Back in the Water

Well, I'm back in the States and back in the water. Life is pretty much back to normal. I have fallen back into my old routine of swimming four or five mornings a week in the pool and one or two weekend days in the Bay. The nice thing about being "post swim" is that now I can do what ever I want and not worry about hurting my shoulders. Sunday I went rowing on the Bay which was a blast. I am now OK to pilot swims in Zodiac's, Kayaks, and Woodens (rowing boats with a sliding seat). And I plan on supporting a lot of swims for the remainder of this year. Time to give back to all of the people who helped me and to those who want to go to the next level in their swimming. I was showing some perspective new members around the club and in our conversation it came out that I only joined the South End Rowing Club three short years ago, but I got bitten by the big swim bug fast. I swam Lake Tahoe (with fins) in 2009, Gibraltar in 2010, and now the English Channel in 2011. Wow, that's a lot of swimming. And a whole lot of training. And Monday, I played tennis for the first time in three years because I could. And I didn't have to "save" my shoulders for swimming. Quite liberating. Not that I am any good at tennis, but I like it, and I love variety. And you can talk to your tennis partner while you play!So it's nice to be off the tread wheel, some might say hamster wheel, of endurance training and adding a little spice to my exercise. But even with the rowing and the tennis, I also went swimming in the Bay on Sunday under bright blue skies, warm sun, in what felt like warm 60 + degree water (remember it's all relative) and all I could think was how wonderful it was to be home and swimming in the ocean. I am truly a water creature at heart. And I don't want to stray too far from the ocean even if I don't have a new goal in mind. I do my life best when it includes time in the water. So for now, I will keep swimming, but I will focus on helping other people with their dreams, and I will savor my success. Not pack it away in a flurry to set a new goal. This was a big one, I can sit back for a minute and digest it. And hopefully I will be able to allow my channel experience to permeate into other areas of my life. I'd like to capitalize on my swim and make my non-swimming life more successful and adventurous. So it's on to new, "non-wet, non-cold" dreams... I just don't know what they are yet. I'll let you know when I do.

Thank you

I wish I could express the depth of my feelings regarding all of the emails and Facebook postings and tweets I received during and after my swim. I had over 400 emails and every one was encouraging and joyful and helpful and supportive. I especially loved the photos posted of the bead bracelets on face book. The number of people staying up late into the night watching my dot crawl across the channel was unbelievable. And several people just hauled off and called my phone in the middle of the night to say, "Keep going". It was the most amazing out pouring of love and support. People were watching and worried. I'm not sure my mom and dad will forgive me. Too nerve wracking. I must admit, the pressure not to let you all down was a driving force in my sucess, and when JP called I told him that I was going to make it, so after a few more hours and I seemed to be no closer, I was sorry I'd promised him. But it all worked out in the end, and I love you all for the messages. The internet might have it's bad points, but this is an amazingly powerful use of the world wide web. I am blown away by the gift you have all given me. This has been an amazing journey and while I can't really remember what it was like, I am glad I did it. There were dark times, and highs, and I well know that I couldn't have done it without you all.

To Calais the easy way by Ferry

Jackie, Dave, Jorge and I went to France on the Ferry. Partly to let Jorge see what the channel was like and partly to find the beach I landed on and see England from the other side. The Ferry ride took less that 1.5 hours and was warm and cozy. We could even shop for chocolates! We drove all over Calais and down a long long lane and then walked over a mile to the sea. God knows if it was the same place, but who cares, it was beautiful, it was France, and it was just like I remembered from Saturday morning. We played in the waves, but didn't swim. The wind was so strong that we couldn't have stayed even if we wanted to. Then we drove south to try and find Jackie's beach. We couldn't quite figure out how to get there by car so we went off to Cap Griz Nez and had lunch. The beach there was beautiful, but it was finally clear why a swimmer might get as far as a mile off France and still not make it in. The current was shocking and the wind was fierce. The pilots earn their fees if you are to have any hope of getting in. We drove along the coast road back toward Calais. The French countryside was beautiful. It was a wonderful trip. Easy peasy and home by 9:00 pm.

Jackie and Dave have been amazing host. So kind and generous. They have opened their home to me and Jorge and included us in their family chaos. The weather has been horrible. A few swimmers have gone out but I think only one was successful. I can't thank Jackie and Stuart enough for getting me out there before my window opened. If I had waited and tried to go as planned, I never would have gotten the chance to swim at all. I am so lucky. My entire trip has been like that. At every turn there was Jackie and Dave or Robert and Hannah making my dreams come true. This debt will be very tough to repay. I hope that they all come visit me in California.

I made it!!! 18 Hours and 40 minutes Samphire Hoe to Calais

Details to follow, I wrote up the story, but lost it in the ethernet... so I need to start over.

England to France 18:40 August 5/6/2011

I don't know where to begin, but I know that I have already forgotten half of what's happened so I'd better try to get some of my swim down before it's all gone. It's so much like childbirth, your brain immediately softens your memories or you would never have another kid. Don't know why it would be like that for a swim since it doesn't matter to the species if I ever do any thing like this again, but the details are drifting away and at lunch I was already talking with my fabulous crew about other swims to tackle when just last night I swore to my daughter that I wouldn't do anything like this ever again... So funny.

To start off, I had the best crew in the world. Hands down, no questions, the best. And to be honest, we met on the internet. That thing you tell your kids not to do, I did, and it turned out brilliantly. I met Robert and Hannah when I signed up to swim the Gibraltar Straights in July of 2010. They were booked to swim the week after me, and we decided to meet on my last night in Tarifa and have dinner. Robert wanted to talk to someone who had done the swim before he was to go, and I wanted to talk to people who would understand what I had just done. We liked each other straight off, and they kept talking up the English Channel as my next adventure. Robert said that I needed to set another goal because people often get down after a big accomplishment. I couldn't take that in then, but a few weeks later, his words rang true and I found myself thinking about the Channel. We kept in touch over the internet and after January I paid my fees and booked a pilot. I didn't get up the courage to ask Robert to come on my boat until late this summer because it was so important to me that he be there and I didn't know what I would do if he said no. Lucky for me he was game. He thought Hannah wouldn't be able to get off work, but if my attempt was on the right day, she too would come along. This turned out to be a godsend because Hannah was brilliant on twitter and she took about 400 photographs and hours of video. I don't know how I'll ever repay their kindness. And it was matched and maybe even surpassed by the kindness of Jackie and Dave Cobell who picked me up at the airport, got food for my pilot and crew, gave me a place to sleep and got me to the boat in fine time to start my swim. Jackie Cobell is a World Record holder for the longest ever successful channel swim 28 hours and 44 minutes. After her swim she was interviewed on National television saying that she would like to swim the Alcatraz Swim in California. My club, the South End Rowing Club, called her up and invited her to come to San Francisco and be the guest of honor for the Alcatraz Invitational last September. I was her buddy swimmer and tour guide. We hit it off immediately and after meeting her and swimming with her, she gave me the courage to believe that I might be able to take on the Channel. We kept in touch and I called her in January and told her that I was booking a swim. She said that I was welcome to stay with her, and that she would like to help out on my swim. It was Jackie who Stuart Gleeson (my Channel Swimming Association Pilot) called to offer the early start. She called me in California and I jumped at the chance without asking any questions. I believe in fate and I figured the channel gods were giving me the nod. And looking at the weather now, I might have been blown out if I had had to wait for my official window. I broke all the rules I thought I was supposed to follow, I went on a Spring tide instead of the smaller, gentler Neap tide. I started my swim never having practiced in Dover Harbor. I didn't give myself any time to get over my jet lag. I just jumped at the chance to swim. My biggest fear was that I would train forever, spend tons of money to fly to England, wait for ten days, and never get to swim. And thanks to Jackie's quick work, and my lovely Pilot, I made it from Samphire Hoe to Calais (almost Dunkirk) in 18 hours 40 minutes, August 5/6th, 2011.

