Category: Reflections
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Having an annual distance target can be a great motivator for consistent swim training – but there are downsides
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Instead of chasing one challenge at a time, try creating routines that keep you fit, ready, and connected year-round. When I talk to people about swimming goals, they often speak about challenges they want to do or speeds they want to achieve. The conversation may then turn to how they will go about achieving that…
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And How Embracing a Renaissance Swimmer Approach Could Transform Your Swimming Life After writing “Swim Wild & Free: A Practical Guide to Swimming Outdoors 365 Days a Year”, I wanted to create something to help people with a wider range of swimming activities. My interests in swimming range from 50m pool sprints to marathon swims,…
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The 1500m is neither a sprint nor a marathon, yet it’s arguably more challenging than either
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A carefully managed period of lighter training now could help you swim stronger next summer.
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Giving back adds significance and meaning to your swimming Last Saturday, I went to the annual Aspire Channel Swimmers’ dinner – a celebration of (and for) swimmers who have raised nearly £350,000 in 2025 for Aspire, the spinal injuries charity. Most of this comes from English Channel relays. Other swims include Solent crossings and swims…
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Winter swimming and public speaking both involve trepidation, discomfort, enjoyment and euphoria. Practising one helps with the other.
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How I finally broke the minute barrier, and what I learned along the way On my 59th birthday, I swam 100m freestyle in 59.87 seconds at Swim England’s National Masters Championships in Sheffield. It was the first time in my life that I’d broken the minute barrier – a significant milestone for many competitive swimmers…
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Cold water swimming offers fun and lots of benefits, but the environment is potentially deadly. Learn when to step away. We’re currently running a winter swimming course at Outdoor Swimmer, and it’s been a good refresher for me on both the benefits and risks of plunging into cold water. I’m a late convert to winter…
