Day 84 – Tuesday 31st August 2010

An odd day today; weather cold, sea very calm indeed, but my mind fairly negative!

The swim was very easy, especially compared to Sundays storm, but Bob and I and Midge fancied an easy one; so just the usual 40 minutes.

Not sure why I’m feeling like this, but I am. I’m feeling that every swimmer is faster than me and every swimmer in the club is training harder than me; which bugs me as I’m the one whose meant to be doing the most! Not sure if it’s all in my mind though or not!

It might be work as I’ve got so much on and so many important decisions to make, or it might be people; as recently I’ve felt certain people just expect me to keep solving everything or paying for everything; or it may be because I miss Dad today as it was his and Mums anniversary today and I feel really sorry for Mum. No real idea why I feel like this but it is what it is. I need to read the Secret again and get back onto positive feelings.

Hey ho!

Day 83 - 29th August 2010 - Race Day

Sunday today, which is usually my non sea day. But today was different, today was Race Day!

The BSC was holding an annual event - round the pier race. Starting east side of the palace pier on the beach, swimming all around and coming back on the beach on the west side between the groin and the pier. This was my first ever swimming race, and as a slow swimmer not one I was particularly looking forward to.

Sharon, the 3 littles Starrs and Darren came with me. There were about 20 adults (adults being aged 16 to any age) doing the pier swim and about 15 kids (under 16) doing the a groin to groin race.

To avoid us all going in together it was done as a handicap, with slowest ones first, followed by next ones until everyone was in, with 30 second gaps between groups. Ridiculously I was not in the slowest first group! Then it was simply how long you took.

The sea was really very choppy with big waves, strong winds and a very strong current pulling towards the marina; which meant the whole swim was against a very strong tide. This made it a very tough swim for everyone. Naturally the last person to go in, an 18 year old, was the first back; super super fast! I was about the 5th to go in and came in (after Bob of course!) at about 13th, with a couple not making it around. As a new swimmer and a slow one I was pleased not to be last, although of course I wasn't pleased to be less than middle ground.

I definitely prefer distance to speed racing. Somehow the pressure of speed racing really made me go back to my old rubbish stroke and coupled with the tough conditions made it an uncomfortable swim for me.

One thing it did do though was strengthen my resolve to get into the pool and crack on with my lessons. Next year when this event comes around again I will be a successful channel swimmer and will come in as part of the quickest group; Guaranteed!

Day 82 – 27th August 2010

7.00am, with new goggles firmly glued to my head, Bob and I head out to the buoy. Having forgotten all his swimming stuff, Bob was having to wear someones discarded swimming shorts and very oversized goggles and my old hat – so even if I was to come in way behind him at least I would come in looking cool in comparison!

We swam the three buoys on our beach side, then under the pier and to the next 3 buoys and around the pier and traced back. It took around 42 minutes and we were together throughout; a very decent speed at that distance. The sea was really cold to get into, but warmed up as we got going. It was mostly calm, however the rain was quite strong, making me wonder which way was up a couple of times!!

Swim completed and all showered, dried and aftershave on, it was only 3 hours later I was at Falmer with Mark in the outside pool doing another 90 minutes of vigorous swimming.

News on Angus not great. He was meant to have done his Channel swim this week, but weather conditions stopped it. He now has two more slots available over the next two weeks; how frustrating for him as this is the second time it has happened to him; if he doesn’t go this year it is not likely he will go at all. Keeping fingers crossed for him. Very determined that it won’t happen to me; have had long chats with Dad as he is way closer to the controls than I am and I am sure he can arrange a fair weather for me!!

Good day at work though in between as we have managed to find a fantastic new person to join our personal lines dept; been looking for the right person for some months now, so that was good. Also the legals have started on the lease for the new office. Also (yes there is more) the house build has really moved on a pace and the roof is 90% finished, which means the scaffolding should come down next week.

Tonight Bob is bringing Gillian over to mine for dinner, which will be really nice as I have not met her before or socialised with Bob out of the sea! Then we have a nice long weekend as this Monday is a bank holiday.

Day 81 – 26th August 2010

After a day of rest the sea had once again asserted itself! Certainly not as strong as Monday, but not a million miles off. A few of us went out with the intention of going around the pier, but it was only the brave and slightly mad Leo who made it around – a big well done there I think. Despite the waves Leo took my underwater camera with him and took some pics and video of us all in the sea; soon to be uploaded onto this blog I hope. The downside to the camera being there was the PFaxtor – that is the “posing factor”. “Rob, this way” Leo called to me across the thrashing sea. Turning around, with my back to the waves, I elegantly treaded water and got my greatest “look at me in the water” smile ready. “Watch out” was the next cry I heard from someone. Too late of course and the massive wave right behind me pulled me down and over and around and eventually ran away with my goggles – the fith pair I have now lost in 81 days – bother!!!

So goggleless and eyes full of salt water, I swam (limped) back to the shore looking forlorn and once more with another lesson learnt. The lesson being; even if someone has a camera and is going to make you a star, don’t turn your back on the flipping waves!

