Category: Family

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

The Qualifier

by Sophie, posted in Disabled, English Channel, Family, friends, marathon swim, open water, Open Water Swimming, outdoor swimmer, Training, Wheelchair User

On Sunday morning we had to get up a little earlier than the previous day because we had to check out of the hotel before we left for the beach, thankfully we could leave our suitcases at the hotel till later!  I woke up rested and with a few nerves but SO excited to have … Continue reading The Qualifier

Dover Channel Training Conference Part 2

by Sophie, posted in English Channel, Events, Family, marathon swim, open water, Open Water Swimming, outdoor swimmer, Outdoor Swimming, psychology, safety, Training

Day 2 started with me wanting to stay in bed and my sister staying in bed, not the best start.  The morning sessions weren't overly relevant to my sister and after the faff with trains and a busy day on Saturday I was kind enough to let her sleep...aka I couldn't wake her up! The … Continue reading Dover Channel Training Conference Part 2

Reflections

by Sophie, posted in Adaptive Swimming, challenge, chronic illness, chronic pain, coaching, Disability Swimming, Disabled, Events, Family, friends, Living with a Disability, Mental Health, open water, Open Water Swimming, outdoor swimmer, Outdoor Swimming, Training, Wheelchair User, winter swimming

New Years Eve is typically when everyone looks back on the previous year but for me, this year, I am not looking back just one year. Instead, I am looking at how far I have come over the past few years and I have to say, if I hadn't lived it, I'm not sure I … Continue reading Reflections

Training Diary – Hastings

by Sophie, posted in Adaptive Swimming, chronic illness, chronic pain, Disability Swimming, Disabled, Family, friends, Life in a wheelchair, Living with a Disability, marathon swim, Mental Health, open water, Open Water Swimming, outdoor swimmer, Outdoor Swimmer Magazine, Outdoor Swimming, psychology, safety, Training, Wheelchair User

Day 1 On Monday morning we packed the car up with mine, my parents and Regies bags and a few food items before heading off on the road. We got away by about 11am and although I was looking forwards to an intense week of training, I was quite anxious about simply going to Hastings. … Continue reading Training Diary – Hastings

2022 Training Blog is a go!

by Sophie, posted in Adaptive Swimming, chronic illness, chronic pain, Disability Swimming, Disabled, Family, friends, Living with a Disability, marathon swim, Mental Health, open water, Open Water Swimming, outdoor swimmer, Outdoor Swimmer Magazine, Outdoor Swimming, Training, Wheelchair User

  Training has finally kicked in full pelt and from now on I will do weekly training blogs! Over the past few weeks I have slowly been building up the number of swims I am doing, the distance I have covered and also how many outdoor swims I get each week too. This week I … Continue reading 2022 Training Blog is a go!

Kendal Mountain Festival Part 2

by Sophie, posted in Adaptive Swimming, challenge, chronic illness, chronic pain, Disabled, Events, Family, friends, Lake Windermere, Living with a Disability, open water, Open Water Swimming, outdoor swimmer, Outdoor Swimmer Magazine, Outdoor Swimming, Wheelchair User, winter swimming

  After spending the night dreaming of talking to a room full of cabbages I woke up feeling surprisingly rested but quite sore. We got up at around 8.45am as we had to head to the hotel restaurant for breakfast, it was the first meal we had had at the hotel, and it was incredibly … Continue reading Kendal Mountain Festival Part 2

Kendal Mountain Festival Part 1

by Sophie, posted in Adaptive Swimming, chronic illness, chronic pain, Disability Swimming, Disabled, Events, Family, friends, Lake Windermere, Open Water Swimming, outdoor swimmer, Outdoor Swimming, Wheelchair User, winter swimming

  I am not entirely sure where to begin on such an amazing weekend but I have to start somewhere so I think to begin with I will start with some thank yous: The biggest thank you goes to my absolutely amazing sister, Laura, or my big fishy. Without Laura acting as my carer/helper for … Continue reading Kendal Mountain Festival Part 1

10 Years

by Sophie, posted in Adaptive Swimming, challenge, chronic illness, chronic pain, Disability Swimming, Disabled, Family, friends, hospital, Lake Windermere, Life in a wheelchair, Living with a Disability, Mental Health, Open Water Swimming, outdoor swimmer, Training, Windermere

  This week marks the 10 year anniversary of my cycling accident that triggered all my current health issues, including my Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. After the day of that accident my life changed forever but at the time, I didn’t realise the result of the accident would be so drastic and have … Continue reading 10 Years

Windermere – Ambleside to Fell Foot

by Sophie, posted in Adaptive Swimming, challenge, chronic pain, Disability Swimming, Disabled, Events, Family, friends, fundraising, Lake Windermere, Living with a Disability, marathon swim, open water, Open Water Swimming, outdoor swimmer, Outdoor Swimmer Magazine, Outdoor Swimming, psychology, Races, safety, Windermere

  I woke up at 5.15am on Wednesday morning having only had a couple of hours sleep. Thankfully I had, had the sense to get everything ready on Tuesday night, including talking through my swim plan with my sister. I had also had my final sports psychology session with Helen from think.believe.perform. We had gone … Continue reading Windermere – Ambleside to Fell Foot