2012 English Channel Swim
7 - 14 September 2012
After having cycled through Africa, completed 5 Ironman Triathlons, run the Comrades Ultra Marathon, Climbed Kili ... I have decided to take on a slightly tougher option ...
... 34km of cold, open water swimming ... leaving the coast of the eternal "wanna-be" soccer nation, over to the "frogs" on the other side ...
Well, what does one do when one falls prey to a nasty bout of flu and bronchitis? I can honestly say i have never been hit that hard ... total lack of energy and more mucous than I care to see for quite a while ...
Well this was the perfect time to spend on a training plan for the next ten months ... September 2012 is around the corner and I have some serious training to put back.
Basically I plan to have a minor peak end of February 2012 - a good 20km swim of sorts. I am not too sure yet if I should head out to Perth for the 20km swim or do one of the local 25km fresh water events.
My basic plan looks as follows:
- October through January I plan to build a solid base - a good 15 to 20km of swimming every week, still ample cross training and twice weekly gym sessions
- End February a decent 20-25km event
- March and April 2012 is strength training - lots of gym and 18 - 25km per week
- May and June 2012 I will be focusing on speed work and maintaining the 18 - 25km of swimming per week
- July 2012 will be major volume - where I aim to put in 30km per week for the whole of July
- August taper and recover
- September 2012 ... the aim is for 12 hours of mental strength to carry off the swim
The Zugspitze is Germany's tallest mountain ... and most definitely one of the most amazing things i have ever done. Maybe not recommended 2 days after pushing hard in a marathon; but then I am not known to do things like this in any clever way.
The hike is varied, exciting and very beautiful - the tunnels, face cliff climbs, glacier, forest, scrambles ... all come together for one exciting trip. Seven and a half hours hiking and climbing ended up being quite a tough little day ... but worth every step and breath of the way.
And being in Munich end of September lent itself to a rapid replacement of carbs and fluids ... seeing the Oktoberfest was running at the same time ;-)
And obviously so important to put on the weight ...
Berlin Marathon: 25 September 2011 ... what an awesome experience! 40 000 runners and over one million spectators. The weather was perfect (possibly a touch to warm) and the route was just a touch too long. For all of those (few) people reading this at some stage - and planning to go do a marathon or similar somewhere distant and special - remember to leave the sightseeing for AFTER the race.
It is not a good idea to race on tired legs :-) ... Amateur behavior ... but quite understandable for Berlin. It is such an amazing city!
The race went well ... I came in just under 4 hours. And very sore indeed! The 3h45 would have been nice, but that will have to wait for a further year or so ...
The real focus begins now - just over 11 months to go to the English Channel ... and a good 5 - 8 kg of extra weight I need to put on
Can anyone think of anything better in life ... the aim is to train hard AND put on ample weight ... oh how wonderful ...
Once again a very nice Knysna Half Marathon :-) First real race (if one calls my pace a race) in a very long time. Although quite poorly organised logistically; the race was run in great weather and it was real good fun.
1h50 - feeling strong and enjoying the whole route. Nice prep for Berlin in just over two months time.
Now that was tough! Dr Evil, the route designer, should be renamed Prof. Stupid. The course was really insane; long, tough, way to rough, steep and challenging ... even the professionals thought it was a little too far out there.
But we made it :-)
The body is worse for wear. Stiffer, more painful, more exhausted than ever before ... but therefore the smile is all the bigger. A brilliantly put together experience - great services, really good organisation ... all in all just lekker.
I won't be back ... at least no time soon ... with the current prices and extreme routes. But if you have not done it yet - go on, give it a try!
Well, isn't that just great ... I haven't even packed for one crazy event and my next one is confirmed.
I have received my confirmation for a slot to swim the English Channel in September 2012
7 - 14 September 2012
Slot 2
Pilot: Eddie
More on all that at a later stage ... those butterflies in my tummy are currently going into hyper-drive and i need to finish some serious work here for now.
The training is done. The final shopping is done. The butterflies are going wild in my tummy. And I can't say I am being overly productive at work these last few days.
... the Tour de France of Mountain Biking is upon us once more ... and eventually my time to have some fun ... and a real sore backside.
8 days
707km
(mainly technical, steep and insane)
over 14 000m of climbing
tents, rain, countryside
Tons of FUN
Oh well, another Pick n Pay Cape Argus Cycle Tour has passed ... the one with perfect weather, a good seeding and the perfect chance for a good sub-three.
And ... the first one where i get a puncture ... grrr ;-) So statistically I am overjoyed it has taken so long before I have had one (actually only 2 punctures ever in road races in 24 years), but a pity the sub-3 wasn't in the bag. Still happy with a 3h07.
A good day out in the sun, on the road and having a great cycle ... and knowing i am fit for the Epic torture coming up in under two weeks.
Disappointing and TOUGH!! ... this was ridiculous! Good training for the Epic, but just no fun on the day. Two day, very hot, good hills and lots of mileage.
Day one was supposed to be 106 km and ended up being 120km and I ran out of water for last 15km :-( Water stations poorly spaced out and not helped with 47 degrees Celsius and ... wait for it ... 15km of soft, soft sand to negotiate.
But at least real good preparation for ABSA Cape Epic ... three weeks to go ...