Day 80 – 25th August 2010

Day 80 at last; feels like so much more than that though.

After a couple of very busy days the sea seems to have worn itself out a little. It was very flat this morning with very little wave action. However, there was a very strong current pulling to the East. Bob decided to make the effort and come back today (some lame excuse about Gillian coming back from France yesterday blah blah – sure Bob, you were just tired now you’re well into your 50’s and couldn’t keep up with the younger men like me!) and we swam all 4 buoys up to the pier, then under the pier to the next two buoys, then back round the pier, tracing around the 4 buoys and back again. The current made it hard coming back around the pier, very much swimming to stand still, but apart from that a fairly decent and uneventful swim. Started 7am and finished 7.45am. Back at the arches it seemed like a fashion show was on with Leo taking photos of Paul’s new swimming costume and hanging up on the wall the amazing white speedos he was sporting yesterday. What fine specimens we sea swimmers are; fashion conscious to the end.

Then at 12oclock (midday) I was back in the water, this time at Falmer, for a 90 minute session with Mark. It went really well and I managed to cut my stroke length down from 30 to 27 to 26 to 24 – the lowest I have ever had it. A tough session, but very fruitful. I’ve got yet another one tomorrow, as well as a gym session and a sea session – ouch!

Day 79 – 24th August 2010

Day 79, almost at day 80 of my swimming career. Before you know it I will be a seasoned swimmer and actually might know what I’m doing.

No Bob today, so I went on my own. Others were there; Crazy Leo, Damien, Paul, Saweechi (I usually refer to him as Yoshi as I find that easier to spell!), but I went on my own. The sea was way calmer than yesterday, however, that does not mean it was calm! It was still very choppy, but that just made it interesting and relatively safe.

However, the tide was probably stronger than yesterday. I went around the buoys and the pier, but coming under the pier into our beach area I felt like I was swimming to stand still. I tried to swim over to the donut at the far groin where I had left my flipflops, but ended up beaching just near the pier and having to walk back to get them. Also my flippers, which I thought I would use for extra speed, ended up being snapped in half by a huge wave that caught me as I was coming in.

I wonder what tomorrow will bring!!

Day 78 – Monday 23rd August 2010

What a morning it was! Last night the heavens opened and the wind clearly had a great night on the tiles!

Getting to the beach at 6.45am you could see from the seafront that the sea was really rough, with waves breaking out as far as the end of the pier; it was basically white horses everywhere. The waves were everywhere and were easily topping 15 feet; a very daunting prospect. At the Arches there was just Bob, Leo (crazy man!) and myself. Bob wanted to stay close to shore and play around in the sea and practice strokes, but Leo wanted a bigger challenge and suggested we walk to the West Pier, go in and swim back to the palace pier. Of course we went with that!

If you were near the seafront at 6.50am you would have seen a funny sight – the three of us, in our swimming trunks, carrying our hats, goggles and swimming fins (need them in this swell) jogging along the seafront to the West Pier (about a 15 minutes jog). Along the way we passed the British Military Fitness club training on the grass; they looked at us with a mixture of horror and awe – funny!

The three of us popped on our fins, hats and goggles and waded in. It must have taken a good 15 minutes just to get in as the waves were so strong and way way above us; it was literally like swimming uphill and being shoved back just as you near the top. We completely lost Bob; it transpired that he stayed as close as he could to the shore and fought his way back to our beach. Afterwards he said that the sea kept pulling his hat and goggles off and he ended up in a bit of a panic and basically just did everything he could to get back to shore; which thankfully he did.

Leo and I swam out, trying to get past the breaking waves, but they were breaking out so far it was impossible. We got back to the Pier and were out at the end. He decided to go around the pier and end up on the other beach, which is a much better beach to land on as it avoids the groin and the steep slopes of the beach; I decided to head straight back in. As it turns out, Leo was right (of course) and it would have been a safer option to swim around the pier, as around the head the waves are blocked by the pier and then you can try to body surf back to shore. However, I did it my way of course! I headed in to shore, catching every huge wave behind me pushing me in, so I was back very quickly. However, the sea had dragged me right up to the pier and I was heading into the groin at a fairly alarming pace. I tried to swim away and back towards our beach to land as usual, but the sea and waves were simply too powerful. I was how pleased to find at no time did I panic or worry or even feel my heartbeat rise. I simply took a decision that the safest option would be to wait until the next three waves (they tend to come in 3’s) came in and then swim under the pier as fast as I could to avoid the next wave throwing me into the pier (that would be game over!) and then emerge onto the beach the other side. I sat out the 3 next waves, getting much to close the groin than I wanted and then swam under and caught the next wave pull on and rushed into the beach,; nice and safe.

At the Arches Bob was waiting for me all showered and dressed and pleased to see me alive! Leo came in about 10 minutes later full of the experience (quite rightly).

