Swimming day 529 - Tuesday 31st July 2012

8 days to go…

The house last night was busier than the sea this morning; but only just.  I was bounced to the end of the bed by Mia, then bounced back to the middle of the bed by Jesse, then kicked to the bottom of the bed by Sharon and then eventually at 2am kicked out altogether by Asher.  By 2am I was alone in Mia’s room and whilst it is a kiddie bed it was a lot calmer than my room!

The sea was not much of a contrast to that.  Bob, Shoichi and I headed into quite a rough sea; wind blowing, rain dropping, waves rushing; but no tide movement – strange.  We headed to the Brighton Centre and then back again, about 40 minute swim I think and the temperature 15.5 degrees, but I thought felt warmer than that (others thought it felt colder though).  It was bumpy all the way there and even bumpier all the way back.  We didn’t go out too deep, just to the first buoy, but that makes it bumpier as the waves are heading in at a pace and really pick up speed at about that distance.  So you find that all of a sudden you are hit in the side and spun over and it takes all your strength to stop from completely rolling over and keeping your pace going forward.  It’s certainly great exercise and each day you learn something from it.

Back at the arch we found David with the largest bucket of mackerel I’ve seen in months, he must have caught 25, which in this sea is astonishing.  Also Yvo was there with her hand a bucket of boiling water and the kettle hotting up for the next; she’d been fishing with David and unknowingly had caught a weaver fish; she certainly new about it when she picked it up to remove the hook – yowch!!!  First time I’ve seen a weaver bite on a hand!  Leo was bitten on the foot at the weekend as well and was hobbling for days.  You don’t get these in hobbies such as cake making or sowing!

The swim is now just 8 days away, however there was talk of us possibly going early; even as early as this week, but the weather has now turned again.  Not a bad thing as we have all prepared next week with work and social diaries and it would be difficult for the majority of my team if it came early.  This from Fiona’s father, who apparently understands these things (it’s all gobbledegook to me to be honest)….

Weather update for your coming Channel relay if you went early.

Not very good at the moment.

North Foreland to Selsey Bill

Strong winds are forecast

For coastal areas up to 12 miles offshore from

1800 UTC Mon 30 July until 1800 UTC Tue 31 July

24 hour forecast:

Wind -- South-westerly, backing southerly for a time later, 5 or 6, occasionally 7 in east, decreasing 4 for a time.

Sea State -- Slight or moderate.

Weather -- Showers, then occasional rain for a time.

Visibility -- Good, becoming moderate, occasionally poor.

Outlook for the following 24 hours:

1800 Tues 31str July to 1800 Wed 1st Aug

Wind -- Southerly or south-Westerly 5 or 6, decreasing 3 or 4 for a time.

Sea State -- Slight or moderate.

Weather -- Mainly fair.

Visibility -- Moderate or good, occasionally poor at first.

--------------------------------------

Dover

Shipping Forecast - Issued: 1625 UTC Mon 30 July

Wind -- South or south-west 5 to 7, decreasing 4 for a time.

Sea State -- Moderate.

Weather -- Rain for a time.

Visibility -- Good, occasionally poor

--------------------------------------

Whatever that all means, it seems that up to next Monday it’ll be rather unpleasant.  Tuesday and Wednesday next week look good at the moment though and as such I remain very hopeful, and almost positive, that Wednesday 8^th August will be our day.

Swimming day 528 - Monday 30th July 2012

9 days to go…

Saturday - 28th July 2012

After watching an amazing Olympic Games opening ceremony last night into the wee hours I was inspired enough do an early saturday swim. Only me at the arch when I got there at 6.20am, although when i finished at 7.30 there were a few others there, including yet another film crew - I really don't understand the fascination with filming middle age men & women in their swimming gear first thing in the morning.

A clear sky, 15.9 deg in the sea, felt colder though as the air was colder this morning. I swam for an hour around the pier, the buoys and back again and again.  A nice start to the weekend.

The rest of the day is being spent at Arundel castle as they have a jousting day on; kids (and me) very excited. Then tomorrow a belated “Thanks Giving party” for 60 at my sister’s house. A good weekend of fun.

Sadly Monday I have an early start in London so will miss my morning swim, but should get back for an afternoon gym and then a late afternoon swim & gym at home; so all not lost.

Tuesday morning, weather permitting, will go for an hour morning swim.

Monday today  – this morning as predicted in London, then back to work and to the gym for an hour.  No swim this morning has made me grouchy!!  How rubbish is that; I have an addiction it seems!!

