February 4th 2021
Causeway Coast
Charity AWARE
Swim Distances over the past 2 nights
Feb 3rd 1.46km
Feb 2nd 1.51km
THANK YOU FOR CONTINUALLY SHARING AND DONATING. Donations now over the £7500 mark!
AWARE https://aware-ni.org/
So last night I broke the 70km mark. I have to say the continual return to the sea to swim over a kilometer each night is starting to catch up on me a little, or at least it did yesterday. I spent most of the day struggling to find a way to overcome negative thoughts.
My right ear is currently full of water and has been for over a week now. I was feeling fatigued yesterday. I have a concoction of herbs and roots I eat everyday so yesterday I doubled it up. I ate the meal twice and I added a herb to my tomato soup too. I have no idea if this actually makes any difference from a physical point of view but it helped me mentally get a grip and focus on the next swim. In my slump I had also left one wetsuit outside in the sleet and snow showers and another lying in the shower tray from the night before. This wasn't helping my motivation!
I used a tactic that I haven't done since I was a kid. I ran the shower on my wet wetsuit and then got in there with it and put it on in the heat before heading out into yet another night of strong bitter easterly wind.
By whatever means necessary . I then swam in almost pitch black in choppy surf for another 1.46km. This morning I feel fine again. I know I would have felt terrible had I given in last night. Some good conditions over the past few nights with the current predominately with me so I cannot afford to give in. The first 30km seemed to be a complete roll of the dice every time I entered the water but the fast few days have made up for it.
Please if you are reading these blogs, use what I am doing to stay motivated. Keep active, get outdoors if you can and if you cant, open a window at the very least. The outdoors and exercise are great distractions from the world we are living through at the minute. I found a great resource that I think might be of interest to anyone who for some reason maybe cant get outdoors at the minute. Its called BBC Soundscape and you can listen to all sorts of sounds from the outdoors. Take a listen, it might be of use and or help during these times. https://canvas-story.bbcrewind.co.uk/soundscapesforwellbeing/
Remember to look at yourself and those around you for signs that may be of concern. Here is a link to some of the things to look out for on the AWARE website....
Info - I am swimming a total of 100km through the darkness, in the darkest and coldest months of the year off the North Coast of Ireland. My aim...to inspire those who may be struggling in dark times to keep going. I also aim to raise awareness and funds for the depression Charity Aware. We all face dark times in life at some point and it can be extremely overwhelming.
Safety - Please don't think that because I am doing this that you too should do this or something similar. I am very experienced in the sea with knowledge that is only gained through many years of exposure to the sea in all her moods. I have a safety and location system in place including continual contact with people on land every time I swim.