Once again it shows how you have to respect the sea; it is all powerful! However, for me the experience of total lack of fear and clarity of mind in those conditions was really satisfying. Bring on tomorrow!!

Day 77 – 20th August 2010

Another fine day in the ocean!

This morning Bob and I swam with Graham; another really nice chap and most inspiring. He has just got back from Gothenburg having competed in the World Swimming Championships in the over 65’s cateogoy. He came 14th in the World out of around 60. Amazing!

We swam around all the buoys, round the pier, round the next buoy and then traced all the way back again. Went in at 6.55am and took about 45 minutes, probably a total of around 1.5 miles, maybe a little less. Choppy again with every stroke being attacked by a wave from each direction. Temperature maybe 13 degrees, so certainly dropping now.

This afternoon have another 1hr Gym with Wendy and 1hr Pool with Mark. Then it’s the weekend, nothing tomorrow and just a small run Sunday – yeh, rest time!

Day 76 – 19th August 2010

Day of the weed!

Great swim today, but not for the faint hearted. It was extremely choppy, much more so than Monday. Bob and I took our usual route; we swam to the buoys and around the pier once; pretty much all you could do in these conditions.

Coming around the head of the pier we were met with carpets of seaweed. Literally layers of it. At times we were so tangled in it that we literally slid over it back into the sea.

A real challenging swim, but a great workout and hugely enjoyable. I tried to use a lot of what Mark taught me last night, but the waves made it hard to concentrate. It made me realise how dangerous swimming can be; basically life threatening if you are not a strong swimmer or someone with a strong mind. The power of the sea is incredible and you simply must respect it. However, at the same time you must not be frightened of it or daunted by it. This is definitely a two way street – you respect it and you control it.

Nice !!!

Day 75 – 18th August 2010

Usually I write my banal words after my morning swim; but today I decided to wait until the end of the day so I could think about all my training today. So it’s now 7.05pm and I’m ready to write!

Morning – The sea was gentler today than yesterday (thankfully), yet still a strong current and rather chilly; it seems autumn is definitely placing itself firmly in the month of August. Bob and I did about 80 minutes; round the buoys, beach to beach from the pier and round the buoys again. Bob of course kept at my pace, but I think he picked up the speed a little to challenge me (good on him). During the first circuit of the pier I was already dreading the rest of the exercise for the day and wondering if I could cancel Wendy or Mark, trying to work out which one would be more angry with me! Luckily the sea does not contain any phone boxes! All in all a decent swim.

After the swim it was off to work, running late for my first appointment as usual, but only 20 minutes (good for me!). Met with Micala and Mel (from the Trust) and Kevin from Sussex Community Foundation. We have selected the first 14 out the 21 charities we are supporting with the swim and Kevin is going to work with us in finding the “big one” in Brighton that we want to support. Very exciting! After this meeting I made it to the next meeting only 10 minutes late; getting better! The next meeting was also great; we agreed terms for our big office move for this year. We have out grown both our offices and it’s time for a big move; scary as it’s a huge financial commitment for me, but ultimately it must be done and it is all for the eventual growth of Seico, which is tern hugely benefits the Trust. Left work at 2 pm to meet Wendy at the Gym (fitting in training and work is a battle in itself!).

Afternoon – An hour at the Gym with Wendy; she’s great! We started the next phase of training with “plan 2”. Same cardio levels, but a lot more on arm and shoulder stuff and a lot more on core training. After my swim and dashing at work I was pleased that I still felt I gave it 100%. Wendy was most pleased; so that was good for me.

Late Afternoon – Wendy left the Gym at 3.30, just in time for me to meet Mark in the pool for an hour. Mark swam in the pool with me for the first time and as such really could get stuck in with training. It was simply fantastic. An hour with Mark seems to make so many changes (just need to remember them all). Arms need to go around not straight, hands need to be shut, wrists need to be limp, legs to kick from thigh not feet, breathing needs to be quick gulps and looking forward, head up more not so deep in the water! I think that was all for today!! But some really did stick in and now it’s a case or repeat repeat repeat!

Tomorrow just a sea swim as I’ve got a fantastic hour massage at the Treatment rooms courtesy of my gorgeous wife. Then Friday is a repeat of today; sea, gym and pool.

Not sure where the energy is coming from (certainly not the food – oops as usual on that), but feeling positive, happy, strong and ready for more challenges.

Day 74 - 17th August 2010

Last night I did a 6k run all uphill, followed by a 45 minute gym session; so a good days exercise.

This morning Bob and I swam 35 minutes towards the Marina and then the same back, so a decent 70 min swim. However, it was extremely choppy (almost an understatement); probably the choppiest it’s been in the sea since I started (apart form the big wave day last month). So a really good work out.

When we go back to the Arches I was face to face with a very annoyed looking Fiona. She was annoyed with me because I did not wait for her as agreed last night, also because I would not agree to a 2 hr pool swim today instead of the sea and because I was just being stubborn and not listening to her!

