The lockdown is the longest break I’ve taken since I came back to swimming in 2013. I live in South London, working from home for more than nine weeks now, and complying in full with the lockdown.
Can you remember your last swim session ?
Yes, I can, 19th March at Ernest Bevin.
How are you coping with being out of the water ?
I work in IT, and I’ve been studying for further certifications, I have definitely reduced my food intake since my swimming/gym training was six days a week.
What do you miss most?
Of course I miss swimming, I miss the gathering with our coach before starting the session, I miss chatting with my team mates, I miss the pain in my muscles and the satisfaction after going through a hard session, and I miss competing.
Do you have a daily fitness routine ?
Since I start to work at 9:00 am, I get up at 7am, and run 10 km five times a week, and do indoor workout three times a week, different circuits going through upper body and legs. That involves streamline squats with 15 kg, burpees, star jumps, kettle, press-ups, bent rowing, planks, side planks, triceps using two chairs and/or elastic bands, low abs, crunches, and more stuff.
I do mobility before starting working out and stretching after, same after running too.
How are you getting on with Steve’s gutbusters?
I will introduce some gutbusters in my work out routine, especially those exercises which I never performed before but, oh boy….if you work out too hard in the evening, especially on your legs, the morning after, running 10 km is a nightmare in daylight, you’re lucky if you manage to keep half the speed of your best time.
Which competitions have you missed/will you miss and how will that affect you ?
I definitely miss Nationals, Surrey’s at Sports Park in Guildford in June, and I’m afraid we are not going to swim the National Short Course in October in Sheffield.
What are you most looking forward to when you can get back in the water ?
I’m looking forward to getting back that feeling I used to have with training, and to swimming with my team mates.
I also know that I have lost all my anaerobic fitness, and it will hurt a little bit before getting fit again, and pushing myself.
Any plans for Open Water swimming over the summer ?
I have planned and submitted the Oxford Mile at the beginning of September, but I’m afraid it’s not going to happen.