Francy Bulic

The Last Pool Swim of the Year: A Battle with the Elements

Saturday's Ocean Swim: The Struggle Was Real

The Morning After the Christmas Party Swim - 7 December

Well, yesterday was my work Christmas party, and let me tell you, it was a blast. But I may have overdone it a bit. I drank more than I normally would on a night before a swim, and I ended up getting to bed much later than usual. Then, as if the universe was punishing me, I was woken up by a ferocious storm. At that point, I was pretty sure the ocean swim would be cancelled.

Waking up for it was a struggle. I kept hitting snooze, convinced that there was no way they’d make us do an ocean swim today. But when I finally dragged myself out of bed, I realized—surprise!—the swim was still on. There was no time to rely on public transport, so I quickly ordered an Uber, hoping I could make it to the beach in time.

I did manage to get there, but oh my god, the water was freezing! The whole group was groaning, and I swear I would have been swearing too—if I wasn’t already numb from the cold.

Then, just when I thought things couldn’t get worse, they made us swim out really far. The water was dark and deep, and honestly, I wasn’t sure I could make it. It was definitely further than we had swum before. We then practiced swimming across and around various buoys, which was a good exercise, but the cold and distance had my nerves on edge. And my feet were still cold!

Just when we thought we’d get to head back, Paul decided we needed to do another lap. At that point, I was beyond ready to finish, but I pushed through it.

When I checked my watch afterward, I was expecting a solid distance reading. To my surprise, it said only 759m. But someone else’s watch registered 960m. I’ve decided that 960m is the real distance for today. After all, it felt like 960m!

The 500m Benchmark: Embracing Progress at My Own Pace 3 December 2024

It’s official—I’m the slowest swimmer in the group. As everyone else tackled the 1km benchmark swim, I made the decision to go for the 500m swim. Honestly, I was already nervous just thinking about completing that distance. The idea of swimming further than that felt overwhelming, and I wasn’t sure I could even manage 500m without stopping.

But I did it. I swam 500m non-stop. It wasn’t fast, and yes, I was definitely the slowest in the group, but I was still proud of myself for completing it. There’s something really satisfying about pushing through a fear, especially when you’re not sure if you can make it to the other side.

Even though I wasn’t setting any speed records, I realized that the fact I finished the swim—at my own pace—was an achievement in itself. It’s a reminder that progress isn’t always about being the fastest; sometimes, it’s about showing up, putting in the effort, and sticking with it, no matter how long it takes.

That said, I know there’s room for improvement. If I want to keep getting better, I’ll need to put in some extra sessions and keep building my endurance. But today, I’m celebrating the small victory. It’s not about comparing myself to others, but about appreciating my own progress, however slow it may be.

Where is the beach? Lots of fog today 30 November 2024

Turning up to the beach today felt a bit unsettling. The fog was thick—so thick that I couldn’t even make out the horizon. I’ve never seen the beach like this before, and honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The unknown always has that slightly nerve-wracking feeling, doesn't it?

Despite the eerie atmosphere, I decided to go ahead with it. I had come for a swim, and there was no backing out now. The waves were gentle, but there was a pull that made it a little more challenging. We mostly practiced going out and coming back in, focusing on getting comfortable with the rhythm of the water and the unpredictable nature of the ocean.

One thing I’ve been working on is learning how to keep swimming even when I need to dive under a wave. It’s something that still trips me up sometimes—I tend to hesitate and stop, which throws off my flow. But today, I could feel the progress.

It’s still a work in progress, though. I know it will take more practice, but that’s part of the challenge and beauty of swimming in the ocean. Every time I step into the water, I learn something new.

Why I am doing this

There are several reasons why I'm participating in this fundraising event. Firstly, I am not a strong swimmer. My experience with swimming is limited to a few sessions in primary school, where I mostly just moved my arms up and down in the water, hoping for the best. I've always been too scared to swim beyond the breaks. Although I love the beach, I tend to stick to the waves and never venture further. I decided it was time to change that.

Secondly, like many of us, I know people who have battled cancer. Both my sister-in-law and my father are now thankfully in remission. It is for them that I am waking up early on Saturday mornings to head to the beach and the pool on other days, challenging myself to raise money for CanToo.

I would greatly appreciate any support you can provide for this cause.

I'm supporting cancer research and prevention with Can Too Foundation. 

1 in 3 women and 1 in 2 men will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. This means that potentially someone we love may have to battle cancer, and that's a statistic that needs to change. 

So I asked myself, "what can I do to help?" That's where the Can Too Foundation came in! Can Too provides professionally coached training programs for participants of any fitness level to run, swim and cycle their way to a healthier lifestyle and a cancer-free world. 

In return, I am raising valuable funds that go towards innovation in the prevention, care, and control of cancer. Since 2005, Can Too Foundation has trained over 22,000 participants and raised over $30,000,000 to invest in over 150 cancer research grants.

It would be fantastic if you could sponsor me, or even better join me in a program!

Thank you for your support!