tri result

10th overall, but 1st in the veterans category. Yippee! Thanks to Simon and Jon for being excellent team mates.

two K and a tri

Met my friend big Carl on Saturday morning for a cool water two 2k. TBL now at 14 degrees, so for the first time in a few months, I felt fresh. Even fresher than I had in the Lake District three weeks ago. Autumn is coming in.

This morning up at an unseemly hour to do the swim leg of a relay triathlon. Myself, Simon (on bike) and Jon (runner).

Thanks to Kate for the photos, moral support and impromptu stewardessing. And finally, my pleasure at the team coming 10th -

enjoying the mid Sept sunshine

It's been sunny around my birthday for what feels like over a decade now. Lovely time to be swimming as the water is not warm and not yet cold either. It was 14 degrees C today and for the first time I felt slightly 'fresh' when still in the water and talking. Kate got in and did 8 lengths and two of those were non-stop crawl. As this is her first time swimming crawl for such a distance, I'm very proud and look forward to her joining me on epic river and sea swims!

I did a 20 lengths on Thursday day and bumped into Alex (I'd seen him sprint by in his orange hat), who was mulling over whether he should do the 104 lengths challenge in Tooting Lido (6 miles)and Sue who was 'only' doing 12 lengths. And had a day on dry land on Friday.

cruising with the big fella

Met Dan Martin this morning - he of the Global Triathlon fame - for a chat and leisurely ten lengths in Tooting. Also had a quick chat with Elizabeth, a slightly longer one with Jo Scanlon (who's just done the OSS Dart 10K) and lots of smiles between the other habituees of TBL.

And the sun was shining into all the corners of the huge water tank that is the lido. Quite odd to see arms and legs moving over 50 metres away in a swimming pool; and the stains of leaves and other droppings; and the blue sky above.

teaching and chatting

Had some time off swimming! But took a neighbour to the local pool on Friday night to help him improve his stroke. He was an energetic front crawler - arms and legs churning away. But he had a good roll. So I showed him some drills to get the position for a more gliding stroke and got him to practice. Then continued to give him small bits of feedback, so that after 45 minutes he was much smoother. Going to work on his breathing next.

And Saturday morning for a leisurely swim and chat with the other Carl in Tooting Lido. No doubt I'll find time for some more swims this week.

great north swims

Up to the Lakes last weekend. I was working in York on Thursday, so stayed in a B&B at Burnsall and had a swim in the Wharfe, just down from Loup Scar. I'd have done the jump, but there was no one esle about. A lovely ride across the moors and into the south Lakes on Friday to meet friends at Ulpha Bridge -

Photo by Claire Woodhead

 And then up to Coniston for a swim and jump from the jetty at Rigg Wood to Peel Island and back. And lots of general dips -

Photo by Keith Midgeley

And then up to our lodge at Troutbeck north of Ambleside; where I had the pleasure of Tom, Bryn, Sam, Lee and Gary's company for a few days. Sam made the most amazing cakes; Lee organised the accommodation; Bryn made great porridge; Tom kept us tidy and Gary spent time packing and unpacking his bags.

On Saturday I took twenty or so swimmers up to Buckstones Jum for gasps, plunges and general wonderment,

Photo by Lee Reed

before we all descended to Rydal Water for a swim along the river, through the weeds and out into the water. And later a long swim in Grasmere and lunch with a crowd of swimmers.

On Sunday five of us explored new territory with a walk up to Hayeswater. After a quick skinny dip we then kept our clothes off for another hour or so in two wonderful churning plunge pools in the ghyll on the way down. Lunch on the ridge followed by a walk (and long swim) up to Easedale Tarn - punctuated by another naked plunge in Sour Milk Ghyll falls plunge pool.

Monday saw everyone depart, but not before a swim in Potter Tarn and (for me only) a run over to Gurnal Dubs for a plunge.

I was going to swim with Bryn today in the Ouse at St Neots on the way home, but was a little too tired.