After 5 days off from any exercise it was quite daunting getting up at 6.15am and heading to the beach. It’s funny how with just a few days of no swimming your confidence can be knocked; especially in a sea like this morning. It wasn’t raining, however the sky was very dark (it did rain later quite a lot!) and the wind was blowing hard. I slept fitfully, not the kids fault for a change, and getting up at 6.15am was harder than it has been of late. I was at the Arch just after 6.30am and all alone, David and a few others turned up later as I was coming out of the sea. The waves were breaking not only at the shore, but also very far out; way passed the buoys in fact. Also the waves seemed to be very full of water and very strong. I was tempted to not go in, also tempted to wait for someone (probably should have done), but standing there for a couple of minutes I thought “what the hell” just go for it. I went in close by the groin as the tide was clearly shooting to the pier, so it was safer to get in as close to the far groin as possible. I swam out to the first buoy, which actually was quite tough in those conditions and then turned and headed back to shore. I couldn’t’ make it back to the groin as the tide and waves were too strong, so instead I landed about midway along the beach; just as the others were going in together by the groin; Little Bob , bless him, waited by the mid section of the beach to ensure I got in safely. In truth I was fine; it was rough out there, but totally manageable. The tough thing for me was that I had not swam for a few days and my confidence was low and I felt sluggish and slow. Tomorrow hopefully I’ll be back to full power and the sea will have calmed its temper a little.
I certainly now need to up my training again, as the last maybe 6 weeks all I’ve done is a morning swim and a couple of gyms a week. That might sound a lot, but compared to what I was doing it is pretty poor. I am currently feeling slightly overweight (which some would say is daft of course) and certainly not as fit as I was during the winter months. So tonight I will be planning out my new training regime for the rest of the year, which will include much more running (just got some fab new running shoes from Run in Blatchington Road – very exciting) and more core work as well as some 2 & 3 hour swims. Also I’ll be plotting out the Relay meets as I really want to bring my team together now as it’s officially just a year away and I want us to look and feel like a real team.
So today I shall be lazy of mind and sit at my desk and work all day then go home for a lazy night (once the kids are down); but tomorrow, here I come..................
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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
Thursday, 11 August 2011
Day 311 - Saturday 6th August
Sky very clear, little wind and nice and bright; a nice morning for a swim!
I was at the Arch by around 7.00am and the sea was really very still; temp 16.5 degrees, which was warm for a morning at the moment. I swam a decent pier to pier to pier ; 1.5 miles in around 50 minutes. Tide seemed slack going to the West Pier but picked up on the way back, making the return journey nice and quick. After my swim I dashed off home for a shower and then was nice and ready for the day ahead.
Sharon away in Spain with friends tomorrow until Wednesday, so this is it for exercise until end of next week as I have the 3 little kiddies all to myself; am I feeling danted by that?? Maybe, but only a little! A nice chinese meal at the China Gardens with my good friends Dan & Nat will no doubt calm the nervous stomach!!
I was at the Arch by around 7.00am and the sea was really very still; temp 16.5 degrees, which was warm for a morning at the moment. I swam a decent pier to pier to pier ; 1.5 miles in around 50 minutes. Tide seemed slack going to the West Pier but picked up on the way back, making the return journey nice and quick. After my swim I dashed off home for a shower and then was nice and ready for the day ahead.
Sharon away in Spain with friends tomorrow until Wednesday, so this is it for exercise until end of next week as I have the 3 little kiddies all to myself; am I feeling danted by that?? Maybe, but only a little! A nice chinese meal at the China Gardens with my good friends Dan & Nat will no doubt calm the nervous stomach!!
Friday, 5 August 2011
Day 310 - Friday 5th August 2011
After yesterdays storm the calmness kindly returned. Not as hot as it was the last few days, but dry and bright and the sea was 95% calm; just a few choppy slappy waves to contend with. The plan this morning was to do very little, which was almost accomplished; in fact instead of swimming around the buoys Little Bob suggested swimming around the ducks (there were three right by the shore). It seemed like a good idea to me, expect of course Ducks move; that was where the cunning plan fell flat! So despite good intentions of doing very little I ended up joining Big Bob on another swim around the pier. Not a massive or challenging swim by all accounts, but twice as much as I had planned this morning.
Tomorrow, Saturday, I’ll head down there sometime in the morning and will do a Pier, to Pier, to Pier or a Lagoon to Pier swim; dependent on weather and tide. Then that will be it for me until next Thursday morning; no work, no swimming and no exercise at all! My body and mind won’t know what’s hit them! Sharon is away in Spain with friends Sunday – Wednesday, so I have the 3 kids on my own; maybe no work or exercise is a good thing for a few day, but boy oh boy I think I’ll be desperate to get back to work and exercise come Thursday!!
Wish me luck please!!!
Tomorrow, Saturday, I’ll head down there sometime in the morning and will do a Pier, to Pier, to Pier or a Lagoon to Pier swim; dependent on weather and tide. Then that will be it for me until next Thursday morning; no work, no swimming and no exercise at all! My body and mind won’t know what’s hit them! Sharon is away in Spain with friends Sunday – Wednesday, so I have the 3 kids on my own; maybe no work or exercise is a good thing for a few day, but boy oh boy I think I’ll be desperate to get back to work and exercise come Thursday!!
