Swimming day 446 - Thursday 15th March 2012

Quick blog as I have so little time today that even writing I have so little time today has taken up valuable time I can’t afford!

Quick pool swim this morning, 6.30am (exactly as Falmer opened), half an hour of frantic lengths then quick shower and then into car and off to Cheltenham (took me 4.5 hours!).  Now it’s 4pm and I’m in the car on the ipad checking emails and writing this blog, taking far too long to do so, as I need to now make it back to Brighton for a 7pm-10pm meeting; which whilst being very tiring does have the potential to be very exciting in terms of the Lyrics Art Centre project I’m trying to start!  Good luck to me from me as I need all the luck I can get to make sure this amazingly ambitious project comes to life!

Swimming day 445 - Wednesday 14th March 2012

Gym yesterday with Ross was an “uber session” (his words, whatever uber means); I assume it means tough as my arms, shoulders and chest were all feeling it and still are. 

Last night Jesse was in sometime, not sure when, but no Mia for a couple of days – as per  usual the Twins have swapped, with Mia staying in her own room and Jesse now coming into us.  Why they can’t sync with each other and both stay in their own rooms is a mystery to me, but I guess if we only have one come in then that’s liveable!  

Was at the arch by 6.50am, Big Bob and Shoichi waiting there and the three of us in the sea by 7am.  A higher tide today meant no long walk out, but it did mean a much longer swim out.  Temperature almost 7 degrees, which whilst a rise is still chillingly cold.  We swam to the helter skelter at the end of the pier; Shoichi absolutely motoring, Bob decent pace and me way too slow compared to them!  When I got back to the beach Bob was just walking to his shoes and Shoichi was already back in the arch in the shower – why oh why can’t I get my speed up; to say it frustrates me is the biggest understatement since the last biggest understatement I made.  Total swim 17 minutes exactly, which in 7 degrees is pretty good going.

Day in London today on meetings and then heading straight to Flamer afterwards (hopefully by 5pm) for an hour and a half on my own in the outside pool on lengths; doing all I can to try to get my bloomin speed up.  I get the feeling that whilst my swimming will get stronger and distance become easier, the speed will not improve.  That might sound like a negative statement, but I think it’s reality – and that really pi---s me off!

Swimming day 444 - Tuesday 13th March 2012

I didn’t swim last night (feeling a bit guilty abut that now) and it wasn’t because of my knee!  By the time we got the kids down and then unpacked the food shopping it was already 8.45pm and we hadn’t even had anything to eat.  Sometimes with the best will in the world it’s just impossible to do what you want/need to do.

The good news is that knee and legs are fine today; clearly it wasn’t a major problem.  What I must do now is find out what I can do to avoid this happening when I’m running. 

This morning, awaking to a much duller and colder day, I got to the arch at 7am and was surprised to see all the hooks filled with clothes (that’s about 10 people) and Bog Bob, LB and Mike all ready in their trunks and ready to head out.  Did I miss something about an early start!!  Being the gent he is, Big Bob waited for me to quickly change and then we headed into a sea much like yesterdays; low tide, about 6.5 degrees and calm.  We swam the same as yesterday, to the helter skelter and back, although it seemed further today.  Is that possible; did the pier move over night?? 

Gym today with Ross for an hour, although currently sitting at my desk and yawning; doesn’t bode well!!

Swimming day 443 - Monday 12th March 2012

Despite lying still all night my knee wasn’t so bad this morning.  It was still noticeable, but not as bad as it could have been; very encouraging.

At the arch this morning was LB, Mike, Lindy, Big Bob and Charlotte (Shoichi & Paul  F before us and Bella and a couple others after).  The sea was definitely being lazy as it was nowhere near the coast and it was fast asleep; a long walk out in perfect flat conditions.  When you add the morning sun, clear sky and no wind to it then it makes a beautiful scene to behold.  Big Bob and I walked out until we got to chest height and then swam out all the way to the helter skelter.  It was the perfect day for going around the pier, but still at 6.5 degrees just a bit too cold for us two to want to risk it.  A good long swim though and lovely to get out near the end of the pier again.

I might join Bob at Falmer tonight for an hour in the pool; it just depends on whether my knee is playing up or not.  Failing that, I’ll still get a couple of pools in this week as well as a couple of gyms and some seas.

Day 442 - Sunday 11th March 2012

No exercise Saturday (this is always my day off).  I did however exercise my stomach by taking on a massive plate of Chinese food for dinner!  Probably not the greatest idea in the world as although I love Chinese it has been a while since I’ve had it and it’s not great in quantity for my chrones; also its not the best preparation for a long run the following day.

