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Together, they swim longer distances on weekends, steadily increasing their mileage. Adele highlights a proud milestone, \u201cIn November, I did 48 kilometres in training. It was exhausting, but a real WOW moment to see how far I\u2019d come.\u201d<\/p>\n
Balancing motherhood, work and intense training is a daily juggle. Kim reflects, \u201cI consider this training as time for myself – it\u2019s good for my mental and physical well-being and makes me a better, happier mom and wife.\u201d Adele admits, \u201cMom guilt is real, but planning and sticking to it helps. I\u2019ve missed a few lazy Sundays, but every kilometre counts. \u201d They credit strong family support for keeping them on track, with husbands and children understanding the commitment required.<\/p>\n
Motivation can waver they say, but the cause, Happy Bundles, keeps them going. Happy Bundles delivers personalised joy-filled bundles to children fighting cancer, and the duo hopes their swim raises awareness and funds.<\/p>\n
\u201cThinking about the charity and being thankful for our own health, means we have no excuses,\u201d says Kim. Adele echoes this sentiment: \u201cEven knowing we can bring a little light into a child\u2019s life makes the hard work worthwhile.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mental resilience plays a big role. Kim has a quirky coping habit – remembering the last song she heard before entering the pool. The tune stays in her head for half an hour. She also finds clarity while counting lengths, solving problems and planning. Adele relies on a simple mantra: \u201cJust keep swimming \u2026 breathe\u2026 you can do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The challenge has reminded them both of the mind-body connection, the limits they can push with focus and commitment, and their friendship is part of their success. Kim describes it as a \u2018medley relay\u2019, a mix of strokes that balances each other through good and bad days, while Adele sees it as \u2018freestyle – we cruise along together\u2019. In training, they motivate each other with simple rituals like sharing take-away cappuccinos after tough sessions, and they know who starts a crazy challenge (Kim) and who tags along (Adele).<\/p>\n
Come February, the two-day Midmar event will be a culmination of months of dedication. Kim anticipates the nerves of swimming back and forth across the dam without the crowds, while Adele looks forward to the shared experience, and the camaraderie with like-minded swimmers.<\/p>\n
Beyond the swim, they hope to take a long rest, enjoy a good meal and reflect on what they\u2019ve achieved. Longer term they\u2019re already eyeing new adventures – perhaps an open-water swim abroad, paired with a family holiday.<\/p>\n
Both women hope their story resonates beyond the sport. \u201cWhat we\u2019re doing isn\u2019t impossible when you have a plan and good support,\u201d says Kim. Adele says, discipline, focus and commitment really do pay off. \u201cWe want our kids to see that and know that they can do anything they set their minds to.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Through humour, hard work and heart, Kim and Adele are showing that life\u2019s challenges – whether a 16-mile swim or juggling family, business and personal goals – are best tackled together, with a splash of joy and plenty of determination.<\/p>\n
You can follow their journey and donate to Happy Bundles via GivenGain, or to the raffle with amazing prizes. Email Kim on kim@accumin.co.za. Every contribution brings moments of joy to children fighting cancer, making every kilometre worth it.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
While balancing family, work and endurance training, Durban friends Kim Rom and Adele Ackerman prepare to tackle a 16-mile Midmar swim this month to raise funds for a really special cause. Kim Rom and Adele Ackerman, both 47 and living in Glenwood, are no strangers to challenges. Moms to four boys between them – Adele\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":47355,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[12422,12419,3782,4565,12418,12420,12421],"class_list":{"0":"post-47351","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-personalities","8":"tag-accumin","9":"tag-adele-ackerman","10":"tag-friends","11":"tag-happy-bundles","12":"tag-kim-rom","13":"tag-midmar","14":"tag-swim"},"yoast_head":"\n