Fiona was voted top Spencer swimmer at the 2020 Swim South East championships and also swam at the Bracknell meet this year, so she is one of the most raced swimmers to date this year. Fiona was delighted to win a loo roll in a quiz a few days before lock down.
How are you coping with being out of the water?
Surprisingly OK. After a few measurements of our outside space to see if it would hypothetically accommodate an endless pool, and thoughts of breaking in to Tooting Bec Lido, I soon moved on to the luxury of having extra time for my other hobbies. I’m an OU student, and you can never have too much time for that, and I’m learning the guitar and doing music theory, and you can never have too much time for that. Work is busy too. The cognitive dissonance from not swimming has been removed: It’s not like I feel guilty for not going because I should be going; I simply can’t go! This is also probably the reason that I had a couple of eerie swimming dreams to start with but they haven’t returned. I was hoping for some more fodder to put on Facebook. I haven’t even had any apocalypse dreams! My aches and pains have all mysteriously disappeared too. My elbows have never felt to good. It’s a time for injuries to heal, and a suggestion that upon return to the water, my technique warrants attention.
What do you miss most?
Physically being in water. Weightlessness, meditative qualities and that clean, satisfying, full body workout feeling. And the ferocious appetite!
Do you have a daily fitness routine?
Not reaaaaaally… I’ve run twice, and I couldn’t walk for two days after the first run, then after the second run I recovered straight away. My dear husband has rightly pointed out that I need to do more. I’ve been doing body weight exercises and dipping in to Gut Busters, and walking round the block, at a safe distance, of course. And my physio would be proud of my physio exercise compliance.
Any recommendations for team mates?
Let those injuries heal, look forward to the return and the clean slate. And don’t drink too much. You need your immune systems and mental health, not hangxiety.
Which competitions have you missed/will you miss and how will that affect you?
I’m so glad I got Bracknell in in the nick of time. I’d just got a national qualifying time in the 100m breaststroke, but I’d already decided not to take the trip up to Sheffield for the GB’s. And there is always October, and next year. I also missed Bournemouth, and Norfolk has been cancelled.
How is your husband coping with you not swimming?
His dream is for me to join him running!
What are you most looking forward to when you can get back in the water?
Technique technique, technique. Seeing how long it takes to get back up to speed, and how the body will react. The magic water feeling. Lane bants!