Day 1

A quick update on Day One's antics.  A start at 12.00 noon at Blackpool Wakepark and 29 hours later, stepped out of the pool at Ribby Hall, having completed 34.5 Km of the 38 Km swim.  I could have gone on  longer, but chose to finish early, get a proper rest and then swim the remaining 3.5 Km tomorrow.  (Not strictly in the rules, but it will do for me!)  Worst parts were the first 500M in open water when I had a mild panic about failing in the first 10 mins of starting, and between 20-25KM, which seemed to go on for ever.  Best parts - the massive amount of support from my Tri Preston club mates - totally unexpected and very much appreciated.  Without them I would have given up in the wee small hours.  

Being photographed during the open water swim while holding the Olympic torch, thanks to my mate Jonathon Evans who carried the flame last weekend.  A humourous and much welcomed distraction. Finally, being interviewed on local radio - totally unexpected and with me barely coherent after 18 hours of swimming, I hope I made some kind of sense!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p00tb245/Graham_Liver_27_06_2012/
Many, many thanks go to Garry Thompson of Blackpool Wakepark and Colin Kershaw of Ribby Hall.  Also to the lifeguard Katherine Hoyland who also swam with me, and completed 20K in about half the time it took me!  


I'm now sat in bed, having stuffed myself with pasta, showered and cleaned my equipment.  Feeling rather fatigued, but generally satisfied.  The swim was by far the part of the event that I was most nervous about and it now looks like I will complete it, something that seemed an impossible task, when I first started researching the Deca

Tomorrow's revised plan is to complete the swim, then start the bike.  I'm behind schedule but hopefully I can make it up on the bike.


PS I will never swim that distance ever again, and I think I have had my fill of bananas and malt loaf!