Swimming day 527 - Friday 26th July 2012

12 days to go…

Not a bad nights sleep thankfully; a decent 5 hours so I was ready to get up and head to the beach.  Not as hot today, possibly rain later, but still dry and clear and a very flat sea yet again.  A strong tidal pull to the West made the swim a decent exercise and a very clear ocean made the fish and starfish watching rather pleasant. 

A quiet arch today as a lot of them on a weekend Devon trip, including me mate Big Bob.  So I had a nice gentle swim; around the buoys both sides of the pier, around the pier, around the buoys again; an hour of gentle swimming.  I’m still achy from all the exercise and the physio so this was sensible I think!  Tonight I will grab half an hour in the gym at home, but again on more gentle exercises rather than caning it.  Then tomorrow (assuming the wife allows,) I’ll grab an hour in the sea first thing in the morning. 

Next week I’ll do a couple of West Pier swims and a couple of gyms, but then will tail the exercise off to make sure I am not achy or overworked for the big swim – how exciting to think about tailing it off for a while.  Jeeze this swim better happen and better be successful; 2 ½ years of learning to swim and aiming for this is a long time for me.  Having been watching a lot of Olympian biogs on TV this month I am astounded as to their dedication to their sport.  I know my 2½ years does show some sticking power and is certainly more than I expected I could do, but compared to the Olympians it is less than a weekends work. These are seriously dedicated special people.

Swimming day 526 - Thursday 26th July 2012

I was absolutely EXHAUSTED this morning.  Thankfully the boys are now staying in their own beds all night, but Mia still insists on ending up with us.  She then bullies me to the end and then places an elbow in the small of my back all night.  Last night she took to slapping me in her sleep until I go so fed up I moved to the floor (really should have gone to the spare room, but I just was too tired to take the walk!). 

I literally dragged myself out of bed at 6.05am and drove to the beach in a semi coma and sat in the car outside the Brighton wheel for a good 10 minutes just trying to get the energy to open the door – I was seriously that exhausted.  The arch was quiet when I got there; just Big Bob, Flick and David.  Dragging my feet after Bob down the beach I suggested the first buoy and back; like he was ever gonna accept that!   He suggested the three buoys; which I naturally had to agree to.  Of course he bluffed me and when we got to the second buoy he took of for the pier and dragged me along with him.  By the time we got to the head of the pier my exhaustion had vanished and I was back in the game.  We held a good pace all the way and landed back onto a crowded beach in a decent time.  I guess without the swimming I would have been exhausted all day, so I’m pleased he pushed me. 

Why was the beach crowded at 7.30am; well as usual a film crew were there and those interested BSC members were hanging around to watch or be filmed.  This time is was with Rory Bremner and I think it was Paul Smith promotion for his business; I’m not entirely sure.  Bob and I however skipped the theatrics and headed of for a shower and then to the Roaster for a Friday cake and coffee – I know its Thursday but he’s away tomorrow so we made Thursday a Friday instead!

After the wonderful Roaster I headed to the Withdean for an hour with kim my physic and boy that hurt!  I have been getting some quite bad shoulder pains in my left shoulder and Kim recons (knows more like) it stems from all the swimming and the fact that in the sea I breath one sided; thus stretching my neck one way for hour on end.  SO I paid for it with an hour of pain – no pain no gain of course!  With 2 weeks to go until the swim I am seeing Kim again next week to get a top up session; lovely to see her always as she is just fab, but I never look forward to the torture.

As for the rest of the day; it’s a good one today.  A couple of business meetings then followed by afternoon meetings with architects and council members regarding our King Alfred project – exciting day for sure. If energy levels continue I’ll also grab half an hour tonight in the gym at home; energy and shoulder permitting of course.

