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!