Last night ...........
After my full day of swimming, work and gym I ended up back at Falmer with Bob and Fiona for our power swim (8.30pm – 9.40pm). Boy that was a hard one! We used a set that Bob and Fiona say they have used in Masters training; sounds like some sort of Jedi movement to me. Anyhow it was particulary tough, especially having already done so much earlier in the day. It consisted of various things, however, the real hard ones was something they called IMI (or something like that). It was one length butterfly, one length backstroke, one length breaststroke and one length crawl – repeated 4 times in a row. Then it was 200 meters freestyle and then repeat the whole thing, butterfly, back, breast, crawl x 4 and then 200 freestyle. We also did 4 x 50 metre just kicking with a float, plus a whole load of other speed stuff. I was pleased that I did it all especially the butterfly (or the moth as I do it), even if they were a lot faster than me. We used the indoor pool for the entire session as it was completely empty so we had a lane each, plus the temperature was slightly lower that the usual boiling and of course it’ a full 25 metres as against the shorter outside pool. This morning though I felt it as my chest was a bit tight and my nose blocked.
After the session, when we were comfortably in the bar area having a drink we saw ourselves on TV! It was right after the ITV news. The Weather came on, sponsored by the Co-Op, and there we were, the three of us doing butterfly into the shore and then walking up the beach. It was only about 5 seconds long, but it was clearly us! National TV; get us!!
This morning, following the usual broken night’s sleep, I headed to the beach for what was going to be a very quick swim to unwind the muscles. The weather this morning was not at its best even though the forecast was suggesting other (although now of course an hour later it has perked up somewhat). It was windy and spitting and grey. However, it did give the sea a very moody and sensuous look. It was still low tide which meant we were only ever up to our shoulders and the sea was basically smothered with waves. In warmer times we would have stayed and played for probably a good hour, however, it was still cold (the waves meant it was warmer, 5.6 degrees) so we only stayed in for about 12-15 minutes. Great fun though; Bob and I even did some butterfly through the waves – at this rate I might even be able to do a proper butterfly stroke rather than my moth version!! Usual small crowd, Mike, Little & Big Bob, Bella, Martina, Charlotte, Doctor Sean and Moi. Afterwards Big Bob, Mike, Sean, the lovely Bella and I all headed for the Red Roaster for an enjoyable coffee; once again the social side of BSC being a joy in the morning.
That is now most definitely it with regards exercise today; after yesterday and this morning I now must rest my muscles for fear of tearing them. Tomorrow I’ll do a sea swim and an hour at the gym at home and then Friday I’ll grab a 3 hr pool swim.
Now, 9.37am and another coffee in hand, it is head down and lots of work to catch up with.
TTFN x
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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
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
Day 204 - Tuesday 8th March 2011
This morning I started the day in the pool rather than the sea as I need to rack up the hours still and until the sea turns up the heat it is down to the pool. I did a 7am – 10am in the outdoor pool at Falmer; 21 degrees in the water (nice!) and 1 degree in the air (bracing). Walking around the pool I slipped twice it was so icy on the ground! With a true blue sky and no clouds it was actually a pleasure to be there; although having dashed from the house at speed I forgot to eat anything first; silly when doing a big swim! I did take my bottles of water with maxim and also a flask of hot tea (first time trying that), but not having any food inside me did make it less comfortable that I would have liked; even a piece of toast would have helped.
I swam Ok for the first hour, but after that I was thinking a lot about a nice hot bacon sandwich on brown bread with mustard, which is exactly what I brought myself when driving back to the office at 10.30am!
Having now spent the rest of the day (2.30pm now) beavering away at work (trying to prioritise my work into urgent and not urgent, but failing miserably as it seems it’s all urgent) I am now dashing off to a meeting for 3pm, then at the gym at 4pm for an hour with my trainer, then home to get the kids into bed for 7pm then back to Falmer for an 8.30pm hour in the pool with Fiona and Bob on speed trials.
Then back home for 11pm and ready for the first of the dozen or so visits in the night from the twins.
