Squash results from Friday – 2 games a piece (Jamie won first two 10/8 & 9/7 and I won last two 9/7 & 9/2). A great game, totally at the same level and massive exercise. Had to dive into the outside pool for a swim afterwards just to cool down and stop sweating.
This weekend signalled the last of the bank holiday weekends for the year, so summer (wot summer!) truly finished and autumn on its way. No exercise (other than chasing the kids) this weekend or yesterday as it was bank holiday and I am not so obsessed yet to give up a few days rest. This morning, after 3 days off, was once again not easy to get back into it. It seems that if I have more than a weekend off from swimming my mind and body simply want to stay in bed at 6am and not even contemplate anything as crazy as heading for the beach; full on winter will clearly be a challenge again. Despite the wanting "not to" I was up and out the house by 6.45am.
I was at the arch by around 7am and apart from two people it was deathly quiet. I guess a few more days of no school plus a long bank holiday has kept people away. The sea was very far out today; it looked as though the plug had been taken out. I was still only at my ankles by the end of the pier sign and only up to my shoulders near the first buoy. I swam once around the pier and then traced the buoys back, before getting back to the pier sign and walking back in. Apart from being so low, the sea was also very calm and almost opaque. The air temperature was only around 14 degrees, which pretty much reflected the cool and sometimes cold weekend. The sea temperature was down below 16! It hit 15.6 at one point and averaged 15.9 for the whole 30 minute swim. This is the first time it’s dipped below 16 degrees since it warmed up from the winter. Being less than 16 degrees is really silly for this time of year; the fact actually is that the sea has never really warmed up this year. Last year it hit the heady heights of almost 19 degrees at one point; this year it never got passed 17.5 and that was only a few days. It seems likely that the temperature will now start to decrease week by week and it won’t be long until I’ll be wrapped up in hat, gloves and scarf shaking like a blender on full smoothy mode and wondering what the hell I’m doing it for.
As for the rest of today; I’m at the gym after work at 5pm for an hour with Ross followed by a game of squash at 6pm for 40 minutes. At least both of these will warm me up.
.jpg)
This blog is a dedicated blog for Rob Starr's journey from sign up to eventual Channel Swim. Rob's dedication to the Trust is second to none and this commitment to not only the gruelling hardwork, training and preparation for the swim, with his own personal challenges, but also the steadfast commitment to raising £100,000 and creating smiles. Please do follow
Tuesday 30 August 2011
Friday 26 August 2011
Day 323 - 26th August 2011
Are you sure it’s summer? Air temperature 14 degrees, sea temperature 16 degrees, raining and dark and it’s 7am. How could it possibly be summer? My calendar tells me it’s 26th August, but maybe it’s wrong? Or maybe it’s just England!
Still feeling achy in the shoulders from the gym session with Ross on Wednesday, so couldn’t swim at great speeds today. Despite the rain and the darkness, the sea was very flat today and the tide was in mid turning point so it was very still as well. A steady 25 minute swim out and around the pier with James; very enjoyable in fact. Half way around we swam past Paul (one of my relay team) who was doing a spot of leisurely fishing out around the head of the pier; by the looks of things he was a fish magnet this morning. After my shower, it was a fond farewell to LB & L for their holiday and then off to the office. Driving back I thought I had a piece of hair in my mouth, something just annoying that I couldn’t find. On inspection in the mirror I managed to see it and out came the smallest piece of seaweed – now that it definitely not the sort of breakfast I want to be having before work; yuk!
Working now until lunch time then off to the gym for a game of squash with Jamie; should be fun, but I’m not holding out any real hope of winning. Maybe one or two gams would be good to win though; if just for my ego!
Still feeling achy in the shoulders from the gym session with Ross on Wednesday, so couldn’t swim at great speeds today. Despite the rain and the darkness, the sea was very flat today and the tide was in mid turning point so it was very still as well. A steady 25 minute swim out and around the pier with James; very enjoyable in fact. Half way around we swam past Paul (one of my relay team) who was doing a spot of leisurely fishing out around the head of the pier; by the looks of things he was a fish magnet this morning. After my shower, it was a fond farewell to LB & L for their holiday and then off to the office. Driving back I thought I had a piece of hair in my mouth, something just annoying that I couldn’t find. On inspection in the mirror I managed to see it and out came the smallest piece of seaweed – now that it definitely not the sort of breakfast I want to be having before work; yuk!
Working now until lunch time then off to the gym for a game of squash with Jamie; should be fun, but I’m not holding out any real hope of winning. Maybe one or two gams would be good to win though; if just for my ego!
Thursday 25 August 2011
Swimming Days 320 - 322 – Monday 22nd – Thursday 25th August 2011
Been a bad blogger and not blogged for a few days. Simply been so up to my eyes with work and home that haven’t even been able to find the time to blog; how sad is that! So here I go a fairly quick one for the last few days:
Swimming – I’m swimming in the rain, oh swimming in the rain, what a glorious feeling etc etc. I swam Monday, Wednesday and today and it rained each day whilst I was swimming. I was planning on swimming Tuesday, but a total lack of sleep (twins of course) meant that even for the hardy folk such as I it was just too much to have not evens an hours sleep and then go swimming! The week has basically been temperatures around 16 – 16.5 degrees, the conditions have ranged from fairly flat to fairly choppy and the swims have been on average 1 mile per day and 35 minutes worth each time. Nothing extraordinary and that itself is not a good thing! I had planned to be upping my swimming again, but haven’t managed to. It’s not a disaster of course, but I need to get my mind back to it and start increasing them again. That may mean back to the pool; oh dread.