Sunday morning turned up at about 6am with the twins joining us (which meant we have a night free from them – yey) and then Asher joined about 6.30am.  The sun was already shining and it looked like a glorious one.  A bowl of rice crispies later and I was on the road at 8am for my run.  I ended up doing the lonhest one I’ve ever done in terms of miles and time; 3 hrs 9 minutes, 20.01 miles.  All was fine until about mile 16 when my right knee became so painful that I had to walk for about a mile; really annoyed about that.  After the mile it still really hurt, but I got going again and made it home.  I will not run now anyway for another week and will take that time to get some treatment and rest from running; I want to do it again next Sunday if possible, so need to have the knee sorted by then.  I think it was just an “I T band” issue, so stretching and foam roller, however painful it will be, should do the job.  Another thing that would help me if to take some drink and food/gels with me; as usual  am probable the only fool no eating or drinking on a 20 mile run!

The run itself was great though (apart from the pain).  I went dyke road to seven dials, down new England to fire station, along London road to pier, along coast road into marina, out marina onto undercliff road, along undercliff past Rottingdean to the wall as far as you can get, then turned and back to marina, up steep hill to top road , down road to pier, passed palace pier to west pier, turn back to palace pier, then around back to London road past pavilion, all the way along London road passed preston park, turn left up to Withdean stadium, then tediously slow up valley driver, then down dyke road and home.  When I was heading towards rottingdean I bumped into Fiona going the other way which was lovely.  Then when I was back on dyke road heading home I bumped into Little Bob and finished my run with him.  It was like Brighton Swimming Club running section! 

After getting home and having a 30 minute lye in the spa pool to rest the legs it was back up on em and back to the seafront with the kids on their scooters.  The rest of the day, although glorious weather and wonderful kids, was somewhat painful on the knee.  Hopefully tomorrow in the sea will help that (freeze away the pain!)

Swimming day 441 - Friday 9th March 2012

I’m still not sure how one functions being so busy and having so little sleep; but then again who cares how, as long as it continues.

Last night after dinner I headed to Falmer and joined Bob in the outside pool.  We did exactly 1 mile in lengths and then some speed exercises.  Before starting the swim we both looked like we were sleepwalking and energyless; however in we went nevertheless and an hour later we emerged wetter, more tired, yet energized.  Exercise really is a good energizer; it’s like Duracell for the body.

If it had just been the night swim then I would have woken all refreshed and ready for the day ahead; sadly Mia decided to play up.  Bless her heart she wasn’t well, however she was also being minxy as she does.  By 2.30am I was still sitting in her room and sending work emails on my ipad (my clients must think I’m a workaholic!).  Each time Sharon and I went to leave her room she screamed. We should have left her but we didn’t want the boys waking up, so it wasn’t until around 4am we eventually got to sleep in our own bed.  By 4.30am she was with us again, along with Jesses, then Asher!  So basically no sleep! 

By 7am, dressed and sleepwalking again, I was in the arch with Big Bob, LB, Mike, David, Paul S, Flick, Martina, Charlotte and Lindy – a large crowd at last; lots of laughs and jokes as usual.  The sea was relatively warm (up to 6.5 degrees somehow), very flat and it was a low tide. The sky was fantastic; bluie with whispy clouds and the sun threatening to come up any second. For a nice change Big Bob and I headed "out" rather than "along" and went to the silver ball and back. It was fab to see the end of the pier after so many months.  Hopefully anytime soon we'll be back swimming around it; 2 more degrees and it's game on for that.

Afterwards it was a fantastic coffee in the Red Roaster with my boys, then off to work for one of the most manic days I can remember in years (all good thank goodness) and then an hour in the gym with Ross to beat up my biceps. 

Now, 8pm, at home and still trying to get the kids to bed.

Roll on the weekend!!  Roll on bedtime!!  Roll on sleep!!

Swimming days 434-440 - Catch up now the sites live again

Horrah the Trust site is back up - many apologies for the down time; at least it meant you had a break from my ramblings for a few days.  However  we are now back up again and rambling can continue......

Day 435 – Thursday 1^st March 2012

A few days of small blogs; hardly any time and little to say.

A swim in the sea was very refreshing after yesterday beating by Bob.  Temperature up to around just over 6 degrees, so still cold but the face not hurting quite as much.  Very calm sea and we did around 14-15 minutes.

Big news for me is that after 21 years of trading solo, I have now completed both a merger and an acquisition!!  Not for the faint hearted and very time consuming and stressful. 

