Acclimation

Read in Lynne Cox's book that she used to sleep with the windows open in cold weather to get used to cold conditions. So I decided i would try sleeping on the futon on our porch. It's been going well but last night I got pretty cold and bagged it at about midnight. Ha. Wonder if it helps?

9-27-13 OW Swim

Swam at Ulmsted in the Magothy. Shoulder fine. Water temp was warm maybe 69-70. Dark conditions for the first half. Great sunrise. Air temp low 50s. Swam about 1.75 miles. Dentist appointment early.

9-26-13 workout

Only 2000yds  in the pool this morning. Felt kind of out of it and my shoulder started to hurt a little so I decided to not push it. Usually take a day off during the week from swimming but have made all days this week.

Yoga 9-25-13

Did a 75 minute yoga flow class. Lots of core work. Had to back off on some stuff that seemed to be stressing my shoulders.

Wednesday morning swim at Laura's on the Magothy. 6am start in the dark for about first 25 mins. Water temperature 68F. Air temperature 49F. Swam toward Red Roof house and beyond to the Deep Creek marina. Approximately 2.5 miles total. Water calm, light wind. Shoulder good! Felt strong at the end.

Preparation Strategy

Just wanted to put down some thoughts on preparation strategy for the EC:
1. OW Training - Continue swimming outdoors as long as possible this fall. Water temp is about 68 now. Continue swimming until temp dips below 55.
2.  Pool Training - Continue training with ABC at the pool 3-4 days per week. Monitor shoulder pain but try to increase yardage when possible from the regular 4000 yds each morning to at least 5000 yds. Supplement regular swims with long sets after. 1000 straight swim is good variation from shorter sets.
3.  Yoga - Wednesday night class. Consider adding one more yoga class per week.
4.  Spin - One weekend spin class per week. If weather is nice may ride outdoors instead of spin.
5.  TRX - Resume regular TRX workouts at home. 3 times per week is good goal.
6.  Stretch Cords - Maintain regular use of stretch cords for shoulder strengthening.
7.  Massage - Once per month.
8. Acclimatizing- in addition to outdoor swims, introduce cold showers and ice baths to routine. Sleep outside on the porch in cold weather.

Cold water temperature and potential for hypothermia is my biggest concern for EC swim. Need to research importance of body fat and potential weight gain. Wife is not supportive of that strategy.

The purpose of this Blog is to provide a chronological record of my training and other events leading up to my attempt to cross the English Channel on September 19th/20th, 2014. I recently paid my deposit to lock my slot in for next September and now am getting orgainized. My boat pilot is Fred Mardle with the Channel Swimming Association. I have begun to assemble my crew. My longtime friend and support crew, Alison Meehan, has agreed to crew for me. As an experienced open water swimmer herself she understands what swimmers go through in marathon swims. She crewed for me on my 25 mile Search for Memphre in 2012 and I am very grateful for her willingness to pitch in for the EC swim. I am also fortunate to have a circle of marathon open water swimmers and Channel vets I can lean on for advice and support including Liz Fry, Elaine Howley, Lelane Rossouw-Bancroft, Alison Meehan, Maureen Rohrs, Charlotte Brynn, David Barra, Sarah Thomas, Gordon Gridley and Annette Holmgren. Additionally, I am always thankful for the support of my home base open water swimming group, the Arundel Breakfast Club. I plan on leaning on folks for support and advice relentlessly in the coming year. I hope they don't all disown me.
So is the making of my adventure...let the work begin!