I think two days lying by the pool with a book in the sun would do me the world of good! Somehow can’t see it happening though!
I swam Ok for the first hour, but after that I was thinking a lot about a nice hot bacon sandwich on brown bread with mustard, which is exactly what I brought myself when driving back to the office at 10.30am!
Having now spent the rest of the day (2.30pm now) beavering away at work (trying to prioritise my work into urgent and not urgent, but failing miserably as it seems it’s all urgent) I am now dashing off to a meeting for 3pm, then at the gym at 4pm for an hour with my trainer, then home to get the kids into bed for 7pm then back to Falmer for an 8.30pm hour in the pool with Fiona and Bob on speed trials.
Then back home for 11pm and ready for the first of the dozen or so visits in the night from the twins.
I think two days lying by the pool with a book in the sun would do me the world of good! Somehow can’t see it happening though!
Monday, 7 March 2011
Day 203 - Monday 7th March 2011
I know I know I know, bored about hearing about the kids sleeping habits. All I’ll say is that by 4.20am this morning I was sitting on the side of the bed wondering if I would get more rest by going to the beach now and having a lie down! Enough said on that!
This morning the ice on the windscreen was thick enough for me to add a drop of Jack Daniels and enjoy a night out. The air temperature was therefore once again zero and the wind, although very little of it, was unwelcoming. The sky however was so blue and without cloud that one would be forgiven to think it was painted on; a truly beautiful start to the day and apparently indicative of the rest of the week – so that’s nice. All we now have to do is get the sea to agree to warm up a little and bobs your uncle!
The tide was low, which meant a nice painful walk out before it was deep enough to swim and the sea temperature was a standard 4.5 degrees as confirmed by my trusted Casio S1074DY1; or “watch” as it’s commonly known. Usual small crowd this morning and as per last week, I swam up, along & through the pier and bank to the each. It was so cold that my toes didn’t come back to life until just now; some two hours later – I won’t tell you about other parts of my body that still remain numb! The fact that someone has broken the main shower at the arch, leaving one dodgy shower between us all meant that a hot shower was not possible for longer than a few seconds – so thanks to whoever that was!!
After work today I plan a gym session at home, then tomorrow I have a 3 hr morning pool, followed by a 3pm gym session followed by an 8.30pm 90 minute pool session with Fiona & Bob. How the weeks just fly by!!
This morning the ice on the windscreen was thick enough for me to add a drop of Jack Daniels and enjoy a night out. The air temperature was therefore once again zero and the wind, although very little of it, was unwelcoming. The sky however was so blue and without cloud that one would be forgiven to think it was painted on; a truly beautiful start to the day and apparently indicative of the rest of the week – so that’s nice. All we now have to do is get the sea to agree to warm up a little and bobs your uncle!
The tide was low, which meant a nice painful walk out before it was deep enough to swim and the sea temperature was a standard 4.5 degrees as confirmed by my trusted Casio S1074DY1; or “watch” as it’s commonly known. Usual small crowd this morning and as per last week, I swam up, along & through the pier and bank to the each. It was so cold that my toes didn’t come back to life until just now; some two hours later – I won’t tell you about other parts of my body that still remain numb! The fact that someone has broken the main shower at the arch, leaving one dodgy shower between us all meant that a hot shower was not possible for longer than a few seconds – so thanks to whoever that was!!
After work today I plan a gym session at home, then tomorrow I have a 3 hr morning pool, followed by a 3pm gym session followed by an 8.30pm 90 minute pool session with Fiona & Bob. How the weeks just fly by!!
Friday, 4 March 2011
Day 202 - Friday 4th March 2011
I shall not bore you today with the events of last night as I am sure you must be as bored hearing about my children not sleeping as I am dealing with it. All I will say is that despite best efforts from Sharon and I, I still ended up sleeping all alone in a childs bed again last night whilst my brood were comfortably warm in my bed – something is very wrong here!!