I questioned her on all this and she referred me to our text conversation from the previous night. You should have seen her face when I told her it wasn’t me she’d been texting and in fact I hadn’t heard from her for a few days! She went white! On checking her phone it seems she was texting someone else – whoever it was he was quite peeved that she had been so hard on him; she had to dash quickly to the pool and apologise to this man for being so rude to him! Funny!!

Day 73 – 16th August 2010

A good swim today; also my head is definitely more positive, although not quite as it needs to be – working on it though. My sister brought me the follow up book to my bible, The Secret. The follow up is called The Power and I will be starting it tonight. Watch out world here I come!!!

The sea today was definitely choppy, especially on our beach side; the head of the pier really held back the waves. Bob and I did twice around the pier and then went along to the groyn and back; exactly 59 minutes 55 seconds – we walked out slowly to make the full hour we wanted to do! It seems at the Trust launch party last week that Fiona and Kim spoke to Bob and “suggested” that we stay at my pace rather than his pace; Bob kindly obliged and we swam together the whole time. I do feel a tad silly about this as it seems like I’m being given a handicap (so to speak), but on the positive side it did mean that we swam at a more controlled pace rather than me chasing and thus swimming badly (hence the reason for this tactic I guess!). As for the temperature; the air felt chilly (very autumnal), however the sea was still a respectable 17 degrees. Leo was back from his trip to Iceland and we passed him relaxing by the end of the Pier, and David ventured under the pier for his fishing today; what a funny bunch we all are!

Tomorrow the plan is to do 1 hr 10 minutes, then 1 hr 20 minutes Wednesday and so on until the end of the week.

After my swim I went to Kim for my physio. As usual she beat me up, but not as badly as usual; must mean I’m getting better. She did of course lecture me on my eating (apparently a topic of conversation at the Trust launch between Mark, Fiona and Her) and all I can say to that is that she is 100% right and I wish I could deal with it! Step by step! (or stroke by stroke!!).

Day 72 – 13th August 2010

Last night we had the launch of the new Starr Trust web site (www.starrtrust.com) and the Swim4Smiles challenge. It was at the Grosvenor Casino in Hove and we had around 60 people there (mostly businesses), which was fantastic. Everyone seemed to really enjoy it and get behind us. Let’s hope this turns into positive action. Of course now another 60 people expect me to swim the Channel, oh good!

On a personal note I need to get my brain back into gear. Having been about 2 or 3 weeks since a big swim and I have felt lazy in my mind and have let negative feelings creep in for swimming, work, just about everything! Rubbish feeling like this, especially after last night’s fantastic evening. I am going to have a day of reflection at work today and put my mind in order – tomorrow the old me returns! Swimming today was back in the sea.

It felt really like “autumn” today; the air was chilly and the sea, whilst warming up during the swim, felt cold when I first went in. Four of us swam together today, Bob, Midgie, Mike (new guy, his third time ever I think) and Moi. We swam to the bouys, around the pier to the far buoy, through the pier to the first buoy, back to the pier and in. A decent swim in time and length, although I was of course the slowest again. Midgie has really sped up, Bob was holding back to stay with me (bless his heart) and the new chap Mike (being about 20!) was steady and quick.

Even though I was the slowest and I felt not 100% in my mind, I do think that if distance was the target today that I could have gone further and longer than all of them; so not all bad.

Next week though the old me will definitely be back with big swims, big gyms, big runnings and big dreams!! Great to be back in the sea though at any rate.

Day 71 – 12th August 2010

Couldn’t face another day of just pool legs, so instead, at 8.30 I did my Gym for an hour.

I really needed to get the gym in this week as I can’t do it in the evening until Sharon is back, so I don’t feel bad about missing the pool for one day!

Tomorrow Poseidon is back in the sea!!

Day 70 – 11th August 2010

I did manage to speak with Shep today and he said he’s not worried about my kick at the moment as he wants to concentrate on my arms.

Mixed signals everywhere!!

I guess as it all needs work therefore I will carry on with it all.

Come on Friday as quick as you like; I need to get back into the sea.

Day 69 – 10th August 2010

Falmer Pool this morning on my own. Did 45 minutes; 12 lengths just float and kicking then the rest of the time with the knee float, paddles and normal lengths.

Considering last Friday I could not do even one length just kicking with the float I have obviously come a long way already. The hard bit however is getting the kicking in time with my arm stroke without a float. I feel like I’m having to learn to drive again!

Got to stick at it no matter how hard or boring it is.

I can’t wait for Sharon to come home as I am missing my morning sea swim terribly and it’s only the second morning!

Day 68 – 9th August 2010

Saturday I did a 90 min gym session followed by a 40 min run. This made 5 sea swims, 1 pool swim, 3 gyms and 2 runs in a week. And all aches are gone. Yey me!

Pool only today, yuck, but needed. I must get those legs sorted if I am really going to be a swimmer.

Meeting Fiona for 1 hr leg work only at 8.30am Falmer Pool.

