So much is different this year thanks to COVID-19, yet some things are reassuringly similar. This is the time when I normally see lots of photos of friends enjoying holidays in far flung locations, there’s not so much of that. Though the beginning of the month had scorching conditions and that made staycations far more attractive. What is more typical, is windy weather in Dover during at least some of August, though with the delayed start to the channel swimming season, it would have been nice if that had changed as well!

In what ways are things different and the same for you?

This is how August was for me

Hobbies, health and stress relievers

✅ I didn’t think it would happen this season, but it did. Our ‘Coronacoaster 2020’ channel relay went ahead on 11th August and we successfully completed it in a time of 16 hours 5 mins. Read all about it here.

✅ I’m still loving being back with Guildford City masters. It is a shame I’ve missed quite a few sessions due to sleep challenges. However, the focus on technique has paid off. In some ways my technique is better than before lockdown, all credit to the coaches. It was also lovely to be able to go back to Swim Canary Wharf so that I could see this for myself and plan the next way ahead. I’ve cycled to training quite a few times too, what a great combination of activity!

✅ Another Covid-19 test requested by the Kings College study, again a negative result. What was different was that I did a cycle through. I quite liked that!

❌ I still have some issues with my back (and associated impact on sleep) and also my liver. In both cases I’m waiting on the results of further investigations. I’ll deal with anything that comes up the same way that I always have. Everything will ultimately be alright in the end, if it’s not ok, it’s not the end!!

Swimming is a massive part of who I am and it’s tough when that part of your identity is challenged through circumstances outside of our control. It’s not back to where it was yet, though. What is interesting is that this is not unusual. Athletes, globally are struggling with loss of identity due to COVID-19. It’s nice to be able to recognise that swimming is more than just a hobby or pastime, it is a deeply ingrained part of who I am. Whilst sports have come and gone throughout my life, and whilst I think of swimming as being something hew to me, it really isn’t! I joined my masters squad 20 years ago in May - where did that time go?!!

Work, clients and business

I had the privilege of working with a number of aspiring channel swimmers in a one to one capacity, building training plans that met them where they were and took them to the position where they could succeed in the channel. Sometimes, this training was done with me in Dover and sometimes they trained locally to them. This has been hugely rewarding, academically challenging and something that will most definitely be on offer next year. There are a few more clients to swim in September and I’m very much looking forward to tracking them to success as well.

Dover training

Our COVID-19 adapted training continued into August. We saw a combination of familiar faces (or repeat offenders) and new people wanting to train with the group. The weather gave us everything from silky smooth to windy and bumpy. The swimmers were brilliant.

The first couple of weeks saw swim after swim go ahead and tracking season was well underway. Then, as is typical for August, the winds came and swimmers sat and watched day after day disappear. It is incredibly frustrating if you’re waiting to swim, particularly if your whole allocated ‘tide’ is blown out as you then ride the Dovercoaster, not sure when you’re next opportunity to be. It’s one of the challenges that sets this challenge aside from most other ultra endurance events. In just about every other sport you know where and when you’ll start. You really don’t know that with channel swimming. This year the challenge is all that greater with risks of borders closing and quarantine requirements being put in place.

In my opinion, those who have trained this year are amongst the most mentally tough swimmers that I have had the fortune to meet. They deserve every success.

Sometimes, you need a change in circumstances to force a change. It’s ever so easy to continue doing things the way they’ve always been done, with only small refinements here and there. This year we had no such luxury. We have been forced to make some really significant changes to enable any training to happen. Some of these changes (like PPE), I’ll be glad to see the back of. However, there have been some other unexpected surprises. Some of these changes we’ll keep. I think this year has given us the opportunity to consider all that we do and keep the best and change those things that are now outdated. What a great opportunity. There have to be some positives out of this crazy COVID-19 world.

Whilst the end of July saw the first of our swimmers make it across, August saw a steady stream. Let’s hope we also finish strong in September.

My Training

Just for the record, here is what I managed to do in August, it’s now not so much training for an event, but more using my exercise opportunity for keeping healthy and for enjoyment. This month continued to be hampered by the back issue meaning no strength & conditioning work. The lack of sleep and energy taken by running Dover each weekend through the summer can also take its toll and this month was a very quiet training month compared to some, though an improvement on last month.

• Open water swimming - 2.2 hours, 7.232km (as part of the channel relay)

• Pool swimming - 13 hours, 28,575m (technique focused phase in club training).

• Endless pool - 1 hour

• Yoga - zero hours

• Strength & conditioning - zero hours

• E-bike - 10.3 hours of cycling covering 181,302 metres

• Walking - zero hours

• Rest days - 15

What does September have in store?

Lots more masters training. We’re now back up to the full hours normally offered, though we lose time due to the COVID-19 arrival and exit processes.

I have the second channel relay with another fab team.

September also marks the end of Dover training. It’s likely to be a lot quieter than July & August as so many have swum now. Once the season is complete I’ll start planning for the next season.

What about you? What does September have in store for you?