Category: challenge

Week 4 of Bristol Channel Training

by Sophie, posted in Adaptive Swimming, Bristol Channel Training, challenge, chronic illness, chronic pain, Disabled, Open Water Swimming, Outdoor Swimming, psychology, Training, winter swimming

Last week was my final push before my first recovery week.  The week started with the first Bars and Bells session at the gym. I was quite nervous given I have never actually been to a fitness class at the gym before but I felt it was an important and good way to potentially look … Continue reading Week 4 of Bristol Channel Training

Bristol Channel Training Week 3

by Sophie, posted in Adaptive Swimming, Bristol Channel Training, challenge, chronic illness, chronic pain, coaching, Disability Swimming, Family, Open Water Swimming, Outdoor Swimming, Training

I'm not sure how it's already week 3 of my channel training but it is and I'm making great progress compared to my level of fitness and activity just a month ago. I started the week tired and in a bit of a Fibro flare after pushing harder than I should have over the weekend. … Continue reading Bristol Channel Training Week 3

Bristol Channel Week 1

by Sophie, posted in Adaptive Swimming, Bristol Channel Training, challenge, Disabled, Events, friends, marathon swim, open water, Open Water Swimming, Outdoor Swimming, psychology, Training

After I successfully completed my Windermere 2-way swim in 2021 I wanted to set myself another challenge. I wanted it to be or include the English Channel solo because it had always been a dream of mine. Whilst deciding on a challenge I had read about Tom Chapman who had swum the Bristol channel 3 … Continue reading Bristol Channel Week 1

STA Channel Swim 2023 Part 4

by Sophie, posted in challenge, English Channel, Open Water Swimming

I was pretty sure my feeds no longer had anything nutritious in them, it was just warm squash. I hadn't planned for 29 hours of swimming, I planned for 23 at the absolute maximum, thinking I would only be in for 18 or 19 hours. I was starting to run on empty, the only benefit … Continue reading STA Channel Swim 2023 Part 4

STA Channel Swim 2023 Part 3

by Sophie, posted in Adaptive Swimming, challenge, chronic illness, chronic pain, Disability Swimming, Disabled, English Channel, Events, fundraising, marathon swim, Open Water Swimming, Outdoor Swimming, safety

I noticed the sun was starting to get lower and for me, that is when my swim really started. I knew I couldn’t be far off the time when I should have been nearly in France or getting out/landing, but France still looked miles away, and I couldn’t work out what I was doing wrong.

STA Channel Swim 2023 Part 2

by Sophie, posted in challenge, chronic pain, Disability Swimming, Disabled, English Channel, Events, Family, friends, fundraising, hospital, Open Water Swimming, Wheelchair User

As I watched the sunrise it was a huge mental boost. I had got through the night and since I was expecting to finish late afternoon, I knew the rest of the swim would be in the light with the sunshine on my back. My only concern was last year during my relay swim, when … Continue reading STA Channel Swim 2023 Part 2

STA Channel Swim 2023 Part 1

by Sophie, posted in challenge, English Channel, marathon swim, Open Water Swimming

On Sunday 20th August, whilst at Folkestone Air show I got the call I had been waiting for. My swim was going to be the following day - Monday 21st August 2023.  On the day of my swim Mike arrived at lunch time, this was so we had plenty of time to get all my feeding stuff … Continue reading STA Channel Swim 2023 Part 1

Its Not All in The Numbers

by Sophie, posted in Adaptive Swimming, challenge, chronic illness, chronic pain, coaching, Disability Swimming, Disabled, English Channel, friends, Life in a wheelchair, Living with a Disability, marathon swim, open water, Open Water Swimming, outdoor swimmer, Outdoor Swimming, psychology, teaching, Training, Wheelchair User

If you read the latest article/blog on the STA website you will recognise most of this content, if you haven't - enjoy my training from last month and see what I achieved!

Making a start

by Sophie, posted in Adaptive Swimming, challenge, chronic pain, Disability Swimming, Disabled, English Channel, Lake Windermere, Living with a Disability, marathon swim, open water, Open Water Swimming, outdoor swimmer, Outdoor Swimmer Magazine, Outdoor Swimming, Training, Wheelchair User, winter swimming

check out my latest blog about my channel training

2023 Channel Swim Introduction

by Sophie, posted in Adaptive Swimming, challenge, chronic illness, chronic pain, coaching, Disability Swimming, Disabled, English Channel, Events, Lake Windermere, Life in a wheelchair, Living with a Disability, marathon swim, open water, Open Water Swimming, outdoor swimmer, Outdoor Swimmer Magazine, Outdoor Swimming, psychology, Races, teaching, Training, Wheelchair User

"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity" Albert Einstein The beginning of the new year is always something to celebrate, we look back on all we have achieved the previous year and, perhaps, most importantly we look forwards and plan for the new year. For me, the plan is simple; to be the first person … Continue reading 2023 Channel Swim Introduction