Would any swimmers like to help me beat DH?

[MyNameIsInigoMontoya]

Just wondering if there are any good swimmers here (especially outdoor/distance swimmers) with good advice!

We have both signed up to do the Great North Swim in mid-June (1 mile, in Windermere). So far, swimming has been the ONLY sport which I am better at than DH - he is much fitter than me generally (runs, bikes, climbs, etc etc and can wipe the floor with me at any of those), but my swimming technique is better, thanks to swimming club in my schooldays, so I can usually beat him at that.

However... lately he has been getting into triathlons, so has been doing much more swimming training (and general exercise), and has improved quite a bit and already done several open-water swims, up to 1500m. Meanwhile, I have not been doing much swimming at all... and am not especially fit, nor used to open water. So I want to make sure he doesn't sneakily overtake

I have already done 1 mile without stopping in the pool, so I know I can do the distance, although of course open water is a bit different. Also got a wetsuit sorted. But as I've not trained properly in a long time, I'm not really sure of the best way to improve my speed or prepare for it. I'm hoping to manage maybe 2 sessions a week, unlikely to fit in much more than that though.

I've had a look for training plans online and found lots of plans for getting up to 1 mile, but not much to help you do it faster. So thought I'd see if anyone here has any good tips as I will be slightly gutted if he beats me! Thank you!

Just wanted to add my congratulations. Anyone who can do a swim of that length in open water after camping deserves a medal.

I was hoping to try open water swimming and had a panic attack just trying to put the wetsuit on whilst still in my bedroom. Admittedly it was a second hand XS suit which a teenage boy had just grown out of and I probably need size S or more likely M.

Well done! You did it, and thats the biggest thing. Sighting is a real art, and does make a big difference.

Thanks Now I just need to get over the weekend, am completely shattered and also covered in mosquito bites! If we ever do it again I will push for a B&B

I think that would be a v good idea! Maybe you could find a women only event so dh gets to do all the child care I know theres swim only events at the Shock Absorber womens day at Dorney in July

Just a little update in case anyone is interested... I have not done any more events since the swim, and actually not even been to the pool since then. However... in the last couple of months I have swum in Stickle Tarn (froze my face at first but was absolutely lovely after that!), in Rydal Water in the rain, in the sea in Brittany and several times in the river in France (interesting because of the current). It was nice not needing a wetsuit in France! So I seem to be getting quite into this outdoor swimming lark actually

I also realised just how bad my trusty old goggles have become lately (after trying DH's, which were crystal clear and I could see all the fish!), which may help to explain why I found swimming in a straight line tricky - so have got a snazzy new pair on order!

DH has also jokingly promised he would try one of my hobbies if I did a triathlon, I am not very tempted but you never know... not sure I want him to get hooked on my hobby anyway though as I need him to mind the kids so I can go and I really don't think he'd want me to become a proper triathlete, for the same reason!