In 1994 working in PR I realised I had an unhealthy lifestyle, entertaining journalists several times a week and lots of travel. About this time I saw a table showing participants in the London marathon by profession top of the list Firemen, Police and Postmen… bottom of the list Marketing and Public Relations employees.

It reminded me that I needed to do something about my own health. I started to casually swim at my local pool and my swimming capabilities grew. I remember the first time I could manage 4 lengths craw without stopping, then 8, 32 and 64 the magic mile. The pool closed which forced me to find a neighbouring pool; this one had an open water swimming club Howe Bridge Marlins. I joined it and through training twice a week got fit enough to swim 2 miles in Grimsby Docks the following June. I was hooked. I never considered my diabetes, I always compared my performances with able bodied swimmers.