Category: winter swimming

How Winter & Ice Swimming Impacts My Ultra-Marathon Swims

by Sophie, posted in Adaptive Swimming, Open Water Swimming, Training, winter swimming

One of the most common questions I get asked is why I continue to swim in open water throughout the winter when what I actually train for is ultra-distance and marathon swims. The simplest answer? Because I love it. 💙 There is nothing quite like slipping into freezing cold water and feeling the noise of … Continue reading How Winter & Ice Swimming Impacts My Ultra-Marathon Swims

Cold Clarity: Why Winter Swimming Keeps Me Coming Back

by Sophie, posted in Open Water Swimming, winter swimming

For some swimmers, winter marks the off-season; a time to rest, recover, and ease off the intensity. For me, it’s the opposite. Winter is when I build. It’s when I focus on technique, speed, and strength, laying the groundwork for the open water season ahead. My goal this year was to improve my pace and … Continue reading Cold Clarity: Why Winter Swimming Keeps Me Coming Back

I’ve lost count of what week of training it is…

by Sophie, posted in Adaptive Swimming, Bristol Channel Training, chronic illness, coaching, Disability Swimming, friends, Living with a Disability, open water, Open Water Swimming, Outdoor Swimming, Wheelchair User, winter swimming

I started the week strong with an open water swim in Hampton, followed by the 4th Bars and Bells session where we learnt all the different exercises that are possible with Kettle Bells. Monday night was then a pretty intense coaching session for BRJ. I think most people's response when they saw the set on … Continue reading I’ve lost count of what week of training it is…

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

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

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

2022 Events booked…and training begins!

by Sophie, posted in Adaptive Swimming, challenge, Disability Swimming, Disabled, Events, friends, Lake Windermere, Living with a Disability, marathon swim, Mental Health, open water, Open Water Swimming, outdoor swimmer, Outdoor Swimming, psychology, Races, Training, winter swimming

  This week has been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster and, being honest, my head has been all over the place.  Good for my training, not so good for my pain. I have a lot going on right now, and my friend described it perfectly; in life we all have ‘YAY’ moments and “BOO” … Continue reading 2022 Events booked…and training begins!

My first 10 Weeks of Winter Swimming

by Sophie, posted in Adaptive Swimming, chronic illness, chronic pain, Disability Swimming, Disabled, friends, Living with a Disability, Mental Health, open water, Open Water Swimming, outdoor swimmer, Outdoor Swimming, safety, winter swimming

  I have learnt many things over my first few months of winter swimming and I am so glad that I decided to set myself the challenge of swimming skins through winter. I've learnt so much about how my body reacts to different temperatures and situations both physically and mentally. Ive also learnt just how far … Continue reading My first 10 Weeks of Winter Swimming

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