Local lady, Anna Street, has written us a very motivational article, which highlights how it is never to late to start your goals.
My name is Anna Street.
I am an endurance athlete, open water swim coach and British Triathlon coach. I was a runner and came to swimming quite late, I was 46 when I started. I used to sit and watch my youngest son having lessons during the summer holidays. I said to his swimming teacher that I’d love to be able to swim like that. She suggested I took his place when he went back to school, and that was it I was hooked!
Once I had mastered the pool I moved on to the lake which was a totally different experience. I was used to following the black line on the bottom of the pool and never had to look up to see where I was going. First time I went to swim in a lake, rather than swimming in a straight line I swam in a curve and into the bushes. There was also wildlife to consider, such as swans. No one wants to swim into a swan!
It’s an amazing feeling swimming outside. You feel so much more freedom, so much more to see and hear like the sound of the birds
Once I had accomplished the lakes I decided to move on to the sea and signed up to swim the Channel as part of a relay team with four lovely people I came across on the Facebook group, Felixstowe Swimscapers. This was back in 2014. I went to one of there sessions. Again this was a learning curve I was prepared for strength of the tides.
I love sea swimming and still swim with the Swimscapers they are a great group of people, welcoming and encouraging.
There is a lot more to consider when sea swimming: the tides, currents, waves, weather and temperature.
The Channel swim got done. It was certainly an experience, not one I care to repeat due to the 12hrs of seasickness. I may be a swimmer but I’m no sailor.
I have been to many places and seen and done things that wouldn’t have if I hadn’t learnt to swim. The most amazing was The Alcatraz triathlon. Going out on a big Mississippi steam boat to Alcatraz thinking about how the prisoners didn’t make it.
I love coaching others to swim it’s very satisfying when they reach there goals. Last year I went with three of the guys I coach and we swam the length of lake Windermere together - a great experience we will all remember. It took us 6hrs 30minutes.
Although I swim outside all year I can’t get the same distance in as it can get very cold, so I go to the pool. But if I have to swim up and down for hours I need a goal. Last year I did the Marathon Swim 10k at The Olympic Pool in Stratford. It was a fabulous experience even when I was overtaken by Cassie Patten, the Olympic champion and she made me look like I was going backwards!
I would highly recommend swimming indoors and out. So if you’re thinking about it just do it. If you can’t swim, most leisure centres offer adult lessons. If you want to try swimming outside there are lots of groups. You’ll make friends and get some exercise. What’s not to like.
Anyway, just keep swimming,
Anna x
