No swimming today, in fact no exercise today and I am feeling bad about that. The reason, of course there is “always” a reason why we dont do something we know we should do, is that the Twins turned 3 today. I really didn’t want them to wake up this morning on the first birthday that they really understand and me not be there. As for swimming the rest of the day, from 9am onwards I am up to my kneck with meetings and paperwork, then after work it would be rubbish of me to not go home and help Sharon as she is having about 30 kids over for a party this afternoon and then the adults staying on at ours for dinner. So yes it is an excuse for not swimming, but a fair excuse if one considers it.
Today is not about me swimming though, it’s about Angus McFayden. Angus is a Brighton Swimming Club member who has been training for 4 years to swim the channel; having missed his slots the last two years, once through weather and once through illness. I don’t know him that well as we’ve only swum together a couple of times and we don’t see each other a lot, but I have to say that I had great admiration for him as he has stuck to this challenge for 4 years and despite various challenges over the years he has kept going. He has certainly put in the training one needs (and then some) and has raised money for a wonderful cause. He started his swim this morning and the weather leaving Dover sounded just about perfect, although the temperature in Dover is still low (around 16 degrees) and the channel will be lower than that. So I want to take this opportunity of wishing him well in his swim and to say that I for one have the absolute respect for what he is putting himself through at this particular moment in time. I truly hope that tomorrow I can blog that he was successful.
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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
Monday, 11 July 2011
Friday, 8 July 2011
Day 289 - 8th July 2011
Another crazy day of sea today. Last night Asher was a right royal pain in the arse! He came in our room at about midnight and basically refused to lie in his own bed and winged and winged until we let him in our bed, where he proceeded to fall asleep whilst kicking me in the back and snoring! So very little sleep indeed!
I was at the arch around 7am and Leo, David, Big Bob and Alex were already there. Big Bob and I headed in on our beach to go around the pier with the tide but against the wind. Getting in was not too bad, there were some huge waves, but they were breaking slightly out from the shore which meant we could find a spot and just go or it. As soon as we dived in we went straight into a wave and it was like running into a brick wall; it really winded me! But heads down we kept on swimming and headed out to sea. Unlike yesterdays madness, the waves were not breaking further out, however they were very big swells and it was really choppy (choppy is such a little word that doesn’t describe it, but I cant think of another one as I sit here). When we got around the head of the pier we stopped for a breath and Bob called out to me “not many people would take this on”. As soon as he said it Leo, David and Alex came around the pier in the opposite direction and said good morning! Funny really! In truth apart from the 5 of us I don’t think many would do what we did. It’s impossible to describe being so far out at sea right in the middle of massive walls of water which are crashing and swirling around you whilst you are trying to not only swim through it but also avoid being thrown into the razor sharp legs of the pier; even writing it out can’t describe the feeling; the fear mixed with the adrenaline whilst trying to maintain a level breathing and a “it’s just a swim” attitude to keep yourself calm. I spent the whole time saying to myself “find the inner peace and relax” whilst taking in gulps of sea water and seaweed! This really is an extreme sport no doubt about it.
Coming around the pier we fought on and went under the pier back to our beach and then headed in a straightish line to get to the donut by the groin on the far side of our beach. The shoreline by the donut is much flatter than the middle of the beach and with the waves as they were it was better to try to get to the groin and land there than land in the middle of the beach safely; also with the wind going away from the groin it meant that whilst it was a harder swim there was no danger of hitting the groin.
Another massive workout before work, adrenaline rushing around the body and a nice safe landing. Job done !!
This was meant to be my channel solo swim week; in this weather I would not have been able to go. Considering I was third swimmer it is a safe bet to say that even if my chrones hadn't called off my swim the weather definitley would have done. I'm not convinced Angus will get to go this week as there is no way you could attempt it in this temperature (15 degrees in brighton, so around 13 degree in Dove) and certainly not in these seas. The challenge is so dependent on the weather.
