Swiming day 430 - Friday 24th February 2012

Whilst I quite fancied the sea today I thought another day in the pool would be better for training; and of course at the moment that is what this is still all about.  I got to the pool at 6.45am (only one in the outside pool this morning (not entirely unusl although usually I see one of two others) and I got straight into the 2 mile swim from Fiona’s list (same as yesterday).  Sadly I didn’t make it in the hour, but I did do it in just over an hour; 1 hr 4.5 minutes.  So very nearly there!

Then straight to work for what is going to be a crazy busy day today, lot of meetings, one particular one with a staff member (I shall not name!) is not one I want to have, but sometimes people do the most stupid things and it is I who has to mop it up!  Afterwards I aim to grab a 10 mile run to get rid of the frustration; then it’s of to Ashers school to pick up Ash, grab the twins,  and then on my own once again as Sharon her usual busy self.  Oh the joys.

Swimming day 429 - Thursday 23rd February 2012

The hottest day in February for years and years and of course I choose to use the pool rather than go into the sea; typical me!  Saying that I would assume that despite it being a massive 10 degrees in the air that the sea is still probably a chilling 6 degrees.

With Big Bob heading to France for a few days I thought it would be good for me to get back to the pool today and tomorrow and knock some decent lengths out.  I used one of Fiona’s training regimes today; a 2 mile 1 hour swim.  I did it in 1 hr 5 minutes, so a decent pace, but not the hour I wanted.  I am thinking though that a night of very broken sleep and no food or drink means that 65 minutes rather than 60 minutes isn’t bad for 2 miles; perhaps with the right conditions of sleep and sustenance I should be able to knock 5-10 minutes of this.  No gym or run planned for today which is good as I do feel tired, but tomorrow I’ll head back to the pool and try to get this same swim down to 60 minutes; then I’ll hit the streets after work for a 12-15 mile run; then the weekend thank the lord!!

On an entirely separate note; this is the opening of my new ghost story, whooooooo!!!

The Arch (a working title)

5^th January 2012

7.25am and the sun was starting its rise from the East just above the Marina wall.  Even with the Pier blocking their view and making them look through the stanchions it was still one of those sights that simply rooted them to the spot, causing temporary paralysis and making them forget about the seven degree water biting into their legs.  With all the wonders that man could create not a single one could match the majesty of the sun rising up from beneath the sea.

At seven twenty five in the morning it was still dusk and despite the magnificence of the sunrise it was cold and eerie.  This particular morning had one of those “look out behind you” quality’s about it.  Not only was there was a fine haze hugging the sea, but despite a heavy wind last night the air was absolutely still and the sea completely flat; almost glass like.  Standing to the West of the Pier in around two feet of water they made an odd picture to anyone happening to look down from the seafront above.  Seven of them, men and women not that you could tell in that light which was which, standing in the sea all looking towards the sunrise and not moving a muscle.  Seven different shapes, seven different sizes and seven different colours swim caps.  All members of BSSC, the Brighton Sea Swimming Club, all of them in the sea every day of the year, the men dressed in their swimming shorts and the women in their one piece costumes, with just one in her wetsuit, giving away the fact that it is really mid winter and not a hot summers morning; and all there for reasons that only they could explain.

Walking back up the beach, some barefoot and some hopping on the freezing cold stones looking for the crocs and flip flops they’d discarded just ten minutes before, they head back to the relative uncomfort of their Arch.  It’s an odd space really, one small room divided into three spaces; mens, women’s and showers.  The women’s area is the smallest by far, which seems unfair considering at least half the members are women, however it is almost private with its own unlockable door.  The mens area, the largest part of the arch, is open planned into the shower and whilst some of the men hide their modesty behind a towel, others proudly display their wears, not realizing or not caring that the women have to use the showers as well and mens shrunken bits are not exactly what they want to see for breakfast.  As for the showers themselves, they could be renamed drip taps for all the power they contain, however they do drip out warm water and that of course is their sole purpose in life.  The arch has been home to the Brighton Swimmers for over a hundred years and in that time has probably only been cleaned once a year and perhaps repainted just a dozen times, always in the same murky grey .  It’s a place where stalactites hang from the ceiling like icicles from the nose of a wearily arctic explorer and condensation drips regularly onto the hastily built benches below soaking into the work clothes left behind by the morning swimmers whilst they take their quick dip in the sea.  But to the  faithful members of BSSC their Arch is like a five star luxury hotel; their own presidential suit at the side of the pier. A place where they can leave their clothes safely locked away whilst they partake in their extreme hobby and a place that they can return to in order to regain feeling into their extremities; and most importantly a place that they can share stories of the last big wave and the crazy groin shower of yesterday, with the only other people in a city of thousands who could possibly understand them. 

This particular morning, as the arch starts to clear itself of swimmers once again, the last three members put on their final layer of clothes , readying themselves to step back into the near freezing air and head of for their well earned coffee before work.  Until they spot it , lying there, the one thing that can make every single member of BSSC feel instantly sick to the stomach. 