This mornings swim was seriously cold. The ice on the car windscreen was twice as thick as yesterday and the wind-chill was arctic! Walking down the beach was so cold that the only respite was actually getting into the water to warm up; and that was not exactly warm considering it has dropped once again, down to 4.1 degrees!! Seriously this weather needs to warm up soon. Big Bob, Bella and I did the swim as per yesterday; to the cafe, through to the other side and back again. For some reason I came over light headed as I was coming back around the cafe to our beach and the swim back to the shore was quite uncomfortable as my head was cloudy; it’s really not nice to be feeling “odd” so far out in a cold sea. By the time I got back to the beach, which was much quicker than it felt actually, I was quite relieved. Walking up the beach I found myself slightly wobbly and my right ear hurting.
A warm shower and a coffee at the Red Roaster put me back to normality. Chatting to Bob over coffee he said he also felt a bit unstable today; must be something in the air I guess!!
Anyhow, very happy to be dressed and at the office now! Gym this afternoon still on, but not yet sure if I will do a long pool swim as I have a busy meeting day and still not feeling exactly 100%. Lack of sleep, busy week at work, fairly heavy training and extreme cold is not a great mixture!
This mornings swim was seriously cold. The ice on the car windscreen was twice as thick as yesterday and the wind-chill was arctic! Walking down the beach was so cold that the only respite was actually getting into the water to warm up; and that was not exactly warm considering it has dropped once again, down to 4.1 degrees!! Seriously this weather needs to warm up soon. Big Bob, Bella and I did the swim as per yesterday; to the cafe, through to the other side and back again. For some reason I came over light headed as I was coming back around the cafe to our beach and the swim back to the shore was quite uncomfortable as my head was cloudy; it’s really not nice to be feeling “odd” so far out in a cold sea. By the time I got back to the beach, which was much quicker than it felt actually, I was quite relieved. Walking up the beach I found myself slightly wobbly and my right ear hurting.
A warm shower and a coffee at the Red Roaster put me back to normality. Chatting to Bob over coffee he said he also felt a bit unstable today; must be something in the air I guess!!
Anyhow, very happy to be dressed and at the office now! Gym this afternoon still on, but not yet sure if I will do a long pool swim as I have a busy meeting day and still not feeling exactly 100%. Lack of sleep, busy week at work, fairly heavy training and extreme cold is not a great mixture!
Thursday, 3 March 2011
Day 201 - Thursday 3rd March 2011
This is how my day started before the swim; and this explains why getting in a freezing sea is actually easier than being a Daddy!!
I got home from London after a loooonnng day at about 8.30pm, by which time the Twins were asleep, but was Asher waiting for me to say good night, bless his heart. Within an hour Mia was up and coughing and crying. We settled her by 10pm ish, but had no doubt the night would not end there. True to form all 3 paid visits!! Asher came in about midnight and put mattress next to our bed and went straight to sleep, snoring like a gruffalo, but oblivious to the madness about to follow. Mia turned up at 12.30, went back to bed 12.40, Jesse turned up 12.41, went back to bed 12.45, Mia turned up 12.46 and so on between then until about 2.30am, when Mia, poor love, sat in the middle of our bed coughing until she was sick; right in the middle of our bed! At this point Jesse came back in and started crying because his sister was sick and Mia started crying because Jesse was crying; all the time Asher slept on through snoring his little head off.
The morning, however, cold and early, was a welcome release for me.
I was at the Arch by 7am, having had to spend 5 minutes at home scrapping thick ice off my windscreen. The air temperature was 0 degrees, but at least the wind wasn’t too bad; although even a little wind at that temperature is rather uncomfortable when you’re standing on the beach just in your trunks! Again only very few of us down there, Big & Little Bob, Mike, Bella, Charlotte and Doctor Mark. Bob and I swam to the cafe along the pier and then having spotted the sun rising we swam towards it through the pier to the other side; like flies to a lightbulb! If the sea had not been a staggering 4.9 degrees I swear we would have kept swimming until we were right under it! As it was we turned around and headed back under the pier to our own beach and tyo dry land as quickly as out very frozen feet and hands would let us. The 0 degrees air temperature really does bring the coldness of the sea right into you. After the swim we headed for the Red Roaster Cafe for a welcome Cappuccino, before heading off to work for yet another day of big business!! It took about 2 hours before I felt my toes returning to life, up to then I bet I was walking like a penguin; no one said so, but I was getting some odd looks!!