Next week I'm meeting with my possible Relay team to start planning next year; very excited by that.
I was at the arch around 7am and Leo, David, Big Bob and Alex were already there. Big Bob and I headed in on our beach to go around the pier with the tide but against the wind. Getting in was not too bad, there were some huge waves, but they were breaking slightly out from the shore which meant we could find a spot and just go or it. As soon as we dived in we went straight into a wave and it was like running into a brick wall; it really winded me! But heads down we kept on swimming and headed out to sea. Unlike yesterdays madness, the waves were not breaking further out, however they were very big swells and it was really choppy (choppy is such a little word that doesn’t describe it, but I cant think of another one as I sit here). When we got around the head of the pier we stopped for a breath and Bob called out to me “not many people would take this on”. As soon as he said it Leo, David and Alex came around the pier in the opposite direction and said good morning! Funny really! In truth apart from the 5 of us I don’t think many would do what we did. It’s impossible to describe being so far out at sea right in the middle of massive walls of water which are crashing and swirling around you whilst you are trying to not only swim through it but also avoid being thrown into the razor sharp legs of the pier; even writing it out can’t describe the feeling; the fear mixed with the adrenaline whilst trying to maintain a level breathing and a “it’s just a swim” attitude to keep yourself calm. I spent the whole time saying to myself “find the inner peace and relax” whilst taking in gulps of sea water and seaweed! This really is an extreme sport no doubt about it.
Coming around the pier we fought on and went under the pier back to our beach and then headed in a straightish line to get to the donut by the groin on the far side of our beach. The shoreline by the donut is much flatter than the middle of the beach and with the waves as they were it was better to try to get to the groin and land there than land in the middle of the beach safely; also with the wind going away from the groin it meant that whilst it was a harder swim there was no danger of hitting the groin.
Another massive workout before work, adrenaline rushing around the body and a nice safe landing. Job done !!
This was meant to be my channel solo swim week; in this weather I would not have been able to go. Considering I was third swimmer it is a safe bet to say that even if my chrones hadn't called off my swim the weather definitley would have done. I'm not convinced Angus will get to go this week as there is no way you could attempt it in this temperature (15 degrees in brighton, so around 13 degree in Dove) and certainly not in these seas. The challenge is so dependent on the weather.
Next week I'm meeting with my possible Relay team to start planning next year; very excited by that.
Thursday, 7 July 2011
Day 288 - 7th July 2011
First time I’ve done two swims in the morning before work; especially when neither have been particularly enjoyable.
The first started at 6.50am. It was damp in the air and the wind was extremely strong. The waves at the shore were huge and the swell seemed unusually big. A sensible thing to do would have been wait for others to turn up and also to then go in on the girly beach to the left of the pier; of course my middle name is not “sensible”, which sometimes is a great shame. I stood at the shore for about 10 minutes trying to find a way in and during that time I was hit by about six large waves big enough to knock me backwards and throw stones at me; nasty blighters! After a few big breakers I found my gap and went for it, jumping straight in and swimming as hard as I could to get away from the swells. I soon found myself being taken out quickly and was up the silver ball near the helter skelter in no time. Looking back to shore I felt a little unsteady as the waves seemed to be getting bigger and bigger and at that point I decided to abandon going around the pier and to just head back. Unfortunately as I turned back around to face away from the beach I was faced with a massive wave that was about to break on me so I did the only thing and swum down and under it. Swimming deep under the waves is much safer than trying to go over or through them as you are the one in control and you can normally come back up cleanly. However today the undercurrent, or perhaps it was a massive rip tide, was so strong that as I went under somehow it grabbed my legs and spun me over backwards. Before I realised it I was being spun in a ball and didn’t know which way the sky or the sea floor was. Calming myself I simply let my body float until it took me back to the surface. As soon as I broke through the sea I came face to face with another wave of the same proportions and the same thing happened all over again. Once again holding my nerve I let my body float up, but I have to say that I was really quite scared that I’d surface and it would happen for a third time and again and again. Luckily the next wave was only half the height and I was able to swim over it. At this point, with my heart in my mouth, I swam to shore as hard as I could. Each stroke however meant I was facing the beach and away from the waves and that itself was scary. I did manage to get back to shore, but it took longer than I wanted and was really frightening the whole way. This was the first time I found myself being turned under so far out to sea. It’s happened a few times at the shore, but all that happens is you get a few bangs and scrapes, but way out there you genuinely wonder if you’ll make it back! A couple of BSC swimmer on the beach were watching me and sensibly walked back with me to the Arch and saved their swim for another day!
