As you may have read on the page before, in 1999/2000 I made the decision to concentrate on my own swimming and I wanted to achive the sub-minute for the 100m Free. During this time I had joined Kings Cormorants Swimming Club, and through the coaching I had from Kingston with Jon Wright and Sylvia Amson and at Kings Cormorants from Jane Asher, the work was there.

On 9th September 2001 at Barnet I swam my first 100m Free competition event for 6 months being under my training plan. I got a time of 1:00.32, this being the first time under 1:01, deep in my heart I knew that sub minute would be achievable. The Nationals in Sheffield were two months away in October. I was so confident I told everybody that I would do it.

So the day arrives Saturday 20th October 2001. I had swam a 4:39.13 to achieve Silver the night before in the 400m Free, and that was and still is my short course personal best time for that event. Adrian Wells agreed to film the 100m event. Watching the video I see Liz Oliver, Sue Wells, Alan Logan, Jim Dobinson, Penny Webster, Michelle Whitehead, Jane Asher, Bill Letch and Lynne Dawson shouting (Jim especially) for me. The last turn looked liked it was in slo-mo, but boy, did the last length go well. I was in lane 10 and when I finished I could not see the board straight away, but I could hear Liz's whoops of delight over everybody elses, I didn't need to check the time, but it was 59.81, the splits were 13.45, 15.10, 15.92, 15.34.  Ann van Bukelen and Jane Cook, both officiating and Eddie Webster, joined us all for a curry at VJ's that night, Mrs A gave me card signed by all, wow was I on a high. The next day I achieved a 27.89 for the 50m Free also a best time and 2:10.15 for the 200m Free event in the same heat as Alan Logan who I pipped vicory over- both being best times for us. I improved the 200m Free time to a 2:09.95 the same time the following year, however Alan beat me that time.