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
Woke this morning unable to breath from my nose and with very sore throat; that all came on overnight and was not a nice surprise!At the arch at 7am, coughing and spluttering (trying not to do that over my fellow swimmers of course) and was in the sea a few minutes later considering the lunacy of swimming feeling like that.Luckily by the time Bob and I got to the helter skelter he was happy to follow my suggestion of letting James and Shoichi go around on their own and us heading back; my breathing was really making it tough for me. So instead of carrying on around we headed through the pier and down the other side then back through to our beach and to dry land.Total swim about 15 minutes, temp in sea dropped to around 7.5 degrees, flat sea and blue sky but with a sticky south easterly tide – basically felt like swimming through mud coming back under the pier.
The rest of the day was however much more relaxing and totally stress free; although that didn’t improve the nose and throat!I headed to London with Sharon, Darren, Tracey & Ray and we spent the day in Greenwich meandering about, then had a fantaberlous Chinese in China Town before heading off to see Warhorse; a most spectacular play; long but spectacular.
Now, being 1.20am, I am back at home and back to coughing and sneezing.Definitely not going to sea swim tomorrow; would be crazy.But I do have a late afternoon gym session which I’ll do and then dependent on how I feel I will try a 2 hr pool swim (it was on my plans, but was without a cold in tow!)
NO plans at all to sit by the side of the road today!I was at the arch by 6.45am, but not feeling the best.My throat my sore, my right knee aching (probably because Mia kicked me out of my bed and I spent a restless night in her small bed with my legs hanging off the side) andmy stomach in knots (maybe crones again or just the anxiety of Mia being unwell yesterday).A larger than usual crowd at the arch on the boys side; LB, David and Dr Sean all doing their micro dip.Big Bob, Shoichi, Paul Smith, Charlie and Myself all heading as a group out and around the pier.My speed slower than yesterday as I felt sluggish because of not being at my best, however after Shoichi raced home I landed seconds after Big Bob and we waited a couple of minutes for Paul and Charlie; first time for a long time I was with the front pack!
Swim time 23 minutes (again, but felt slower), temp in air maybe 6 degrees, temp in sea 7.8 degrees - still felt cold and after heading around the top of the pier I lost all feeling in my feet!
As for rest of the day; stuck in the office away from the beautiful 20 degree sunny day and head down to clear yesterdays missed work – oh well, at least it’s in a leather chair and not a dirty motorway!
Today didn’t quite go as planned after all!Mia ended up in Hospital late Monday night with breathing problems and as such I had to cancel my London work plans.Early the next day, out of hospital, she was tearing around like a crazy girl without a care in the world – the parents of course are left with the high blood pressure.Thankfully she seems fine.
I ended up on the beach in the morning as usual and headed to the helter skelter with Bob. A windy coldish morning to start with, but a flat sea and about 7.5 degrees.Getting to the helter skelter with lots of energy we took the plunge and headed further out and around the pier; yey us.Total swim around the pier 23 minutes and a decent pace and fantastic to now be around the pier again.For us going around in March is a month earlier than last year; both of us very proud and pleased as punch.
As for the rest of the day, as Mia was back on form and Sharon took the kids out I decided to go to the gym for an hour, which I did and worked bloomin hard and then afterwards to grab the afternoon as an unexpected free day to get loads of jobs done; a fantastic plan.However not all plans go to plan do they!Sharon called me half an hour after I got home from the gym with a very flat tire off the motorway and 4 kids in the car!Thirty minutes after that she was driving of into the beautiful sunny hot day with the kids in my car and I was stuck sitting at the side of the motorway with her car awaiting the AA.At 4.59pm they turned up and towed me home.Oh well!!
Friday’s training day went well; swim in morning, physio and gym in afternoon followed by 2 hr pool in evening with relay team; all team performed brilliantly and very inspiring to be in a pool with such amazing swimmers.
Weekend was great; Asher’s 6th birthday and the sun was shinning throughout.Saturday was BBQ time at home (amazing to again open up the garden and crank up the BB) and then Sunday we all went to Beaulie.No exercise at all for the weekend, which I hope has helped my knee and also allowed my shoulders a rest.
