Zoggs Swim Diaries: Preparing for the #TeamBetter Challenge - 31 Miles in 31 Pools

On 25th February #TeamBetter will be beginning their incredible challenge to IMG-20160224-WA0002swim 31 miles in 31 pools in just 6 days for Sport Relief. Our friends at GLL have put together a team consisting of their staff and partners, including two members of the Zoggs team, Ben and Claire. Ben Hornett shares his story with you as he prepares to take on this fantastic challenge.

I have been looking for a challenge to stretch myself, and I wanted to do my bit for Sport Relief – what better way to combine the two than with the Team Better Swim! After my dry January (which more people than ever seem to have done this year) this has been the best motivation to keep my all round fitness levels, well-being and healthy living going. Training has been very focused on getting laps in as often as I can, but with some snacking mid session – peanut butter on rice cakes has never tasted so good in the changing room after 100 lengths! As part of a group of 13 swimmers attempting the challenge, we have been offered nutritional advice, which I have never really considered before now. How often to eat, how much, and the importance of fluids as you swim. It is adding a new dimension to my swimming and I think I’ll need all the help advice and energy I can get to get this done!

The training has not just been about the laps though, it's also about the psychology of the challenge. I'm making sure I don't underestimate the impact of swimming, changing, travelling and then doing it all again several times in one day. It's going to be a tiring, but truly amazing experience and I am so excited to be part of the awesome Team Better. We've got a brilliant group of swimmers coming together to make this happen and even though we will be exhausted, we're definitely going to have a blast!

You can show Ben your support by sponsoring him here.

Ben and the rest of Team Better will be starting off their swims in London before flying off to Belfast for their final plunge of day 1. They will travel on day 2 to Carlisle where they will be greeted by their home for the next 3 days - a tour bus! For the rest of the tour the team will continue to head south taking on swims in Manchester, Cambridge, Bath, Swindon and many other fantastic locations until ending day 6 back in London at the iconic Aquatics Centre at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for their final mile long swim. Find out more about the Team Better challenge and where you can support them along the way here.

Ben will be keeping you updated throughout his journey so be sure to keep an eye out for his Zoggs Swim Diaries posts.