I have to say that I was literally petrified before doing this swim, especially since I knew I had to start at the Fastnet and swim back, I think I would have preferred the other way, but as it turns out I was delighted doing it this way. Before I got out of the car, I asked my coach did I have to do this, and he said no it was my choice. It is amazing what we put ourselves through. This was the biggest solo swim that I have completed so far. It is such an iconic swim and the waters are just so different out there.
My weather window didn’t look good from the start and there was communication from Nathan and Noel about this. So it was a waiting game. By mid-week – I had nearly given up. Then I got a call from Noel about a small window on the Friday. Panic stations. The day wasn’t the best of days, but the support and reassurance I received from Kieran and Nathan was amazing. I knew before I started that due to weather there may be a possibility that I
may not have the opportunity to finish, but that this would be a last resort. Kieran explained everything to me before we left the pier and clarified any questions that I had. We had agreed that when we reached Fastnet, that I could have 5 minutes to acclimatise before I started as I suffer from fierce anxiety around water and swimming, so I just needed that time to settle and get my head right.
Kieran talked to me most of the way out, which helped settle my nerves as well and distract me, as it is a long spin out when you know you have to swim home. Kieran knew that I breathed to my right so there was no issue with being on the left hand side of the boat, which I think was better in the long run for me as I wasn’t watching the islands go by as I swam, my whole focus was on the boat and what the crew were doing on the boat during
my swim, when I wasn’t in my happy place in my head.
When I stopped for feeds, Kieran always checked in with me as well as my coach. They were giving me encouragement and support the whole journey. Even he timed putting up my flag till I was half ways in so that it would be a distraction for me, as 8 hours and 57 mins in the water is a long time in your own head.
A big thing for me around swimming is trust, trust in the people on the boat, trust in the pilot. I had met Kieran (the Pilot) once before, I knew Noel and Nathan. I knew that they would look after me and also that they knew what they were doing.
Noel came down to see me off and was also on shore to welcome me back, which was a great welcome home. Noel organised the shower in the swimming pool afterwards as well, which was a godsend. He just bundled me into the car and drove me up.
I could not have done this swim without the without the Fastnet team and the support of my own team, Kevin Williams (my coach), Elaine Burrows Dillane (friend and crew). All I had to do was swim and they done everything else.
I couldn’t have done this swim without the support I have received during my training from my swim buddies, the people who gave up the time to swim and train with me, the ones who done shore crew for me for some of my training and all the people who supported me and believed in me, helped me to follow my dreams.