I got home from London after a loooonnng day at about 8.30pm, by which time the Twins were asleep, but was Asher waiting for me to say good night, bless his heart. Within an hour Mia was up and coughing and crying. We settled her by 10pm ish, but had no doubt the night would not end there. True to form all 3 paid visits!! Asher came in about midnight and put mattress next to our bed and went straight to sleep, snoring like a gruffalo, but oblivious to the madness about to follow. Mia turned up at 12.30, went back to bed 12.40, Jesse turned up 12.41, went back to bed 12.45, Mia turned up 12.46 and so on between then until about 2.30am, when Mia, poor love, sat in the middle of our bed coughing until she was sick; right in the middle of our bed! At this point Jesse came back in and started crying because his sister was sick and Mia started crying because Jesse was crying; all the time Asher slept on through snoring his little head off.
The morning, however, cold and early, was a welcome release for me.
I was at the Arch by 7am, having had to spend 5 minutes at home scrapping thick ice off my windscreen. The air temperature was 0 degrees, but at least the wind wasn’t too bad; although even a little wind at that temperature is rather uncomfortable when you’re standing on the beach just in your trunks! Again only very few of us down there, Big & Little Bob, Mike, Bella, Charlotte and Doctor Mark. Bob and I swam to the cafe along the pier and then having spotted the sun rising we swam towards it through the pier to the other side; like flies to a lightbulb! If the sea had not been a staggering 4.9 degrees I swear we would have kept swimming until we were right under it! As it was we turned around and headed back under the pier to our own beach and tyo dry land as quickly as out very frozen feet and hands would let us. The 0 degrees air temperature really does bring the coldness of the sea right into you. After the swim we headed for the Red Roaster Cafe for a welcome Cappuccino, before heading off to work for yet another day of big business!! It took about 2 hours before I felt my toes returning to life, up to then I bet I was walking like a penguin; no one said so, but I was getting some odd looks!!
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
Day 200 - Wednesday 2nd March 2011
Was up and about so early today that it would have meant a solo sea swim this morning, which I just didn't fancy; some days you do and some days you don't! It's still so cold out in the ocean that I felt nervous about being out on my own. Unusual for me; but if in any sort of doubt with the sea then stay out!
Instead I went to Esporta gym and did a very simple 1 hr in the outside pool. Not much more to report than that as it was uneventful. My arms and legs already were aching before I started due to yesterdays trainings, so this morning was a somewhat gentle outing.
Tonight I'll try to do an hour in the gym at home, but I'll wait to see how I feel as I'm in London now and my last meeting doesn't start until 5.30pm, so I might be late back.
Instead I went to Esporta gym and did a very simple 1 hr in the outside pool. Not much more to report than that as it was uneventful. My arms and legs already were aching before I started due to yesterdays trainings, so this morning was a somewhat gentle outing.
Tonight I'll try to do an hour in the gym at home, but I'll wait to see how I feel as I'm in London now and my last meeting doesn't start until 5.30pm, so I might be late back.
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Day 199 – 1st March 2011
A swim this morning much like yesterday, with the exception that there was no rain. Arch once again quiet, just a handful of us. Big Bob and I did the same swim; pier cafe, donut, past groin and back again. Total time 12 minutes, temperature in sea dropped to just 4.7 degrees and air temperature dropped to 3 degrees. The key word here being “dropped”! I am no longer able to even remember what swimming in a warm sea feels like.
Two more physicality’s today; 1pm at the gym with Ross and then 8.30pm back at the Pool with Bob & Fiona for our power swim. In between I have a few meetings at work to keep me occupied as usual!
Two more physicality’s today; 1pm at the gym with Ross and then 8.30pm back at the Pool with Bob & Fiona for our power swim. In between I have a few meetings at work to keep me occupied as usual!
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