Running – Monday I was in Watford working again and then home at 4pm and I did a 12.7 K run in 1 hr 15 minutes; not bad as only just started running again. Today I did a run at lunch time, a smaller 10k run in 48 minutes; again not great but not bad. Will aim for a third run of the week on Saturday, I’ll try to do a 15k-20k.
Gym – Tuesday evening I used the gym at home and did a 45 minute session, including my Vasa swimming trainer; need t o more of that (as I keep telling myself!). Wednesday did an hour with Ross at Falmer and he really battered my shoulders and abs. That’s it for gym work this week; unless I can find the energy and time for a quick home session Saturday night. Not sure I will though as I’m a guest in the Directors box at the Albions new Amex stadium Saturday and it will involve wine and champagne!
Squash – A game with Ross at the weekend; turns out I have not lost the touch after all as he didn’t get a game and I was not exactly pushing it! Another game this week, tomorrow in fact with Jamie from work. That is likely to be a good game as Jamie has been playing Jon very week for a few months and I’ve only had two games in the last 6 years. But I recon I’ll give him a run for his money all the same!
What else; mmm, let’s see? Well LB & L are off to Italy for a couple of weeks so will miss them in the mornings. Big Bo of to France for a few days so will miss him in the mornings and I guess that’s pretty much my morning buddies! So morning may be a little quieter for a few days; I’ll take the time to push myself of course. what else, mmm, I’ve signed up for a short Triathlon in September and if goes well I’ll find a decent one for next year after my swim; so that will mean next year I’ll do a Marathon, A triathlon and the Channel swim; my version of the three peaks challenge! Wot else, mmm; oh yes Jamie Goodhead! Jamie is my swimming friend who I crewed for last year when his swim was called off. He managed last weekend to get his shot at the channel and he took it with both hands and both feet. Personally Me and any other swimmer you talk to would say he is now officially a channel swimmer, but I am sure Jamie would not think so; he is wrong! He got within 300 metres of France before they pulled him out; that as far as I and everyone else is concerned is a job well done and a channel swimmer extraordinaire. His swim it seems was so very tough; 6 hours of on the spot swimming, 9 hours swimming in gale force 6 , water on the lungs and eventual temporary blindness. Yet with all that he still managed to get within 300 metres of shore. They had to pull him out at that stage as he was simply not able to continue for fear of death or at the very least permanent damage, but what an incredible swim. To say I am in awe of him and have massive respect for him is such an understatement; he has tried something that to date I have still not been able to. Jamie my friend you are a channel swimmer and a madly brave one at that.
I will now try and blog back to my usual standards and time!
Swimming – I’m swimming in the rain, oh swimming in the rain, what a glorious feeling etc etc. I swam Monday, Wednesday and today and it rained each day whilst I was swimming. I was planning on swimming Tuesday, but a total lack of sleep (twins of course) meant that even for the hardy folk such as I it was just too much to have not evens an hours sleep and then go swimming! The week has basically been temperatures around 16 – 16.5 degrees, the conditions have ranged from fairly flat to fairly choppy and the swims have been on average 1 mile per day and 35 minutes worth each time. Nothing extraordinary and that itself is not a good thing! I had planned to be upping my swimming again, but haven’t managed to. It’s not a disaster of course, but I need to get my mind back to it and start increasing them again. That may mean back to the pool; oh dread.
Running – Monday I was in Watford working again and then home at 4pm and I did a 12.7 K run in 1 hr 15 minutes; not bad as only just started running again. Today I did a run at lunch time, a smaller 10k run in 48 minutes; again not great but not bad. Will aim for a third run of the week on Saturday, I’ll try to do a 15k-20k.
Gym – Tuesday evening I used the gym at home and did a 45 minute session, including my Vasa swimming trainer; need t o more of that (as I keep telling myself!). Wednesday did an hour with Ross at Falmer and he really battered my shoulders and abs. That’s it for gym work this week; unless I can find the energy and time for a quick home session Saturday night. Not sure I will though as I’m a guest in the Directors box at the Albions new Amex stadium Saturday and it will involve wine and champagne!
Squash – A game with Ross at the weekend; turns out I have not lost the touch after all as he didn’t get a game and I was not exactly pushing it! Another game this week, tomorrow in fact with Jamie from work. That is likely to be a good game as Jamie has been playing Jon very week for a few months and I’ve only had two games in the last 6 years. But I recon I’ll give him a run for his money all the same!
What else; mmm, let’s see? Well LB & L are off to Italy for a couple of weeks so will miss them in the mornings. Big Bo of to France for a few days so will miss him in the mornings and I guess that’s pretty much my morning buddies! So morning may be a little quieter for a few days; I’ll take the time to push myself of course. what else, mmm, I’ve signed up for a short Triathlon in September and if goes well I’ll find a decent one for next year after my swim; so that will mean next year I’ll do a Marathon, A triathlon and the Channel swim; my version of the three peaks challenge! Wot else, mmm; oh yes Jamie Goodhead! Jamie is my swimming friend who I crewed for last year when his swim was called off. He managed last weekend to get his shot at the channel and he took it with both hands and both feet. Personally Me and any other swimmer you talk to would say he is now officially a channel swimmer, but I am sure Jamie would not think so; he is wrong! He got within 300 metres of France before they pulled him out; that as far as I and everyone else is concerned is a job well done and a channel swimmer extraordinaire. His swim it seems was so very tough; 6 hours of on the spot swimming, 9 hours swimming in gale force 6 , water on the lungs and eventual temporary blindness. Yet with all that he still managed to get within 300 metres of shore. They had to pull him out at that stage as he was simply not able to continue for fear of death or at the very least permanent damage, but what an incredible swim. To say I am in awe of him and have massive respect for him is such an understatement; he has tried something that to date I have still not been able to. Jamie my friend you are a channel swimmer and a madly brave one at that.
