Swim Start Time 22:40
December 25 2020
Causeway Coast
Charity AWARE NI
Swim Distance 1.16km
Literally didn't want to go swim tonight. I had all the excuses under the sun. Sara had the heat on all day and the fire lit and I was cosy and well fed. I had almost convinced myself that I needed a break when finally I wised TF UP! I got up, got my wetsuit which was still wet btw and turned it in the right way. I took my clothes off and as I sunk one foot down into the leg of the suit I again hit a wall. I paused and thought sure I can do this in the morning really early instead. I was so close to giving up until I snapped out of it and got on with it.
Its so easy to give in and break discipline by choosing to just stay comfortable. I would have been raging with myself if I gave in. I'm so glad I went. The new swell had arrived and there was well organised good sized surf. I got good swimming in tonight and broke the 20km mark. Only 80KM left to do now.
All the swim distances (KM) to date since starting on December 1st. I imagine I might lose more nights as the winter goes on because of the weather but we shall see. Big Shout Out to my eyes and ears Sara and Mark for getting an eye on me!
1.16
1.52
1.15
1.36
1.8
1.33
1.34
1.02
.899
1.52
.880
1.24
1.27
1.216
1.29
.480
1.031
TOTAL =20.506KM SO FAR
A new set of lockdown rules come into play from tomorrow night. Unfortunately Ive been trying to make head nor tail of them. The gov website says one thing and the BBC says another. I've asked local police what the score is and even they haven't a concrete answer. I may need to swim at different times to fit with the new rules on exercise for this week but hopefully that becomes clear in the next 24 hours.
Thank you for reading this far! Please if you have a few spare quid use it to help the charity AWARE NI via the link here.... https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/al-mennie
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 NI. 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.