It starts with a mile

Jharna Kumawat’s first event was a mile in the Serpentine and she’s now training for Ullswater end to end. This month she shares her events story.

Five years back, when I started my open water swimming journey, I didn’t have the slightest clue about swim events, what they entail or how to prepare for one. My first swim event was Swim Serpentine at Hyde Park London. It was in September 2021, and I had signed up for the classic one (1 mile) distance. Before the event, the furthest I’d ever swum was a 1.5kms, so in my mind I knew I could swim the mile. However, I didn’t want to be the last one out (yeah, I’m that competitive Indian). With that thought in my mind, I started training, and asked my coach to write me a detailed training plan.

On the day of the event, I took a train from Colchester to central London and decided to go on my own. I didn’t want to be distracted with my fam jam being around. I invited my London friends to come and watch me (you know the friends who think you are doing fabulous). They came to cheer me; I was in the 1pm wave with a lots of people. The sheer turn out for the event felt like being in an Indian Kumbh Mela (pilgrimage and religious gathering to dip in the river Ganges).

That day, I realised, I do not like mass start events, and this is a personal choice. I love being part of events, but I’m not there to jump in first and swim the fastest. I’m the curious kind, who wants to check out other people’s swim kit, their technique, and what makes them an open water swimmer.

Five years on, I have now attended multiple events, some of which are high in the popularity list. Below is a list of my favourite events, tips on how to prepare as a first timer and what I think when I’ve got my head under the water swimming for that finish line.

• Chillswim Coniston 5.25 Miles End to End in Lake Coniston, Lake District. This event had been running for years, and is very well managed and run. If the Lake District is on your wish list, then I recommend going for this event, if not to swim, then to volunteer and get to know other swimmers.
• Henley Classic 2.1kms upstream River Thames. Although Henley Swim stopped trading this year, this event holds a very special place in my heart. I camped overnight, my first solo camping experience, as I had to be ready for the 5am swim start.
• Dart 10km, Devon. Organised and run by Level Water, a charity that provides 1-1 swimming lessons for children with disabilities across the UK. It is a fantastic event, if you want to get some long swim distance and it comes with the river tidal push, so basically it feels like an 8km swim but your smart watch will tell you that you just got a 10km PB.

I could go on and on about my swim events experience, but it’s time for you to give it a thought if you haven’t already. I highly recommend doing your own research, and asking yourself the ‘why, what and when’ questions before signing up for an event. If you’ve already signed up to your first swim event, then don’t overthink it, train and turn up on the day and before you know you will be at the finish like sipping a hot drink.

Oops, I forgot to mention, I usually think about FOOD during my swims (I’m a big foodie, who loves all kinds of food as long as it’s vegetarian). My favourite post-swim snack is date protein energy balls. Easy to whiz up in a food processor, you just need good quality medjool dates, oats, nuts, cinnamon and maple syrup. You can either set the mixture in a setting tray or roll little dough balls and voila –a post-swim protein snack that’s delicious, too!