This morning, with the clocks going forward, it was slightly darker than it has been, but still light and clear. 7am at the arch with Big Bob, Little Bob, Lindy, David and Shoichi.I have to say that whilst it was a relaxing weekend, last night the kids (all 3) played up and I’m not sure I had more than an hours sleep over the whole night; and even that was broken.At the arch I must have looked about as enthusiastic as I felt; amazing to me that I managed to drag myself there to be honest.However with Big Bob ready to swim I gingerly followed him in and it wasn’t long before we were at the helter skelter and contemplating carrying on around the pier; which was doable if truth be told.However despite the very warm weekend weather the sea didn’t warm up at all and was still at 7 degrees; if you mix that in with sleep deprivation then it brings it down even further!So rather than go deeper out we headed over the pier and swum under to the other side, down a bit and then back through and then straight to the shore.Total swim time 19 minutes and a decent steady pace.Tonight I’ll grab an hour in the gym at home, then that’s an easy break into the week.
Tomorrow no swim or exercise as I’m in London on meetings from about 8am until 6pm, so just no chance.Wednesday however is Bob’s last day at the beach for a few days so if the sea stays flat we will definitely go around the pier.I’ll also aim to get a couple more gym sessions in and also another 2 hr pool swim on Friday on my own; then Sunday will give my knee a try and do a half marathon distance.Please kids give me a break for the rest of the week and let me go this with an abundance of energy rather than none!
Unless one can include lots of driving and bags of meetings as exercise I did nothing yesterday; pressures of business simply got in the way of pressures of exercising.
This morning however it was with a smile on my face that I headed down Brighton beach with Big Bob at 7am and into a very calm and beautiful looking sea.The sky was seriously clear, the sea was seriously calm and Bob & I were seriously heading for the helter skelter at a decent pace.In truth we could have gone around the pier today as the conditions were perfect, however at 7.2 degrees it was still just a tad too cold for us to want to.Instead after getting to the helter skelter we headed back diagonally against quite a string undercurrent to the donut groin and then back in.Total swim over 19 minutes; and as the pier only ever takes us about 20 minutes it shows we can do it now – so next week is definitely around the pier and then that means we are firmly heading towards summer and the buoys will be back in the ocean very soon; can’t wait.
Rest of today, ignoring the work in between, I have a 1.30pm physio for half an hour on my running knee problem, then 3pm-4pm session in the gym on shoulders, chest and back and then 6pm-8pm swim in the outside pool with my entire relay team.So a very busy day trying to get my work done around all that and a decent physical day to end the week.Even though it’s a lot of exercise in one day and that sounds extremely tiring to me, I’m pleased to be doing it as I am feeling like I’ve put on a bit too much weight.That of course is a stupid statement as I am meant to be putting on weight for my channel swim and I spent all of last year stressing about not putting weight on so I should be pleased with that, and of course by the end of today I will probably have lost all the pounds that are bothering me anyway.I guess it shows that my weight is still a “mental” issue for me that after 42 years I have still not come to terms with it.I’m certainly not one who has an eating disorder at any level, however I do think that the line between having an eating disorder and not having one is a very short line; otherwise why do I look in the mirror and think I look fat when clearly I am not and clearly my swim needs me to put weight on.A confusing dilemma for me for sure.
A Scooby Doo morning this morning; fog over the pier and hovering just over the top of the sea.I was at the arch on my own at 6.40am and slowly lowered myself into a very clam and flat sea by 6.45am.It’s been a while since I swam in the sea on my own and it was quite weird to be the only one in the sea, especially when it was so foggy you couldn’t even see the shore when you were a few feet out. I swam out to the silver ball and then diagonally along to the donut groin and the then back along the coast to my blue crocs patiently awaiting me. Total swim 15 minutes and 7 seconds; sea temp 7.1 degrees by my watch.
By the time I had finished my swim the fog had almost gone, just a splattering around the pier. Big Bobs crocs were on the shore next to mine; so either they came down to the edgeto join my crocs on their own for a croc party or else he was having a swim; it was still foggy enough I couldn’t see him.Back at the arch LB, Dr Sean (back from his 3 months travels), David and Simon were just heading out. Dr Sean came back to the arch after about a minute, even before Little Bob; it seems very wrong that he has only just returned and is now trying to steal the micro swim title from LB; come on LB have a word!!