I am so sad because I wrote about 1,000 words about this adventure and they disappeared into the ethernet... so this may seem a bit disjointed, but I keep thinking that I've already said this or that. But here goes again.

...They don't know it, but I am swimming for the ladder on the back of the Sea Leopard. If they would only let me catch up. I would take hold and give up on this crazy swim. The worst time has been from 11:30 pm to 3:30 am. It is so dark. I am so cold. I have had a cramp in my groin that started before it got dark and just won't let go (the cramp ends up lasting for ten hours). I have been shivering on and off since about midnight. I have never shivered while I swam before. It is scary. The cramp painful, but manageable, and Jackie and Robert have given me aspirin which has helped a bit. They never leave my sight. one of them is ALWAYS watching me. If one does sit down, t is only to fix my next feed, or to take a GPS reading. This is not a solo swim. It is a team effort. The Sea Leopard is so small that it feels like the crew are here suffering with me. And with the torrential rain, they are as wet as if they were swimming themselves.

I got to England at about 2:00 pm on Thursday afternoon. My Pilot had asked us to meet up with the boat in Dover Harbor at 12:30 am. I had called Robert and Hannah before I left California so they were already on there way when I landed. Jackie and Dave picked me up at the airport (thank you) and when we got home to "Blue Chips" in Tonbridge, we called Stuart and he told us that the wind was refusing to "lay down" and he put us off for twelve hours. I called Robert but since they had already left for Dover they decided to press on and they'd see us in the morning. Jackie put me to bed, and I took an Ambien and hoped that I could get some sleep. I remember waking up several times and thinking, tomorrow I am going to swim the English Channel, and then I would role over and tell myself to let it go and get some sleep. We got up and had some "porridge" and got in the car for Dover. Jackie's daughter Vickie and her foster son Luke came with us to Dover. We met Robert and Hannah at the Premier Hotel, and casually sat around having some coffee. Jackie suggested that maybe we should go to the boat and meet Stuart. Robert was shocked to learn that we were set to cast off in an hour. He had thought that we were put off for a day, not just 12 hours. He jump started us and things never calmed down after that. Lucky for me too. Robert and Jackie talked a lot about the feeding and what to tell me while I swam... and I started to get ready. The official CSA observer, Keith, wanted to go over a few things with me. The first hick-up was that my two piece swim suit was not allowed and did I have a "standard costume" I could use? I thought he was kidding, but he wasn't. So I changed out of my treasured South End swim suit (gift from Katrina) and put on an old stand by with thin straps that would plague me all the way across (took the top off long before it got dark and only put it back on to walk out in France).

The boat got underway and Jackie slathered on the sun screen and the bag balm (my chosen "channel grease"). As we were leaving the harbor, Keith asked everyone for our passports. We immediately turned around and Robert sprinted for his car to get theirs (lucky thing we weren't stopped and boarded, because they had forgotten their passports and only had their drivers licences). It was about a 15 minute ride to the beach for my start, Samphire Hoe on the south side of where the chunnel starts. The boat stopped and I just dove in. No fuss, no fuss, no thought! No thought that this was really it. The beginning of my channel attempt. Maybe that was the right thing, but looking back i was damn cavalier. I swam to the beach, and as the CSA rules, I walked completely out of the water into a group of Australians who had just watched their mate take off on her solo swim. They cheered and took my picture. I raised my hand, and Stuart sounded the horn and back into the channel I went.

The water was a beautiful green and not too cold. The sun was shinning and the sea was churning. It wasn't exactly rough, but it wasn't the mill pond I had been promised. I guess that was just a load of crap, but it only got worse. It was the hardest swimming I had ever experienced. I can't really describe what it was like. I swam uphill and down, I had to drive my hand into the waves. I couldn't get a rhythm and every third or fourth breath, I'd be slapped in the face with a mouth full of water. I drank gallons of water. I swam on the right side of the boat. There was a lot of traffic. I was dumbfounded by the amount and size of the ships going by. One came so close that Stuart asked me to stop swimming and wait so it would pass us by. I welcomed the chance to chat even though it was dark and cold.

I wanted to stop. I wanted to get on that boat. But Jackie and Robert were so earnest and stalwart. They weren't giving up on me. I told myself, if I could make it until daylight, I would feel better and it would be warmer. I thought I could hold on until daybreak. Unfortunately the dawn did not bring sun or warmth. But France was closer, and off and on I could see the lights and the trees, so I just kept swimming. The pilot told me that the tide would turn soon and that I would be able to reach the beach after that. Robert had sopped showing me the time and the miles going by. I thought this was because I was so close and the swim was almost over. I knew that your eyes played tricks on you from the water, and it often looked like you weren't getting any closer. But what really happened was that Robert had run out of numbers. My swim was taking so long and his cards stopped at 15 hours. And I had swum so far north that I was off his chart so he had no idea how many miles I had covered by this point. Ignorance is bliss, I just kept swimming. I was expecting the tide to turn and push me into the beach. Stuart meant that it would turn and I might finally be able to cross the last half a mile. Then the boat stopped. I had been waiting for this. Mark Stone had told me about the amazing feeling when the boat stops because it means it's too shallow, and you are almost there. Then the magical moment came and Stuart asked me if I could stand up? I thought he was crazy, I was still way off shore, of course I couldn't stand up. I tried to put my feet down and nothing. But now I knew that I would be able to soon. And then I could! I kept swimming anyway because I had planned to "swim until you touch sand". And I did. I touched the sand, and stood up and walked out onto a beach full of birds with a Frenchman with a rifle on his shoulder. I walked up to him and shook his hand. I don't think he thought much of it, but I was pleased. Hannah came ashore in the tender and brought the South End flag and the video camera. We scoured the beach looking for a rock, but there were none. I picked up a few mussle shells and we got back in the tender and headed back to the Sea Leopard. Jackie threw her arms around me, Robert took photos and opened a bottle of champagne. Jackie helped me into some dry clothes and we headed back to Dover. I talked the whole way back, no sleep for me. I was so high, I felt like I could walk on water to get back. Dave met our boat waving cheerfully from the dock and then we went to the beach to meet the CS & PF beach crew, Freda, Emma, and Irene. We stayed for nearly and hour chatting and excepting congratulations all around. It was magical. Everyone was shocked that I was still standing, but I couldn't imagine missing this.

