The Swimmer Mini

We've had the Swimmer Light, we've had the Swimmer Ultra, and now I present to you the latest variation on the Swimmer theme: the Swimmer Mini! Yet another invention gem from organisers Will and Jonathan, this version involves run-swim-run-swim between Tooting bec lido and Brockwell lido, thereby avoiding North London altogether, ha!

Fellow participant and Brockwell Icicle Peter has made a lovely video of the whole morning - frankly it's all you really need:


But if it's non-moving pictures and rambling text you're after, here's my version of events...

Act 1, Scene 1

7am, my flat in Brixton. Enter Marcus 'Aurelius' Maguire, sporting latest running kit.

Here's goodly gear

Act 1, Scene 2

7.20am, heading south on Streatham High Street

Act 2, Scene 1

7.45am Tooting Bec Lido!
The most stunning red 'mackerel sky' you ever did see, made all the more effective by reflection in the huge glassy surface of the lido.

Fish pie in the sky

According to wikipedia, mackerel skies most commonly form owing to "an old, disintegrating frontal system", which brings me insultingly onto the next picture (taken by Peter).

4/5 of Swimmer team mini

Individual dry dives by all, directed by Peter wielding underwater camera (see video at start), followed by a quick 100-yard swim dash through beautiful biting waters and hasty change in colourful poolside cabins.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane?

No, you ass, it's Peter!

Dressing rooms, tooting style

Peter puts the smackdown on Marcus's hat

Act 2, Scene 2

Off we trot to Brockwell, a mere 3 miles up the road

"There must be an app for this"

[Exit stage north]

Act 3, Scene 1

[Fanfare]. 8.45am Triumphant arrival at Brockwell lido...

Jonathan takes the minimalist approach to dayglo

...just in time to dovetail with the usual Icicle suspects:

CAPS

[Enter David, suitably shamefaced for choosing the Swimmer Zero option]:

Act 3, Scene 2

Cake in the lido cafe, of course

And vice versa

David's worried look

All the world's a lido,
And all the men and women merely swimmers.

[Exit pursued by a polar bear].