I used to be recognised on the BBC Inexperienced Sport Awards final yr and was in a position to current athlete of the yr Imogen Grant together with her award on stage.

That left me impressed to take it to the following degree. To see what I might do to amplify my messaging, increase more cash, push the sustainable message that comes with my sport of open water swimming.

The problem was to swim the three largest lakes within the UK – Loch Lomond, Lake Windermere, Llyn Tegid – and to attempt to do all of it in 24 hours. It had not been finished earlier than so I simply took it from there.

The full distance of the problem was 55km (34 miles) and it could be the longest swim of my profession to date.

It started on the greatest of the lakes – Loch Lomond – at midnight.

I had by no means finished night time swimming earlier than, in order that was daunting and I wanted to plan for that.

Loch Lomond can be in all probability one of many darkest lochs on this planet. It’s 400-500m deep and it’s like you might be simply staring into an unlimited black gap. It’s scary and nothing might actually put together me for that.

That leg of the problem was powerful, it was brutal – 14 diploma waters, practically eight hours of publicity, chilly air temperature.

However I broke the timing file for that loch, and I jumped within the automobile and thought the toughest a part of the problem was finished.

As soon as I had received the most important one out of the best way, it could really feel like I used to be coming again down the mountain – however it very a lot didn’t really feel like that.

I used to be now sleep disadvantaged, knackered, pissed off, and doubtless just a little bit delirious. I began refuelling as a result of I had burned round 7,000 energy, however I’ve by no means been that drained earlier than in my life and fell asleep, dropping the pasta throughout me.

That was in all probability the hardest second. Waking up coated in pasta and asking my dad how lengthy till Windermere, solely to seek out out it was 20 minutes away and I did not even really feel like I had had greater than 5 minutes break.

My forearms have been fully swollen however the aggressive nature in me needed to see it by means of.

Thank goodness Bala Lake was a small one as a result of I do not assume I might have taken way more.

It was wonderful and galvanizing to have so many individuals there on the end line, however I used to be additionally simply completely satisfied to know that I used to be going to be in my mattress in just a few hours.

Surfers Towards Sewage – a UK charity that campaigns for cleaner oceans, lakes and rivers – who I raised cash for, have been wonderful. They have been a help all through the build-up and the day and I’ve made real mates by means of them now.