At the office now ready for my first early meeting of the day, then it’s a half day of Starr Trust work and then a half day of Seico work; variety being the spice of life!Then tonight, after the kids are in bed and Sharon is out at her concert rehearsal I shall either (a) Fall asleep on the settee at 9pm (b) Use the gym at home then fall asleep at 10pm (c) Have a very large scotch and pretend I used the gym and then fall asleep.Hopefully B, possibly A, more likely C !!
Boot camp was ard!!!I got to Falmer at 8.30pm, after a long day, and was hardly enthusiastic.However Bob turned up bright as a button and also Shoichi was waiting for us and ready to rock and tumble.So in the outside pool we went and proceed to spend the next hour bashing out 2800 metres.A decent swim and very energising; certainly woke me up!
After getting to bed at about 11pm it was great that we had no visitors until 6am, just as I was getting up – every now and then the kiddies surprise us with a decent nights sleep (not enough, but each one is appreciated).At the arch by 7am and in the water with Bob and Charlotte (she has a good pace on her).We swam to the hotel and back rather than out; much less stress on the heart as we stay closer enough to shore to stop the worry.Total swim time about 15 minutes and temperature usual 7 degrees.
Afterwards it was a dash home to get into a suit and then off to London; getting back to the office (just now) at 6pm ready for another hour of paperwork.
Knee still hurting this morning, so it was a limp top the arch and a limp down and back up the beach.I was at the arch by around 6.30am , earlier than planned as I was just awake most of the night.Shoichi was already there waiting for company, so we waited for Big Bob for 15 minutes but then decided we should go in.We swam, him way faster than me of course, to the helter skelter and back.The sea was perfectly flat and the sky was completely clear ad blue.But it was cold, the air around 3 degrees and the sea round 7 degrees, and it took a while to warm up afterwards.
Tonight at 8.45pm (late - yuck) I’m meeting Bob at Falmer for one of his boot camp pool sessions; hopefully the knee won’t complain too much.
Mothers day today, so I decided on a shorter run than last week and then home to do the “look after the wife” thing.The plan was a 10 mile run, but it ended up being 13.28 miles.It was however a slow arduous and painful run.Slow because we had gone out for dinner Saturday night with friends to a restaurant over and hour and a half away and didn’t get back home until well after 1am, with a full belly and a long tiring drive home through country lanes in the dark and rain.The n by 5am the kids were in our bed and being way too noisy.So by the time I hit the road for my run at 7.30am I really didn’t fancy it and as such my pace was the slowest I’ve been since records began; I averaged over 10 minutes a mile; well above what it should be.Painful because my right knee went again, this time only after about 8 miles; exactly the same spot as last week.
I’m no expert, but I think it’s my I.T Band and unless I can get some treatment on it I will be in a lot of trouble for the marathon and I will be way slower than I should be.I’ll try to get to see Kim this week, failing that I’ll have to try to find someone else in the interim.Extremely annoying as I’m totally fine from a fitness point of view.I’ll definitely not run or do any jarring exercise for another week; just sticking to my swimming and gym work on upper body only.
Last nights meeting was fantastic; met some lovely people and got some fantastic advice; especially from a lovely lady and gentleman from the Council.I’m feeling very positive about the Lyrics.
This morning was back in the sea, and a choppy sea it was too.Temperature still hugging around 7 degrees, which hurts the face when you swim and the air temp was around 5 degrees.The flat calm sea had gone and in its place was a much choppier one; choppy is a bit annoying to be honest as its not as easy as flat, it’s not as challenging or fun as rough;’ it just kind of sits in the middle being slappy and annoying.Big Bob and I headed along the coast to the thistle hotel and back; the tide dragging us here quickly and the wind taking us back almost as quickly.Total time swam a poor 11.5 minutes!I even wore my flippers today (they are micro flippers, just ankle and a little in front); I need to get my legs really working and also keep my body form straight and flippers really help that.They also add to the speed, which at the moment I need from a mental perspective as my slowness is really starting to grain on me!
We have a name chosen for the relay team, courtesy of Little Bob – "Starr Fish"
Quick blog as I have so little time today that even writing I have so little time today has taken up valuable time I can’t afford!