Sharon away in Spain for 4 days with Chantelle and Fleur, so gonna have to work my training around the 3 kids and work, somehow! As such, this week might be a bit scarce on training. Also we launch the Trust web site and the Swim4Smiles challenge to over 50 businesses this Thursday; so a tough but exciting week ahead.

Fiona and I did 1 hr in the pool, basically 15 minute float work with leg, then 15 minute knee grip float and paddles then 30 min normal. It was certainly challenging; harder for me than a 4 hour sea swim!

Day 67 – 5th August 2010

Bob was back, so no longer on my own! We did twice around the pier, first time sensible pace and second time with some gusto. Despite my ridiculous leg movements I managed to shadow him mostly.

Next week I am going to swap sea for pool and work with the float on my legs; once I’ve got that sorted I believe it will not only solve my groin problem but will also make me speedy -Mcspeedy!

Day 66 – 4th August 2010

Another short swim today as I am in the Gym for 90 minutes this afternoon – every muscle I have is now starting to ache and creak; oh dear!

Even though I only did a 20 minute swim, it was still a great workout and lots of fun. I went at 6.45am and the only other person there was David who was heading out to fish (he may be in his senior years, but he remains hardcore nevertheless!). The sea was back to being busy, with decent size waves and a real pull to the East. I swam to the end of the Pier, which took about 10 minutes and then turned to head in (decided not to go around as time was limited today). As I go to the helter skelter the skies opened and we had a burst of heavy rain for about 4 minutes; the whole time I couldn’t even see in front of my face – huge fun. By the time I swam back in others were just about to go in and the sun was shining.

I saw Fiona and she told me that Angus completed his back to back at Dover (7 hr Saturday and 5 hr Sunday) with his arm in a cast and he is planning on doing his Channel swim still – amazing!

Also Bob is back from France (at last!); I have been getting a bit lazy in the sea since he went away, so now he is back I will feel pressured to make more of an effort; only a good thing!

Day 65 – 3rd August 2010

Last night I did my first “official” Gym session with Wendy; she’s great and really knows her stuff. She has planned a 3 days a week routine for me; which I can stick to for 2 weeks and then lower the reps for week 3 (my rest week) and then start again on week 4. Wendy is going to personally train me for the first 8 sessions and then I should be fine on my own; I’m not a total gym virgin so should be OK. It was a real all over body job for around 90 minutes and was pleasing to note that neither injury bothered me.

This morning’s swim, as instructed, was a gentle easy one. Nice weather again today. Air warm, water warm and sea calm – all very pleasant. I swam to the three buoys and then retraced back and that was that. In all about 30 minutes of gentleness!

I know I have to take it easy, but I can’t wait for Bob to come back from France so that I can at least up it a little!

Day 64 – 2nd August 2010

Dover on Sunday was cancelled!

I saw Kim my Physio on Thursday and we decided I should not swim Friday or Saturday in view of my Sunday 6 hr Dover swim. My shoulder and groin were not 100%, but not far off, so it felt sensible. However, on Saturday I had a call from Mark (who is in France on holiday) basically laying down the “law”. He said that Kim had phoned him and was worried that a 6 hr sea swim at this time would damage my shoulder to the extent that I could be out of action for months, possible permanently. Mark was very straight and to the point; “no way was this acceptable”. His call was followed by an email from Kim and also a text and then phone call from Fiona; all saying the same thing. Apparently, whilst I am doing swimming distances, my body is still new to the sport and is not used to the movement and punishment I’m putting it through. As such my shoulder muscles are tearing and not repairing themselves quickly enough. It is suggested that I can still swim each morning in the sea, but only short distances, but then must do 2-3 hr pool sessions. The temperature of the pool, being much warmer, and the lack of movement will allow my muscles to tear and heal in such a way that my body then gets used to being a swimmer. The sea movement and temperature apparently does not allow for this. So I can still swim gently each morning in the sea, but need to do two pool sessions a week, plus two gym sessions and one run a week. I have to listen!!

After all these calls Saturday I was somewhat frustrated, so at 7pm I did a 10.46k run, took 1hr1min and averaged 5.46k/min. Basically, I had to run the frustration out! Of course they are all just looking out for me and of course they are 100% right, but very frustrating as I have been really getting it together!

So this morning I did a gentle swim, just once around the Pier. Darren came down and took some photos for the website; I’m sure photos of me in my speedos on a Monday morning is not going to exactly aid our fundraising!

Tonight I’ve got my first planned gym session with Wendy at 6.30pm and hopefully Fiona and I will be at Falmer for a 23 hr swim this week. I may be cutting back on distance swimming in the sea for the moment, but I’ve got to energise myself and up my game in the pool and the gym.

Day 63 – 29th July 2010

Not been a fantastic week for swimming generally. I’ve been conscious of my arm and groin problems and although they are definitely on the mend, I am aware of them and not wanting to overdo them. This may of course just be an excuse I am using instead of admitting some laziness creeping in!!