Day 436 – Friday  2^nd March 2012

No sea today because I am still a single man (a few more days) and this morning I had to take Asher to School and the Twins to nursery; then dashing to the office for a manic day.  Today and the next few days will be very crazy at work due to the merger and the acquisition; way more mentally tiring than even a 7 hour pool swim I think.  But if I can do a 7 hr pool swim then I can certainly do this!

After work (leaving at 3.00pom today as I need to get my head clear) it’s an hour in the gym with Ross followed by an hour in the pool.  I know I’ll be shattered before then and really should stay in the office, but in reality I will be much more use to everyone once I’ve cleared my head and exercised both body and mind. 

Day 437 – Sunday 4^th  March 2012

Raining hard, sleeting hard (actually snowing!!!) and cold!!  Where did that come from! 

Yesterday, Saturday being my day of rest from exercise, I had my 3 kids, my two nephews and one of their friends – a single parent of 6!!  After lunches, entreating and then dinner for all I was pleased to see the back of them all and head to bed!!  Actually they were all great and a joy, but 6 on your own is not something for everyday! 

After lunch I deposited the kids to my sisters, dashed home, stuck on some short shorts and a running vest and hit the streets for my Sunday run.  As it was around 2 degrees and raining and snowing it had to be a quick one; just around 5 miles and all at a run.  Did I feel better for it?  Of course!!!

Day 438 – Tuesday 6th March 2012

Yesterday was another no exercise day as I had to deposit all the kids to school/nursery, then complete a couple of client visits and then head to Heathrow to collect my wife – at last she returns!! 

This morning, with Sharon now on schooling duties it was possible to get back to the beach.  The cold spell over the weekend brought the sea back to 5.4 degrees, although it was still relatively flat.  Big Bob and I headed from our beach to the thistle hotel against the tide then back with the tide to our beach.  Total swim about 14 minutes and a decent pace both ways. 

After showering and dressing, realising I had forgotten my jumper and only had a shirt on, it did take about an hour to warm up.  But it was glorious. 

Usually on a Tuesday I would also get to the gym, but the work load prevents it, really not good as I could have done with it.  So tonight it will be the home gym for an hour and then making up for it with Ross later in the week; hopefully some pool work with Bob as well.

Day 439 – Wednesday 7th March 2012

I’ve been blogging but the Starr Trust web site has been down so I haven’t been able to post any.   Apparently some hackers attacked a hosting site and over 2000 website were affected; no damage caused, just sites down.  Now of course this wasn’t personal to me, but it has affected us; a children’s charity just trying to Help Children Smile.  What on earth possesses people to do such things and cause such disruption to others?  Ultimately they only hurt themseveles; negativity attracts negativity and therefore the law of attraction takes it back to them; why oh why!

Back to today.  A glorious swim this morning.  Cold in the air and dull in the sky, but the wind was kicking up a storm and the sea was reacting to it.  A lowish tide meant it wasn’t dangerous (well at least not for experienced sea swimmers – pool swimmers should not attempt such antics).  Big Bob and I went in right next to the groin where it was safest and we headed out rather than along.  A great fun swim amongst some big waves; not for the faint hearted or the less experienced, but great for us.  Little Bob and Mike (a naked Mike as he forgot his swimming shorts!!) also went in but stayed closer to shore; probably sensible.

What was not sensible however was on Sunday; Little Bob and Lindy did a half marathon ion that weather!  Rain, Sleet, Snow and extremely cold.  I ran about 5-6 miles and was happy to get back; they ran a half marathon out in the wilderness – nuts or brave!

Day 440 – Thursday 7th March 2012

Bloomin eck its cold this morning.  If I was a turtle I would wind my neck back in and hibernate a while.

The good news for today are that the Trust site is back up and working and also that Mike has found his trunks and was swimming again with dignity; phew.  The sea was chilly, down “once again” to 5.4 degrees and the air temp must have been around 2 degrees.  The wind had died down which meant a calmish sea, just a few large swells and a strong easterly tide left over from yesterday.  Big Bob and I headed towards the donut groin (our favourite swim of the moment), but the tide made it more like swimming on the spot.  We swam for around 15 minutes I think and an hour later my hands are still a little numb!  Other swimmers today were Little Bob, Mike, Flick and David – so few again.  I think others are coming at different times, but it’s a shame so few of us this winter.

Tonight at 9pm I’m at Pool boot camp with Bob again; be weired to do it in the dark of night rather than the dark of morning, but it’s gotta be done.