Swimming day 525 - Wednesday 25th July 2012

Another beautiful day (and I am not sick of writing that).  Temperature at 6.30am around 18 degrees and set to hit over 25 degrees by the end of the day.  The sea was once again flat, although quite a strong tide pull to the east made it sluggish to swim in.  Big Bob and Sean wanted to head to the West Pier, but I didn’t want to today (just because!) so I bade them farewell in favour of twice around the pier (beach2beach2beach).  Thinking better of swimming without me they changed their minds and with Shoichi leading the way we headed of around the pier.  Sean was wearing his flippers today and that put him in second position to Shoichi, with bob and I a couple of metres behind.  My challenging mind kept saying “well he is wearing flippers” whilst my more practical mind replied “yes but he is almost 70”. My challenging mind then was saying “well he has been swimming all his life and I’ve only been swimming 2½ years ” whilst my more practical mind replied “yes but he is almost 70”.  Swimming is an amazing sport; not only is it a full body none impact sport (as long as you stay out of a rough sea of course), but also it can make time/age almost irrelevant in terms of speed/agility.  The fact that Sean is some 15 years older than Bob and some 27 years older than me makes no great difference.  Sure in truth his flippers were a big help to him as usually he is behind us (but he is 70 my mind screams as I write this!)  however to be doing an almost 2 mile swim at 7am is pretty impressive no matter your age, let alone someone in his later years. 

As for me (the youngster), I am also at the gym today at midday with Ross working on Abs, back and chest – no doubt no food will be taken before or after (so far nothing except a strong coffee consumed!) and then whilst the rest of Brighton suns itself on the beach I will be stuck at my desk trying to make headway into my Everest of outstanding paperwork – living the dream baby, living the dream

Swimming day 524 - Tuesday 24th July 2012

15 days to go …..

Sea held steady at 15.6 degrees and was flat once again; air temp a lovely 18 degrees this morning and set to rise; and the sun was already up and glowing nicely next to the receding moon.  And let’s not forget the very clear sea, which was sitting at a nice high tide and allowing me to view all it had going on; about a dozen starfish, a couple of crabs and some weird worm like fishy thing. 

I was at the arch a bit earlier today (6.20am) and as it was too long to wait for Bob and the others I went straight in.  There were already a couple of people in (Shoichi, Paul F and Damien maybe – only saw some random clothes).  After yesterdays gym with Ross and the previous swimming adventures my shoulders were still a little sore so I took it slower today and went twice around the pier; beach to beach to beach. Total swim around 50 minutes I think.  Coming back around the pier and the buoys I met up with David and LB and then nearer the shore it seemed to be a school of people swimming by; all the BSC members who have been absent for so many months.  Being the first in and first out meant a leisurely shower before the queue started and then an early start at work.  All in all a nice start to the day.  I do hope that after my channel swim is done I will continue to do this as it really is a great way to start the day. I would imagine that without the pressure of considering every single swim “training” that I will get a lot more pleasure from it than I do even now.

Interestingly we at the arch seem to think it's a lot colder now than last year, however my blog from last year shows these same last two days in July 2011  were 15.2 degrees and 15.7 degrees - just goes to show that actually we forget sometimes and that sea probably is similar year on year.

 Batman movie – long at 3 hours, but tremendous – 9/10 for sure.

Swimming day 523 - Minday 23rd July 2012

16 days to go …..

Summer is here; wey hey wey hey wey hey (am I excited or what!)

The weekend was beautiful; 22 degrees and sunny.  Apparently it’s here to stay for the month; through the Olympics and throughout our swimming week.  Could we really be that lucky; could we get a clear day after all this crazy rain!

This morning was beautiful; bright sun by 6am.  I was at the arch by 6.45am and in the sea within minutes.  I was on my own as Big Bob not around today, but others were there and doing their own thing.  I did a decent swim this morning; a pier triple which I’ve never done.  Girly beach around pier to our beach, then back all the way around to start and then back all way around to end on our beach – beach to beach to beach to beach.  It was so calm out there that it was really easy just to keep going.  Also the temperature was 15.6 degrees; over 1 degree up from Friday.  I am now keeping everything crossed that the temperature keeps rising and the waves keep falling!

Rest of the day is a usual day at work (although not too many meetings), then an hour with Ross in the gym at the end of the day and then the new Batman film tonight – what a nice day.

There is however some sadness. A 45 year old chap swimming the channel at the weekend got within a mile of France and died.  I am sure we will learn more as the story unfolds.  It is such a sad time to hear someone, especially so young, being lost in pursuit of a dream.  The sea is a dangerous place to be even in calm days such as today; so much can happen that could end your life that you had no control over.  Should we not follow our dreams because of it?  Should we somehow water down our hopes and expectations of our possible achievements?  Maybe we should, who knows.  But I for one believe that we should always do our best whenever we can and we should always follow our dreams wherever they may take us. The sea is a dangerous place to be respected, but it is equally as dangerous on the roads and equally as dangerous on the playing fields as it is in the deserts.  When your time comes it comes and up to then we need to grab life and follow whatever dreams we can.  Dare to dream and dare to follow your dream; the rest as they say is in the lap of the gods. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18945333

Bless him and love to all his family and friends.

