The Thames Marathon was our favourite swim of 2015 so part of me was really looking forward to the 14km swim from Henley Bridge down to Marlow Bridge. The other part of me was pretty nervous as I probably hadn’t done quite enough training. While Coach Manda has been on ‘sabbatical’ we have not been as organised as we might be! Manda caught Brian and I trying to do some cramming training at the lido a few weeks before and just shook her head at us.
The event had a number of changes of format this year to go along with the change in name (previously it was just called Bridge to Bridge).
Historically swimmers had to swim in a pod of similar paced swimmers which were allocated at the first lock. In 2015 you had the option to swim solo with a tow float or to swim with a pace group. You chose your own pace group at the start of the event. This year it was mandatory to swim with a tow float but you also had the option to swim with one of three pace swimmers (one per wave) or you could be allocated to a pod at the first stop. I swam solo which made for a much faster race as you can go through the stops at your chosen pace rather than having to wait for the other people in your pace group. I choose to go through the feed stops as quickly as possible. On the other hand it does make the swim a bit lonelier as you don’t have a group to chat to which is a bit of a shame. I had not ever swum with a tow float before and I was a bit nervous that it would get in my way but I hardly noticed it at all.
Typically at these type of swims the slower waves set off first and faster waves later. For the Thames Marathon however this has been reversed with the fast wave leading it out. This definitely makes things easier as you are not having to pass the other waves. I can only imagine that with everyone having tow floats that this would have been carnage.
This year the second and third legs had been joined together to make one uber leg. This meant you started with a 4km leg, followed by 6km, then a shortie of 1.5km followed by a final leg of 2.5km. I was worried that the second leg would be really tough being so long but it was actually fine and it was really nice to finish that leg and to feel like you had broken the back of the swim with just two shorter legs to swim. I do wish however that I had tried to find some people to swim with on this leg as it was mostly by myself which I think made my overall pace suffer.
The event traditionally finished at the rowing club at Marlow Bridge but due to the event’s popularity this is no longer possible and the event now finishes about 200m short in Higginson Park. While it is sad not to swim right up to the bridge it is great to finish right in the swimming festival at the end for snacks and shopping.
Given all the changes along with a pretty rapid river flow it is really hard to compare times from year to year but I was happyish with my 3h 11m finish. Brian did an amazing job breaking the three hour mark finish in 2h 58m and Kate was pleased with her 3h 44m.
Overall I think the changes in format have pros and cons but I understand why they have all been made and I really enjoyed the swim again. We will definitely be back!
TEAM Mermaids 
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