The Glorious Second Mile

Last year I wrote about getting beyond the second mile. I forgot the wonder of actually doing the second mile.

This year I've been struggling to get beyond a single mile. Life has been a pattern of busy, sick, busy, sick, busy - you can see the cycle of destruction.  And then there's been the English 21st century weather. Swimming in the rain is not a problem, swimming in the open in thunderstorms is not so sensible. And thunder and lightning has been predicted almost every day of the "summer." When I have been in the water, it's been time squeezed into other things.

Last night changed all that.

Kids' swimming skills 'dangerously' lacking

A new survey on children's swimming skills has rung alarm bells around the UK.

Some 45% of seven to 11-year-olds cannot swim one length of a pool, according to the Amateur Swimming Association. 

These findings come in the wake of recent reports that two-thirds of adults can't perform critical water-safety skills.

The 15 tribes of outdoor swimming

You've taken the plunge, donned a wetsuit, fitted some goggles and you start to come across other people indulging in this strange sport. Here's a secret - they are not all the same and they are mostly faster than you.

Here' s a quick guide to the strange types who like to swim in cold water:

1/ The Novices. These have only just learnt to swim and, now they can, they want to get the most enjoyment out of it. They love paddling out into a lake or a sheltered bay.

How I lost 20 points from my blood pressure and ate loads of cake

...and also lost a stone over two years by eating more, not less.

View across Ullswater, Lake District

It all started about two years ago. I won't say three years ago as that was when I went for my NHS Health Check. I ignored the results, which said I was overweight and that my blood pressure was starting to get high. And I ignored the offer of a visit to the doctor to discuss them. I still don't know what the blood test found. If it was serious I'm sure the doctor would have called me.

It may have started about six years ago when I started going on snorkelling expeditions with my  teenaged children in our summer holidays - and began to realise I really wasn't fit enough.

Why casual swimmers may not be as safe as they think

 Every summer sees a spate of drownings - often in popular local swimming spots. Now a new study may help explain why some of those jumping into the water should not be doing it.

The alarming new survey results have found that, although four out of five of adults claim to be able to swim, most can't perform five critical water-safety skills.

Britain's Olympic Year

 Four months after the Olympic opening ceremony and Britain has never looked back on such a successful fortnight. And with 14 million people tuning in to the BBC Sports Personality of the year awards, Britain's unsung heroes now have their spotlight.

 The Olympics has seen a staggering increase in the amount of people taking part in sport which would normally be last on their mind. Generally people would prefer to join Football, Rugby or Cricket clubs, but many different sports have seen an increase in participation.

Does age matter in sport?

 Nowadays, the sporting world overlooks older sportsmen, and they are never considered to be as good as in their 'heyday'. However, many sportsmen and women have achieved success, despite any age disadvantage. There have been plenty of good examples, for example Roger Federer recently regaining his 7th Wimbledon title, even though he's 31 years of age.

Swimmer Janet Evans

 And a four time Olympic gold medalist, has gone out of retirement to help the United States bid for Olympic glory. At the tender age of 40, Janet Evans has qualified for the US' 400 and 800 metre freestyle teams, bidding to win her 5th and 6th Olympic gold medals, but will face fierce competition of British European and Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington.

Backing British Swimmers with Free Swims For Britain Campaign

 Britain's 'Free Swims for Britain' campaign will not only help us support British swimmers in their endeavours, but may also help increase participation in sport and so help improve everyone's fitness..

400 & 800m champion Rebecca Adlington backing the 'Free Swims for Britain' campaign with 2 children.