EVENING Friday 20th July 2012

 US all in together - 5 minutes later it was simply nuts out there

On the way back to the Marina (about half a mile out) and the waves were gone!!

Whoa what an evening.  My relay team and I met on James’s boat at 3pm and headed about 4-5 miles out to sea.  James, as part of the relay swim tream, brought along with Wife and a Friend to act as Pilot and Co-Pilot; cool characters they were as well; undaunted by 6 of us jumping of their boat.  It was basically “choppy” right from the moment we left the Marina and ended up being force 6 & force 7 gales throughout.  It turns out that in a force 7 gale it is much nicer in the sea than on the boat! 

Once we were in position 3 of the team (Lindy, Alex & Lois – Lois is our new member and acting as our backup member if anyone can’t make it on the day – she is 14!!!) all got changed into their costumes and then launched themselves with a leap of the back of the boat into the ocean.  It was particularly impressive watching a 14 year old slight of a girl such as Lois jump from a boat in the middle of the ocean straight into a force 6 storm.  Whilst the rest of us hung onto the boat for dear life, they simply got on with the job at hand and swum for an hour. 

A short 55 minutes later, Myself, James and Shoichi were standing at the backing our trunks and ready to jump.  On the hour we jumped in and swam passed them and then they clambered out.  By this point the sea was at force 7 and the boat was a roller coaster.  The actual swim itself was fine, almost enjoyable; it is certainly different swimming in that tpe of sea way out in the middle of the ocean compared to our swims around the piers.  Due to the crazy conditions it wasn’t possible for James, Shoichi and I to stay together and very quickly we became a challenge to the boat; them trying to somehow stay near 3 of us when we were all literally 150 metres apart in rolling waves – they did a tremendous job.  I have to say that at times when I could barley see the other two and the boat was a few hundred metres away I did feel somewhat vulnerable and did wonder on what would happen if they lost me.  After the hour they called the whistle and came to collect us.  By the time I was coming out, last of course, the boat was being thrown about so much that I have to keep swimming away from it for fear of it being dropped back down on me.  Once safely abroad it was then that the fun and games started.  James, Shoichi and I were downstairs in the cabin area trying to get dry and change into warm clothes whilst the boat was doing acrobatics.  It took a good 40 minutes to get dressed and in that time I had the pleasure of meeting each wall and corner of the boat several times; each one leaving me with a bruise as a momento.  Back on deck I found that out of all the people on board, only Fiona, James, Shoichi and I were not sick or feeling sick.  This is no slight on anyway else as it is by no means shameful to feel ill in a boat in a rolling gale force wind; but it shows how much harder it is on the boat than in the sea.

 This experience, which was fantastic for us all to have, really showed me that a Relay is a tough challenge and should not be taken lightly.  I have at times felt that changing from a solo to a relay was somehow an easy option – I shall now take that right back!  A relay is a massive challenge – hence so far this year only having one successful team.  For me having only been swimming for 2 years it is perhaps even more of a challenge; although for my team having me as a novice swimmer is a challenge for them.  All of this and Lois our 14 year old took it in her stride; impressive to say the very least!

Swimming day 522 - Friday 20th July 2012

19 days to go ….

Mid (almost end) July and wearing a sweatshirt after my swim; rubbish weather!  The sky was thankfully dry, although chilly, and the sea was flat as a plate but again chilly.  The temperature today was down to just 14.1 degrees, that is a drop of almost half a degree since we did our two hour swim on Tuesday.  These cold temperatures really do pile on the pressure in terms of our training and our possible success; the success rate for the CSA swimmers this year still sits at one of the lowest ever on record; pressure for us indeed.  Mind you a wise man once said that pressure is a positive thing as it focuses us and makes us work harder; pressure after all is what creates Diamonds!!

This morning Bob and I were in the sea by 6.45am (starting early to give us more coffee time afterwards!!) and we swam clockwise around the pier, then passed the two fishing buoys that are about 50 metres out further from the head of the pier, then diagonally across to the two buoys at the far end of our beach and then in.  Total swim about 40 minutes and we really did work hard to do that.  Despite the sea being very flat and a very low tide (knuckles dragging on the sand by the time we reached the last buoy) the tide was coming in which meant a very strong tidal pull to the east to swim against.  A decent swim in a calm sea, but a hard workout at that time in the morning.  Coffee very deserved!