I Guess I'm Not In Charge

My swim has been postponed 12 hours. Now I am to meet the boat at 1:00 pm Friday. I am a bit disappointed, but also relieved that I will get a few hours in England before getting wet. Now I can get a shower, a good night's sleep, a good meal and a chance to see Dover by daylight. I'm sure this is all good, but I did like the idea of jumping from plane to boat to channel without getting a chance to think. Now I will have time to freak out, but I think now that I am so obviously not in control, I don't feel the need to freak out. I am being well cared for by Jackie and Dave. My pilot is calling the weather shots, and Robert and Hannah are on there way to Dover as we speak. What ever happens will be my story.

More soon, and now maybe I'll be able to figure out how to twitter...

It's a GO 1:30 am GMT Keep Watching

When I woke up this morning all I thought I had to do was write up the minutes from last night's OMPA meeting and pack. As I sat at my computer trying desperately to finish up the notes, I got a call from Jackie Cobell in England. Her first words were, "I've had a call from your pilot and he's offering you the chance to go tomorrow night." I said yes before she could explain why he was offering me a chance three days before my window officially opens. As my pilot Stuart Gleeson explained it, the channel looks like a mill pond at the moment, and the wind is coming and might blow out my chance for a swim. So it's not exactly "Now or never", but it's, "Now would be a good time." I love it. It seems fitting for this pushy Californian to jump from plane to boat to Channel without passing go or practicing on the beach in Dover. It feels like fate stepping in to help make my dreams come true. Except, I never did actually dream of this, I just sort of fell into deciding that I wanted to give it a go, and well here I am. I hope I worked hard enough, we'll all soon know when and if it all comes together. I packed my carry on as if I were getting on the boat, everything for the swim is in there (and nothing else). My cap, goggles, suit, earplugs, food, grease, and glow sticks, what else could I need? A friend said that her heart skipped a beat when she read my quick email that my swim has been scheduled. Well, boy, howdy, so did mine. I found myself holding my breath at odd moments for the next few hours of mad scramble packing. Big sighs and forgetting to breathe. It's funny, but I couldn't relax until I got to the airport. And now here I sit, at the gate telling you all about my hopes and fears. There is something to be said for this powerful Internet tool. How else could I tell you all how much I love you, and how much it means to me to know that you are out there following my progress. You are, right? There's a link on the right of this page, click it! This is a big test of strength, but a bigger test of faith, mine in me, yours in me, mine in yours and around and around. Another friend said that she felt like she was getting on the plane to go too, and in so many ways you all are going to cross the channel with me. When the going gets tough, I may curse you all a bit, but if I do it friend by friend, and swim a hundred strokes for each of you, I'll probably be done and on the beach in France before I finish the list. And you will all be on the beach in France because I will surely be hallucinating by then (just kidding, mom). So thank you all for your love and support, I can feel it now, and I will feel it when I jump into the black water at 1:30 am off of Shakespeare Beach... Know this, if nothing else, I am very happy I started this, I am reaching the starting line healthy (a big achievement for endurance athletes), I have put in a lot of hours of training, and what ever happens, it's been an adventure of a life time...... already....... No regrets!

Thank You

Thank you everyone for a lovely party at the South End Rowing Club last Friday. The Happy Hour was a perfect send off for my swim. I am feeling so lucky. At this point there is nothing more I can do that will benefit my chances, so I am enjoying myself, and swimming for pleasure. Now I just want to get to Dover and give it a try!


Some smart person reminded me to enjoy the anticipation and not wish it all away. So I am trying to. I have done all of the little tasks one does before they travel, and I am printing out emails full of well wishes and wisdom to read when the going gets tough, or just on the plane ride. And I would like to thank so many people who have been instrumental in getting me to this place. They are too numerous to mention by name, but I hope you all know how important you are to me, and how much your contribution has meant.


I need to thank my parents, all of them :-) for their never wavering support and their financial assistance. They think I can do this. Orinda Auqarics, whose financial contribution pushed me into to this in the first place, and Suzie. How do I thank someone who has been with me from the start. Suzie Dods convinced me that I could swim Gibraltar, and helped me train, but it was her own success with the English Channel and the Catalina Channel that inspired me to give this big swim a go. We often swam together on club swims, and she is always so encouraging. Then she connected me to the English Channel chat line and I was hooked. I have been reading about other swimmer's trials and tribulations and successes for two years now. Thank you Suzie for opening up my world to the possibilities... you are an inspiration, and a good friend.

This blog always seems to rah rah and Pollyanna, but I have to say that this crazy journey has been very positive. I have never been so happy and content in my own skin and in my own life. Hard work is a reward in itself. Succeed or fail, I will have benefited from training for this epic event. Now if I could just get the chance to do the bloody swim!!!

So Full of Joy!

I am feeling so full of joy. This has been such an amazing journey. I can't explain why I want to swim the English Channel, but I am so happy that I decided to give it a go. I am in the happy eleventh hour with only a week to go. There is literally nothing left that I can do that would help me get across now. I just have to stay sane, healthy and injury free. I am officially tapering. I swim between one and two hours each day (ok sometimes three but only if I want to) and I swim for pleasure! I am walking on air. I hope I can remember this feeling when I am gutting it out after ten hours. I have a long list of people to think about while I swim. That will help. I have so many people to thank. The love and support throughout this entire process has been unbelievable. It's been fun sharing my adventure with everyone. I think some people have their doubts, but hell, so do I. What sane person wouldn't. But most people say that they see how happy I am in the water, and that they think I'll press on. Left arm, right arm, repeat 'till done. And with Jackie Cobell on my boat, I won't be allowed to get out before 28 hours... so I think I'll make it.
There's a going away party Friday night at the club, and then it's time to pack and fly!
I have a date to meet Robert, Hannah, and John Saturday morning in Dover Harbor for my first swim in England and then it's just waiting for the call!
Think good thoughts for "warm water, calm seas". My window opens August 7-12 and my pilot is Stuart Gleeson. There has been a lot of success this week in the channel. I hope that the channel gods keep smiling on the swimmers to come.

Less Than Two Weeks To Go

I am back in my happy place. I am so excited about my adventure. I saw JP at the club and gave him a t-shirt and a bracelet. As my "coach" I want him to be sending me good vibes while I swim. Then my friend Maggie took pictures for me so I might have something to put on my blog (thank you). Then I got to see the SERC Sea Nymphs after their triumphant return from an English Channel Relay swim. They have been a wealth of encouragement, information, and enthusiasm. They had such a great experience. I hope mine is as good. I saw John who is back from a successful Gibraltar Straits swim and pumping me up with talk of following my path and making his own bid for the channel next. Then I got to "coach" for Leslie and Swim-Art. It was three hours of shared enthusiasm for open water swimming. It was so great to see so many people new to the sport having such a great time in the bay. I loved it. I fed off of their fun. Then today I went for a swim with a bunch of folks, especially Dan who is training for Tahoe in three weeks. After two hours (three outside/outsides, a Fort Mason, and a cove) we went in and he said thanks for a lovely birthday swim. Icing on the cake! I had such a great day.

Everything is falling into place. I have been training since January, I have been waiting for ever, and now it's really going to happen. The club is hosting a Happy Hour send off party on Friday evening, and then a week from Wednesday I get to go go go!