This morning I decided to give it better effort and try to get some speed into my swim rather than long distance. Luckily the temperature in the sea was good and the sea was calm (well it was when I went in at 7am!). I swam twice around the Pier, beach to beach to beach. It took me exactly 21 minutes on each lap, being 42 minute3s for two full laps. This was probably my quickest ever, which was good. Funny things though – (1) The sea literally changed from very calm and stagnant to rather choppy and pushing to the West within a matter of minutes (2) Coming around the Pier on my final lap I caught sight of the big helter skelter at the end of the Pier out of the corner of my eye; it looked as though it was falling into the sea and made me jump out of my skin, who knew one could jump when swimming! My heart really missed a beat! (3) I caught the West Pier from the corner of my eye (it’s over a mile away) and it looked like a large boat coming towards me, very disconcerting (4) A seagull literally buzzed me as I was coming into shore; it looked like a cloud falling onto me. What on earth was all this about – perhaps there were magic mushrooms in my muesli this morning! All very weird!

Seeing my physio Kim at 9.30am for another painful sessions on my shoulder and groin. As I’ve got my first Dover swim on Sunday I may need to take tomorrow off; I’ll ask her.

Next week I am going to step it all up a few gears. I now have a Gym plan in place, courtesy of the lovely Wendy Tyler and that will be 3 times a week, plus my five sea swims and definitely at least 1 pool swim. I need to now start getting back to some serious training, especially after feeling I have let myself down a little since the big swim last week.

Day 62 – 28th July 2010

Gentle sea and gentle swim today. Buoys and pier, just the usual breakfast! Talking of which, I did have breakfast today - good boy!

Tomorrow and Friday I’ll try to do pier to pier to pier to get myself prepared for my first Dover swim this Sunday.

Of to London now for a 11am meeting; looking forward to a roasting hot underground - nice! Already looking forward to coming back home to Brighton.

Day 61 – 27th July 2010

Not the best day today for me; annoyingly so!

The sea was calm as a calm thing, the temperature was OK (cold at first, but warmed up) and you could walk all the way to the first buoy (which I ended up doing). All in all a perfect day for a long swim. Kim suggested 50 minutes as the maximum today to make sure my arm is fine. So out I went with the West Pier and back in mind, maybe then around the Palace Pier as well (done it before a few times so not a problem). Mmmmm, until I lost interest! How the hell did that happen! I got about two thirds to the West Pier, then turned around and went back to the buoy by the Palace Pier, then put my feet down and walked in! What was that about! Ok so my stomach was not feeling great, and I had a hard run last night and of course I skipped breakfast this morning (obviously!), but all that is just excuse after excuse. I had no reason not to do it today and I feel I have let myself down.

Tomorrow I will put in much more effort and make up for it; I cannot let myself get days like this; especially for no good reason.

Sharon going to a site meeting at Hill Drive today, but I can’t make it as I’m in meetings. Yesterday after my run I went to Hill Drive and climbed up to the first floor, which is now up and safe. The view from the balcony outside our bedroom is amazing; right to the sea. This afternoon I am viewing new offices for Seico; these ones have views over the channel – sea sea sea – love it!

Day 60 – 26th July 2010

Back to swimming today after a few days off (as instructed – it seems I can listen!).

I saw Kim the Physio last week and she was great; if a little rough on me! She took down all my info and then spent about 90 minutes hurting me. She knew “exactly” which muscle was related to my groin strain (somewhere in my lower back) and then totally hit the spot on my shoulder – amazing. It was really good to meet a physio that is swimming trained.

After a few days off I went back to the sea today. We had a really nice weekend, Saturday Sharon was working, so I had the 3 little Starrs and I took them to throw stones in the sea (I just can’t keep away) and then Sunday we visited friends in Bristol for the day; very relaxing weekend. So I was ready to swim today, ready, willing and definitely able. I kept it fairly quick so as not to over use the arm; just the 3 buoys, then round the pier and then back. The arm and groin groaned a little, but I was fine. The sea was warm (cold patches around though) and a little choppy, but basically nice. Just me today as Bob is away for a few days.

After my swim I had another physio appointment with Kim; not physiotherapists but physioterrorists I think! Boy did it hurt. But she is amazing and afterwards my shoulder and groin felt so much better. I’m seeing her again on Thursday for more of the same pain! She is also going to write me a gym training plan; what a result.

Bad news of the day was Angus! He is meant to be swimming the channel in 3 weeks – he’s been training since 2007 and working so very hard. At the weekend he was knocked of his cycle by a lorry and has broken his arm! He is naturally devastated. He is trying to see if somehow he can still do it, but god knows how! I really feel for him.

Other channel news is that apparently today a lady swam the channel in 28 hours + 45 minutes! She was 52 years old and only 5 years ago had a gastric band fitted as she was so overweight. That is the longest swim ever and not a record I want to break! I don’t know any more about her at the moment, but have got to find out – 29 hours, amazing to be able to do that; makes my 4 hours last week a little pathetic!

