Swimathon Training Week 5

Last updated at 13:13, Friday, 12 March 2010

TRAINING has hit a bit of a brick wall in week five. Struck down by a virus that seems to be doing the rounds at the Courant office, there hasn’t been much scope for training.

But then sometimes a rest is as good as a trip to the pool, as it gives the mind and muscles a chance to relax and recover from the work they’ve been doing.

So with gym and swim session firmly off the agenda, I found myself looking for ways of boosting my fundraising instead, after all, the Swimathon isn’t just about the swimming, it’s also about raising money for Marie Curie.

Up until now I had made a bit of a half hearted attempt to let people know what I was doing, so this week I went the whole hog.

Step one was to update my swimmer profile on the Swimathon page with a picture and personal message. People are more likely to dig deeper if they have face to put to your name and really feel you are making an effort.

Step two was to spread the word. There are so many ways to do this and the more you do the more money you are likely to raise.

I’ve e-mailed everyone in my address book with a short message and a link to the Swimathon pages to make it easier for them to click on and give.

Send an email to all your colleagues. If like me you are on an office email system, it’s one easy step to hit everyone on the list.

And why not email your other work contacts, yes it might be a bit cheeky but if they know you a little they might donate and it’s all for a good cause after all.

If you’re a member on a social networking site then get the message up there as well. I’m a facebook member so I’ve posted something out to all my friends. You can create an event and invite everyone along or simply keep updating your profile with how well your training is going and ask them all to sponsor you.

Put a flyer on your work notice board, or above the kettle / coffee machine where everyone will definitely see it!

Or if you’re a member of any clubs, see if they can make an announcement or put a notice on their pin boards.

Lastly, tell everyone you meet that you’re doing the Swimathon, even if they don’t sponsor you it might be a prompt for them to sponsor someone else they know and the money all goes the same way at the end of the day.

The challenge of completing the Swimathon, no matter what distance you have chosen, is a tough one and knowing so many people have sponsored you will give you the extra boost you need.

With my fundraising attempts maxed out I was boosted by an e-mail letting me know that the Wentworth pool has been listed as pool of the month in the national Swimathon rankings.

The title has been awarded for: “Being in the Top 10 pools, recruiting 31 swimmers in February, having all three sessions sold out and receiving excellent coverage in the Hexham Courant from journalist Rebecca Dixon.”

I was thrilled to know the blog has helped boost numbers at the pool.

Now we need to get the Prudhoe sessions just as full so for anyone who hasn’t yet registered, it isn’t to late to get training.

There were only 33 places left at the last count at Waterworld, but it would be fantastic to get both Tynedale pools full, so if you’re wavering before committing, just take the plunge and register.