The second swim was at about 7.45am. After my shower and change into civvies I was ready to go to work for a warming coffee and a couple of Nurofen. But it struck me odd that no one was at the Arch at that time; usually there would have been Little Bob, Mike, David, Bella, Big Bob etc. So clutching my bag of wet swimming gear I left the Arch and wondered back to my beach to see if anyone was around. Not seeing anyone I wondered over to the girly beach and there they were; a more sensible place to go in. As they were just standing around I thought I’d wonder down and take a look; there was Mike, Little Bob and Charlotte on the shore line, none going in, and their was Bella and Big Bob out in the ocean making their way back in. Both made it safely back, but both were unnerved by the experience; Bella particularly seemed a little out of sorts and shaken by the intensity and strength of the waves and undercurrent. Rather than go back to the Arch they all stood looking to sea; David and Martina were still in there and about a third of the pier down. We stood watching them for a few minutes and it was clear that they were not making much headway. David, whilst being the elderly one amongst us, is a very strong swimmer and managed to head back quicker. He simply is not able to physically bring someone in with him despite being a fantastic swimmer and as soon as he was near the shore he called out that Martina was in trouble. Immediately Big Bob sprung into action and dived back in. Looking around me there really wasn’t anyone else able to go in and help so there I was stripping off my clothes, popping my wet trunks and goggles back on and heading out to help. Bob and I reached her pretty much together and took position either side of her. Just having us there as support was enough for her to swim in with more confidence and with us guiding her and shielding her as much as we could form the bigger waves we all made it safely to shore.
Walking back up the beach to the Arch we passed a council worker who was standing under the pier with fear in his eyes; clearly wondering what the hell we do this for.
20 minutes later, showered again, dried, dressed, hair gel in place and clarins moisturiser reapplied to my salt battered face I headed of to work for that coffee and those headache pills. 30 Minutes later sitting at my desk I realised being a simple office worker was not such a terrible thing to be!
The first started at 6.50am. It was damp in the air and the wind was extremely strong. The waves at the shore were huge and the swell seemed unusually big. A sensible thing to do would have been wait for others to turn up and also to then go in on the girly beach to the left of the pier; of course my middle name is not “sensible”, which sometimes is a great shame. I stood at the shore for about 10 minutes trying to find a way in and during that time I was hit by about six large waves big enough to knock me backwards and throw stones at me; nasty blighters! After a few big breakers I found my gap and went for it, jumping straight in and swimming as hard as I could to get away from the swells. I soon found myself being taken out quickly and was up the silver ball near the helter skelter in no time. Looking back to shore I felt a little unsteady as the waves seemed to be getting bigger and bigger and at that point I decided to abandon going around the pier and to just head back. Unfortunately as I turned back around to face away from the beach I was faced with a massive wave that was about to break on me so I did the only thing and swum down and under it. Swimming deep under the waves is much safer than trying to go over or through them as you are the one in control and you can normally come back up cleanly. However today the undercurrent, or perhaps it was a massive rip tide, was so strong that as I went under somehow it grabbed my legs and spun me over backwards. Before I realised it I was being spun in a ball and didn’t know which way the sky or the sea floor was. Calming myself I simply let my body float until it took me back to the surface. As soon as I broke through the sea I came face to face with another wave of the same proportions and the same thing happened all over again. Once again holding my nerve I let my body float up, but I have to say that I was really quite scared that I’d surface and it would happen for a third time and again and again. Luckily the next wave was only half the height and I was able to swim over it. At this point, with my heart in my mouth, I swam to shore as hard as I could. Each stroke however meant I was facing the beach and away from the waves and that itself was scary. I did manage to get back to shore, but it took longer than I wanted and was really frightening the whole way. This was the first time I found myself being turned under so far out to sea. It’s happened a few times at the shore, but all that happens is you get a few bangs and scrapes, but way out there you genuinely wonder if you’ll make it back! A couple of BSC swimmer on the beach were watching me and sensibly walked back with me to the Arch and saved their swim for another day!