I will now try and blog back to my usual standards and time!
Friday 19 August 2011
Day 319 - 19th August 2011
Not sure what's happened with my blog but the last few days have gone a bit out of order? Maybe I'm still in a dream state??
Anyhow today is definitely Friday, it's definitely 19th August 2011 and I have definitely have had a swim; so I guess that brings me back to where I should be.
The sea was flat, temperature down yet again to 15.7 degrees and I had a slight ach on my inner left thigh from the squash match yesterday; as such I stayed close to shore in case of it playing up and I did a quick 20 minute to and fro swim.
Later today back in the gym and then a short 5k run and job done for the week!
Over and Out x
Anyhow today is definitely Friday, it's definitely 19th August 2011 and I have definitely have had a swim; so I guess that brings me back to where I should be.
The sea was flat, temperature down yet again to 15.7 degrees and I had a slight ach on my inner left thigh from the squash match yesterday; as such I stayed close to shore in case of it playing up and I did a quick 20 minute to and fro swim.
Later today back in the gym and then a short 5k run and job done for the week!
Over and Out x
Day 314 - Sunday 14th August 2011
Whilst the run Friday didn’t affect my rheumatism problems, it has to be said that it didn’t help either. Last night the electric shocks were in my leg most of the night and also my thigh was literally throbbing constantly; so badly that for the first time in around 3 years I took one of my rheumatism pills! I’m not sure if the pill worked or not or if the condition was just playing around again but this morning when I got up it was fine. My legs and hips however were aching from the Friday run so I thought I’d try to stretch them out with a run and as such at 8am did a steady 30 minute 5k run; around hove park, along goldstone crescent, up king george v, down dyke road and home; as it happens unlike a hair of the dig after a night on the town, a run after a previous run doesn’t take the ache away! It also doesn’t stop the rheumatism; my leg this afternoon has been really bad again. A constant throbbing and more shooting pains. I probably should take another pill, but I really don’t want to go down the medication rout again so I shall instead be a martyr to it and suffer in relative silence!
Tomorrow an early morning sea swim will do the job as it usually takes away the pain; I seriously hope it does as it can be very draining on the body and the mind.
Tomorrow an early morning sea swim will do the job as it usually takes away the pain; I seriously hope it does as it can be very draining on the body and the mind.
Thursday 18 August 2011
Day 318 - 18th August 2011
Another night and day when my leg hasn’t hurt. Last night, despite the Twins popping in a few times, I did get some sleep which has been helpful to say the least. Although I did have a very vivid swimming anxiety dream last night;
"I was at a hotel, almost castle like, looking out the window and the sea was right outside and the waves were massive, way above the height of the hotel, but they were all travelling sideways. I looked down and could see two people in the sea, not yet caught in the waves and they were looking up at me and yelling. I couldn’t make out if they were calling for help or waving and enjoying themselves. I didn’t know what to do; should I jump in from the window and help them, should I shut the window and ignore it, then I woke up. Weird "
Anyhow back to real life, I was at the arch in real life by 6.45am and did a quick 18 minute swim around the pier. It was flat up the pier, the choppy around the head. The air certainly felt like it could kick up a storm any time so I was happy to do a quick swim and come out; just in case my dream came true!!
Lunchtime I played Squash with Jon; first game of squash in 6 long years! Considering so many years off from it I was pleased that I got between 4-6 points every game; even though he beat me nine to nil. In previous years when we played a lot he would always beat me, but I would always get two or three games. Definitely going to try to get a game in every couple of weeks; fantastic cardio workout, massive sweat and great aggression remover. Not sure if it directly helps my swimming training, but I figure all exercise is a good thing and as long as I don’t injure myself it can only help with my general fitness.
Hopefully tonight no crazy dreams, just dreams of lovely flowers in a lovely field and a glass of cold wine; so sweet!!
"I was at a hotel, almost castle like, looking out the window and the sea was right outside and the waves were massive, way above the height of the hotel, but they were all travelling sideways. I looked down and could see two people in the sea, not yet caught in the waves and they were looking up at me and yelling. I couldn’t make out if they were calling for help or waving and enjoying themselves. I didn’t know what to do; should I jump in from the window and help them, should I shut the window and ignore it, then I woke up. Weird "
Anyhow back to real life, I was at the arch in real life by 6.45am and did a quick 18 minute swim around the pier. It was flat up the pier, the choppy around the head. The air certainly felt like it could kick up a storm any time so I was happy to do a quick swim and come out; just in case my dream came true!!