Catalina Lessons

The panic was complete. My stomach was clutched with cramps. I hadn't succumbed to the vomiting yet, but I knew it was coming. The almost three hour boat ride from San Pedro to Catalina had almost been fun. But arriving in the pitch dark, it was now 11:30 pm, and knowing that Karen was about to try to swim all the way back to the mainland, was daunting, ok, terrifying. I was scared, what must she be feeling? We had motored out for almost three hours at a good clip, and now we would be heading back at swimmer speed, under two nautical miles an hour, a slow painful roil for those of us on the boat, and a long hard slog for Karen in the water. The reality of what she was about to do was sinking in. And I was thinking about doing this crazy stunt too? What kind of person would try such a thing? In the dark? I was freaked! We dropped anchor so that Karen could get ready to swim. Around us in the dark we could see and hear seals going after flying fish. It was all a bit too "circle of life" for me. I can only imagine how Karen felt. She was friendly, but quiet. I helped her put sunscreen everywhere, and Jen greased up the bits that chafe. And before I knew it she was standing at the railing, and after a moment or two of god only knows what sort of contemplation, she jumped in and swam to shore. I didn't learn until she finished that she had been holding on by a thread to the contents of her stomach. She was seasick and vomiting for the first three hours of the swim. I lasted until Karen's first feeding, sitting outside the cabin with a glow stick around my neck watching her swim. The rolling was beyond description. I had taken Bonine, but it was a losing battle. Just after her first feed, and everyone's encouragement, I went below to see if lying down might somehow be better. Before I could even get to the bunk I had to fly out to the stern barely making it to the railing before the projectile vomiting began. I threw up for what seemed like an hour, but was more likely five minutes. And then I went below and curled up in the fetal position and passed out. I don't know if it was the fear or the Bonine, but I was unconscious for the next three hours. I had no control over my own body. I was either throwing up or a sleep. Every three hours I seemed to be able to ask how things were going, but I was not very helpful. I think I cheered, or fed Karen three times. During the entire 14 hours? So embarrassing. But even after the sun came up I was unable to stay awake. As we neared the mainland, the people who had actually crewed for Karen, and helped her achieve her goal readied to swim in the last 500 yards. They kindly offered to let me join in the fun. Once I hit the water, I remembered what this was all about. It wasn't about me learning about channel swimming, it wasn't about being useful, and helpful, it was about swimming. And swimming in the ocean. And how much we love swimming in the ocean. The water was beautiful, the sun was out, and Karen had swum the Catalina Channel. It was a powerful moment. She was amazing! She battled sickness, dark, fear of marine life, and time. And she made it!!! (www.thelongswim.blogspot.com) It was very moving. All the bad stuff melted away in the water. Maybe not all, I am still very humbled by what she accomplished, and terrified of what I am about to do, but I am not curled up in the fetal position asleep. I am swimming, although much reduced since I am officially tapering, and packing and planning for my big adventure.

Way to go Karen, I am in awe of you, and so proud to have been a witness to your accomplishment. I hope I can live up to your example.

So Many Good Things

So many good things keep happening to me. Last week I was freaking out. So much so that I couldn't write. Everything was worrying me. Which suit to wear, should I take seas sickness medicine, what about food for the people on the boat, I'm going to have my period during my window (bummer), should I use channel grease or bag balm, sunscreen, how do I get solid food, why do the last two km take longer than the first five and on and on and on. My friend Steffan said that this is the time when the romantic notion of swimming the channel gets run over by the enormous reality of the challenge ahead. Well I was getting a splitting headache with too big a dose of reality.
But that has all changed.
So many good things keep happening to make my channel swim feel like a group effort.
Cathy gave me a yellow silicone South End swim cap.
Katrina loaned me a new two piece suit with South End stitched on the butt (and it fits)!
Mark loaned me his spot tracker so that everyone can follow me across the channel.
Joe asked to swim for three hours Wednesday morning to help him train for his Tahoe event, as did Danielle for this Saturday and Suzie and JP plan to jump in too. Fast Eddie wrote my name on the Channel plaque (in sharpie - I hope it comes off) just to make me laugh. My cup runneth over with good feelings and encouragement. I am feeling so much support from every corner.
I am going to crew for Karen from England on her Catalina Channel swim, just think what an invaluable experience that will be. I will see first hand just what a channel swim is like.
It might freak me out, but I think it's worth the chance to learn what goes into one of these events before I try to host my own.
Suzie reported to the chat line that "Summer had reached SF, the water hit 60 degrees." Well it left the very next day. Tonight the water was 57 again. Who cares, I love the cold water! It's better for my sore shoulders, right? My right shoulder is sore. I go to the doctor Thursday for him to take a look (ultrasound). I think he will recommend corizone, and I will probably agree to it just before I travel. You have to take four or five days off from swimming after the shot, so I need to wait until the last minute...
I have this funny feeling that my channel experience is coming to an end. It's bitter sweet. I have been thinking of little else for the past nine months, and now there are only three weeks left of swimming, then about a week of waiting, and then one really tough day of swimming!
Wow, then what? Well, I think all of the great things that have been happening this week will come back to me while I am swimming and they will help me get through the tough parts. Eddie, writing on the plaque, Mark telling me the sweetest parts of his channel swim, JP telling me not to do a 6/7 back to back that I had done enough and a 4/5 would be fine (oh joy) and Suzie asking me to help get her out of the house before 7:00 am and Kristine getting me to kayak for her in Lake Del Valle. All of this is karma and good feelings in the bank for the dark times in the cold water. And Jonathan's story of him making it even though his rotator cuff was shot, and Katrina lending me her suit, it's like they'll be there with me. And Steffan wants to use my bubble cap after I christen it. This all feels good, and lucky and I know I will make it.
Stick with me, I have a spot tracker to follow now, thanks Mark!

Does Eight Hours in Fresh Water still count?

Fourth of July weekend, Lake Winnepesaukee New Hampshire, I swam for eight hours escorted by my faithful husband and joined for two important hours by my sister Krysia. We got a late start, about 4:30 am, but the sun never really came out luckily. I swam from Kenniston Island to Parker Island, back to shore and down to Goodhue and Hawkins Navy Yard to get some gas, then back across the broads to Kenniston so Jorge could have a break and grab some food. While he was on land I kept swimming around Kenniston, then he got back in the boat and my sister Krysia and I swam across to Barndoor Island, around it, and Little Barndoor, and back home. This wasn't quite eight hours so I went around Kenniston one more time for a total of 8:05. I don't know how far I went because my phone GPS crapped out because I hadn't charged it properly. The water was about 66-68 degrees, there were about two hours of the eight that I would consider rough swimming, waves, wind and white caps around the backside of Barndoor and in the Broads, but all in all a great swim. I can't believe how well Jorge did. He just slogged it out. I can't imagine what he was thinking, but he probably thought the same thing about me. I counted to 100 a lot.

Checking out the Atlantic (American side)

I got to swim in the Atlantic yesterday. It is saltier than the Pacific, but the same temperature as the Bay. I am on vacation visiting my mom, and we went to Rockport Massachusetts, where she grew up. I channeled my grandmother who swam in the Atlantic every day, year round, off Back Beach. I was very happy to get to swim at her beach. I spent many a happy summer day playing there on the rocks. And now as then, I had a Weimaraner at my side, my mother's dog, Tulla.

