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Claire Russell – Chanel Swim (part 1)

“En Route to the French Coast…….”

Swimming the Channel for the Heart of Kent Hospice, to honour my mum[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Its April 23rd. The hottest April day in years. The hottest day ever for the London marathon.

I don’t envy them. I am sitting in my garden, attached to some gadgetry… on a timer.

I am enjoying the sunshine, but I should actually be swimming.

I have got a slot to swim the English Channel in July. I had a 10k training swim planned for today……….

That was before I damaged an intercostal muscle on my left side.

I’ve never been aware of my intercostal muscles before…. But I am now. I thought someone had stabbed me in the back when I took a deep breath. Every movement was painful. Exercise was off the menu. From training 6 times a week to nothing, after a gym session where I wasn’t 100%. Should have stopped rowing sooner! Easy to be wise in hindsight.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]A GP told me it could take months, and a fellow swimmer who had the same injury said it took him 8 weeks to mend (and he’s younger than me! Not that I EVER let age be a deciding factor in anything!!!)

I seriously thought I would have to defer my swim.

The Channel is known as the Everest of swims for a very good reason, and peak fitness is essential.

That was 3 weeks ago.

Thankfully I am making great progress. I can breathe normally now, AND turn over in bed without the use of expletives, which is nice.

After 4 sports massages from Restoring Health … Deborah Mc Nair and her very gifted hands.  

Now, I feel very optimistic. I am also using PEMF… a type of electro-magnetic field that accelerates healing and has an analgesic effect. I had a little potable unit which lasts 10 minutes. I can shove that one up my jumper as often as I like, but Deb has lent me its bigger brother. Sadly!….I have to sit down for a whole hour to use Big Brother, in the sunshine, drinking tea and praying that “all will be well”

1 more week and I hope to be back in the water, where I belong.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]She will be raising funds in support of the Heart of Kent Hospice.
Please help support this vision  HERE[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]