The forecast for the rest of the day is very clear sky’s until about 3pm and then rain; and lots of it.  Typical really because at 3pm my Relay team are meeting at Brighton Marina for a boat ride out into the depths and then a swim from the boat between 4pm – 8pm.  Of course if the sea chops up then the ability to swim form the boat will be limited and it will simply be a get thrown around on a boat experience only! 

On the positive side (gotta search out the positive at all times!) the weather people, those strange being who seem to know what the shape of a cloud really means, are still predicting a summer for us.  Apparently, if they are to be believed, the summer will start from this weekend and could run throughout August; providing respite for the Olympics and our Relay; both important milestones for the Country of course.  Let’s please all pray to the weather gods and their earthly disciples that this may come true.

Swimming day 521 - Thursday 19th July 2012

20 days to go…..

Another treadmill swim today, although only about half as strong as yesterday thankfully.  Bob and I headed straight out passed the first buoy (actually we walked all the way to the first buoy) and then headed against the tide (on our virtual treadmill) and did a non stop 30 minute head straight down in the water swim.  Usually at that pace we would have been well passed the Brighton Centre, but with the tide gushing against us we only got as far as the Thistle Hotel.  Heading back we reached the groan in 6 minutes flat; 30 mins out and 6 mins back shows you the strength of the tide today.  Yesterday we wouldn’t even have reach the first buoy let along the groin or the next beach.   The temperature in the sea was 14.6 degrees; making mid channel probably something like 13 degrees!  Yuck.  Tonight, like last night, will also be a short 20 min gym session at home; kind of enjoying them now in an odd and tired sort of way.

Tomorrow morning will be an easier swim and then some glorious red roaster coffee; then at 3.00pm it’s over to James’ boat with my team for a 4pm sail out into the blue yonder and an hours swim each – assuming of course Poseidon takes a chill for us!

Swimming day 520 - Wednesday 18th July 2012

21 days to go….

A big thank you to those who have gone onto my site and donated recently; almost at £75,000 now!!

Despite yesterday’s big swim I still managed an hour at the gym after work which was tiring but good.  It wasn't until after the gym that I realised I hadn't eaten anything all day; in fact nothing since 6pm the night before.  It still amazes me that I am able to pull a big sea swim (equivalent to around 5 hrs in the pool) and then work and then the gym and all with no food in me.  Blooming bad for the body I would think, but I just keep forgetting to eat!


Today the sea was back to being a swimming treadmill.  Very few of us this morning; LB, Sean, Flick, Martina and Charlotte.  I was the only one who made it to the first buoy; and I only did that by going in on the next beach along and then swimming as hard as I could to the West, with the sea literally dragging me to the East.  I went passed the buoy (only just) and then was back on the beach all the way by the pier in seconds.  It was so strong it wasn't even possible to walk back in the sea let alone swim.  Very good shoulder workout, but so very glad it wasn't like this yesterday as no way we could have done 2 hrs in it.
Rest of the day should be easy enough; no meetings, just at the office gently doing some paperwork (if the staff leave me alone of course - not much chance of that!) and then a short half an hour in the gym at home tonight.  

Having completed the final swim adjudication yesterday it feels much more relaxed today; all we need to do now is keep up the hour at a time swims and then pray for a warm and calm August; please please let's have an August summer so we can get the swim done and I can then move on!!!

Simming day 519 - Tuesday 17th July 2012

7.20 am 

My amazing nephew Zac as the first Brighton Olympic Torch bearer.  To say I (we) are proud of him is an understatement.  At 17 years of age to be chosen as an Olympic beacon in his home town shows what an amazing man he is turning into.  Zac you Poppa is smiling down on you my darling

8.00 am 

22 days to go....