The second swim was at about 7.45am. After my shower and change into civvies I was ready to go to work for a warming coffee and a couple of Nurofen. But it struck me odd that no one was at the Arch at that time; usually there would have been Little Bob, Mike, David, Bella, Big Bob etc. So clutching my bag of wet swimming gear I left the Arch and wondered back to my beach to see if anyone was around. Not seeing anyone I wondered over to the girly beach and there they were; a more sensible place to go in. As they were just standing around I thought I’d wonder down and take a look; there was Mike, Little Bob and Charlotte on the shore line, none going in, and their was Bella and Big Bob out in the ocean making their way back in. Both made it safely back, but both were unnerved by the experience; Bella particularly seemed a little out of sorts and shaken by the intensity and strength of the waves and undercurrent. Rather than go back to the Arch they all stood looking to sea; David and Martina were still in there and about a third of the pier down. We stood watching them for a few minutes and it was clear that they were not making much headway. David, whilst being the elderly one amongst us, is a very strong swimmer and managed to head back quicker. He simply is not able to physically bring someone in with him despite being a fantastic swimmer and as soon as he was near the shore he called out that Martina was in trouble. Immediately Big Bob sprung into action and dived back in. Looking around me there really wasn’t anyone else able to go in and help so there I was stripping off my clothes, popping my wet trunks and goggles back on and heading out to help. Bob and I reached her pretty much together and took position either side of her. Just having us there as support was enough for her to swim in with more confidence and with us guiding her and shielding her as much as we could form the bigger waves we all made it safely to shore.
Walking back up the beach to the Arch we passed a council worker who was standing under the pier with fear in his eyes; clearly wondering what the hell we do this for.
20 minutes later, showered again, dried, dressed, hair gel in place and clarins moisturiser reapplied to my salt battered face I headed of to work for that coffee and those headache pills. 30 Minutes later sitting at my desk I realised being a simple office worker was not such a terrible thing to be!
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
Day 287 - 7th July 2011
We definitely are living in England; no other country can change its weather like England can. Yesterday morning it was warm, bright and calm and then this morning it was gloomy, raining and windy.
I was at the Arch by around 7am and decided to wait a short while until others turned up; no reason other than I didn’t fancy swimming alone today. By 7.15am I was heading down the beach with Big Bob, Little Bob, Mike, David, Charlotte and Martina; seven crazy fools all fighting the wind to get to the shore. As for the rain, it was the cold type! Not much of it, but big droops and rather icy when it hit your body. The sea was very choppy, with some really big waves, but luckily the breakers at the shore were not too bad so one could get in and out very easily. Big Bob and I headed out and around the three buoys, the first buoy seeming to take an age to get to. Halfway between the first and second Bob hit something, he thought it was me, but I was a way away from him; later when we returned to the beach we saw a big pallet floating, so it was probably that, but I bet it made his heart skip a beat. Once we got to the third buoy we turned around and traced our way back around them and then headed back. By the time we got to the shore my arms, particularly my biceps, were really aching and in fact an hour on they still ache. Last night after work I headed to the gym and had an hour with Ross and it was all on shoulders and biceps as I’m trying to now build up my strength for faster power swims. After the gym I did an hour in the outside pool and pushed myself as hard as I have done for months. After that I did a 7 miles “fast” run around the streets. By the time I got home I actually felt physically sick and had to sit in the shower for a few minutes until it passed; I haven’t felt that like form training in years. Therefore it’s no wonder my arms and biceps ach after all that and then getting to the beach today and tackling a busy sea. All that aside, I have to say that I really enjoyed the swim today as not only did it stretch me out, a kind of “hare of the dog” for exercise, but it was one of those swims where you were really battling the elements but in a fairly safe and comfortable way. More days like today (without the rain!) would be great.