Lunchtime I played Squash with Jon; first game of squash in 6 long years! Considering so many years off from it I was pleased that I got between 4-6 points every game; even though he beat me nine to nil. In previous years when we played a lot he would always beat me, but I would always get two or three games. Definitely going to try to get a game in every couple of weeks; fantastic cardio workout, massive sweat and great aggression remover. Not sure if it directly helps my swimming training, but I figure all exercise is a good thing and as long as I don’t injure myself it can only help with my general fitness.
Hopefully tonight no crazy dreams, just dreams of lovely flowers in a lovely field and a glass of cold wine; so sweet!!
Wednesday 17 August 2011
Day 318 - 16th August 2011
Another night with no leg pains, so happy now that it has settled down. The last few days had clearly exhausted me though as I got home from work at about 6.30pm and by 9pm I was asleep; not like me at all. In fact I was so tired that even when the twins both came in during the night I knew they were there but I couldn’t get up to help Sharon take them back. Exhaustion is a tiring thing!
Whilst I was still tired at 5.45am I managed to roll out of bed, without disturbing Mia who had somehow snuck back in. After a lethargic shave and slow dress I was in the car at 6.20am and at the arch at 6.35am, 10 minutes later I was walking down the beach towards a very calm sea. A few small waves were breaking at the shore, but the sea was flat and the tide was pulling slowly to the West. I swam under the pier towards the East (marina) and went as far as the fifth buoy, probably just over a mile, then turned around and swam back, around the pier and into shore. Total time just under an hour, total distance probably just over 2 miles.
Back at the arch a few others were there, Little Bob, Alex, David, Bella to name a few; then in came Big Bob with a painful limp. He’d gone around the pier just fine, but when he was a few metres form shore he was walking back in and stepped on a weaver fish! Ouch!! Foot in a bowl of boiling water seems to be the only way to deal with it; a painful start to his day. I wonder what the weaver fish has to do to get rid of the pain from being trodden on! Not something I’ve experienced and hopefully not something I will experience!
Of to the gym at lunchtime; expecting Ross to make it a hard one; hopefully by then I will be fully awake and raring to go.
Tuesday 16 August 2011
Day 316 - 16th August 2011
A miracle indeed!! My leg was pain free all night and here I am 5.30pm and still no pain today. It’s such an odd illness; never know when it’s going to come or going to go, but come and go it does. A great relief though all the same. Not such a miracle with the Twins, but only 3 visits in the night, so not so bad. It meant that I did manage a decent 2-3 hour sleep last night, which at the moment is extremely welcome.
The sea this morning was very choppy; lots of bounce and lots of face slapping waves. I went around the pier again with Damien and also was pleased to see Big Bob back at the arch and also my relay buddy Alex. These conditions strangely enough are better for me than the calm ones. Yesterday in the calm sea Damien was ahead of me comfortably swimming around the pier, but today I was waiting for him; he was not loving it at all. I seem to find that a very calm sea doesn’t challenge me and as such whilst I push myself I only push so far. However a rough sea makes me work a lot harder and as such I push myself well beyond what the sea demands of me. Also I seem to be able to find the movement of the sea in my favour, grabbing the waves that go in and making sure I benefit from the tide movements; whilst in a flat sea I’ve nothing but myself for propulsion.
The temperature again was down, 15.6 degrees today!
I was meant to be at the gym today with Ross and also doing a run, but as my leg was 100% fine I thought I’d give it a day off to recover fully; so I’m doing both tomorrow instead. I get a feeling that Ross will beat me up with the weights as punishment for not seeing me for a week; oh well, it’ll do me good in the long run!
The sea this morning was very choppy; lots of bounce and lots of face slapping waves. I went around the pier again with Damien and also was pleased to see Big Bob back at the arch and also my relay buddy Alex. These conditions strangely enough are better for me than the calm ones. Yesterday in the calm sea Damien was ahead of me comfortably swimming around the pier, but today I was waiting for him; he was not loving it at all. I seem to find that a very calm sea doesn’t challenge me and as such whilst I push myself I only push so far. However a rough sea makes me work a lot harder and as such I push myself well beyond what the sea demands of me. Also I seem to be able to find the movement of the sea in my favour, grabbing the waves that go in and making sure I benefit from the tide movements; whilst in a flat sea I’ve nothing but myself for propulsion.
The temperature again was down, 15.6 degrees today!
I was meant to be at the gym today with Ross and also doing a run, but as my leg was 100% fine I thought I’d give it a day off to recover fully; so I’m doing both tomorrow instead. I get a feeling that Ross will beat me up with the weights as punishment for not seeing me for a week; oh well, it’ll do me good in the long run!
Monday 15 August 2011
Day 315 - Monday 15th August 2011
Between the Twins and my leg I simply have no idea how I will ever get to grab some sleep at night; impossible. My leg has been have been a constant pain now for a few days, last night being almost (not quite) unbearable. I am hoping, as has happened before, that the pain will just build up as it has, and then will simply go away as if it had never been there. It’s done that a few times so no reason to think it won’t be the same now. As for the Twins not sleeping, perhaps in 16 years that will change!!
This morning, with eyes half closed, I headed to the beach at 6.30. The sky was nicely blue, the sea was perfectly flat and on a low tide and the arch was full of nicely spirited people – Damien, Paul, Little Bob, Mark, David, Martina, Charlotte, Leo, Evo; a veritable morning party. Damien and I swam around the pier together stopping for a nice catch up chat at the head, before a gentle swim back. Not necessarily great in terms of training, but just what the doctor would order on a Monday morning (if I bothered to call one). Sea temperature cold of course at 16.5 degrees.