I only stayed in for twenty minutes, but it was the thought that counts. There was a lot of seaweed. Something else to get used to. I will get to swim in the Connecticut river for a few hours tomorrow. My mom thinks that she wants to come with me in a Kayak, I think she will get bored, but maybe not, but I will get fed. And I will get some photos, which I always like. I need to just keep swimming... time is flying by.

Summer's Here...

It's finally hot here today! Not that the bay has warmed up, but my house has. Today I got to swim in the bay; my first weekday swim, yay! I got there around 7 am. Way too late for any Sunriser, and I had to deal with commuter traffic. Lesson learned. Leave earlier. I had planned to see how many outside/insides I could do in two hours, but there was a rip roaring flood so I tried, unsuccessfully to swim to Fort Mason. I really tried. Three times I went out there and slogged it out for more than thirty minutes. It was glorious. I didn't make it, but I got some good swimming in. It's like swimming on a treadmill, but way harder. I love it. The feel of the power of the water coursing all around you. It was a blast. And when I got tired I would float back to the opening and swim around the cove to recuperate and then try again. It was a fun workout. My plan this week is to swim 2 hours Tuesday (Bay) (done!), 3 hours in the pool Wednesday, 2 hours Thursday in the Bay, rest Friday, and then 3 hours both Saturday and Sunday in the Bay. This is a big increase of time from last week, but not from the two weeks before. So I think it's a good plan. I just need to get started early to avoid too much sun, traffic, and wind.
I must admit that I am a bit tired from the intensity of this morning's swim. But that's why the pool day in the middle. I will focus on technique and stretch out and swim relaxed.
I must say that I might not have made my goal today if it weren't for the nice man, Jeff?, I met at the flag this morning. I was a bit bored, so of course any excuse to talk to someone in the water, and he asked me what I was up to, and then offered to swim a bit together. He was faster than I was in the calm cove, but I was stronger in the flood outside. Funny how that is. It made me feel good to see that I had some power, if not speed. That might come in handy, who knows.
But in an email today my friend Steffan remarked that I was a social swimmer, which I guess I just proved to myself yet again. I would have followed Jeff anywhere and would have swum a lot longer, anything not to have to do another loop alone. I hope I can visualize my friends swimming with me in England. Or that the goal will be partner enough. I sure do prefer having a body in there with me. Must work on setting a goal and doing it. Oh right, that's what this whole bloody thing is about. Must learn to read the tide book, then I won't set unreasonable goals for my swims and feel bad about breaking them. Good plan, off to bed.

Wish I had a Picture...

I had such a fabulous day today, I wish I had a picture! Last night I got a text from Jimmy asking if I was swimming the club Yacht Harbor swim this morning so I decided to join him. It couldn't have been better. It was a super group. Jimmy being a triathlete, ran to the start while the rest of us had a fun ride in the zodiac with our intrepid pilot Diana. Jimmy, Bonnie, Kristin and I swam together in a tight pod (we were so well behaved)! It was so fun riding the flood. There were other swims out there so the place was crawling with kayak support, but we were a small group under Diana's watchful eye. At the opening I invited everyone to go on and swim an outside/inside, which they all declined, cold I guess. But they were kind enough to let me continue swimming and not get out to help care for the boat. So after the Yacht Harbor and the outside/inside I was on my way back from the opening to the club and who should meet swimming toward me but my hero from last Sunday, Mike Tzorgis (sp? I really should learn to spell his name since he keeps popping up and doing nice things for me). He was on his way to Fort Mason. I looked around and said, "Who are you swimming with?". His reply, "You". So I turned around and we swam against the flood to Fort Mason, and then rode it back. Again at the opening I asked if he wanted to do an outside/inside to extend out time in the water, but he had to meet someone and got out. I decided to make it an honest two hours so I turned right and headed for the flag. I checked the temperature at the flag, 56, and at the Balcutha, 59. So I figure I was out there in 57-58 degree water for 2 hours 10 minutes. I had to swim a bit harder than I do on my own to stay with my friends, and poor Mike probably had to slow down, but the camaraderie makes every hour so much easier. I hope I can channel those happy feelings when I am alone in the Straits of Dover...
So I swam eight hours this week. But school/work is out for SUMMER!!! So now I can get even more serious about my training. I am so excited, happy, well, and feeling strong!
And to cap off a good week, my friend John Brooks was successful in his Gibraltar Straits swim!!! He was put off two times by big winds, but was allowed to go Saturday, and he was successful!!! I am so proud of him. I hope this means that he will finally join the South End Rowing Club and keep on swimming! Lots of love, John, job well done!!!

Ouch That Hurt

So Sunday was the Bay to Breakers swim. Ten plus miles from the Bay Bridge out under the Golden Gate Bridge into the open ocean, turn left and head south down the coast to Ocean Beach. It was AWESOME!!! The sea was "Greek Myth" quality as our race director Bill Wygant said. And the surf at the finish was epic and dangerous. Witness the large red projectile (Kayak) shooting out of the surf and aiming for me (small yellow head in the waves). I got a good solid bonk on my shoulder and to my cheek, but I could only think of how lucky I was not to get knocked out. It was an amazing swim. Two hours, thirty-seven minutes, starting with a touch of the Bay Bridge in smooth water, to some vortex like whirlpools, huge swells, as well as the famed "potato patch" under the Golden Gate Bridge. Not to mention the monster surf converging with I don't know what sort of water south of Seal Rock. It was exciting. We had a ton of supporters in the water in kayaks and zodiacs and even more people on the beach as well as a few surfers to rescue those in need, thanks Mike! It was one of the best days of my life. I had the best, funniest, and most entertaining pilot out there. Eddie you know what I mean, and thanks to Paul Saab's video so does everyone on facebook; pole dancing, and push-ups in a kayak? Seventeen intrepid swimmers touched the Bay Bridge and I think 14 stepped out onto the beach. I was the first woman out, which was a shock until I realized that only two women made it to the finish (yeah Ann!).

Tough Week

This has been a tough week. I don't know if it's because I am tired, or experiencing a normal let down after a big event, or that I am just over worked. But I don't like it. It is the end of the school year and the kids are draining me. My moonlighting soccer job had it's first big deadline which has meant less sleep and more time in front of the computer. And I did my six hour swim and am tired. But I hate feeling like this. I like the high of doing something hard and having my friends swim with me and rally around to support me. I don't like this isolated, blue feeling. It was so much fun to have Steffan visiting from Arkansas. And the club rallied in support of my six hour swim with people on the dock cheering and people swimming by my side. Lynn even brought champagne. And now it's back to the pool. I have two fun swims this weekend, but somehow they pale in comparison. I think I need some sleep and an attitude adjustment. I only have nine weeks left until I leave. I need to redouble my efforts and get training. One six hour swim does not a channel swimmer make.
I plan to take tomorrow off from work, sleep in, be nice to my dog, take her for a walk, go to a movie, and do some much needed chores including getting stuff for my feeds for Sunday's Bay to Breakers swim. I just need to get my life back in order. A little control will feel good. A little sleep will feel even better.