I was at the Arch by around 7am and decided to wait a short while until others turned up; no reason other than I didn’t fancy swimming alone today. By 7.15am I was heading down the beach with Big Bob, Little Bob, Mike, David, Charlotte and Martina; seven crazy fools all fighting the wind to get to the shore. As for the rain, it was the cold type! Not much of it, but big droops and rather icy when it hit your body. The sea was very choppy, with some really big waves, but luckily the breakers at the shore were not too bad so one could get in and out very easily. Big Bob and I headed out and around the three buoys, the first buoy seeming to take an age to get to. Halfway between the first and second Bob hit something, he thought it was me, but I was a way away from him; later when we returned to the beach we saw a big pallet floating, so it was probably that, but I bet it made his heart skip a beat. Once we got to the third buoy we turned around and traced our way back around them and then headed back. By the time we got to the shore my arms, particularly my biceps, were really aching and in fact an hour on they still ache. Last night after work I headed to the gym and had an hour with Ross and it was all on shoulders and biceps as I’m trying to now build up my strength for faster power swims. After the gym I did an hour in the outside pool and pushed myself as hard as I have done for months. After that I did a 7 miles “fast” run around the streets. By the time I got home I actually felt physically sick and had to sit in the shower for a few minutes until it passed; I haven’t felt that like form training in years. Therefore it’s no wonder my arms and biceps ach after all that and then getting to the beach today and tackling a busy sea. All that aside, I have to say that I really enjoyed the swim today as not only did it stretch me out, a kind of “hare of the dog” for exercise, but it was one of those swims where you were really battling the elements but in a fairly safe and comfortable way. More days like today (without the rain!) would be great.
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
Day 286 - 5th July 2011
Another weather day much like yesterday; air warm, sea up to around 16.5 degrees, calm, flat and just jolly nice. Got to the Arch at a leisurely 7.20am (very late for me!) and headed in alone; others (Big Bob, Little Bob, Mike etc already in and doing their things). I didn’t fancy a pier swim today, although I probably should have done a West Pier swim; instead I went around the three buoys on our beach, going around them 4 times in total. A nice easy enjoyable swim. The sea itself was really clear today and you could see straight to the floor. Going around the buoy by the pier it was easy to spot the ride tokens that have dropped down (some people in the club dive and collect them by the pocket load) ; good spoils for all. Going back along to the middle buoy I spotted circa half a dozen star fish of varying sizes; all lying still and no doubt having a morning nap. I love days when the water is clear like this, it makes being in the sea so amazing.
After my swim I spoke to Leo and Shoichi; both of who want to join me in the relay next year and both who I would love to have on my team. Both of them really good swimmers and very determined people as well as being fun to be around. So with 3 of us on board we are now going to get together and plan the rest of the team. There is a 4th person at the arch (the female variety!) who is amazingly fast and strong and super nice; she has expressed that she might like to also join us, so I’ll chat to her next week as well. No names yet just in case she changes her mind.
I have had a number of really supportive email recently, once again giving me extra strength and confidence to carry on:
Dear Rob,
I was sorry to read the first half your email knowing what great effort you have gone to in order to plan the challenge. However, I was greatly encouraged by the second half of the email proving the old adage “you can’t keep a good man down!” (or out of the water in your case!)