No other exercise today as in the office until 1 ish and then of to London for afternoon meetings; getting home around 8pm. Tomorrow though I’ll do a bigger sea swim and then (leg permitting) and hour in the gym with Ross and a short 5k run afterwards.
This morning, with eyes half closed, I headed to the beach at 6.30. The sky was nicely blue, the sea was perfectly flat and on a low tide and the arch was full of nicely spirited people – Damien, Paul, Little Bob, Mark, David, Martina, Charlotte, Leo, Evo; a veritable morning party. Damien and I swam around the pier together stopping for a nice catch up chat at the head, before a gentle swim back. Not necessarily great in terms of training, but just what the doctor would order on a Monday morning (if I bothered to call one). Sea temperature cold of course at 16.5 degrees.
No other exercise today as in the office until 1 ish and then of to London for afternoon meetings; getting home around 8pm. Tomorrow though I’ll do a bigger sea swim and then (leg permitting) and hour in the gym with Ross and a short 5k run afterwards.
Sunday 14 August 2011
Day 314 - Sunday 14th August 2011
Whilst the run Friday didn’t affect my rheumatism problems, it has to be said that it didn’t help either. Last night the electric shocks were in my leg most of the night and also my thigh was literally throbbing constantly; so badly that for the first time in around 3 years I took one of my rheumatism pills! I’m not sure if the pill worked or not or if the condition was just playing around again but this morning when I got up it was fine. My legs and hips however were aching from the Friday run so I thought I’d try to stretch them out with a run and as such at 8am did a steady 30 minute 5k run; around hove park, along goldstone crescent, up king george v, down dyke road and home; as it happens unlike a hair of the dig after a night on the town, a run after a previous run doesn’t take the ache away! It also doesn’t stop the rheumatism; my leg this afternoon has been really bad again. A constant throbbing and more shooting pains. I probably should take another pill, but I really don’t want to go down the medication rout again so I shall instead be a martyr to it and suffer in relative silence!
Tomorrow an early morning sea swim will do the job as it usually takes away the pain; I seriously hope it does as it can be very draining on the body and the mind.
Tomorrow an early morning sea swim will do the job as it usually takes away the pain; I seriously hope it does as it can be very draining on the body and the mind.
Friday 12 August 2011
Day 313 - Friday 12th August 2011
After a night of electric shocks in my leg once again (most of the bloomin night it was) I was wondering if I would be able to swim and run today; desperate to try out my new running shoes. I hobbled to the Arch for 7am and luckily by the time I got there my leg was 100% fine and I marched in ready for my swim. The sea was not exactly flat, however it was certainly not stormy or wavy and the air temp was already around 16 degrees (sea only 15.8 degrees!!) and the sky was on its way to being blue; so different from yesterday. In I went and around all 4 buoys and then once around the pier, I kept up a decent pace and was really pleased with my technique, especially after yesterday. Coming around the other side of the pier and just passed the steps about to go under towards my own beach I was swimming on auto pilot and planning my day ahead. Therefore when Leo swam up behind me and grabbed both my legs and pulled me down it was certainly a big surprise; can’t say I jumped out the sea, but almost! Got to say though it was funny if not shocking !!
After my swim I dashed off home for a shave and shower and then into my best suit and a drive to Watford for a meeting with the top bods at Watford Football Club. I was presenting a business opportunity to them and it seemed to be taken very well; we shall see in a few days I guess. Then back to Brighton, with a quick stop in Lewes for a short meeting with a new mortgage partner and then back home for 2.30pm and a quick change into my shorts, tshirt and new running shoes and straight back onto the road.
The sensible thing of course would have been to have eaten and drunk something before heading our, especially as I had swum in the morning and then been to Watford and back and all I’d had was one cup of tea and an apple. But you know me; food and drink never been big in my life! In days past, when my years were less and I was not swimming or eating much I would have knocked out a decent run with nothing in me; it seems though that my lack of running recently, coupled with another year of grey hair and a thirst for more food (I have actually put on weight in the last month – quite a lot actually) have taken a toll on what I can do. By the 5k mark I had to stop at a Sainsbury express and buy a mars bar and a lucozade; I was light headed and feeling a lack of energy! A very new experience for me!! Anyhow, mars bar and lucozade safely in me I headed back out and finished my run; I have to confess that I had to stop another 4 times and stretch a bit, but only quick stops. It shows that I really need to eat and drink before I run. I ended up doing 16.85K in 1hr 40 minutes; not a brilliant time, but considering my day already, my lack of intake and a 22 degree heat I guess I shouldn’t beat myself up. The run took me as follows:
Up Hill Drive to Dyke Road, along Dyke Road to the 7 Dials, down New England Hill to the Fire Station, along London Road passed the Pavilion to the Palace Pier, sharp left along the beach to the Marina and through the other side of the Marina to the top road, back down the top road to the Palace Pier, along passed the West Pier all the way to the King Alfred, up Sackville Road to the top and then over and down to Hove Park, over the road to Woodland Drive, up Woodland Drive to Dyke Road, down Dyke Road to Hill Drive and fall into the shower.
Job done I think! Must remember though to eat and drink in future; time to learn that lesson!
