Andree Walkin’s Great swim Report

The Great swim experience

I recently travelled to the UK to take part in the British Gas Great Swim Open water event at Alton Waters in Suffolk. It was a two fold situation in that I was on a bit of a scouting mission to suss out how an event like this runs, as I’m working on a similar event which will take place in Killaloe later this year. It was also a good opportunity for me to introduce a different sort of race into my racing calendar.

Hydration advice by Gotri dietitian G.Q

Drinking during exercise

Do I need to drink fluid during exercise?
No matter how good your diet or training plan, if you are dehydrated your performance will suffer. Being dehydrated during exercise means your core body temperature will rise, your heart and blood vessels will be under increased strain and your muscles will tire more quickly. This means that both your physical and mental performance will be reduced.

Getting the Mental Edge

The 4C’s

Confidence, concentration,controlcommitment (the 4C’s) are generally considered the main mental qualities that are important for successful performance in most sports.
• Concentration – ability to maintain focus
• Confidence – believe in one’s abilities
• Control – ability to maintain emotional control regardless of distraction
• Commitment – ability to continue working to agreed goals