Out Of My Depth

Out Of My Depth 2025, at 45, I could barely swim. Follow my attempt to get to the start line of Ironman Wales 2028

13/09/2026

I've slept on it, I don't need to quit, but I do need a fire break on the pressure I've put myself under - see you in a bit!

My latest video here: https://youtu.be/GvwTZp6u8vEThe day after my return to Spring Lakes, a year on from the first atte...
13/09/2026

My latest video here: https://youtu.be/GvwTZp6u8vE

The day after my return to Spring Lakes, a year on from the first attempt, and it did not go well. If you saw the short video with the reaction straight afterwards, the cry you thought was coming did arrive, in the car about ten minutes later. This is the calmer reflection a day on: why I should have seen it coming, how I'd built the open water swim up in my head as the thing that would suddenly make everything click, and all the things I ignored, the cold changing how you breathe out, the sensory overload of the pond w**d, the fact that I've never really had good open water experiences, and going in without enough time to get my head right. I turned back after about 50m and kicked my way in on the tow float. Demoralising, but my own fault for setting it up to be something it never could be. So I'm making some changes: keeping on with the pool three times a week but with longer, less rushed sessions, and deliberately taking some pressure off. That includes stepping back from over-analysing every session and not recording any videos for a month or so. I'm not giving up, just stepping back. Two years still to go, and that's still enough.

11/09/2026

A year on from making this daft plan, and a return to the lake where I realised just how far I'd need to come. Am I any closer?

10/09/2026

Can't really swim well in the pool, but it'll be different in the lake... Won't it?

08/09/2026

I might have hit my pool plateau - I need to take it out of the pool and see what transfers

05/09/2026

Running with the lad again, but at a pace I could do and getting better now!

03/09/2026

Glad to see I can still swim, just got to keep going

01/09/2026

Turns out that running ten miles - however slow - will have an impact on my swimming the next day, who knew?

New video out today: https://youtu.be/cVXP_jQPMeAIt's been an interesting couple of weeks , mostly about finally finding...
30/08/2026

New video out today: https://youtu.be/cVXP_jQPMeA

It's been an interesting couple of weeks , mostly about finally finding something in a new routine that lets me train with a bit more consistency, and the relief of getting back to where I was with my swimming. The problem had been a punishing new commute twice a week, my wife needing more hours, and the family needing the shared cars, all of which wiped out the midday pool sessions I used to rely on. The fix was an early morning swim I can drive to and back before the car is needed, even though it only buys me 20 to 25 minutes in the water. Turns out that's plenty. Getting in three times a week has put me back on the distance ladder, back at 100m twice this week, and more importantly back in the mindset of being someone who swims rather than someone trying to swim. Consistency is the watchword.

29/08/2026

A week where I've finally managed consistent training again... And the impact is reassuring

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