After work I did a 12 mile run; well a walk and run! As usual I didn’t eat or drink and didn’t take any water with me. I was OK for about 8 miles, but then was depleted. That’s unusual for me as I usually can do more than that on an empty stomach, but the swim this morning must have used up my reserves. When will I learn?! I ended up after 8 miles doing 15 minute walk then 15 minute run. When I eventually got home the house was empty and I had forgotten my keys – serves me right I guess. All I could do was sit in my drive with my head under an old tap hidden in the corner and try to drink some water and cool myself down. It was about 26 degrees and very hot and there I was crouched in the corner of the drive trying to get water from an old tap – not exactly what I would call an athlete!!!!

Oh well, maybe tomorrow I’ll try again with some food and drink in me!!

Day 59 – 21st July 2010

My right arm is really bad after yesterdays mammoth swim. It’s hard to lift up or to use at all.

I went to the beach this morning as I thought a short slow swim would stretch it out, but about 20 mins in told me I was wrong! Sea temperature was ok but rather choppy; mind you even a dead sea would have hurt!

When I came out I saw Fiona who told me off for swimming with this injury, sports people must rest an injury for a week. All of a sudden I’m a sportsman? Who knew!!

She told me to see her physio Kim who is trained in swimming injuries (apparently Fiona has had every injury), so hopefully will get to her this week. Booked in to see Kim tomorrow morning.

So no swimming until next week; bummer, really annoyed! But must start to listen to the people who know and not try to be clever.

This afternoon I met with Abbie and Tessa in London, they are friends of my friend Yael and hopefully they will be helping me document the swim; really nice girls and I hope that after listening to me they didn’t think me too crazy! Whenever I talk about the swim and all the projects in my life it always sounds so mad busy, but in truth it’s all just stuff that anyone can do and with all the support I get it’s not really that impressive, I hope I don’t come across too me me me!

Day 58 – 20th July 2010

Oh my God!

I swam 8.20am – 12.30; 4 hrs 10 minutes! Fiona is a superhero; she stayed with me the whole way and when I flagged she was still as strong as wonder woman!

The Swim
Started at the Brighton Pier and swam to the first buoy. Tied up Lucozade and warmed up (in a flask) carbo drink in a net to the buoy. Swam onto West Pier, then turned around and back to Brighton Pier, through the Pier and back to West Pier Buoy. Stopped for about a minute and drank half a bottle of lucozade. Turned and swam back through Brighton Pier all the way to the Marina and touched wall. Turned back and swam back to Brighton Pier, going through the Pier and onto the buoy again. Finished the lucozade and drank the carbo shake (still warm!). Turned back and swam to the Brighton Pier and went around the Pier for the final time before heading back to shore (Fiona went back to the buoy to collect the empty foods – no way I could have done that!).

When we went back to the Buoy the final time before the last Pier circle we met Angus, who was heading out to the West Pier. He recently did two back to back 7 hour swims in Dover – he is also now holding hero status to me. I know I have to do those swims and I do appreciate that at some point I will be able to, but boy oh boy they seem a million miles away!

How do I feel??? Food was OK; I started the day with a Fusion shake at 6.30am and then had a large bowl of muesli with a banana at 7.15am. I couldn’t finish the muesli as the banana made it a little sickly, but I did eat maybe 80% of it. I was extremely nervous before we went in as over 4 hrs was so daunting as my longest to date was only 3 hrs, however as soon as I got in I felt absolutely fine. The first parts of the swim, everything up to the Marina wall (about 2hrs 40 mins) I felt strong and fit and thought to myself that I could do Calais right there and then. My stroke was long and solid and my mind was on top form; I basically sang “Empire state of mind” by Alicia Keys basically for the whole swim!, and it was not a problem. However, coming back from the Marina, when we hit about 3 hrs I all of a sudden felt fatigue. My shoulders ached and my legs (particulary my groin strain which I still have) were heavy and my singing was switching into other songs! Fiona of course, keeping with me throughout, was an amazing comfort and that, along with kowing I had to call Bob to tell him how I had done (no way I was going to fail) meant that I simply had to dig deep and keep going. The Brighton Pier seemed so far away, but I just had to keep going. When I eventually swam under the Pier again I got a real buzz and that kept me going all the way to the buoy. At this point I knew I had to go back and go around the Pier again before heading home, but as it was the final leg I knew without a doubt it was in the bag. I upped my speed as much as I could, although my legs were fighting me, and I headed home in good time. After the swim and shower at the arches I headed to the café on the seafront and had jacket potato and tuna (I promised Fiona I would) as recovery is so important. I had most of the potato and also had to have a jam donut that was staring at me covered in sticky sugar. The eating was really hard, I could so easily have not had anything. But I am a serious athlete now (not) and was not going to be beaten by a potato after that swim.

I am now at work, for a couple of hours, feeling elated and knackered.
What a day!