Last Hoop Jumped through

That's it. My six hour qualifier is done! I feel terrific. This was an amazing swimming weekend. Every aspect surpassed my expectations. I met Steffan Sarkin and his wife, from Arkansas (and the Channel chat line). He was a super swimmer. Strong and fast. And his energy was a pleasure to share. We swam Friday evening in balmy 57-58 degree water and then enjoyed a meal. Then Saturday morning we met Suzie Dods at the Club at 7:00 am and jumped in for a two hour adventure. We swam right outside the cove to Fort Mason against a strong flood. Steffan is so much faster than I am that the poor guy was basically on his own in cold unfamiliar waters. He was a champ. We were joined by several Sunriser swimmers whose pilot failed to show. So I got to swim with Diana and Kristen much to my joy. We had a great meal, saw a bit of the Barcelona vs Man United game and then jumped back into the bay for another two hours. Steffan was shocked by the temperature, but I was excited that it wasn't colder. We swam in the wind and some rain, but mostly ok weather. This was all a prelude to me attempting to swim my six hour English Channel Qualifying swim. I went home Saturday night a very nervous girl. The longest I had been in the bay to date was three hours, and now I was planning on six? What was I thinking. I had some serious doubts. So I sent out my fears to the club. I emailed the SERC chat line what I was planning along with all of my reservations and no surprise, people flocked to the club Sunday morning to support me.
My plan was to swim 12 Coves and feed every 30 minutes as I passed the SERC dock. I started out by chasing Steffan down to the flag, and then I was on my own. But when I came to the dock for the first feed there was Danielle ready to spur me on. I had told everyone in my email that I was worried that it would be hard to feed and then "turn right" and start off on the next lap because on the first leg of the circuit the wind is in your face, you are swimming against the current and waves slap you on every breath. And you know that you have to do it again, and again. So it was super to have someone calling me down the buoy line. Every time I hit the dock there were different people smiling, cheering and encouraging me onward. At the two hour mark, Joe, Bryce and Don jumped in, and Joe stayed for the entire middle two hours. This was huge. I knew I could make two hours, and I thought I could do the last hour since I would be like the horse that can see the barn on the ride home, but those middle hours were a bit fuzzy, and I was worried I might falter. So Joe was a real trooper. At four hours, Joe went in, but I didn't know it because Eddie and Barry took his place. I was thrilled. Eddie was crazy, he wore flippers and had a kick board. He was like a big puppy throwing the kick board ahead of us and then butterflying to it. All the while Barry kept saying, "Come on, Ranie. Keep swimming" in his beautiful Irish brogue. He was relentless. I must have been a bit out of it because I wasn't worried and wanted to play around. But Barry knew better because the water was cold and I needed to keep my engine revving our I might be done. At five hours, Steffan came back in as did the whip cracker, Suzie and dear Stephanie came back in for a double dip. Suzie had gotten me started and she was going to be there for the finish. I was so happy.
I never once wanted to stop. I never once thought about getting out. I never once lost my sense of humor (Jen I will always be embarrassed about how cranky I got with you after six hours in Lake Tahoe).
After the swim, I warmed up with potato chips and coca cola in the sauna (recommended recovery food :), thank you Lynn, and the only ill effect I had was a very unhappy stomach. I don't know if it was the fuel I used or the amount of salt water I drank, but my stomach was very upset. But it passed. I didn't eat much last night, but I am fine today. My shoulders are tired, but not sore. I can't believe how good I feel. I feel like I could do it all over again, but thank god I don't have to today at least. I know that there are more six hour swims in my future, but it feels very good to have this official swim put to bed.
I have crossed all of my "t"s and dotted all of my "i"s. I am Channel bound!

Nervous Excitement

So I don't write for weeks and now I can't stop. I am full of nervous excitement and anticipation. I am excited about getting my qualifier completed and about meeting Steffan, fellow channel aspirant from Arkansas. I am overwhelmed with end of school work, soccer registration work and family guilt. What with physical therapy taking a few hours a week after school, soccer computer work taking hours each night after dinner, and swimming exhaustion, I find it hard to care what I make (or procure) for dinner and the laundry continues to pile up. The dog is the biggest loser. She gets one or two runs a week not a day. Balance is a tricky thing and I have not achieved it. But I keep thinking to myself that after August I can make it up to my family. I hope that counts. I really do because I need to focus and guilt is not a useful emotion.
I am feeling so good inside. This morning I was tired and thought maybe I should sleep in since I have such a big weekend planned. But I know that I ALAWYS feel better when I start my mornings in the water, so I thought I will swim an "active rest" workout and not push myself, but just stretch out and relax. Well just diving in made me so happy. I have a visceral experience every time I dive into the water. It's like a whole body sigh. I relax and feel strong and joyful and lithe. It's wonderful, feeling the soft welcoming water and your body making that graceful (I hope) arc with the bubbles surrounding you. I wish I could explain it, but it is like coming home. Maybe not quite so welcoming diving into the cold bay, but the lovely warm clean pool is a joy. Of course the best laid plans make the best jokes. Steve Haufler was our coach today and there was no room for "active rest". He had planned something a bit more athletic, but I adjusted. I must be growing up. I caught myself and stopped the "coach pleasing" and reminded myself of my needs and my ultimate goal which was not to work at race pace, but to stretch out and relax. I must be growing up.
Think "warm water, calm seas" thoughts for this weekend and send good vibes my way. I'll be in the water most of both days.

Ten Weeks from Today...

The countdown is deafening in my head. Ten weeks from today I will board a plane and fly across the Atlantic to meet my destiny. Dramatic, much? But it feels like that. Now I keep thinking about how those ten weeks will shake out. This weekend is my six hour qualifier, then the Bay to Breakers on June 5th, then school lets out, then I go on vacation to visit my parents (lots of good swimming there, (Connecticut River and Lake Winnepesaukee) and then I have only a month to be ready, and two or three of those weeks will be a taper. Is that enough time? Can I do this? Have I left it too little too late? Sometimes I think I'm done for, and other times I think I've got everything planned out nicely. Time will tell. I just have to keep plugging away at the hours of swimming. Lots of three and four hour swims on the weekends and once school lets out.
Today it's pouring!!! What a bummer, that means the bay will be colder and dirtier this weekend. I hate swimming after a big rain. The water is brown and stirred up. But that's neither here nor there, it must be done. One cool thing is that people are offering to come out and swim with me in the Cove this weekend. Join me for a lap or two? The reply has been a resounding, YES! This club is such a special group of people. Everyone has offered some sort of support at some point during my quest.
I had a bit of mixed news from my soccer club, they offered to let me do my moon lighting registration job, but for less than half of what they paid me last year. Quite the bummer, but better than nothing and I can't turn them down. In essence I have already spent the money. But please, everyone remind me after this escapade, I can't afford another adventure until 2013!!! Someone please hold me to that. I will be digging myself out of debt from this one for most of next year. But that's fair. Dreams don't come cheap. And this is a BIG DREAM!
I keep reminding myself that I am one of the lucky people who have attempted something big, and regardless of the outcome, I have "dared greatly". I have put myself out there, I will be tested, and I will get to France. I fantasize about stepping out of the waves onto the beach in Calais. And I fantasize about the swimming; some big waves, some calm water, some dark times, mostly light, and I am so happy in that English water, and even happier in the reported warmer waters of France. I can't wait.
One more bit of good news, My husband bought his plane ticket too. I didn't actually think he was going to come, but he stepped up and we are off together. I really want him to be there. I think he can't understand this passion of mine, but I am glad that he will be there to witness it. Whatever the outcome, he will have a new view of me, and hopefully a new respect. I hope he won't just see this as "crazy" which is what he thinks now, but as something personal and important, even if just for the doing of it. There is value in testing one's self to the outer limits, because out there in the dark places we learn about our selves. I often tell people that I don't know how I made it to Morocco. I can't account for that last hour of my Gibraltar swim. But I know that I did it, I know that I found something inside myself to get through the difficulty. It wasn't the time, I was only out there for five hours. I could have swum for a long time more, but I wasn't making any progress, and I was dispirited to the point of entertaining giving up. But that was in my head; my body kept swimming, luckily, and I didn't quit. I think I am more mentally prepared this time, I hope, because I will need to be. I bet that there will be several "dark" times on this swim, and I hope that I "just keep swimming", because as Lynne Cox says, "Once you quit, you're done. But if you don't quit, you still have the chance to succeed" (or something like that - please excuse my paraphrasing).
Sunday is the next big test. I haven't gone for more than three hours in the bay and I have to go more than six. Here comes a test. I look forward to the challenge.