My two hour (2.01.34) adjudicated swim all done; thankfully.  This morning was great for the team as the sea was a lot calmer than yesterday; still bumpy, but swimmable.  Lindy was amazing as she suffers the cold more than the rest of us and for her to do a 2 hr in 14.6 degrees (which is what is was today) was so incredible and I am so very proud of her.  She did hers at about 6am.  Then at 6.30am James went in and did his 2hrs.  Soon after Shoichi and Leo went in and did theirs.  With Alex already done it was just me.  I couldn't miss Zacs big moment so I had to wait until 8am to go in.  I was not particularly looking forward to it as I was on my own, it was late for me as I prefer 7am, I had not eaten or drunk anything at all since 6pm yesterday and had only about 3 hrs sleep - so not the best frame of mind.  However I went in hopeful and before too long I realised why I love swimming.  Being on my own, whilst not particularly safe sometimes is very good for the mind.  It is great thinking time as long as you can switch your mind off from the actual swimming; which I managed to do mostly.  I swam from the palace pier to the red buoy at the end of the West Pier, then back to the Brighton Centre, then turned and went back to the Red Bouy (trying to fill up the 2 hrs!), then turned and went back to the Palace Pier, then around the pier and over to the buoy the other side, then through the pier and over and around the 3 bouys on my side and then back in; total swim time 2hrs, 1 minute and 34 seconds.  The tide was quite strong to the East, s it took at 58 minutes to get to the West Pier and then only 25 minutes back, so there was filling in with the buoys afterwards, but the swim was done and I was greeted on the beach by Fiona and LB; a very welcome and unexpected greeting.  LB particularly was so fab that he waited for us all to finish.  Fiona said she had to call the coast guard at one point because they lost me!  How funny!  Apart from usual morning swims and gyms for the rest of the week, the next big thing will be our boat ride on James boat this Friday where we will be doing an hour each from the boat. Not long now and getting excited.


What a great day; Zac doing his torch run and the Channel relay team all being approved.  Fantastic!

Swimming day 518 - Monday 16th July 2012

With under a month to go until the swim you’d think that the weather would give us a break. 

Once again this morning the winds were high and the clouds were open.  If you know the Sadlescombe Road in Brighton, the one that runs from the Dyke to Henfield, then you can get an idea of what swimming in the sea was like this morning.  One minute you are flying down a huge dip and the next you are up high amongst the hills; unbelievable.  All in a 14.3 degree sea (1 degree down on last week !) Also the tide, with help by the wind, was racing East, which made going where you wanted somewhat harder than one would like.  Bob and I headed out into a massive sea and straight to the second buoy; a straight line it was not!  Having got there, being bounced around and having our goggles and hats bashed and pulled, we headed West to go passed the donut groin.  Twenty minutes of non stop swimming at full pelt kept us rooted to the spot!  Eventually we came back in and were putting on our crocs when Bob got figity and wanted to go back in and try again; a kid in a sweet shop!!  So of we went, back into the raging waves and gave it a go; nope, the sea 1, the Bobs 0  !!  A bloomin good workout though and despite a crazy sea we got in and out safely and unharmed.

Tomorrow was meant to be our 2 hr adjudicated swim, but with the conditions as they are Fiona called it off.  It means we all still have to do it of course, but frustratingly it will be on our own rather than together; just no way 6 of us with all different lifestyles and commitments can get a day together when the weather miss behaves.  So it’ll be a case of each of us looking out the window and just going for it and then reporting it back.  I guess it’s our own fault for choosing to live in a country that refuses to have a summer.

On another note entirely tomorrow is a MASSIVE day for my 17 year old nephew, Zac.  He is one of only a small number of people in the Country chosen to be an Olympic Torch bearer.  He was put up by his school for all his charity work since we lost Dad.  An amazing honour for him and so well deserved.  He will be the first Bearer in Brighton at 7.20am and along with thousands of excited Brightonians we will be cheering him on and celebrating a wonderful and once in a lifetime experience for him.  A torch bearer in the family; amazing!!

Swimming day 517 - Friday 13th July 2012

24 days to go…

No swimming or gyming yesterday as my little Asher was in hospital for an operation (ears, nose & throat) and I needed to be with him from morning till night.  Pleasingly all went well, and apart from slight breathing issues which meant an overnight stay, all was good and we were able to bring him home at 10am this morning.

Talking about this morning; back to the sea.  A very bumpy day again.  Waves were everywhere and of variable height; medium, large and extra large – no XXL thankfully.  Bob, Sean and I went buoys to buoys to buoys again and it was a lot of fun and a decent workout.  Then off to the Roaster for a Friday coffee and then up to the Royal Alex to collect my baby.  Now back at home (working from home today) and absolutely gonna hit the home gym at least twice today; lunchtime and evening and also (before the Twins get back from Nursery) will get an hour in the pool at home against the jets and in far too hot water – already sweating just thinking about it.  Next week, Tuesday, am gonna do a 2 hour swim with the team and with Fiona in her kayak; getting this adjudicated swim done is now a major focus as without that we can’t go!  I remain hopeful that the entire team (including me!) will step up and nail this.  Also next week I am going to grab a day where I can do 3 x 1 hr sea swims in one day (am/afternoon/evening).  Leo and Shocihi did it yesterday and it was a big challenge for them, especially in these seas – the boys really are something.  Lindy was also out this morning in these crazy seas for nearly an hour; a great performance from everyone.

