It has been a while dear readers since I last updated you all on my training for the two endurance swims I am doing this year for the spinal injuries charity Aspire. Fear not though as I have been busily beavering away with my preparations rather than locked in my flat afraid to enter into the chlorine box of doom otherwise known as the local pool.

When I first set out on this adventure I could swim but with very little grace, even less technique and at a pace even a floating snail would be ashamed of. However, after the swimming lesson that I had at Aspire my confidence grew incredibly and slowly but surely things started to come together. I’m now swimming at least twice a week and have got to the point when I can swim 30 lengths in a session. I’m also able to spend an entire session swimming front crawl, which I’m hoping will be my stroke of choice come the one mile Great Swim in Victoria Dock by the Excel Arena on the 3 July.

I’m exhilarated by my progress and I don’t feel out of place in the pool which is something I never thought would happen. I’m able to alternate my breathing turning my head left then right after three strokes and have moved on to trying to now master the breast stroke. At the weekend i even had a clumsy attempt at trying tumble turns and the butterfly. Now that is a sentence I never thought I’d be tapping out on the old QWERTY board a month ago.  

Out of the pool a personal trainer at the gym I use has put a killer of a session together for me. It is a high rep, high weight routine aimed at building strength, endurance and stamina. During the session I thought the trainer was trying to kill me and even sent a text to Miss G asking her to send help and to tell my family I loved them. But fear not, I made it through and even though I’ve not had as many sessions in the gym as I would have liked it is all working towards me completing the swims with my pride intact.

Training aside I’ve also just got back from Newquay with Miss G where I bought my wetsuit. After much research and numerous recommendations I have opted to have a suit made to measure from a company called Snugg, www.snuggwetsuits.co.uk. This company has massively impressed me, not only do they supply wetsuits to the GB surfing squad but they have been able to come up with some slight alterations to make the suit perfect to my needs. Yes I have had to pay more than if I had bought a suit of the shelf but what I have got is peace of mind. Just a few minor adaptations such as zips up to the thighs, thicker neoprene on the legs than the torso to help my legs float and a Velcro strap at the ankles to keep my legs together is hopefully going to make a huge difference. I’ve also got some rather nifty surf boots.

As an aside when we stayed in Newquay we stayed at the Great Western hotel, www.greatwesternnewquay.co.uk, and it was great. The room was huge, affordable and we had a cracking view of the Atlantic ocean.

As always if you feel inspired to sponsor me you can do so by going to www.justgiving.com/rockupandroll.