Quick pool swim this morning, 6.30am (exactly as Falmer opened), half an hour of frantic lengths then quick shower and then into car and off to Cheltenham (took me 4.5 hours!). Now it’s 4pm and I’m in the car on the ipad checking emails and writing this blog, taking far too long to do so, as I need to now make it back to Brighton for a 7pm-10pm meeting; which whilst being very tiring does have the potential to be very exciting in terms of the Lyrics Art Centre project I’m trying to start! Good luck to me from me as I need all the luck I can get to make sure this amazingly ambitious project comes to life!
Gym yesterday with Ross was an “uber session” (his words, whatever uber means); I assume it means tough as my arms, shoulders and chest were all feeling it and still are.
Last night Jesse was in sometime, not sure when, but no Mia for a couple of days – as per usual the Twins have swapped, with Mia staying in her own room and Jesse now coming into us.Why they can’t sync with each other and both stay in their own rooms is a mystery to me, but I guess if we only have one come in then that’s liveable!
Was at the arch by 6.50am, Big Bob and Shoichi waiting there and the three of us in the sea by 7am.A higher tide today meant no long walk out, but it did mean a much longer swim out.Temperature almost 7 degrees, which whilst a rise is still chillingly cold.We swam to the helter skelter at the end of the pier; Shoichi absolutely motoring, Bob decent pace and me way too slow compared to them!When I got back to the beach Bob was just walking to his shoes and Shoichi was already back in the arch in the shower – why oh why can’t I get my speed up; to say it frustrates me is the biggest understatement since the last biggest understatement I made.Total swim 17 minutes exactly, which in 7 degrees is pretty good going.
Day in London today on meetings and then heading straight to Flamer afterwards (hopefully by 5pm) for an hour and a half on my own in the outside pool on lengths; doing all I can to try to get my bloomin speed up.I get the feeling that whilst my swimming will get stronger and distance become easier, the speed will not improve.That might sound like a negative statement, but I think it’s reality – and that really pi---s me off!
I didn’t swim last night (feeling a bit guilty abut that now) and it wasn’t because of my knee!By the time we got the kids down and then unpacked the food shopping it was already 8.45pm and we hadn’t even had anything to eat.Sometimes with the best will in the world it’s just impossible to do what you want/need to do.
The good news is that knee and legs are fine today; clearly it wasn’t a major problem.What I must do now is find out what I can do to avoid this happening when I’m running.
This morning, awaking to a much duller and colder day, I got to the arch at 7am and was surprised to see all the hooks filled with clothes (that’s about 10 people) and Bog Bob, LB and Mike all ready in their trunks and ready to head out.Did I miss something about an early start!!Being the gent he is, Big Bob waited for me to quickly change and then we headed into a sea much like yesterdays; low tide, about 6.5 degrees and calm.We swam the same as yesterday, to the helter skelter and back, although it seemed further today.Is that possible; did the pier move over night??
Gym today with Ross for an hour, although currently sitting at my desk and yawning; doesn’t bode well!!
Despite lying still all night my knee wasn’t so bad this morning.It was still noticeable, but not as bad as it could have been; very encouraging.
At the arch this morning was LB, Mike, Lindy, Big Bob and Charlotte (Shoichi & PaulF before us and Bella and a couple others after).The sea was definitely being lazy as it was nowhere near the coast and it was fast asleep; a long walk out in perfect flat conditions.When you add the morning sun, clear sky and no wind to it then it makes a beautiful scene to behold.Big Bob and I walked out until we got to chest height and then swam out all the way to the helter skelter.It was the perfect day for going around the pier, but still at 6.5 degrees just a bit too cold for us two to want to risk it.A good long swim though and lovely to get out near the end of the pier again.
I might join Bob at Falmer tonight for an hour in the pool; it just depends on whether my knee is playing up or not.Failing that, I’ll still get a couple of pools in this week as well as a couple of gyms and some seas.
No exercise Saturday (this is always my day off).I did however exercise my stomach by taking on a massive plate of Chinese food for dinner!Probably not the greatest idea in the world as although I love Chinese it has been a while since I’ve had it and it’s not great in quantity for my chrones; also its not the best preparation for a long run the following day.
