Getting VERY Nervous

Six weeks to go ... eish! My nerves are rather shod at the moment ... and I am nowhere close to the UK yet ;-)

It doesn't help having come down with a real nasty bout of flu and having missed two weeks of training. I also have to travel for work during three consecutive weeks ... and the work load is not letting up with the departure of my manager and various projects coming together at the same time.

But that is life ... and surviving in the real life can only help prepare for the sport challenges we choose.

I did my first 2km swim today - since coming down with the flu ... it was nice to glide through the water again. I have a gym session this evening, a massage and hopefully a good night's rest.

Tomorrow a 5km loosener and then two days on the road and lecturing delegates. Another three hard weeks of swimming lie ahead; and then 3 weeks tapering and time to do all the smaller admin duties.

I spent a great evening yesterday, with some great help, building my feeding rigs and prepping the bottles and plastic containers to fit ropes and all the necessary contraptions.

These prep sessions and ever increasing lists of things to do and buy are fuelling the excitement and nerves ...

... the trick is to find a way to switch off at night and find that much needed sleep!!

Tragedy for English Channel Swimmer

It is very sad that we receive news of a death of someone busy swimming the English Channel this last weekend.

"Páraic Casey from Cork, Ireland began his swim at 9.13am on Saturday morning and was just 1km from the coast of France at around 1:30 this morning when he took ill."

Mr Casey unfortunately passed away, even with all the efforts of the crew and emergency medical care flown in from France.

Just two weeks ago there was a lady from the UK who was pulled out of the water delirious and unconscious; and had to be admitted to ICU on her return to the mainland.

The Channel Crossing is always noted as the Everest of swimming. But also immediately backed up by us (swimmers) saying we don't have the same deaths and bodily harm as they do on those mountains. Unfortunately we do need to remember that there are risks even in swimming.

My condolences and feelings go out to the family of Mr Casey, his fellow swimmers from Ireland and all those involved in this tragic event.

For those that are wondering - I believe this is the eighth recorded English Channel death ever. And on Everest they had six this year alone (as far as i remember).

Heads up to all, good luck, and don't forget what we are getting ourselves into ...

Seven weeks to go

Eish ... Yawn ... Feeling very tired this week. Two hard swims and a weekend bachelor party do take it out of one ... last weekend's hard work has left me a little flat ...

Somehow I am not really getting into it this week. Thursday afternoon and only done one gym session and a 3km swim. Admittedly I do have an indoor 50m marathon pool session planned ... 25km this Saturday ... if I am feeling strong enough ;-)

So Seven Weeks to go! Nearly around the corner!

Regular cold water swims, several open water swims and one or two long swims left on the card. Finalisation of my swim feeding rigs; and reading through all the notes I have made over the last 18 months.

And still looking for a little more help on the boat, for my swim ...

If anyone knows someone who is keen to help out on my swim; to actually escort me and two mates (as well as the skipper and swim official) on the boat ... please let me know soon. I am looking for one more volunteer - probably from London or Dover or thereabout - to be on standby for the day, night, hours, 34km ...

Six Hour English Channel Qualifier

Now that was long and tough ... and that was just half of what I need to do in September. Last Saturday I spent six hours swimming from-and-around Kraalbaai, Langebaan Lagoon (about an hour and a bit north of Cape Town). 14 degree water. 19km. Some rain and cold weather ... but also some very pleasant sun.

I felt strong. I was well insulated. Not exactly mentally prepared ... but then maybe that played a little to my advantage ... as I was not overly stressed or serious about the whole thing.

A huge thanks goes to Belinda and Alex from the Big Bay Lifesaving Club for paddling along as escorts and food and drink suppliers. Also to Myles for being around for the weekend swimming :-)

Mentally it is really great to have completed it. Physically I am also real happy to have done it two months before my beeeeeg swim ... it really does take it out of one. I have lost weight in even those six hours. And I am noticeably tired these days.

I think a good party is in order this weekend (nothing like a good friend's bachelor party to confuse this body of mine a little bit) ... although I do still have to fit in 26km spread over Thursday, Friday and Sunday ...

Cheers for now - keep warm and keep smiling ...