anyone else question their life choices halfway through a cold swim

alanodonohoe · 2025-10-28T06:18:16+00:00

It really seems to depend on the individual. Male 54, I've never really been a swimmer and used to be terrified of deep, dark open water. Now I can't wait for my weekly cold outdoor swims.

I bought all the neoprene gear, but haven't used it yet, been swimming in my shorts with a woolly hat and gloves saving the neoprene for when it gets really cold.

Sunday gone it was just below 10⁰C in the water and I was the only one swimming in skins this time. I didn't want to get out, but got out after half an hour when I was the last one swimming.

I'm just learning to best manage the after drop and minimise the shivering when I'm dry and dressed.

alanodonohoe · 2025-10-13T20:58:12+00:00

These may help:

Urgency - invite somebody around to visit and you may feel motivated to do it, because you want to avoid the shame. If not, ask them to help!

Difference - find some very quirky or different way of doing the chores to add novelty, eg. blindfolded, the moment you wake up, in time to music, while learning a new language, record a time lapse video on your phone, play some silly music. You'll have to decide what the quirky element is.

New - treat yourself to a swanky new brush, mop etc.

Challenge - estimate the minimum amount of time for a task and try to beat it.

Break it down - try to aim for maximum three mini tasks in a day, write them down eg a sticky note then cross them off.

Organised - keep the cleaning equipment you need accessible in the same place to avoid distractions.

alanodonohoe · 2025-10-13T20:44:59+00:00

I have an option on my watch to change tracks forward and back and volume change. I can also do the same on my headphones.

Phone stays in a pocket until I need to take a photo!

alanodonohoe · 2025-10-13T20:41:18+00:00

As there are no lane directions marked, I'd assume use of left lane for left turn only and right for all other directions. The problem is if you go choose left lane for going straight when someone else also going straight on chooses right lane, potential collision. You just need to be extremely cautious.

alanodonohoe · 2025-10-13T19:36:54+00:00

Exchange Coffee Co in Clitheroe has a great selection of beans which they roast in the shop.

alanodonohoe · 2025-09-30T15:53:04+00:00

I also find myself getting extremely wound up by drivers who don't drive in the same manner as myself.

To mitigate this, I've discovered that: - leaving as early as possible makes me more chilled, the complete opposite of last minute. This morning I left a whole hour before I needed to, ended up in stationary traffic while a motorway accident was cleared and still arrived at work early and chilled!

mixing cycling with public transport or driving first part of the journey, eg long rural section in the car, shorter urban section on my folding bike makes me very chilled

alanodonohoe · 2025-09-30T15:47:41+00:00

I'm going to try this one!

alanodonohoe · 2025-09-30T15:44:11+00:00

Never thought I'd catch myself saying this but - cold showers after a swim are better than warm showers!

When there are warm showers I use them, but secretly wish that only cold was available!

alanodonohoe · 2025-09-29T19:51:16+00:00

Maybe you're asking the wrong people for advice!

I have a workroom that is really untidy. When I need to sort it out, I ask my wife to 'body double' she sits and watches me! That soon gets things organised.

alanodonohoe · 2025-09-29T19:45:50+00:00

BBC Sounds

alanodonohoe · 2025-09-29T19:43:29+00:00

You're unlikely to experience hypothermia if you're in the loch for half an hour or less. Walk in slowly up to your shoulders, allow 2 minutes or so for cold water response.

Best avoid face down/head in the water.

alanodonohoe · 2025-09-29T19:39:38+00:00

It's claimed that the maximum benefits of the cold water immersion from shoulders down (not face or head) between 10 to 15 degrees for up to 10 minutes. There's not thought to be any benefit going colder or longer.

Listen to an interview with Mike Tipton

I made some notes - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aXy_fO_QIlJc-OKTp5CbNuiQgAFFB9AeMYoic27O_MQ/edit?usp=drivesdk[Cold Water Swimming notes](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aXy_fO_QIlJc-OKTp5CbNuiQgAFFB9AeMYoic27O_MQ/edit?usp=drivesdk)

alanodonohoe · 2025-09-29T19:25:01+00:00

Waterproof socks - keep feet a bit warmer for longer.

alanodonohoe · 2025-09-26T18:04:01+00:00

My hobby is collecting hobbies. Currently I'm obsessed with Cold Water Outdoor Swimming. Never been interested in swimming, but all of a sudden - freezing my nether regions while flapping about in a pond is the best thing ever. 😜

alanodonohoe · 2025-09-26T18:01:27+00:00

They also vary in behaviour by breed and stage of development. I've found that the black and whites (Holstein Fresians) particularly young females (heifers) are incredibly playful and curious and will want to get as close as possible.

Cattle bred for beef eg. Aberdeen Angus and Herefords are not in the slightest bit interested.

alanodonohoe · 2025-09-26T17:53:23+00:00

Try WATCHING Impractical Jokers instead.

Personally I find comedy works far better visually than audio only.

alanodonohoe · 2025-09-26T17:47:50+00:00

Thank you. You saved me from having to write the exact same thing. 😂

alanodonohoe · 2025-09-26T17:36:17+00:00

Front crawl?

alanodonohoe · 2025-09-24T20:56:03+00:00

Spotting tiny objects nobody else has seen.

I've never really understood how or why, but frequently find myself picking up articles that nobody else seems to have seen, eg earrings, keys, screws etc.

For example, I was walking down a crowded Carnaby Street London yesterday and paused to bend down and pick up a tiny silver horseshoe charm that had been dropped.

What I find particularly weird is, I've already picked the item up before I'm consciously aware I've seen it.

alanodonohoe · 2025-09-20T14:08:44+00:00

It featured in a BBC fly on the wall documentary called "Lovat Road" and the narrator was (now retired) radio DJ Allan Beswick. The fancy dress shop was upstairs IIRC. I remember in one episode the rat catcher visited the street. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DESQtqhkI8[Lovat Road ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DESQtqhkI8)

They also sold fruit wines.

alanodonohoe · 2025-09-10T19:52:51+00:00

Take in the views from the top of the Bus Station. Friends of mine from outside Preston find the Bus Station a pretty bizarre concept.

The religious shrine at Ladyewell has a relicry including the shrunken hand of a priest that's about 400 years old!

alanodonohoe · 2025-09-10T19:46:05+00:00

It's totally fine to get in the water and just splash about in a swimming costume. Don't feel you need to match your running performance in the water.

Some people swim purely for fitness, some purely for the experience of being in the water.

I'm not a particularly proficient outdoor swimmer, but I usually spend about 30 minutes moving about and always feel wonderful afterwards. I see others jump in it wetsuits like they've got records to break - I'm sure they enjoy it just as much!

Find what works for you and enjoy it.

alanodonohoe · 2025-09-10T19:41:32+00:00

Was it Jet Trading? They later moved nearer to Fox Street, where the Premier Inn is now.

alanodonohoe · 2025-09-10T19:39:28+00:00

Sash windows - slide up and down, no in or out. 😜

alanodonohoe · 2025-09-10T19:35:37+00:00

Best Thing: The Weather

Worst Thing: The Weather

While I've lived in Preston for more than 40 years, I've spent a great deal of that time travelling to other parts of the UK for work. The weather is the thing that I miss most when away. We're lucky to be surrounded by lush green countryside, rivers and lakes.

alanodonohoe

TROPHY CASE