Coach Steve needs no introduction. He tells us what he’s been up to during lockdown.
Where are you based and what are the lockdown rules?
I am based in sunny Fulham. Why sunny? because my place faces due South and it has hardly rained since March 20.
I have been very true to what has been asked of us all. I have been out always first thing in the morning or sometimes last thing at night, when there is virtually no one around. A morning walk or cycle is often at 5.30am. Although sleeping patterns have been affected so sometimes I am waking easily and other times not so. Last Sunday, I cycled to central London, easy from where I live, and the empty Trafalgar square and other landmarks were quite eerie. However, a sobering sight was tents on the steps of St Martins in the Fields Church.
How are you coping with being out of the water?
This is the first year since I was a child that I have not been in the water for 4 months. I started the year with a bang, literally, and was in hospital for a week and then at home recovering. Just when I was given the all clear to start again this has happened. So I have now gone nearly 4 months and set I think for a couple more without swimming.
What do you miss most?
The swimming club is central to my life! It is my family. I miss all the intelligent conversation. I miss all the contacts, seeing the swimmers, thinking of ways to make sessions enjoyable whilst still being in a programme, challenging, not repeating for the sake of it. Boring sessions were always a bane of my youth swimming and I am committed never to let my swimmers do boring stuff.
Without being parochial, I also miss my other passion, Chelsea and Saturday afternoons, especially at this stage of the season. I even had a ticket for the Fulham/Brentford game the day the Government stopped the football. Still on the fridge waiting to be used.
Do you have a daily fitness routine?
I do, its mine!!!! I have set up a gym in my living room with a static bike, weights and a stretch mat and a wobble board. My idea is to do some exercises whilst I watch the TV but that doesn’t seem to happen. I have found different music and the rhythms useful to do exercises. Of course the older you get the slower that is. I am actually getting a bit all round stronger as a result of this though I fear for my swimming fitness. The nice thing about the current situation is having the time to do exercise rather than hideous times, early morning or last thing at night. So each day I do something, walk, bike, gym session. Sadly I struggle to get heart rate anywhere near that in a pool.
How are you getting on with Steve’s gutbusters?
Who thought that up???? I do the exercises as prescribed though I struggle now to do the set above about 18 and I never liked Burpees, they are the leveller. I even have a step block indoors. The one thing I cannot do and never have is skipping. Maybe a coordination thing. I would strongly encourage everyone to do that pyramid set, it was used a lot when I was in the GB polo team an seems to me to cover the majority of muscle groups including heart.
Any recommendations for team mates?
Remember that your parents and grandparents had to put up with far greater privations in their lives. That included food rationing, but they got on with it. Those in the club who are working on the front line are the ones really going through it, so be calm and do what is being asked of everyone. It will pass. The only questions are when and how. Physically you can stay strong if you do the exercise programme that I set as it has elements of strength, cardio fitness and flexibility. Use this opportunity to improve your flexibility, you have the time to do so. I am also very strongly of the belief that a plan and a new objective is a good idea. Learn something new. Cooking, language, music. Read more. How’s this for a novel idea. Learn to drum. Brilliant for your coordination. Check it out online. Last thing do not let a day just drift, plan your time by one hour slots. You get more done and drink less tea.
Which competitions have you missed/will you miss and how will that affect you?
Following the fabulous year in 2019 when we had so much success, I thought we could push on this year and improve at English and County championships whilst staying strong at GB. We of course also had/have our new inter club meet and the second year of the Thames Mile this year to look forward to although the swimming times might look a little odd. Always remember in Masters swimming each year you can do personal bests!!!!!
How is your partner/family/housemate coping with you not swimming?
I am quite happy with my housemate and he is delighted with me, his views are exactly the same as mine, eats the same stuff and doesn’t complain if I do catch up TV!!!!
What are you most looking forward to when you can get back in the water/poolside?
Just having a long swim. I miss very much getting to the lido or sea and the “freshness” of the cold water. I love the feeling of completing a session and feeling strong and worthy. My fear is that pools might not open early. Tooting and Brockwell last summer both saw mini riots with people trying to break in to overcrowded pool surrounds. 2 centimetre rather than 2 metre distancing doesn’t work! After returning following surgery in 2017 I really enjoyed just getting in the lake and swimming 5 or 6k with limited rest. Its fantastic for mental wellbeing. I challenge anyone to think though anything whilst swimming. The focus always comes round to the environment and the stroke technique.
Last thought – I miss you all. See you soon.
Steve