Sunday morning turned up at about 6am with the twins joining us (which meant we have a night free from them – yey) and then Asher joined about 6.30am.The sun was already shining and it looked like a glorious one.A bowl of rice crispies later and I was on the road at 8am for my run.I ended up doing the lonhest one I’ve ever done in terms of miles and time; 3 hrs 9 minutes, 20.01 miles.All was fine until about mile 16 when my right knee became so painful that I had to walk for about a mile; really annoyed about that.After the mile it still really hurt, but I got going again and made it home.I will not run now anyway for another week and will take that time to get some treatment and rest from running; I want to do it again next Sunday if possible, so need to have the knee sorted by then.I think it was just an “I T band” issue, so stretching and foam roller, however painful it will be, should do the job.Another thing that would help me if to take some drink and food/gels with me; as usualam probable the only fool no eating or drinking on a 20 mile run!
The run itself was great though (apart from the pain).I went dyke road to seven dials, down new England to fire station, along London road to pier, along coast road into marina, out marina onto undercliff road, along undercliff past Rottingdean to the wall as far as you can get, then turned and back to marina, up steep hill to top road , down road to pier, passed palace pier to west pier, turn back to palace pier, then around back to London road past pavilion, all the way along London road passed preston park, turn left up to Withdean stadium, then tediously slow up valley driver, then down dyke road and home.When I was heading towards rottingdean I bumped into Fiona going the other way which was lovely.Then when I was back on dyke road heading home I bumped into Little Bob and finished my run with him.It was like Brighton Swimming Club running section!
After getting home and having a 30 minute lye in the spa pool to rest the legs it was back up on em and back to the seafront with the kids on their scooters.The rest of the day, although glorious weather and wonderful kids, was somewhat painful on the knee.Hopefully tomorrow in the sea will help that (freeze away the pain!)
I’m still not sure how one functions being so busy and having so little sleep; but then again who cares how, as long as it continues.
Last night after dinner I headed to Falmer and joined Bob in the outside pool. We did exactly 1 mile in lengths and then some speed exercises. Before starting the swim we both looked like we were sleepwalking and energyless; however in we went nevertheless and an hour later we emerged wetter, more tired, yet energized. Exercise really is a good energizer; it’s like Duracell for the body.
If it had just been the night swim then I would have woken all refreshed and ready for the day ahead; sadly Mia decided to play up. Bless her heart she wasn’t well, however she was also being minxy as she does. By 2.30am I was still sitting in her room and sending work emails on my ipad (my clients must think I’m a workaholic!). Each time Sharon and I went to leave her room she screamed. We should have left her but we didn’t want the boys waking up, so it wasn’t until around 4am we eventually got to sleep in our own bed. By 4.30am she was with us again, along with Jesses, then Asher! So basically no sleep!
By 7am, dressed and sleepwalking again, I was in the arch with Big Bob, LB, Mike, David, Paul S, Flick, Martina, Charlotte and Lindy – a large crowd at last; lots of laughs and jokes as usual. The sea was relatively warm (up to 6.5 degrees somehow), very flat and it was a low tide. The sky was fantastic; bluie with whispy clouds and the sun threatening to come up any second. For a nice change Big Bob and I headed "out" rather than "along" and went to the silver ball and back. It was fab to see the end of the pier after so many months. Hopefully anytime soon we'll be back swimming around it; 2 more degrees and it's game on for that.
Afterwards it was a fantastic coffee in the Red Roaster with my boys, then off to work for one of the most manic days I can remember in years (all good thank goodness) and then an hour in the gym with Ross to beat up my biceps.
Now, 8pm, at home and still trying to get the kids to bed.
Roll on the weekend!! Roll on bedtime!! Roll on sleep!!
Horrah the Trust site is back up - many apologies for the down time; at least it meant you had a break from my ramblings for a few days. However we are now back up again and rambling can continue......
Day 435 – Thursday 1st March 2012
A few days of small blogs; hardly any time and little to say.
A swim in the sea was very refreshing after yesterday beating by Bob.Temperature up to around just over 6 degrees, so still cold but the face not hurting quite as much.Very calm sea and we did around 14-15 minutes.
Big news for me is that after 21 years of trading solo, I have now completed both a merger and an acquisition!!Not for the faint hearted and very time consuming and stressful.