Thursday 11 August 2011
Day 312 - Thursday 11th August 2011
After 5 days off from any exercise it was quite daunting getting up at 6.15am and heading to the beach. It’s funny how with just a few days of no swimming your confidence can be knocked; especially in a sea like this morning. It wasn’t raining, however the sky was very dark (it did rain later quite a lot!) and the wind was blowing hard. I slept fitfully, not the kids fault for a change, and getting up at 6.15am was harder than it has been of late. I was at the Arch just after 6.30am and all alone, David and a few others turned up later as I was coming out of the sea. The waves were breaking not only at the shore, but also very far out; way passed the buoys in fact. Also the waves seemed to be very full of water and very strong. I was tempted to not go in, also tempted to wait for someone (probably should have done), but standing there for a couple of minutes I thought “what the hell” just go for it. I went in close by the groin as the tide was clearly shooting to the pier, so it was safer to get in as close to the far groin as possible. I swam out to the first buoy, which actually was quite tough in those conditions and then turned and headed back to shore. I couldn’t’ make it back to the groin as the tide and waves were too strong, so instead I landed about midway along the beach; just as the others were going in together by the groin; Little Bob , bless him, waited by the mid section of the beach to ensure I got in safely. In truth I was fine; it was rough out there, but totally manageable. The tough thing for me was that I had not swam for a few days and my confidence was low and I felt sluggish and slow. Tomorrow hopefully I’ll be back to full power and the sea will have calmed its temper a little.
I certainly now need to up my training again, as the last maybe 6 weeks all I’ve done is a morning swim and a couple of gyms a week. That might sound a lot, but compared to what I was doing it is pretty poor. I am currently feeling slightly overweight (which some would say is daft of course) and certainly not as fit as I was during the winter months. So tonight I will be planning out my new training regime for the rest of the year, which will include much more running (just got some fab new running shoes from Run in Blatchington Road – very exciting) and more core work as well as some 2 & 3 hour swims. Also I’ll be plotting out the Relay meets as I really want to bring my team together now as it’s officially just a year away and I want us to look and feel like a real team.
So today I shall be lazy of mind and sit at my desk and work all day then go home for a lazy night (once the kids are down); but tomorrow, here I come..................
I certainly now need to up my training again, as the last maybe 6 weeks all I’ve done is a morning swim and a couple of gyms a week. That might sound a lot, but compared to what I was doing it is pretty poor. I am currently feeling slightly overweight (which some would say is daft of course) and certainly not as fit as I was during the winter months. So tonight I will be planning out my new training regime for the rest of the year, which will include much more running (just got some fab new running shoes from Run in Blatchington Road – very exciting) and more core work as well as some 2 & 3 hour swims. Also I’ll be plotting out the Relay meets as I really want to bring my team together now as it’s officially just a year away and I want us to look and feel like a real team.
So today I shall be lazy of mind and sit at my desk and work all day then go home for a lazy night (once the kids are down); but tomorrow, here I come..................
Day 311 - Saturday 6th August
Sky very clear, little wind and nice and bright; a nice morning for a swim!
I was at the Arch by around 7.00am and the sea was really very still; temp 16.5 degrees, which was warm for a morning at the moment. I swam a decent pier to pier to pier ; 1.5 miles in around 50 minutes. Tide seemed slack going to the West Pier but picked up on the way back, making the return journey nice and quick. After my swim I dashed off home for a shower and then was nice and ready for the day ahead.
Sharon away in Spain with friends tomorrow until Wednesday, so this is it for exercise until end of next week as I have the 3 little kiddies all to myself; am I feeling danted by that?? Maybe, but only a little! A nice chinese meal at the China Gardens with my good friends Dan & Nat will no doubt calm the nervous stomach!!
I was at the Arch by around 7.00am and the sea was really very still; temp 16.5 degrees, which was warm for a morning at the moment. I swam a decent pier to pier to pier ; 1.5 miles in around 50 minutes. Tide seemed slack going to the West Pier but picked up on the way back, making the return journey nice and quick. After my swim I dashed off home for a shower and then was nice and ready for the day ahead.
Sharon away in Spain with friends tomorrow until Wednesday, so this is it for exercise until end of next week as I have the 3 little kiddies all to myself; am I feeling danted by that?? Maybe, but only a little! A nice chinese meal at the China Gardens with my good friends Dan & Nat will no doubt calm the nervous stomach!!
Friday 5 August 2011
Day 310 - Friday 5th August 2011
After yesterdays storm the calmness kindly returned. Not as hot as it was the last few days, but dry and bright and the sea was 95% calm; just a few choppy slappy waves to contend with. The plan this morning was to do very little, which was almost accomplished; in fact instead of swimming around the buoys Little Bob suggested swimming around the ducks (there were three right by the shore). It seemed like a good idea to me, expect of course Ducks move; that was where the cunning plan fell flat! So despite good intentions of doing very little I ended up joining Big Bob on another swim around the pier. Not a massive or challenging swim by all accounts, but twice as much as I had planned this morning.
Tomorrow, Saturday, I’ll head down there sometime in the morning and will do a Pier, to Pier, to Pier or a Lagoon to Pier swim; dependent on weather and tide. Then that will be it for me until next Thursday morning; no work, no swimming and no exercise at all! My body and mind won’t know what’s hit them! Sharon is away in Spain with friends Sunday – Wednesday, so I have the 3 kids on my own; maybe no work or exercise is a good thing for a few day, but boy oh boy I think I’ll be desperate to get back to work and exercise come Thursday!!
