It wasn’t all running for Carn Runners this weekend, as three of our swimmers and multi-sport athletes swapped their trainers for swimming caps and headed into the water at one of Cornwall’s most iconic locations.
Jan, Judy and Sarah took on the St Michael’s Mount Swim, tackling the open-water challenge around the Mount before emerging from the sea with big smiles and medals to show for their efforts.
It was another brilliant example of the huge variety of challenges our members get involved in – although we do have our suspicions that the promise of a pasty afterwards may have provided some additional motivation!
A Different Kind of Challenge
For those of us more accustomed to measuring our weekends in running miles, an open-water swim presents a very different test.
There are no hills to run up, no trail shoes to worry about and no convenient opportunity to stop and walk for a moment. Instead, swimmers have to deal with the sea, maintain their rhythm and keep moving through open water from start to finish.
Jan, Judy and Sarah were more than up for the challenge.
All three have shown that Carn Runners contains far more than runners alone, with members regularly getting involved in swimming, cycling, triathlon and all sorts of other endurance adventures.
Events like this are a fantastic opportunity to put that wider training to good use.
Swimming Around an Iconic Cornish Landmark
There can’t be many more impressive backdrops for a swim than St Michael’s Mount.
While most people are used to admiring the Mount from Marazion beach or making their way across the causeway, our trio got to experience it from a rather different perspective – from the water!
Open-water swimming offers its own unique sense of adventure, particularly when the route takes you around such a recognisable Cornish landmark.
For Jan, Judy and Sarah, it meant a memorable day in the sea, another challenge completed and something very different to add to their sporting achievements.
Medals and Smiles at the Finish
Most importantly, all three made it back onto dry land with smiles on their faces.
And medals. 🏅
There is always something special about completing a challenge that takes you outside your usual comfort zone, and the three Carnies had every reason to be pleased with themselves afterwards.
Months of running and general endurance training can provide an excellent fitness base, but swimming demands its own technique, strength and confidence. Completing an open-water event is therefore an achievement in its own right.
A massive well done to all three.
But What About the Pasty?
Of course, endurance sport is often just an elaborate way of earning food afterwards.
And apparently some Carnies are now prepared to swim around an entire island to get their hands on a pasty.
Honestly, the lengths people will go to… 😂
After spending that much time in the sea, though, we think Jan, Judy and Sarah had more than earned it.
Medal around the neck, pasty in hand – that sounds like a pretty successful afternoon to us.
Carnies Aren’t Just Runners
One of the things we love seeing is members taking their fitness into other sports and challenges.
Running may be at the heart of Carn Runners, but our members regularly appear at triathlons, swimming events, cycling challenges and other adventures alongside the races and social runs that fill our calendar.
Cross-training can bring new experiences, new goals and, perhaps most importantly, another excuse to spend a day outdoors with friends.
Jan, Judy and Sarah certainly embraced that spirit at St Michael’s Mount.
Well Done, Ladies!
A huge congratulations to Jan, Judy and Sarah on completing the St Michael’s Mount Swim.
Another challenge conquered, three more medals earned and plenty of smiles at the end.
Fantastic effort from all three of you – and we hope the post-swim pasties were worth every stroke! 💙💛