Day 57 – 19th July 2010

7.15am - Did twice around the pier with Bob, he was speedy today!

Drove to Leicester (3 hr drive) and met with Julie Bradshaw. Chatted for 40 mins about what she ate etc and came to final conclusion (once again) that important thing is definitley carb night before big swim and then finding what works for “me” during swim; the important point is finding what works for me! She has coffee or tea with glucose powder on one stop then tinned peaches (from a plastic bottle) the next and so on; sounds nice to me so might try that.

We then did about 90mins in the pool at Loughborough University. Lots of lengths doing different techniques exercises; breathing, stroke, leg, body position etc. Very useful (tiring after a 3 hr drive) and going to see her in September for another session. Long way to go, but just got to learn as quickly as I can.

Almost 4 hr drive home!

Tomorrow swimming 8am for 4 hours in sea with Fiona and going to do first ever sea feeds! Then 2.30 Falmer with Shep for am hr. Then home to bed I think!!

Day 56 – 16th July 2010

Last night went to gym and did 22 mins run and 20 min weights and 25 lengths of pool. Spoke to Wendy (Sharon’s trainer) and she’s going to write me a gym program; need to start following a plan now.

Swimming today at 7am as have a meeting in London at 9.30am.

Another busy day at sea! Not as crazy as yesterday, but still very rough, loved it! Bob and I and a couple of others hung out and swam the waves going to the buoy and back, must have taken 20 mins just to the first buoy! Leo, David and Shoichi swam the pier! I was going to join them but just didn’t have the confidence as it really was rough and didn’t want to put them in danger for me. Sensible I think.

Just loved the last two days; great to just play!

Day 55 – 15th July 2010

Another 2 Firsts today:-

1) The arch door lock was jammed, so Locksmith coming later. So eight of us getting changed outside and storing bags in Fionas car. No shower afterwards and a lot of exposed people in the open air! Don’t they have names for people like us!

2) The waves were here! Very windy indeed. No way one could swim around the Pier in this. So in we all went, Marina side of pier as it was safer, and we basically stayed closish to the shore and just played! Through the waves, over the waves, around the waves, amazing. It was real tough & tumble stuff. You would swim hard to the Pier but not move; it was like a huge endless pool. Body surfing and wave climbing at 7am with friends in a rough sea is simply the best feeling. Why do people pay to go into wave machines when we have the sea. I felt it was a privilege to be one of only 8 people in a city of hundreds of thousands to experience it; the rest are missing something outstanding. And best of all the temperature was around 20degrees, a veritable bath.

Let’s hope tomorrow is rougher, but with the arches open !

3) We are currently building a new house (we had a spare few hours a day!!), the first floor is now up and I have sea views from my my balcony, what an amazing thing to wake up to; very excited!

4) The Trust team are fab; the Swim 4 Smiles web site is almost finished and we already have 10 charities chosen to support for the swim; it’s all coming together so quickly; hugely proud.

Day 54 – 14th July 2010

Last night went to gym, did 21 mins on bike, 21 mins running and 21 lengths of pool - there’s a pattern forming here!

This morning the sea was messy! Waves smallish but coming from each direction and tides busy, so not easy to swim. Bob and I went just once around, to the buoys and back. Funny thing was the depth today - my goggles steamed up, so I stopped at the second buoy out and put my feet down and touched the bottom; very weird to be standing so far out and chatting!

Apparently tomorrow the forecast is for high winds and force 6 waves; that’ll be interesting.

Am trying to balance life at the moment; home life with the 3 little beauties (Asher aged 4 and Mia & Jesse aged 2), Sharon my gorgeous wife (trying to make sure she doesn’t suffer with me being out a lot), work (about to expand my company hugely – already 30 + staff as we speak and about to hit 20 years trading), Starr Trust (the charity we set up 2 years ago, which is growing by the day and helping children smile all over the world) and finally my mind desperate to get writing again (2 books and 2 plays part started and desperate to be finished), all this with an average 4 hours sleep a night and not enough food being consumed generally – oh and let’s not forget a little channel swim next year! The mind may not be as big as the ocean, but boy does it have waves of emotion and unpredictability!

Very fortunately I have amazing support with my family and friends and amazing pep talks from Fiona & Bob, my new fantastic BSC family.

Day 53 - 13th July

Raining again, but not too hard. Sea warm and calmish with a fairly strong pull towards the marina.

Bob and I went at 7am and did 3 (yes three) laps of the Pier. Lap one we were together, lap two I was “way” ahead, lap three Bob overtook me and landed at the beach before me! It was good going and we pushed each other, which is very helpful. Fiona turned up for lap 3 and as usual sailed past me! Afterwards Fiona and I grabbed a coffee and planned some big swims; two 4 hour swims next week and then our trip to Dover on 1st August; that will be the big one for me

Two good things today :-
(1) Fiona gave me a good pep talk and that helped me feel more positive
(2) Bob agreed to be one of my team on the boat for the Channel.

All good I’d say.