime to pick up a book. Not just any book, but the best male fat loss book available. Ok. I am slightly biased. It is written by my friend, Andrew Shanahan and I do feature in the book, but it is genuinely full of sensible, practical, applicable and most importantly weight reducing advice. It is of course the Man V Fat: The Weight Loss Manual, available for under £8.00 from Amazon.

WARNING: This is one of those Father’s Day gifts that require tact and diplomacy. Please make sure that your father (or partner) needs and wants to lose weight.

Equally excellent is the Man V Fat website, where you can join an amazing group of current and future losers, find out more about Man V Fat Football and read wonderful reviews of items such as the Garmin Index Scale (yes, I possibly do have a Garmin obsession).

Give him the Father’s Day Gifts of Happy Feet

For my very last item on my Father’s Day Gifts list, I have selected something free (aren’t you glad) and something that ties in with my current series on Feet for Life. Why not book you father or special man in your life in for a free foot health check at these participating locations? He is going to be active and he should have the best platform on which to get started, in addition to the best gadgets hopefully someone else’s money can buy.

Feet are for life and not just for Father’s Day

June 12, 2016 0 comment

Commonwealth Games #Team14 DoMore with Strathmore Swimming Triathlon Try-Athlete

Can’t Swim, Won’t Swim with Robbie Renwick

written by Stephen Morrison

I can’t really swim and if asked I don’t really want to, but when invited to swim with a Commonwealth Champion, it was time to get my Speedos on (ok, there’s never a time to get Speedos on).

There’s a reason why I like runing. There are, in fact, several reasons why I like running, but one is that it is a simple case of putting one foot in front of the other and then repeating. Yes, some of my running friends and my Garmin might go on about about cadence and vertical oscillation, but we really were born to run.

Swimming is a sport that I know is great for getting fit and strong (see pictures of Robbie Renwick) and I know it is an excellent activity for the obese and overweight. As Robbie (more about him later) explained, when asked about injuries, it is a relatively low impact sport (he’s obviously never seen me dive-bombing). However, for many obese people swimming pools are uncharted waters. When you despise how you look, the walk of shame from changing rooms to pool can strip you of your dignity, regardless of whether anyone is even looking at you.

And then there is the synchronised swimming. No, not some artistic moves but simply using my arms and legs while trying to remember to breathe (while my head is OUT of the water).

So, when I was invited by Strathmore Water to join Commonwealth Gold Medallist and British 200m Freestyle record holding Robbie Renwick and to find out more about their Do More campaign, I put aside my worries about drowning in a sea of embarrassment and took one for Team14.

I was joined by six other wonderful bloggers (including my Team14 pal Paula McGuire) and the shared apprehension seemed to ease our collective fears. Fears that we incidently didn’t need to have.

Robbie, despite only being weeks away from a wee event in Glasgow and Sunday being his day off, was a fantastic coach. Over the course of an hour he took us through various swimming drills. We focused on streamlining (don’t think I’ll ever resemble a streamline), techniques and endurance training.

Thankfully the most we had to swim was about 400 metres and the chance for me to fully embarrass myself was limited.

Or so I thought!!

Robbie was keen to help us improve every aspect of our swimming and like David Carry, who I had listened to at a Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow conference earlier in the week, he spoke at length about how making small changes and improvements to aspects of our swimming can shave seconds off times. Seconds that can mean the difference between podiums and doldrums.

One way of finishing faster is turning faster. Very seldom (IE never) do you see swimmers replicating my approach of reaching the end, stopping, turning around and starting again. Instead, they perform tumble turns. And Robbie wanted us to perform them. It is testament to his professionalism that he kept a straight face as I tumbled and turned. On my first attempt I ended up turning 90 degrees and in the lane next to mine.

However, it was in my second attempt that I invented a new style of turning.

Somehow, as I turned and pushed my legs, with all my might, I ended up with my feet out the water and ON the edge of the pool. As I lay there with only my upper body submerged, I was literally choking with laughter

Grin When You Are Swimming

Robbie, to his credit, took my incompetence in good spirit and was obviously really impressed by the progress that I made during the training session. Despite having some excellent swimmers in our group, it was quite clear that my unique style had left a lasting impression on him and his praise was totally unexpected.

After the relay race (we’ll not dwell too much on that, other than to say that the losing team had to then swim two further gruelling lengths using the fly technique that left me gasping for breath) we headed upstairs for a Q and A

I asked him about setting milestones and goals and I asked if he worked backwards. He confirmed that Rio 16 is his goal with Glasgow 2014 and the World Championships (update: he is a World Champion) his milestones. Throughout the questioning it became clear that Robbie was dedicated, determined and disciplined. Yes, he enjoys cakes (who doesn’t) but he also swims for over 30 hours every week and has strength coaches, sports psychologists and physiotherapists in his corner. Competing in Glasgow is a great honour, but he will not let that pressure affect him. He has been training for four years, in preparation for defending his Commonwealth crown. On any given day Robbie gets up at 5 am, swims 7000 metres, goes to the gym for 2.5 hours before heading back to the pool.

At the Q and A afterwards, the question I wanted to dive in with was: “Robbie, just what is your problem?”

Instead, we spoke about something we both are passionate about. Getting people to Do More. Robbie Renwick is one of three inspiring athletes who belong to Team Strathmore. Together, they are encouraging more people to get into the sporting spirit and to take small steps. To try new sports and activities. Although sharing my concerns about the accessibility of swimming to young children, he did feel that pools like Tollcross International Swimming Centre were encouraging more and more to swim.

And guess what? He’s inspired me. I’ve harboured (last water related pun) a desire to become a triathlete but felt anchored (sorry) by my lack of swimming skills. Using the training tips he imparted upon us, I am going to wade back into the pool and I will practice. Then I will participate in the Great Swim. A one mile swim of Loch Lomond.

Can’t Swim, Will Swim.

Huge thanks to Robbie Renwick and Strathmore for a fantastic experience and to Jeff, the photographer, for not filming any of my really embarrassing moments.

June 26, 2014 6 comments