Wish me luck please!!!
Thursday, 4 August 2011
Day 309 - 4th August 2011
After a few days of flat seas, blue skies and 25 degrees, this morning reverted to type; thunderous rain, cloudy skies and 18 degrees – true English summer returns on the 4th August!
Last night it was really humid and after taking Jesse and Mia back to their own room about three times each, we eventually gave up and let them stay with us (now that is good parenting!!) Jesse was laying long ways from my end of the bed, whilst Mia was doing the same from Sharon’s; effectively building a bridge across the bed. Sharon ended up at the bottom of the bed and I ended up on the floor. By 5.00am it seemed pointless trying to sleep! Listening to the pounding rain outside I was tempted briefly to stay on the floor, but sitting on the floor and looking at the crowded bed, knowing that Asher would be with us anytime now, I decided the howling rain was more inviting!
I waited in the Arch for Big Bob to turn up (a bit of rain wouldn’t stop him) and had the company of Little Bob and Martina. By the time we hit the shore the rain had eased from pouring to less pouring, and the waves had gone from small to medium. Letting Little Bob and Martina do their thing, Big Bob and I headed of into the depths. Stopping at the first buoy then again at the helter skelter there was the mindset of turning back; but of course we didn’t. Around the pier we went. The waves were constant, as was the rain, but regardless we carried on at a steady and decent pace. For no apparent reason (although most welcoming) I found a decent stroke early on and kept it up the whole time; fast and straight the whole way. The temperature was 16.4 degrees and the swim was about 30 minutes for the mile; good swimming in a rough sea. I know that come the winter I’ll be in the pool a lot, but swimming in the sea everyday is really making me a lot stronger and quicker and I just don’t think that the pool would achieve anywhere near as much for me.
I think tomorrow the weather is meant to be back to calm and dry; we shall sea!!
Last night it was really humid and after taking Jesse and Mia back to their own room about three times each, we eventually gave up and let them stay with us (now that is good parenting!!) Jesse was laying long ways from my end of the bed, whilst Mia was doing the same from Sharon’s; effectively building a bridge across the bed. Sharon ended up at the bottom of the bed and I ended up on the floor. By 5.00am it seemed pointless trying to sleep! Listening to the pounding rain outside I was tempted briefly to stay on the floor, but sitting on the floor and looking at the crowded bed, knowing that Asher would be with us anytime now, I decided the howling rain was more inviting!
I waited in the Arch for Big Bob to turn up (a bit of rain wouldn’t stop him) and had the company of Little Bob and Martina. By the time we hit the shore the rain had eased from pouring to less pouring, and the waves had gone from small to medium. Letting Little Bob and Martina do their thing, Big Bob and I headed of into the depths. Stopping at the first buoy then again at the helter skelter there was the mindset of turning back; but of course we didn’t. Around the pier we went. The waves were constant, as was the rain, but regardless we carried on at a steady and decent pace. For no apparent reason (although most welcoming) I found a decent stroke early on and kept it up the whole time; fast and straight the whole way. The temperature was 16.4 degrees and the swim was about 30 minutes for the mile; good swimming in a rough sea. I know that come the winter I’ll be in the pool a lot, but swimming in the sea everyday is really making me a lot stronger and quicker and I just don’t think that the pool would achieve anywhere near as much for me.
I think tomorrow the weather is meant to be back to calm and dry; we shall sea!!
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
Day 308 - 3rd August 2011
A sticky hot evening, hardly any air in the air; which also meant that all the kids were restless, especially Asher who ended up all night in our room and complaining constantly about the noise of the ceiling fan! Not fun I can tell you!
I was at the beach by 6.50am and waited for Big Bob as I thought it would be good to swim with someone today. The sea was flat again; very low tide meant a low walk out and a slight tidal pull to the West. We headed out straight under the pier to the second furthest buoy, then diagonally back and around the pier, then traced to the two furthest buoys on our beach and then back in. Approx about 35 minutes and very enjoyable. Not many people at the Arch today; Little Bob, David, Simon and Kevin; everyone else must be going different times or be away.
A good swim this morning, but the night time and the previous days gym and swim seemed to have taken a lot of energy up, so whilst I swam well today I am feeling a little tired. Nothing that a lovely day lying in my peaceful garden wouldn’t cure; only two hopes of that; No Hope and Bob Hope!
I was at the beach by 6.50am and waited for Big Bob as I thought it would be good to swim with someone today. The sea was flat again; very low tide meant a low walk out and a slight tidal pull to the West. We headed out straight under the pier to the second furthest buoy, then diagonally back and around the pier, then traced to the two furthest buoys on our beach and then back in. Approx about 35 minutes and very enjoyable. Not many people at the Arch today; Little Bob, David, Simon and Kevin; everyone else must be going different times or be away.
A good swim this morning, but the night time and the previous days gym and swim seemed to have taken a lot of energy up, so whilst I swam well today I am feeling a little tired. Nothing that a lovely day lying in my peaceful garden wouldn’t cure; only two hopes of that; No Hope and Bob Hope!
