Link Centre

Second overnight stop in a week at the Swindon DoubleTree, tonight it's a convenient stop midway between Southampton and Bristol.

After a swim at the new Health Hydro last week, heading over to the other Swindon swimming landmark this morning, the ice rink, trampoline park and swimming pool Link Centre!! It's 6am, so I think probably only one of these are open!

It's once again dark, cold and raining so naturally I manage to park on the wrong side of the building and have to make a quick dash around to reception where I book in for the surprisingly expensive at £8.00 ($10.80) a swim.

Quick change then out to the pool deck for a very busy 6am session, it's already 25 minutes into the session by the time I jump in. When I step onto the pool deck I first think it's a club training session!

Hop into one of the two fast lanes with some decent pace swimmers and make a start on a 3.2km session in 800m step-down blocks. No issues with the busy swim traffic in the lane, but the lanes are noticeably narrow! I find myself having to pull strokes occasionally when passing people coming the other way.

Swim done, snap a quick poolside photo and I think first time in 260 pools a lifeguard comes over to tell me no phones poolside!

Swim done, need a decent shower as heading straight to work.

Was hoping to take a peek at the ice rink on my way out, but being early, I suspect the lights will be off.