The sun is out so I guess it is back into the pool for me. I absolutely love swimming training but the cold winter months have resulted in my costume being packed under jackets and coats and in general, very far away. The Sanlam Cape Mile will make its debut at the Grabouw Country Club (Western Cape) on Sunday, 07 February 2016. I have committed to the 1.6km so this is my training. Unfortunately there aren’t many dams around so the pool will have to do for now. I have always loved being in the water but have not done any hectic swimming training since my teens. In the last year I have revisited this pastime. Swimming took my interest once again. The great thing about swimming is that it’s a full-body exercise and does not have a heavy impact on the joints. Swimming helps to build endurance, muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness. This helps maintain a healthy weight, healthy heart and strong lungs. Swimming is a wonderful exercise to tone mucles and build strength. I couldn’t believe how the lean muscle tone in my arms improved when I started swimming. This full-body workout is a personal favourite as I also use it as a time to ‘think.’ People think swimming is boring because it is repetitive. Well, for me, my mind goes into a zone. I think…about everything, and usually by the end of a swim, I have the answer I was looking for. No matter what the subject was. Lastly, swimming is literally for anyone! Do 5 lengths, 10, 20, 100 – it can be fun or serious and it’s super easy. Any form of swimming is exercise so jump in the sea/pool/lake for a great full body workout.

So, I am excited to get back into swimming this season and look forward to all the open water swims on the calendar.

Click here to see a list of the upcoming swim events in SA