Bought Me a Ticket, Hopped on a Plane...

I bought my ticket to England today!!! I am so excited, but also feeling a bit sick to my stomach. This makes it real! Somehow I could have still backed out until now. I know I was fooling myself, but our minds can do crazy things to help us sleep at night. But now, I have my plane ticket, I have my boat pilot, I've paid my CSA association fees, and last but not least, I am swimming my six hour qualifying swim this weekend. I am blown away with how real this all is. I am going to swim the English Channel! Ten weeks from tomorrow!!! I'll never be ready. Oh right, I probably never will feel ready, but I will be ready. I have some good swims ahead, six hours in the Cove at Aquatic Park this Sunday, and then the Bay to Breakers the following weekend. Then school will be out for the summer and I can swim in the bay every day until I leave. This is so exciting, and a bit sobering. God, I hope I can do this. As people keep telling me, it's really just swimming from one feed to the next. If I figure out some good fuel, I should be looking forward to the next one, right? My heart is so full...

Things are going well...

I was just about to title this "Back on Track" but I see I was already back. This is a good sign. It means that I am aware that I was in a slump recently, but that I have been feeling good for a while too. I swam a "two-a-day" this week, just like the high school swimmers. I had not tried that before. I swam my morning Masters workout (just over an hour) and then went to a "lap swim" session at an other pool for two hours that night. I felt very proud of myself. I set a goal and stuck to it. And then the next morning I got up and went swimming with my Masters group again. Very satisfying! And I was surprised at how well I felt. Not very sore, a bit sleepy at work, but good in general. The next afternoon I had Physical therapy and they are working wonders on my shoulders. I think if I can keep going to PT for the remainder of my training I will have it made. I know I need to strengthen the little muscles surrounding my shoulders, and stretch the big ones, but it is good to have someone (Crystal and Kris) work their magic on my muscles and tendons. It hurts like hell, but there is always ice!

Back on Track

Life feels like it is back on track. I haven't fixed my money worries, and the Bay is still freaking freezing (OK 55-56 degrees is getting better) but I had such a fun weekend that I feel like I will make my goal. Thursday I was depressed and mad at the world which often seems to correspond to the mornings I don't go to my masters swim workout, so I took the dog for a long hard hilly run after work. This was a bad idea because Friday was the Run, Jump, Swim event at the club. So after making myself go swimming before work (to lighten my bad mood) and the hard run the day before, I was sore and tired for the RJS. The event was to run from the front door of our club in San Francisco, around to the end of the Muni Pier (about 2/3s of a mile), vault over the wall and swim back to the club beach (about 1/3 of a mile), run through the club and do it all over again. The contest is to see how many laps you can do in one hour. I thought I would be brilliant and wear my "five-finger" vibram running shoes because I thought I could leave them on and swim in them. Well, they worked OK in the swim, but running on concrete with no support or cushioning, and I was all but crippled the next day. My calves are so bunched up, I can barely walk. Boy do I feel stupid. But I made four laps, placed 15th (out of 30 :-) and had a blast! It was fun running through the crowds of tourists in my bathing suit, cap, and goggles... and I love jumping off of things into water, always have. There was a fabulous party afterwards. It was the South End at it's finest. Saturday, I had planned on swimming for two hours in the bay, but I only made 1.5. It was a beautiful morning in the bay. I swam with John Brooks (who is off to swim Gibraltar in three weeks) and we swam to Fort MAson and back to the club, and then did an Outside/Inside and back to the club and then I quit. So I was disappointed in myself. My shoulders are sore, and I have burning pain in the right bicep. But I "quit" and that's not OK. Reasons aside, it is important to do what you say you are going to do. So today, Sunday, I went to the pool and swam for over three hours. I needed to stay at it, and not give up because of the cold or pain, and I did. I learned a bit about the mental work I need to do too. At just over one hour, I wanted to pack it in, but after the second hour, I was happy and well. And just after the third hour, when the guard came to tell me that I had to get out, I had energy to spare and did a "fast" hundred to close out the session. I could have stayed for a while longer. My shoulders are sore, but not painful. I am feeling strong and hopeful. Next weekend I have a swim clinic/lesson and will slack off a bit, and then the following weekend, Memorial Day, I am scheduled to swim my six hour qualifying swim. I am so excited and I feel ready. I need to stay positive. I have been looking over my log and I have been working towards this goal for over 19 weeks. That is a long time. I need to realise and appreciate my dedication. The English Channel is a huge goal, and I am putting in huge effort. This is something to be proud of. I have eleven weeks remaining. I need to stay focused, and get down to the hard stuff. In four weeks, school will be over, and then I can really put in the time and swim in the bay every day. Life is good, and I am feeling strong.

An Even Better Day...for so many reasons

I am still bubbling over with good feelings and happiness. Last night my club held it's annual Cinco de Mayo event, the dreaded "Five Coves of Death". I think the name is a bit dramatic since we are in the safe haven of the Aquatic Park Cove, but it is a truly difficult swim. It begins at 5:00 pm and you swim five circuits of the cove which is roughly five miles if you hug the perimeter. And since it's May 5th the water is COLD! Do I harp on that theme a bit? Sorry, but it has been bothering me a lot. But last night I broke through the mental barrier and completed all five coves in 2:29 minutes. Last Sunday I had attempted the same thing and pulled out after only three. For the past few weeks I have not been able to stay in the bay longer than 1:30. Last night proved that it was just a mental hurdle and not I am over it. After the swim I was euphoric. The kind of high one rarely gets with out chemical assistant (heck even with chemicals it's rare). The camaraderie, the support, the excitement the fabulous weather, the fabulous food and friends all made for a wonderful event. I love the mighty South End Rowing Club.