Day 307 - 2nd August 2011
A very early start at work today so no time for a morning swim, which is always a great shame. A very sticky hot day, even though the sun wasn’t exactly breaking through the clouds. Meetings pretty much all day and then up to the gym for an hour with Ross at 3.00pm; shoulders, chest and legs; exhausting! Afterwards I headed straight down to my beach, getting there about 4.15pm and despite the hard workout I was really looking forward to it. My beach was extremely busy with holidaymakers; don’t they realise this is a private beach! Or maybe I don’t realise it isn’t!! Funny how one can get very territorial about something like a beach. After making my way through the crowds I jumped straight into the very calm and very clear sea and headed out around the buoys and then around the pier. Twenty two minutes later I was heading back to shore, but really not ready to, so instead I turned around and went around the pier once more. After the second time around I really could have gone a third, but the time was moving on and I really needed to get home, so reluctantly I headed back up the beach and scowled at those lounging on my beach!
Swimming in the afternoon can be a real pleasure though as the sea has had all day to warm up and as such was around 17.5 degrees and as it is nearing the end of the day you’ve still got some energy levels in reserve. If work would allow I would certainly do more of this.
Swimming in the afternoon can be a real pleasure though as the sea has had all day to warm up and as such was around 17.5 degrees and as it is nearing the end of the day you’ve still got some energy levels in reserve. If work would allow I would certainly do more of this.
Monday, 1 August 2011
Days 305 & 306 - Monday 1st August 2011
Saturday - Day 305
Quick swim Saturday morning. Had to collect the kids from my in-laws at 9.30am and was driving past the beach and had no choice but to stop and have a quick dip! It literally sucked me in from my car, forcing me to go in – is this called obsession yet? Luckily I had my swimming bag in my car (in case of emergencies of course!), although I didn’t have my arch key; luckily Little Bob and Lindy were there and let me in and waited until I came out. I only had a few minutes, so it was just once around the buoys and back in; 11 minutes in all, but needed.
Monday 1st August – where oh where is the year going! We are now a year away from my relay swim – I remember saying that last year about my solo swim; time really is a weird concept! This morning I was in the sea by 7am, on my own although I did see others heading down to the arch ready to come in. Sky very blue and no wind; not sure about water temp as I left my good watch at home and only had a standard waterproof one, although it felt around 16 degrees. The air temp was certainly well into the double figures. The tide was very out, which meant I walked all the way out and could stand at the silver ball; very odd when that happens. Also the sea was so clear you could actually see every single stone, fleck of sand, fish, crab, starfish, bubble and bump all over the sea floor; in fact it was as clear around the head of the pier as it was at the shores edge. In some respects that is really nice as it makes for an interesting swim, however it has to be said that ignorance is iften bliss welcome as when you can see “everything” your mind starts to wonder what else is down there that you will face any time! When you can't see anything down there you mostly don't think about it. I swam twice around the pier; beach to beach to beach; total time about 39 minutes, so quite quick.
When I was back at the arch I saw Little Bob and Lindy. She was bitten on the hand!! Not by Little Bob (or so they say!!). And not by a Fish! She was attacked by a seagull who fancied something different for breakfast! Must have scared the bejeebies out of her! If it’s not the fish, or the sharks, or the waves, or the pier it’s the blooming birds that have a go!!
Quick swim Saturday morning. Had to collect the kids from my in-laws at 9.30am and was driving past the beach and had no choice but to stop and have a quick dip! It literally sucked me in from my car, forcing me to go in – is this called obsession yet? Luckily I had my swimming bag in my car (in case of emergencies of course!), although I didn’t have my arch key; luckily Little Bob and Lindy were there and let me in and waited until I came out. I only had a few minutes, so it was just once around the buoys and back in; 11 minutes in all, but needed.
Monday 1st August – where oh where is the year going! We are now a year away from my relay swim – I remember saying that last year about my solo swim; time really is a weird concept! This morning I was in the sea by 7am, on my own although I did see others heading down to the arch ready to come in. Sky very blue and no wind; not sure about water temp as I left my good watch at home and only had a standard waterproof one, although it felt around 16 degrees. The air temp was certainly well into the double figures. The tide was very out, which meant I walked all the way out and could stand at the silver ball; very odd when that happens. Also the sea was so clear you could actually see every single stone, fleck of sand, fish, crab, starfish, bubble and bump all over the sea floor; in fact it was as clear around the head of the pier as it was at the shores edge. In some respects that is really nice as it makes for an interesting swim, however it has to be said that ignorance is iften bliss welcome as when you can see “everything” your mind starts to wonder what else is down there that you will face any time! When you can't see anything down there you mostly don't think about it. I swam twice around the pier; beach to beach to beach; total time about 39 minutes, so quite quick.
When I was back at the arch I saw Little Bob and Lindy. She was bitten on the hand!! Not by Little Bob (or so they say!!). And not by a Fish! She was attacked by a seagull who fancied something different for breakfast! Must have scared the bejeebies out of her! If it’s not the fish, or the sharks, or the waves, or the pier it’s the blooming birds that have a go!!
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