Swimming is like riding a bike...

After having taken a break from my training due to the work load at university and starting a new job I finally managed to get back in the pool the other day. At first I was nervous, worried I wouldn't be able to even swim a couple of lengths or that I'd have completely forgotten everything I'd learnt through the academy lessons but once I was in that water it all came back. I'd missed just how comforting the water was - like a big mug of hot chocolate on a winters day and while I was doing a gentle front crawl it reminded me that swimming is like riding a bike..... you never forget how to do it. I sought comfort from this, the fact that even when I get too busy I will never forget my passion or become less able at it - just not be able to swim for as long or as fast! And that I can happily live with :)

Frustration

It now looks like I'm going to have to move my swim to 2012. The support that I need just simply isn't happening right now so I'm being left with no other choice. It's so frustrating when you're putting in all this hard work without getting anything back. I'm constantly asking people for help financially and promotionally and nothings coming up. It's fair to say that i'm feeling deflated - not by the amount of swimming but by the lack of support.

I'm online!!!!!!

I'm slowly getting the word out there about the swim and the proof is on the Kentish Gazette website under their photos of January 2010!! Now to wait for the article!!!


Please please please donate to such a terrific cause. I'm working hard to do what I can so please do what you can to help!!!! xxxx

PhotoShoot

Two days ago I had the photo shoot for the Kentish Gazette and my god did I FREEZE!!! I've not felt that cold in as long as I remember! It took me over 5hours to get warmed up and I was only in for a few minutes!! Lets all hope that next summer the sun will be shining and I'll be lovely and warm!, either that or i'll come out as a lobster! Below are some photos my friend took. I've also been contacted by a Cambridgeshire newspaper so will hopefully be doing that soon too!! So please help me reach my target and donate!!

Kentish Gazette

Its taken a good week but i've finally got some publicity that will be coming out shortly. Today I have the photoshoot for the newspaper, who have been absolutely amazing towards helping me and my ambitions, and it is safe to say that I am going to be FREEZING!!! For the first time I will be venturing into the open aired 'big pool' otherwise known as the sea! I have woken up to find gray skys and little hope of warmth but I'm sure that with the help of my friend Jo, standing on the side lines laughing at me that she's warm and i'm not, I will get through the day!!

Facebook and Twitter

I have created a facebook group which I would love for people to join to help show their support. If you search for Jes Channel Swim it will come up. Thank you.


I have also joined Twitter(not that i know how to use the site!!) www.twitter.com/JesChannelSwim


Thanks everybody. Together we can make a difference :)
xx

Training

So today I had my first training session with the Cambridge Swimming Academy. To start I was full of nerves but as soon as I got into the water that all disappeared - I felt at home. Initially I had to swim a few lengths so that my stroke and technique could be evaluated and after that I was taught how to correct bad habits! It was extremely helpful to have someone who has swum the channel before instruct me on how to improve. It gave me the confidence boost I needed and made me feel like I was heading towards the right direction. Ed (the instructor) made simple alterations that made a massive difference as a whole. Having a professional tell me that I had the stamina to make it across the channel made me believe in myself alot more and made me realise that Yes, i CAN and WILL do this successfully and while i'm there help those affected by Cancer and that to me makes this all so worthwhile.

Nerves!

So tomorrow I'm having my first training session with the swimming academy and I have to admit I'm feeling rather nervous! This is where I discover that my techniques are all wrong and I have to learn to swim from scratch!!
Today I've been speaking to one of the pilots I may be choosing and suddenly everything is that bit more real! I can't help but feel slightly stupid as I ask question after question about what to expect and what everything means! I never knew it would be quite so complicated!!
Wish me luck!!!
x

In 2011 I am going to attempt to swim across the English Channel. A stunt which on average takes up to 16hours.To do this I need your help......
It costs around £2500 of which £1000 must be paid as a deposit to secure my place. With your help through donations and sponsors I will not only be able to attempt the swim but be able to raise money for Cancer Research. Any help, no matter how small, would be a large help in the grand scheme of things and will be most great fully received by not only myself but those that are affected by the impacts of Cancer.


There are more than 293,000 new cases of cancer (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) diagnosed each year in the UK, and more than 1 in 3 people will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime.
Around 1,400 cases of cancer were diagnosed in children in 2006.
1,875 UK teenagers and young adults (15-24years) were diagnosed with cancer in 2006.
Around 1 in 10 of all cancer cases occur in adults aged 25-49 years.
In 2007, there were more than 155,000 cancer deaths in the UK, and one in four (27%) of all deaths in the UK were due to cancer.


As you can see just by looking at the statistics many of us are affected by Cancer. If we can save even just one life by making donations for me to do the swim and raise money for Cancer Research then surely we have succeeded?? Cancer Research is a fantastic charity and I will do whatever it takes to raise a substantial amount of money. So please, even if you can only donate 10p you would be an incredible help.




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A link will be added onto this site within the week to transfer you to a page where donations can be left to help me raise the money to not only do the swim but to raise money for Cancer Research. Please bare with me while I try to get the technicalities sorted!!