A Bristol student is training six days a week with the hope of competing in the World Ironman Championships to be held later this year. Having beaten an eating disorder, Megan Hamill said cold water swimming had been key in changing her negative mindset.
The 23-year-old, who is from Portadown in Northern Ireland, said it was when she came to the University of Bristol that she made a group of friends and started cold water swimming. “It got me out of my head. My mindset shifted and I became much more calm, it was transformative.”
She said getting into icy cold water was tough, adding: “It builds up a resilience towards those negative thoughts. If you can get into freezing cold water, you’re getting the job done and it gives you the confidence to fight that voice in your head,” she said.
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She took her first icy dip in 2017 and along with breathing techniques, it gave her a first glimpse into the benefits she felt, but she didn’t do it again until she arrived in Bristol for university in 2019. She started swimming with friends in wild spots around Bristol which let her share the experience.
“We try to go to Clevedon weekly and I have cold showers daily,” she said. She started triathlon training in September last year when she “fell in love” with all three sports - running, cycling and swimming.
She completed her first Ironman in Turkey in November and is training for the Ironman Austria in June which will include a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile cycle and a 26.2 mile run. She said: “I am aiming to get on the podium so I can qualify for the World Ironman Championships later this year."
She is now in her fourth year at university doing her Master's degree in Geography with Innovation and said her relationship with food was far more positive. She said: “I now regard food as fuel to get my body stronger and to have more energy.
"It’s not worth sacrificing your body which is really the least interesting part about you. It was really a big shift in focus for me.”
Megan also has a podcast on wellbeing and provides advice on her Instagram and TikTok platforms, where she provides advice on being mentally fit. As well as studying for her final exams, she has done a cold water practitioner course and is currently doing a course in personal training.
Benefits of cold water swimming
According to triathlon website, Tri247.com, medical evidence on the benefits of cold water swimming remains limited although research is on-going. Reported benefits include reducing inflammation, boosting the immune system and reducing anxiety, stress and depression.
The site advises that cold water swimming requires time to acclimatise and adapt. It highlighted that cold water immersion (CWI) after exercising promotes recovery with the hypothesis being “this happens through physiological changes to hydrostatic pressure, redistribution of blood flow and reductions in core and tissue temperatures".
It also refers to an article from the International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance which found “evidence that CWI reduces thermal strain, swelling, inflammation, limb blood flow, muscle spasm and pain". However, anyone keen to try cold water swimming should also be aware of the risks, and research safety tips for beginners.
Possible negative effects include cold water shock and hypothermia and anyone starting cold water swimming needs to do research and proper preparation. According to the Royal Lifesaving Society (RLSS), cold water shock results from the initial shock of being immersed which can cause hyperventilation. Blood pressure rises rapidly as the body moves the blood to the middle of the body to try and keep it warm.
According to the NHS, hypothermia takes place when the body temperature drops below 35C and this condition is dangerous and requires immediate medical attention. Gradual introduction to cold water swimming is advised and the National Open Water Coaching Association has a safety guide with advice for new starters, such as never swimming alone and choosing a safe venue.
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