I’m looking forward to a great sea swimming week next week in preparation for the upcoming event.

Swimming day 516 - Wednesday 11th July 2012

26 days to go…


A tough day yesterday with exercise; It’s been a while since I felt ill from working out! This morning I could really feel my thighs and legs; burning! The sea soon took care of that! It was a really bumpy sea again, way more bumpy than yesterday, yet surprisingly still feeling unthreatening. Bob and I decided to avoid the pier due to the bumpy ride and went around the four buoys and then back around them again; after yesterday it was enough. Dr Sean found us on the way back and joined us for final buoys; meanwhile Lindy and James were on a monumental West Pier swim; they really are tough cookies those two – how lucky I am to have them on my team. I think Shoichi was also heading out on one of his crazy long swims as we were getting showered, and Alex (my other team member) has just finished a pier swim and was getting ready for lifeguard training; Leo meanwhile (now back on the team) continues to amaze me with 2 & 3 hours swims regardless of weather and condition– what a team!

As for the rest of the day; it’s the Twins 4th birthday today, so a lovely day of with them.

Talking of birthdays; a very happy 62nd (yes that’s sixty two) years young to Little Bob (LB). A legend amongst men for sure

Swimming day 515 - Tuesday 10th July 2012

27 days to go ....

Pain pain has gone away; woop woop.  As it happens it was definitely a Crohns pain and not a muscle thing as it went too quickly to be a muscle issue; which is good news as a muscle issue could have been a longer terms problem whilst the Crohns is already longer term! Still due to other commitments I couldn’t train Friday night through to this morning, so I did ge a rest.

This morning I was somewhat reluctant to go to the beach; this always happens when you’ve missed a couple of days.  However I dragged myself down there and was extremely pleased I did. The sea was very bumpy, but the tide was slack (the eastley tide was offset by a westerly wind) and the temperature still cold at just 15.3 degrees.  I hadn’t planned the swim and Bob seemed reluctant (like me) to make the choice, so Dr James from my team made the decision for us – Palace Pier to West Pier and back – James, Shoichi, Bob and Me.  We headed of together and ended up all swimming alone (the bumps in the sea simply made visibility impossible).  James and I basically stayed together all the way there, but I was certainly on my own coming back.  James and Shocihi went to the red buoy, whilst Bob and I stayed nearer the shore and went to the stantions.  A decent swim to start the week.

This afternoon - sick at the gym (well almost!!!)

I had to go for an early gym session today (11.30am) as I am busy from 2pm until about 9pm tonight at work.  As Ross is away I trained with Soula; she is a gym devil!  Unlike my usual training, which has pretty much been core, strength and stamina; Soula started me on speed training.  We did 2000 meters on the rowing machine at serious speed without slowing down, which was preceded by the cross trainer.  This alone made me feel a little sick.  Then we spent a whole hour on the TRX, which was back to core and strength, including a lot of leg work.  Half way through and then also near the end I had to excuse myself and stand outside for a minute taking in gulps of air to stop myself being sick.  I think that the last time that happened to me was when I was 18 and first went to a gym!  For sure it was compounded by lack of sleep, zero food, a swim to the West Pier and back in a bumpy sea and two hours of dashing around the office all beforehand, however it was still an odd feeling for me considering how much exercise and training I do.  Just goes to show that no matter how fit you might be, if all of a sudden you change your routine and try something new you have to accept that to a great degree you are starting from scratch!
G-d knows how I'll get through the rest of the working day until after 9pm and still be awake!  Soula you rock!!

Swimming day 514 - Friday 6th July 2012

32 days to go..


Pain pain didn’t go away. The whole night my chest felt tight, but there is no sick feeling, so I recon it must be a strain. I avoided the gym last night and this morning at the sea, despite it being a completely flat glass like sea and very low tide I just swam around the buoys for half an hour and stayed away from fast swimming or crazy depths. I’ve also cancelled my gym today. Time for a few days rest; hopefully that will do the job and I can start again on Monday. It really frustrates me when these things happen, but it’s too close to my swim now for me to take any silly chances.