Day 436 – Friday2nd March 2012
No sea today because I am still a single man (a few more days) and this morning I had to take Asher to School and the Twins to nursery; then dashing to the office for a manic day.Today and the next few days will be very crazy at work due to the merger and the acquisition; way more mentally tiring than even a 7 hour pool swim I think.But if I can do a 7 hr pool swim then I can certainly do this!
After work (leaving at 3.00pom today as I need to get my head clear) it’s an hour in the gym with Ross followed by an hour in the pool.I know I’ll be shattered before then and really should stay in the office, but in reality I will be much more use to everyone once I’ve cleared my head and exercised both body and mind.
Day 437 – Sunday 4thMarch 2012
Raining hard, sleeting hard (actually snowing!!!) and cold!!Where did that come from!
Yesterday, Saturday being my day of rest from exercise, I had my 3 kids, my two nephews and one of their friends – a single parent of 6!!After lunches, entreating and then dinner for all I was pleased to see the back of them all and head to bed!!Actually they were all great and a joy, but 6 on your own is not something for everyday!
After lunch I deposited the kids to my sisters, dashed home, stuck on some short shorts and a running vest and hit the streets for my Sunday run.As it was around 2 degrees and raining and snowing it had to be a quick one; just around 5 miles and all at a run.Did I feel better for it?Of course!!!
Day 438 – Tuesday 6th March 2012
Yesterday was another no exercise day as I had to deposit all the kids to school/nursery, then complete a couple of client visits and then head to Heathrow to collect my wife – at last she returns!!
This morning, with Sharon now on schooling duties it was possible to get back to the beach.The cold spell over the weekend brought the sea back to 5.4 degrees, although it was still relatively flat.Big Bob and I headed from our beach to the thistle hotel against the tide then back with the tide to our beach.Total swim about 14 minutes and a decent pace both ways.
After showering and dressing, realising I had forgotten my jumper and only had a shirt on, it did take about an hour to warm up.But it was glorious.
Usually on a Tuesday I would also get to the gym, but the work load prevents it, really not good as I could have done with it.So tonight it will be the home gym for an hour and then making up for it with Ross later in the week; hopefully some pool work with Bob as well.
Day 439 – Wednesday 7th March 2012
I’ve been blogging but the Starr Trust web site has been down so I haven’t been able to post any.Apparently some hackers attacked a hosting site and over 2000 website were affected; no damage caused, just sites down.Now of course this wasn’t personal to me, but it has affected us; a children’s charity just trying to Help Children Smile.What on earth possesses people to do such things and cause such disruption to others?Ultimately they only hurt themseveles; negativity attracts negativity and therefore the law of attraction takes it back to them; why oh why!
Back to today.A glorious swim this morning.Cold in the air and dull in the sky, but the wind was kicking up a storm and the sea was reacting to it.A lowish tide meant it wasn’t dangerous (well at least not for experienced sea swimmers – pool swimmers should not attempt such antics).Big Bob and I went in right next to the groin where it was safest and we headed out rather than along.A great fun swim amongst some big waves; not for the faint hearted or the less experienced, but great for us.Little Bob and Mike (a naked Mike as he forgot his swimming shorts!!) also went in but stayed closer to shore; probably sensible.
What was not sensible however was on Sunday; Little Bob and Lindy did a half marathon ion that weather!Rain, Sleet, Snow and extremely cold.I ran about 5-6 miles and was happy to get back; they ran a half marathon out in the wilderness – nuts or brave!
Day 440 – Thursday 7th March 2012
Bloomin eck its cold this morning.If I was a turtle I would wind my neck back in and hibernate a while.
The good news for today are that the Trust site is back up and working and also that Mike has found his trunks and was swimming again with dignity; phew.The sea was chilly, down “once again” to 5.4 degrees and the air temp must have been around 2 degrees.The wind had died down which meant a calmish sea, just a few large swells and a strong easterly tide left over from yesterday.Big Bob and I headed towards the donut groin (our favourite swim of the moment), but the tide made it more like swimming on the spot.We swam for around 15 minutes I think and an hour later my hands are still a little numb!Other swimmers today were Little Bob, Mike, Flick and David – so few again.I think others are coming at different times, but it’s a shame so few of us this winter.
Tonight at 9pm I’m at Pool boot camp with Bob again; be weired to do it in the dark of night rather than the dark of morning, but it’s gotta be done.
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