Lake Bala Swim

Tomorrow’s the day I do my Lake Bala Swim for Diabetes UK Cymru. There’s still chance to sponsor me and help me reach my target, so please give generously. If you’ve already sponsored me then “thanks” and spread the word.

More than 146,000 people in Wales have been diagnosed with diabetes. That’s nearly five percent of the population. It’s estimated that 50,000 more people have the condition but have not yet been diagnosed. If not properly managed and treated, diabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and foot ulcers leading to amputation. It’s not surprising, then, that it accounts for around ten percent of NHS costs in Wales.

My Dad and many of my family members have diabetes too, and even one of Morgan’s little 5 year friends has recently been diagnosed, so it’s a very worthy cause.

As far as scary stats go then one person is diagnosed with diabetes every three minutes and three people die from its complications every hour. It doesn’t have to be like this.

As per usual with these little ‘challenges’ of mine preparation hasn’t been great. I had hoped to do a few swims with my new wetsuit on and a few more swims in the pool. However I picked up an ear infection whilst on the Isle of Man and have been on antibiotics for the last week. These seemed to knock me out a bit but also prevented me from sleeping so I’ve turned into a bit of a zombie and haven’t done any training. Not to worry, I’ve just popped the last of the tablets so now have just over 24 hours to get over them and do the swim.

Bala Lake, or ‘Llyn Tegid’ as it is known in welsh, is the largest natural lake in Wales. It is surrounded by the high peaks of Aran Benllyn, Arenig Fawr and the Berwyn mountains. It also contains a rare fish called the Gwyniad. Bala Lake is the only lake in which this fish can be found, and even here it is found only in very small numbers in the deepest, darkest sections of the lake. There is also a rumour that a monster similar to Nessie the Loch Ness Monster lives in Llyn Tegid. Legend has it that it was called Tegi, and was taken so seriously in the early 90’s that a Japanese submarine was sent beneath the water to investigate!

I’ll let you know how it goes.

1 Response

  1. Avatar forComment Author Alan says:

    Well, I’m up and ready for it. Breakfast first and then drive to Bala.

    I’ve just checked the weather station there and the air temperature is currently 2.9ºC and there’s barely a breathe if wind. Perfect as far as the wind goes but 2.9ºC sounds a little chilly!

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Alan Cole

Alan is a Freelance Website Designer, Sports & Exercise Science Lab Technician and full time Dad & husband with far too many hobbies: Triathlete, Swimming, Cycling, Running, MTBing, Surfing, Windsurfing, SUPing, Gardening, Photography.... The list goes on.

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