Ellen Keane: 'I felt so free in the water, and it became a healthy addiction'
Out In Bookshops Keane's 'perfectly Ellen Now Book Imperfect' Is
My alarm goes off pretty early, even at the weekends because I’m up early to train. I’ve been competitive swimming since I was eight years old when I was invited to a swimming competition in Northern Ireland.
I felt so free in the water, and it became an addiction, a healthy addiction! I train at least two or three times a day. So that’s two hours in the pool in the morning, there might be a gym session for an hour, and another pool session in the afternoons depending on the schedule. Sleep and recovery are so important to my training regime. I have an aura ring that I wear, and I check it religiously to make sure I’m getting enough sleep. If I get less than eight hours, I try to make it up with naps the following day.
First I feed my dogs. I have two long-haired dachshund puppies called Denny and Rafa. I try to get loads of carbs in before my first swim. In the morning, the easiest thing is rice pudding, so I’d cook a tin of that to get my day started. That’s my biggest goal at the moment, to eat the required amount for the energy I burn off training. My nutritionist calls himself ‘The Banker.’ When he checks my calorie intake, he tells me I owe the banker money. I find it boring eating the things I have to eat, so I tend to blend a lot.
I drop my dogs off at my parents’ house so they aren’t alone while I’m training. I live in Killester [Dublin] and train in Blanchardstown, so it usually takes me about 20 minutes to get there. On weekdays I’ll listen to a podcast as I’m driving. At the moment I love a good crime podcast — like , but like everyone, I also listen to Joanne and Vogue. My coach got me into [the book series] by Sarah J Maas. I’m in a book club. I love to read. I’m hosting our next one. I don’t really drink, so I don’t need alcohol to get a buzz.
I’m poolside by 5:30 even on a Saturday morning. It seems like a huge sacrifice but it’s been my job now for 20 years to put in this type of work and I’m so pleased to see it all paying off.
Swimming clears my mind and often if I’ve been overthinking something, the rhythm of swimming helps me make a clear decision. I know my coach would like to imagine I’m thinking only about my technique and skills, but sometimes you get into a rhythm with a song. It’s almost like meditation. You are in your head and your body, and you are not near your phone. It’s usually quite a peaceful time although you are working hard.
I quite like when I’m home and have done a session, and everyone else is asleep so I usually tidy up or put a wash on, eat more food and go to bed for a nap.
There’s not much of a break as I have to be back at the pool for a 4pm to 6pm session, but If I don’t have to, or I want to get out in nature for a bit, I’ll bring the dogs for a walk, or try and meet up with friends. I love having St Anne’s Park so close to me, or I’ll often go to Dollymount Strand.
My dogs are a great incentive to get out and about. As soon as you go out you feel so much better. They also make me much more social as you end up always chatting to other dog owners! I absolutely love the toasties at Happy Out near there. They also have the best coffee in Dublin.
I’m back in the pool. It’s usually me, my coach and a few other Paralympic swimmers. This is a big year as we have the Paralympic games in August. I’m going to Australia for three weeks in February, and then on to the European Championships in Namibia. I feel lucky that get to travel a lot. This year I’ll be in Australia, France, Madeira, Namibia, possibly the US, the UK and Fuerteventura.
One of the things I always do at weekends is to put on make-up and get dressed up. Having dry hair is such a luxury as during the week I live in active wear and always have wet hair. If I have any time off, I also love going to spas. Because I don’t drink, I indulge in things like a massage and a facial. I love the spa at the Intercontinental Hotel, and in my opinion, Eden One in Ballsbridge is worth the hype.
Because I don’t have time much time in the day to cook, I rely on meal deliveries. I love Etto. They taste like your grandparents made you homecooked meals, in a good way! I got a small break over Christmas; I took Christmas day off and New Year’s but then it’s back at it. It is a lot of sacrifice, but I absolutely love it.
- Perfectly Imperfect by Ellen Keane, published by Gill Books, is out now (€19.99)