A Great Day - For No Reason 5.3.11

Today I feel great. I can't explain why, and I don't care. My right shoulder hurts enough for me to make an appointment with my doctor and to go see a physical therapist. I saw the PT today and am very encouraged. I see the doctor on Thursday and know that he too will help me get to France. I had a rough weekend. I tried to swim the Five Coves of Death in preparation for the Bay to Breakers swim. I was unsuccessful, a first for me. I got too damn cold. But more truthfully, I got scared about the cold. I was worried that swimming alone and far from a place to get out, that I might get so cold that I might do something stupid, so I got out early. I am going to try again on Thursday evening and I know I can make it. With the camaraderie of a few more swimmers in the cove and some support crafts, I know I can stay in there for five coves. And after that... six hours! I am dying to get my six hour qualifying swim out of the way. God only knows why. I will just have to do a longer one the minute it's done. But that's the idea, right?
I got my copy of the British H2O Open Water Swimming Magazine today. It is so inspiring. A big glossy magazine full of open water swimming pictures, advice, and stories. I love it!
I emailed many people this last week asking for a pep talk and everyone got back to me. I was worried that I was going off track. I couldn't decide whether to swim in the Bay for less time, but in the cold, or in the pool for the longer time but in the warmer water. I think I will do a bit of both. Swim in the bay for as long as I can, and then hit the pool to round out a few more hours... But it is the response that was so wonderful. This group of people are so caring and helpful. I love this sport. It is so difficult to explain to someone why one might want to train endlessly to swim the English Channel, but if I could just introduce them to the people I have met through this endeavor, they would understand immediately. Everyone is so generous with their information, and heartfelt encouragement. And they are all over the world, doing similar stuff. It is incredible and yet somehow just what you would expect. Swimmers are nice people. Maybe it's stripping down to your skivvies and hanging out in public, it takes away much of the bull shit. Maybe it's the cold water that softens our brains, but count me in, I love it.
I am feeling very lucky to be able to pursue this amazing dream.

Where Did April Go?

Somehow I have neglected to write... maybe because I would have whined too much. It's funny but some days have been fabulous, where all is right with my swimming, my plan, and my goal, and then there are the black days where my shoulder hurts, I feel fat, and weak, and I can't believe I was stupid enough to send over $2,000 dollars off to England on a crazy dream. Today is somewhere in between. I have been keeping up with my swimming goals fairly closely. I have not hit all of my weekend long swims, but not because of lack of will, but do to cold water in the bay. I have it in my head that time in the bay is better than time in the pool. Who knows, and if I can only stand 1.5 hours in the Bay then perhaps I should jump in the pool in the afternoon, but so far I have not. I have done several "double dips" of an hour in the bay, and hour warming up and then getting back in for another hour. That is good too. I have settled on my food for at least my six hour qualifier. I plan to use Accelerade, by itself, Perpetuem mixed with Accelerade (tastes better), and GU for caffeine and a change of flavors. I will see how well this works on the six hour swim.

My right shoulder is giving me problems. I have seen the Physio and am icing it after swimming. It is not really "injured", but I need to fix my stroke to make it go away. I am not following my own best advice; I am not going to yoga every week. I need to make an effort to fix this. I need to stretch more even if it means I swim less. But swimming is easy. I have that figured out, when, where, how, yoga is an additional expense, and a different time... there is always some excuse isn't there? I think it's interesting that I always feel like there is more that I need to do, when everyone around me thinks I do so much. It's a strange reality. Training for something so big, I fear that what ever I do it will not be enough. But I guess that's where the faith and trust come in. Faith in yourself, and trust in the process. I am doing the best that I can do today. I find that I am always the most unsure during my "rest weeks". I know that rest is invaluable, but I do love my endorphins. So in my rest week, I cut my workouts in half and I focus on drills and technique. It seems to work well, and if I want to sleep in one morning, I do, but this is rare. After getting up at 5:15 am for the past six plus years it's not that hard.

4-15-11 On Track

I haven't been writing. I don't know why, but it's probably fear. I have been obsessing about how cold the Bay is and how ill prepared I am for it which is all counter productive. I know the water will warm up, and if need be I can go somewhere else to do my six hour qualifying swim. So problem solved, get on with it and train!
I met with Leslie Thomas, a swim coach, channel swimmer, and pilot. She was very encouraging about my training and very helpful in getting my long swims organized. I have been in touch with several people to get advice on fuel and nutrition. I think I have a very good handle on what I will use. My plan at present is to use Accelerade (carbohydrate: protein energy drink) Pertpetuem (a more caloric sustained energy drink equal to Maxim) and GU (for variety of flavor and caffeine). I can't really handle solid food in the water. Now I just need to get into a body of water that is 60 degrees and big enough for a six hour swim and a support boat.

Still Winter Here

Life is hectic and fabulous. I just returned from a long weekend of skiing in Aspen Colorado. It was just about perfect. Aspen is an adult playgraound for atheletes. Anyone who likes the outdoors is happy there. I skiied and hiked in the snow to get to even better skiing and then it snowed for even better skiing. I am sore, tired and happy. I was hoping that my arms and shoulders would get a few days off, but they are weak from new use.

And So it Continues...

Here it is March 1st and once again I find myself posting money to Europe to secure a window for a crazy swimming adventure. Last July I successfully swam across the Gibraltar Straits and against my better judgement, but with a light and happy heart, I have committed to swim the English Channel. I have secured a "third" spot with Stuart Gleeson, a pilot with the Channel Swimming Association for the second neap tide in August (8/7-13). As luck would have it there are two relays and an other solo attempt going from the South End Rowing Club this summer and we will all be cutting it up on Dover together.
I can't really explain what swimming Gibraltar did for me, but for the first time in my fifty years I found the ability to lose weight. Who would have put the two ideas together, but for some reason once I tackled the hard challenge of swimming from Spain to Morocco, I finally realised that I had the ability to stop eating junk too. It was an unexpected gift, but very welcome. I am down forty pounds, and happy to stop here so that I will have some insulation for the Channel in August. I am stronger and fitter than ever. My stroke has improved (ok, I'm not really any faster...but my stroke is more efficient). I have a better understanding of what I need to do to be successful, and also a better understanding of exactly what I am getting myself into. That said, I have paid my deposit and I am on track with my training.
Here is what I propose to do:
Monday:
AM Swim 3500 yards (about 1.5 hours)
PM rest
Tuesday:
AM Run 30-45 minutes
PM Lift focus on Core, Strength and Balance
Wednesday:
AM Swim 3500 yards
PM Yoga
Thursday:
AM Swim 3000 yards
PM Run 30 minutes & Lift
Friday:
REST
Saturday:
Long Swim building to at least one 10 hour swim in the Bay
Sunday:
Recovery Swim (or Run or Bike... something fun)

The Saturday "Long Swims" will build for three weeks and then the fourth week will be an active rest week where each workout is cut in half (of the longest workout to that date).
I will see how this goes. Experiment with food and vary the intensity. I have worked up to a 2.5 hour swim last Saturday. I plan to do some "back-to-back" swims which seem to be a favorite of the folks in Dover Harbor, and see how they feel. I hope to put in a four hour swim in March and a 2 hour/2hour swim also in March.
I love the excitement of planning out a schedule, and getting advice from people all over the world.
Life is good, and I am excited about my prospects.
Just Keep Swimming!