It was just sitting there, alone, no one to claim it. In all other realms of life an innocuos item and easily forgoteen, but not here, not in the arch.  A nike sports bag, about 30 inches in length, faded dark blue and stained from day after day of sea salt being left to dry into it. It sat alone without its owner to pick it up and sling it over their shoulder on the way to greet the normal folk just waking up from a good nights sleep.  It sat there an ordinary sports bag with the power to make them feel sick to the stomach at the sight of it.

"is anyone still out there"

"I don't think so, no one was in longer than us" came the vague reply

"Are all the girls gone? You in their ladies?"

No reply from the ladies side gave them the answer they already new.

Swimming day 428 - Wednesday 22nd February 2012

No crazy rush this morning, just a usual start which is very pleasing.  Also pleasing was the fact that last night we didn’t have a single child visit!  I simply can’t remember when we last had no visits at all; months if not years ago!!  So a decent nights sleep (4 whole hours yey) and then a nice slow journey to the beach; how civil.

The air temp was up to 7 degrees and the sea (being full of crazy waves) was up to 6.1 degrees; it was just the fact that the wind was quite strong that made the walk down the beach and back up it rather chilly.  Big Bob and I swam for about 13 minutes against a strong easterly tide and big sloshy waves; making it a fantastic work out.  This was followed by a leisurely coffee at the Roaster and then a leisurely drive to the office.  Will my work day be leisurely today; unlikely, but I shall remain optimistic!

Swimming day 427 - Tuesday 21st February 2012

An early start for me today as I had an 8.am meeting in the office and wanted to get a sea swim first.  So I was at the arch and in the sea by 6.45am; Damien and Shoichi were just coming out as I was going in and then I was coming out just as Little Bob and his crew were going in.

The sea was a little choppy this morning, which was a nice change from the bland flatness of recent days, and it was a mid/high tide, so straight in. The waves meant that the sea temp was slightly up to almost 6 degrees; which is still extremely cold, but not as mental as 4 degrees.  Also the air temp was up to 7 degrees.  Almost a summers morning!  I swam for about 14 minutes , longest for a while, then dashed to the office in time for my meeting.

After work it’s to the gym with Ross for an hour; quite like that these days.

Swimming day 426 - Monday 20th February 2012

Another week gone and another one starting; time really does march on at a pace.  The marathon is now only a couple of months away and the channel swim only about six months; what will I do with myself when they are done.

Yesterday was the Brighton Half Marathon and a beautiful bright chilly day it was.  We have about a dozen runners running for the Starr Trust which was brilliant.  I personally didn’t take part in the official race, so instead went out at 8am and did a 12 Mile run around Hove.  In fact I did 8 time around Hove Park (was surprisingly not boring)  and then down to the seafront, then along and up Sackville Road and then along and up King George; so some good hill work.  Total time about 1hr 40 mins; not too shabby.  Afterwards I used my new power plate at home for some stretching and it seemed to do the job as whilst I’m a little achy this morning, it’s not really bad.

This morning was the usual quick dip in the sea; although 9 minutes in 4.5 degrees is not exactly quick.  Usual crowd there and a flat sea and astonishingly beautiful sky. 

If kids behave tonight I’ll grab some home gym time tonight; apart from that I’m done for the day I think!

Swimming day 425 - Friday 17th February 2012

I guess one has to pay the piper!  I don’t know why, but it just seems that way – a good day has a cost later on it seems. 

After my swim yesterday, whilst the mind was fluffy and happy my left shoulder blade was causing me pain.  It might have been the morning swim or the sym the night before, but whatever it was it was rather painful.  Then last night, despite absolutely knowing it would happen, I had a take-a-way pizza and upset my Crohns.  Sharon was out and after settling the kids I went to the kitchen to cook something and found it very dusty and messy; the builders had been in to relay some floor tiles that had moved and had left it is a less than desirable state; really not conducive to cooking.  So despite my knowing the dangers I ordered in!  The result was that within the hour of finishing it I was doubled in pain and it continued through the night.  The annoying thing was that it was completely my fault and I should know better!!  Luckily I do have an answer to my problems; it is called the Sea! 

So this morning, struggling out of bed still in discomfort, I headed to the arch and met up with my usual crowd.  About 30 seconds after being in the 4 degree sea all my pain had vanished and I was thinking about nothing else other than how far out am I drifting and whether I can get back in before the cold stops my arms working!  With those thoughts in mind there is no room to worry about anything else.  After about 6-7 minutes Bob suggested we head in, but I was way to happy to not be in pain and I kept up in for a few minutes more.  So much better that a handful of pills! 

This afternoon after work I have a gym session booked in, but I think I will cancel it as my shoulder is still not settled and I don’t want to aggravate the Crohns again.  Hopefully by the time I’ve got the kids settled (Sharon our again – every night this week I have been a widow, what’s the world coming to!!) I’ll be feeling on top of the world and I’ll grab an hour in my home gym and then have a nice piece of healthy grilled fish and rice!!  About time I started to watch what I eat!!

Swimming day 424 - Thursday 16th February 2012

What a lovely start to the day.  My usual 7am swim with Bob and the boys; cold as ever and 7 minutes swam, and then our usual coffee ion the Roaster.  Why was it so lovely today compared to other days?  I’ve no idea at all.  It just felt like a relaxing way to start the day and I went to the office with plans for a nice pleasant day; and a pleasant day it was.  More like that please!!