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 ...

One tough training weekend

The headache, stifness and tiredness today is most definitely self inflicted ... We had some seriously hard work in the water this weekend ... and after having finished it all I can say I am more than happy. Those sentiments were NOT the same during yesterday's swim.

On Saturday we did a tough 8km, cold sea swim from Robben Island through to Big Bay in Blouberg, Cape Town. The water was a touch under 14 degrees, with a nasty wind chop for most of the way. We swam hard and did a decent 2h45. The real excitement was just before the start of the swim while we were swimming off to the island to start our swim ... coming through the kelp we spotted a nice 1m shark coming through to inspect us as a breakfast option.

On Sunday we then dragged our slightly stiff bodies off to a 50m indoor pool in Strand ... this was the really tough bit. 400 lengths later (20 km), totally exhausted and mind-numbingly bored of the lengths we treated ourselves to a decent burger and chips.

Thanks a mill Myles ... around 8km was the first time I wanted to quit. And kilometers 12.5 through to 15 were real torture. That motivation was vital when every single arm stroke burns your shoulders and you just don't feel like continuing!!

Now just to bottle those feelings, emotions, motivation and thoughts for when I am doing the Channel ... I am sure it is going to be quite a bit worse out there :-)

10km, 3 hours, sub-14 degrees

Now that was a good weekend of swimming and relaxing!

Although work kept me out on the other side of the country till late on Friday; I still managed to fit in a tedious 5km swim at the gym on the way to the Airport. It was one of those swims that just don't gel. It just was not exciting and fun. Luckily the whole weekend's training did not continue like that ...

After a short sleep we were all hoping on a 3 mile sea swim in Camps Bay ... but alas ... thick fog prevented that. So off I went and did a very enjoyable, strong 8km at the gym. This time enjoyable and definitely worth it. Some nice fellow swimmers to chat to and setting a decent, strong pace throughout.

Sunday morning I felt like a truck had driven over me ... just so flat and stiff. I was supposed to join my mates at 09h00 ... but rather decided on a very worthwhile snooze and enjoyable breakfast in bed.

... and then joined the others at 10h00 ... outside pool, 50m, COLD ... aaaaggghhh!

After the initial shock and self query as to why I do this to myself; I relaxed into it and really enjoyed the swim. The hot showers afterwards were also awesome ... especially the tingling extremities when the blood starts to circulate and warmth returns to the body.

... Now lets see how I can torture myself next weekend ...

An Onion to SAA and a big-up to Heinrich

Well, well, well ... South African Airways have really disappointed. I officially give them an Onion Award! I specifically chose to book a non-stop flight from Cape Town to London, in September, outward bound for my swim attempt.

I specifically chose a flight and carrier that offered me the best possibility to rest, reduce delays, carry my excess luggage with minimum airport delays (and threats of theft) and no stop-overs. My early September,specifically selected flight was happily booked and paid for on SAA quite a while ago.

Now unfortunately South African Airways has decided to cut that route from mid-August and transferred my flight to an SAA option via Johannesburg.

To SAA:

• You have seriously disappointed me
• I could have booked with another airline if I had known you would change this
• You could have first stopped taking bookings from a certain date and then discontinued this service from that date onwards
• You have renegaded on an agreement we made (in good faith from my side) on completion of the purchase of the original ticket
• Your excuses you gave during our follow-up correspondence are, as expected, self-centred and definitely not client sympathetic

On a happier note ... the training is going well! I am really enjoying the swimming, increased mileage, better swim performance and generally feeling stronger in the water.

The next two months will see us doing much more cold water training - no problem at all in finding these cold water bodies ... with winter weather setting in and all water features clocking in at about 13 to 15 degrees Celsius at the moment. The aim is to complete several 6 hour cold water swims in the next two months.

The seas have also gotten noticeably larger, and rougher. Sunday saw us swimming in Camps Bay ... well ... that was not too pleasant! The swell was huge and those waves rough, rough, rough. Many thanks to Heinrich who guided and spoke me through the approach to land after having a minor panic attack while floating in the big swell behind those nasty waves.

Happy swimming!!

Breaking the scale

Aaaaagghhhh ... 99.3 kg. I am sitting there, just below the beeeeg triple numbers. Weird how it is quite a mental thing. I am currently very happy sitting around the 96 to 98 kg mark for my swimming in the cold water. Previous, personal experiences have shown noticeable increases in cold water tolerance between my usual "Ironman" weight of 84 to 86 kg (felt very cold in longer cold water swims) and comfortable cold water swims at 94 kg.

Three of us went for some good cold water, open water swimming on the weekend. My 99 kg at 1.84m tall were useful as I hardly suffered and felt fine in the 14-15 degree water. Both my mates, sitting pretty at 1.88m tall; but only carrying 90 to 92 kg felt the cold and shivered much more.

I am sure the increased training program for the next two months will chip away at my 99 kg ... which is perfectly fine with me as I do love to eat :-)

English Channel Training - 3 Months to go ...

Weight, Happy Feet and Awesome Weather

Hello all from a sunny, awesome spring day in Cape Town. The weather has been absolutely peachy and perfect for some lekker outdoor swimming :-) I once more have a dreaded sinus infection ... nothing bad ... but obviously been pushing my training a little hard of late. That easy week, every FOURTH week, is rather important I presume; but not something I always stick to ...

I had an interesting experience the other day. A little Chinese massage parlour in town, called Happy Feet, is just perfect for a little foot massage before going out in the evening, or after work on the way home. They offer longer and more elaborate sessions; but a 30 minute foot massage, green tea and a comfy seat are just fine. I was not surprised to find the spots under my feet corresponding to my upper back, shoulder and neck tension being quite sensitive (obvious swimming muscle overuse). But the masseuse indicated with rather broken English that my right knee was also a little buggered ... it wasn't really sensitive - neither the knee, nor the corresponding foot area - but I accepted his comment and smiled. Well, the next day during training ... I started with a right knee twinge; which became rather severe and caused some mild limping two days later. The knee has recovered well and I have been for some extra massages for my neck and shoulders ... but it just reminded me how weird and fascinating our body is ... all the wiring and connections we so often take for granted :-)

And I am not really all that surprised that my knee is complaining! I am currently weighing in at a good 97/98kg. The most I have ever weighed, but quite necessary for the insulation required for the 13 - 15 degrees we are swimming in. It doesn't feel overly comfortable - especially with the odd run. But ... who can really complain when one can eat and drink basically anything one wants, every day throughout winter ... aahh ... what a life ;-)