Wish me luck please!!!
Tomorrow, Saturday, I’ll head down there sometime in the morning and will do a Pier, to Pier, to Pier or a Lagoon to Pier swim; dependent on weather and tide. Then that will be it for me until next Thursday morning; no work, no swimming and no exercise at all! My body and mind won’t know what’s hit them! Sharon is away in Spain with friends Sunday – Wednesday, so I have the 3 kids on my own; maybe no work or exercise is a good thing for a few day, but boy oh boy I think I’ll be desperate to get back to work and exercise come Thursday!!
Wish me luck please!!!
Thursday 4 August 2011
Day 309 - 4th August 2011
After a few days of flat seas, blue skies and 25 degrees, this morning reverted to type; thunderous rain, cloudy skies and 18 degrees – true English summer returns on the 4th August!
Last night it was really humid and after taking Jesse and Mia back to their own room about three times each, we eventually gave up and let them stay with us (now that is good parenting!!) Jesse was laying long ways from my end of the bed, whilst Mia was doing the same from Sharon’s; effectively building a bridge across the bed. Sharon ended up at the bottom of the bed and I ended up on the floor. By 5.00am it seemed pointless trying to sleep! Listening to the pounding rain outside I was tempted briefly to stay on the floor, but sitting on the floor and looking at the crowded bed, knowing that Asher would be with us anytime now, I decided the howling rain was more inviting!
I waited in the Arch for Big Bob to turn up (a bit of rain wouldn’t stop him) and had the company of Little Bob and Martina. By the time we hit the shore the rain had eased from pouring to less pouring, and the waves had gone from small to medium. Letting Little Bob and Martina do their thing, Big Bob and I headed of into the depths. Stopping at the first buoy then again at the helter skelter there was the mindset of turning back; but of course we didn’t. Around the pier we went. The waves were constant, as was the rain, but regardless we carried on at a steady and decent pace. For no apparent reason (although most welcoming) I found a decent stroke early on and kept it up the whole time; fast and straight the whole way. The temperature was 16.4 degrees and the swim was about 30 minutes for the mile; good swimming in a rough sea. I know that come the winter I’ll be in the pool a lot, but swimming in the sea everyday is really making me a lot stronger and quicker and I just don’t think that the pool would achieve anywhere near as much for me.
I think tomorrow the weather is meant to be back to calm and dry; we shall sea!!
Last night it was really humid and after taking Jesse and Mia back to their own room about three times each, we eventually gave up and let them stay with us (now that is good parenting!!) Jesse was laying long ways from my end of the bed, whilst Mia was doing the same from Sharon’s; effectively building a bridge across the bed. Sharon ended up at the bottom of the bed and I ended up on the floor. By 5.00am it seemed pointless trying to sleep! Listening to the pounding rain outside I was tempted briefly to stay on the floor, but sitting on the floor and looking at the crowded bed, knowing that Asher would be with us anytime now, I decided the howling rain was more inviting!
I waited in the Arch for Big Bob to turn up (a bit of rain wouldn’t stop him) and had the company of Little Bob and Martina. By the time we hit the shore the rain had eased from pouring to less pouring, and the waves had gone from small to medium. Letting Little Bob and Martina do their thing, Big Bob and I headed of into the depths. Stopping at the first buoy then again at the helter skelter there was the mindset of turning back; but of course we didn’t. Around the pier we went. The waves were constant, as was the rain, but regardless we carried on at a steady and decent pace. For no apparent reason (although most welcoming) I found a decent stroke early on and kept it up the whole time; fast and straight the whole way. The temperature was 16.4 degrees and the swim was about 30 minutes for the mile; good swimming in a rough sea. I know that come the winter I’ll be in the pool a lot, but swimming in the sea everyday is really making me a lot stronger and quicker and I just don’t think that the pool would achieve anywhere near as much for me.
I think tomorrow the weather is meant to be back to calm and dry; we shall sea!!
Wednesday 3 August 2011
Day 308 - 3rd August 2011
A sticky hot evening, hardly any air in the air; which also meant that all the kids were restless, especially Asher who ended up all night in our room and complaining constantly about the noise of the ceiling fan! Not fun I can tell you!
I was at the beach by 6.50am and waited for Big Bob as I thought it would be good to swim with someone today. The sea was flat again; very low tide meant a low walk out and a slight tidal pull to the West. We headed out straight under the pier to the second furthest buoy, then diagonally back and around the pier, then traced to the two furthest buoys on our beach and then back in. Approx about 35 minutes and very enjoyable. Not many people at the Arch today; Little Bob, David, Simon and Kevin; everyone else must be going different times or be away.
A good swim this morning, but the night time and the previous days gym and swim seemed to have taken a lot of energy up, so whilst I swam well today I am feeling a little tired. Nothing that a lovely day lying in my peaceful garden wouldn’t cure; only two hopes of that; No Hope and Bob Hope!
I was at the beach by 6.50am and waited for Big Bob as I thought it would be good to swim with someone today. The sea was flat again; very low tide meant a low walk out and a slight tidal pull to the West. We headed out straight under the pier to the second furthest buoy, then diagonally back and around the pier, then traced to the two furthest buoys on our beach and then back in. Approx about 35 minutes and very enjoyable. Not many people at the Arch today; Little Bob, David, Simon and Kevin; everyone else must be going different times or be away.
