Swim in the Sea - Shock to the System!

I think you can guess that here at TeamCCPS we have been more concerned with preparing for Christmas than preparing for Tough Mudder. However, as I'm sure you recall, the lovely Liam was the first person to sponsor us 50 whole pounds and so won the chance to choose the time and date on which we would swim in the sea. 

This seemed like a brilliant plan in October but this morning the world had other plans and sent us a light sprinkling of frost - several of the team had trouble standing upright on the icy paths and I had to de-ice my car outside AND in before I could get to Worthing pier.

Note "Sunrise 07:43" and current temp "10:00 1 degree"

Seeing a crowd of supporters was a welcome surprise - peeling myself out of bed at 6:30 on a weekend was incredibly difficult so I appreciate their efforts when they haven't signed up for this! - and, by the time I arrived, everyone else was ready to go. A few pictures of us posing on the sand (hopping from foot to foot) and we were off! We ran down the beach like a herd of limping buffalo, slowing considerably within a few feet of the beige, uninviting waters of the sea. As soon as I set foot in the water my feet started to burn, within moments they were mercifully numb but by that point I had encountered the rocks! 

Slimy, cold and obviously very solid, they threatened to trip us up: the others soldiered on deeper into the water but I was forced to crab walk on my hands and feet to avoid breaking my toes. Soon everyone was shouting that we had to sit in the water if we couldn't make it out far enough to fully submerge; bravely we all went down. Actually, I was still squatting anyway to relieve the pressure on my feet so it didn't take much effort to fall further into the water; thankfully I was wet enough to be allowed to start the long stagger back to shore and my clothes.

It has been a long time since I have been more glad to see something than the hot water bottle which I had nestled into my rucksack of clothes: sitting with my feet propped up on the warm bottle and wrapped in a towel I actually didn't feel very cold. A very entertaining five minutes of hopping, wriggling and throwing wet clothes about later and we were all dressed and ready for treats: the spectators had brought coffee and hot chocolate to stave off the worst of the cold. 
That debacle was three hours ago now and I am now huddled on the sofa with my duvet, heating on full blast and wearing toe-socks to individually warm my poor feet. Mr Hoddy (father of the trainee-Tough Mudders Sarah and James) very kindly bought Kariss and me breakfast - what a wonderful man!

If you would like to reward our bravery don't forget to check out our JustGiving site 
or text                  CCPS77 £5 to 70070



Oh and just in case you thought I was exaggerating about the cold, here I am getting ready this morning!

In conclusion - OUCH MY FEET, always take a hot water bottle and "Why oh why are we doing  this?".      Videos and pictures of the torture will be uploaded soon.

Only 190 days to go.