Talking of the swim; the stats so far in the channel are that only 1 out of 26 solos has made it and only 1 out of 9 relays has made it – rubbish stats and goes to show that both the solo and the relay are massive challenges. The problem this year is that the temperature has just not raised and mid channel it’s under 14 degrees and likely to stay that way now for the whole year. This is a lot lower that it should be and unless one is conditioned to deal with that then failure will come smashing at the door. The whole team have to pull a 2 hour swim this month to enable us to qualify for the team (CSA rules) and whilst I have done a few in the pool I am personally only up to about 1hr 45 mins in the sea. I can def do a 2 hour though and will do it next week by doing a marina & back swim; they usually take me an hour dead o to get there and about 90 mins to get back.

Fiona has also suggested we add a 6th person to the team; either as a backup in case someone can’t qualify or drops out and also as a possibility of having a 6 person relay as in these temperatures a 5 person team has a lot less chance of success than a 6 person team (6 persons being the norm in relays). A lot for me to contemplate this weekend as I need to make sure we not only start the swim but also finish it!

Swimming day 513 - Thursday 5th July 2012

33 days to go…

Not feeling my best today; which is annoying.  Not great sleep (naturally), but enough for me to not be affected.  I was at the arch by 6.45am and was aiming for the same as yesterday (bog Bob, Sean & Me), however this morning Paul decided to swim around the pier with us After suffering some serious scares last year he was to nervous to go on his own and yesterday when he attempted it he got scared at the helter skelter and turned back.  So this morning Bob and I were determined to help him face his fear, so we swam either side of him the whole way around.  It helped that the sea was almost completely static today and the very low tide meant he could walk all the way to the buoy in the centre of the pier. 

For me the swim was only tough in so much that I have a pain that goes around my entire middle.  It’s not a “bad tummy” pain at all and it only mildly suggests a crohn’s pain; so possibly I have overdone the training and pulled something?  Not really sure, but it is quite painful (even now at midday).

I was meant to be swimming in the sea after work, but a meeting in London was called so I had to cancel that; which considering my pain is a good thing.  Also I will not gym tonight and also cancel both gym sessions tomorrow; just sea swim in the morning.  That way at least I’m giving it a chance to heal before next weeks crazy exercise onslaught.

Pain pain go away don’t come back another day!!

Swimming day 512 - Wednesday 4th July 2012

 

 34 days to go…

Happy Independence Day (that’s for all of my American brethrens out there).

Yesterday after work (and that was after an hour in the pool with Bob in the morning and then a full and very busy day at work) I went to the beach.  No-one there but me so I headed into a fairly warmish sea and a low tide and swam up and around the palace pier, through it at the middle and then onwards to the West Pier and to the Red buoy at the end, then turned back and headed straight back to the palace pier and went around the head of it again and then back down the side all the way near the end, then through back to my beach and landed safely ashore.   Total swim 1hr 20 minutes.  Afterwards back at the arch I had a nice hot shower and got dressed just as Leo came in from his late afternoon swim, then I headed to the donut shop on the pier.  Having purchased two very hot and wonderfully sugared donuts I wandered back down the prom to my car; so very Brighton!  So far a boring story you might think.  But then the birds turned!!  Arggggghhhhh – blooming seagulls dived bombed me; two straight into my head and the other two nicked my bag of donuts and then they all flew off!  Seriously, it actually happened.  People stopped and watched the theft but no-one called the police.  A council worker on street sweeping duty came over to me to tell me that the same thing happened to him a few minutes before when they nicked his bag of chips!  What’s the world coming to when you get mugged by the birds!

Back to today -------   Why has Mia decide that sleeping sideways is a good thing!  After joining us around midnight she basically spent the next five hours turning around and around like a spinning ball; each turn producing a kick or a poke into my back or head.  That’s it; tonight I take her back to her room as many times as it takes otherwise I will end up being more bruised than a welterweight against a heavy weight.

At the arch by 6.45am and in the sea with Big Bob, Dr Sean & Yvo  and headed around the pier in a very bouncy sea again.  It’s strange because on a low tide with no wind like this morning (and in fact the same as last nights swim) it looks as though it will be a calm and easy swim.  However when you are laying down flat in the sea every little movement can feel enlarged by multiples of ten.  Heading up and around the pier it was so bumpy that you just couldn’t get a rhythm going and it seemed no matter which way you turned you were swallowing water and being buffeted around.  The temperature was down again to under 15 degrees (around 14.8) and the air, whilst warm, was rather dark still.  Despite that it was a good workout and I was most pleased when Bob and Sean suggested a coffee at the roaster afterwards; a well deserved mid week treat, especially after my bird mugging last night!