In every respect, you still have my full support and the support of the radio station behind the amazing work you are doing and the inspiring causes you are supporting.
Best wishes to you, your team and your family.
Ryan
How determined is Rob, well done to him. Wish I was a strong swimmer and I would do my “bit” My late husband had the same illness so I do understand . Anyway enough of this time to get on with the day, the children are in!
Jane Assistant Head Teacher for the Primary School
After my swim I spoke to Leo and Shoichi; both of who want to join me in the relay next year and both who I would love to have on my team. Both of them really good swimmers and very determined people as well as being fun to be around. So with 3 of us on board we are now going to get together and plan the rest of the team. There is a 4th person at the arch (the female variety!) who is amazingly fast and strong and super nice; she has expressed that she might like to also join us, so I’ll chat to her next week as well. No names yet just in case she changes her mind.
I have had a number of really supportive email recently, once again giving me extra strength and confidence to carry on:
Dear Rob,
I was sorry to read the first half your email knowing what great effort you have gone to in order to plan the challenge. However, I was greatly encouraged by the second half of the email proving the old adage “you can’t keep a good man down!” (or out of the water in your case!)
In every respect, you still have my full support and the support of the radio station behind the amazing work you are doing and the inspiring causes you are supporting.
Best wishes to you, your team and your family.
Ryan
How determined is Rob, well done to him. Wish I was a strong swimmer and I would do my “bit” My late husband had the same illness so I do understand . Anyway enough of this time to get on with the day, the children are in!
Jane Assistant Head Teacher for the Primary School
Monday, 4 July 2011
Day 285 - Monday 4th July 2011
After a late night (in the garden with friends until around 11pm ish) I was tired this morning. However as the kids didn’t get to bed until after 11pm it meant that they did sleep through most of the night. I got to the beach around 7.15am and was in the water by about 7.25am. The sea was completely calm, not a ripple and you could see pretty much all the way to the bottom. The temperature was around mid 15 degrees, so still cold, however a certainly better than it has been. As I was still tired I just did once around the pier, nice and leisurely and just took my time and enjoyed it. Not much more to add than that today; it’s just another Monday and apart from the sun shining it is uneventful – that in itself I guess is noteworthy!!
Day 284 - Friday 1st July 2011
An early start of meetings today meant that despite the fantastic hot weather and clear sky I couldn’t get to the beach before work; it would have meant a 5am start, which even for me was not something I felt I needed to do. However my day ended earlier than usual with my last meeting finishing at 4pm, so I opted for an afternoon swim instead.
I was at the Arch by about 4.15pm and went twice around the pier, beach to beach to beach. Total swim approx 42 minutes. The sea was a little choppy, but not offensively so and the temperature was around 17 degrees; which was the highest it’s been all year; in fact whilst it felt warm I am not convinced it was that high and perhaps my watch was being a little optimistic!
It was weird swimming at that time as the beach had a few people on it and both the prom and the pier had visitors. Being on my own late afternoon with all those people about was slightly uncomfortable. However I have to say that the actual swim itself was fantastic, much nicer than my morning swims. The sea was a lot warmer, I had more energy and also had the arch all to myself. I am certainly considering do this more; maybe once or twice a week if work allows.
I was at the Arch by about 4.15pm and went twice around the pier, beach to beach to beach. Total swim approx 42 minutes. The sea was a little choppy, but not offensively so and the temperature was around 17 degrees; which was the highest it’s been all year; in fact whilst it felt warm I am not convinced it was that high and perhaps my watch was being a little optimistic!
It was weird swimming at that time as the beach had a few people on it and both the prom and the pier had visitors. Being on my own late afternoon with all those people about was slightly uncomfortable. However I have to say that the actual swim itself was fantastic, much nicer than my morning swims. The sea was a lot warmer, I had more energy and also had the arch all to myself. I am certainly considering do this more; maybe once or twice a week if work allows.
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