A good swim this morning, but the night time and the previous days gym and swim seemed to have taken a lot of energy up, so whilst I swam well today I am feeling a little tired. Nothing that a lovely day lying in my peaceful garden wouldn’t cure; only two hopes of that; No Hope and Bob Hope!
Day 307 - 2nd August 2011
A very early start at work today so no time for a morning swim, which is always a great shame. A very sticky hot day, even though the sun wasn’t exactly breaking through the clouds. Meetings pretty much all day and then up to the gym for an hour with Ross at 3.00pm; shoulders, chest and legs; exhausting! Afterwards I headed straight down to my beach, getting there about 4.15pm and despite the hard workout I was really looking forward to it. My beach was extremely busy with holidaymakers; don’t they realise this is a private beach! Or maybe I don’t realise it isn’t!! Funny how one can get very territorial about something like a beach. After making my way through the crowds I jumped straight into the very calm and very clear sea and headed out around the buoys and then around the pier. Twenty two minutes later I was heading back to shore, but really not ready to, so instead I turned around and went around the pier once more. After the second time around I really could have gone a third, but the time was moving on and I really needed to get home, so reluctantly I headed back up the beach and scowled at those lounging on my beach!
Swimming in the afternoon can be a real pleasure though as the sea has had all day to warm up and as such was around 17.5 degrees and as it is nearing the end of the day you’ve still got some energy levels in reserve. If work would allow I would certainly do more of this.
Swimming in the afternoon can be a real pleasure though as the sea has had all day to warm up and as such was around 17.5 degrees and as it is nearing the end of the day you’ve still got some energy levels in reserve. If work would allow I would certainly do more of this.
Monday 1 August 2011
Days 305 & 306 - Monday 1st August 2011
Saturday - Day 305
Quick swim Saturday morning. Had to collect the kids from my in-laws at 9.30am and was driving past the beach and had no choice but to stop and have a quick dip! It literally sucked me in from my car, forcing me to go in – is this called obsession yet? Luckily I had my swimming bag in my car (in case of emergencies of course!), although I didn’t have my arch key; luckily Little Bob and Lindy were there and let me in and waited until I came out. I only had a few minutes, so it was just once around the buoys and back in; 11 minutes in all, but needed.
Monday 1st August – where oh where is the year going! We are now a year away from my relay swim – I remember saying that last year about my solo swim; time really is a weird concept! This morning I was in the sea by 7am, on my own although I did see others heading down to the arch ready to come in. Sky very blue and no wind; not sure about water temp as I left my good watch at home and only had a standard waterproof one, although it felt around 16 degrees. The air temp was certainly well into the double figures. The tide was very out, which meant I walked all the way out and could stand at the silver ball; very odd when that happens. Also the sea was so clear you could actually see every single stone, fleck of sand, fish, crab, starfish, bubble and bump all over the sea floor; in fact it was as clear around the head of the pier as it was at the shores edge. In some respects that is really nice as it makes for an interesting swim, however it has to be said that ignorance is iften bliss welcome as when you can see “everything” your mind starts to wonder what else is down there that you will face any time! When you can't see anything down there you mostly don't think about it. I swam twice around the pier; beach to beach to beach; total time about 39 minutes, so quite quick.
When I was back at the arch I saw Little Bob and Lindy. She was bitten on the hand!! Not by Little Bob (or so they say!!). And not by a Fish! She was attacked by a seagull who fancied something different for breakfast! Must have scared the bejeebies out of her! If it’s not the fish, or the sharks, or the waves, or the pier it’s the blooming birds that have a go!!
Quick swim Saturday morning. Had to collect the kids from my in-laws at 9.30am and was driving past the beach and had no choice but to stop and have a quick dip! It literally sucked me in from my car, forcing me to go in – is this called obsession yet? Luckily I had my swimming bag in my car (in case of emergencies of course!), although I didn’t have my arch key; luckily Little Bob and Lindy were there and let me in and waited until I came out. I only had a few minutes, so it was just once around the buoys and back in; 11 minutes in all, but needed.
Monday 1st August – where oh where is the year going! We are now a year away from my relay swim – I remember saying that last year about my solo swim; time really is a weird concept! This morning I was in the sea by 7am, on my own although I did see others heading down to the arch ready to come in. Sky very blue and no wind; not sure about water temp as I left my good watch at home and only had a standard waterproof one, although it felt around 16 degrees. The air temp was certainly well into the double figures. The tide was very out, which meant I walked all the way out and could stand at the silver ball; very odd when that happens. Also the sea was so clear you could actually see every single stone, fleck of sand, fish, crab, starfish, bubble and bump all over the sea floor; in fact it was as clear around the head of the pier as it was at the shores edge. In some respects that is really nice as it makes for an interesting swim, however it has to be said that ignorance is iften bliss welcome as when you can see “everything” your mind starts to wonder what else is down there that you will face any time! When you can't see anything down there you mostly don't think about it. I swam twice around the pier; beach to beach to beach; total time about 39 minutes, so quite quick.
When I was back at the arch I saw Little Bob and Lindy. She was bitten on the hand!! Not by Little Bob (or so they say!!). And not by a Fish! She was attacked by a seagull who fancied something different for breakfast! Must have scared the bejeebies out of her! If it’s not the fish, or the sharks, or the waves, or the pier it’s the blooming birds that have a go!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)