Time For A Dip
Marina car park, quarter past ten,
Greeted by supporters, hugging and then
Pile onto the boat, name SUVA onside,
Quickly to Shakespeare, pray God, or the tide?
Flick of the goggles; I’m jumping right in,
“Follow the torch!” Cries next of kin,
Ignore him totally, nothing new there
And I’m onto the beach with a moment to spare.
“I’ll see you later,” just a width of the sea,
If I swim quickly I’ll be home for tea,
Adjust the position next to the boat,
Hope the weather will allow me to float.
One hour, 2 hours and a couple of feeds,
2 scoops of maxim all my body needs,
Look to the sky, not a star in sight,
My oh my this will be a long night.
Hit the wall within four hours or five,
Dark means moral goes into a dive,
Cheers from support crew, change side of the boat,
Winds getting up on France’s great moat.
Night time dwindles, punched out the sun,
But army of clouds cover a thousand to one,
Message on whiteboard, aunt up all night,
Tracker has broken and given friends a fright.
Time for breakfast but no egg on toast,
Maxim served by a waiter in coat,
“Shut up!” to the fool who told me to kick;
Though France is in sight I am feeling quite sick.
Arms aching, legs aching, back aching too,
Filming inconvenient when I’m needing the loo,
Ten hour terror, tide turns its back,
Taking us backward, no chance of a slack.
“I’m going in circles,” I shout in his ear,
“I only go forward,” yells pilot of the year,
Beach is in sight, at least on the ship,
Three hours ‘til I see it when Neil takes a dip.
Race with the skipper to the beach and climb out,
Rocks on Cap Nez Blanc but nothings in doubt,
Finished the swim now back to the boat,
Legs seizing up and a very sore throat.
Journey back was meant to be fun,
Eight times through sickness before I am done,
Friends on Marina but too tired to wave,
Finally step onto the dry land I crave.
Now looking back it’s a bit of a blur,
Not really prepared for what’s going to occur,
Lots of questions, a sip of champagne,
One thing I know wouldn’t do that again.
Abby Taylor – Baptie
1st October 2010
Sunday 3 October 2010
Thursday 30 September 2010
Channel Swimmer
On the 28th to 29th of September I swam the English Channel.
One day on it still doesn’t feel real, I can’t attach any emotion to what I did yesterday, it doesn’t feel like I’ve really done it. I keep forgetting and then remembering but it just seems like, okay I went for a swim. I am going to school tomorrow so hopefully it will sink in before then. If it sinks in at school I think I will be in floods of tears!
Let’s start at the beginning of the end. The moment when I realised all my training was over and this was it. I got the call before maths which made it very difficult to sit through the lesson. Got home at 3.30, ate a plate of pasta and vegetables, and made final changes to kit and my bag before going to bed at 4. Didn’t get a wink of sleep but lay and rested for 3.5 hours. I got up and watched East Enders before having a long chat with Kirsty and drinking a cup of coffee with maxim. Everyone in the house was very nervous but I was fine, I felt excited but that was all.
We set off at 9.30 for the marina with a car full of stuff as mum, dad and Emma were joining me on the boat as well as Bizzie and they realise there wouldn’t be enough time to them to eat much between supporting and feeding me and in dads case being sick! We were greeted by Paul and Howard who I finally got a hug off. That sounds so strange but I must have hugged everyone else who has been on the journey with me and I was determined to get one from him as well as he has played a huge part in it. We were joined by Jill, Sanchia, Dan, Dave, Mr and Mrs Wells who came with Bizzie and also Charlie and Val. Charlie gave me my last instructions to enjoy it (yeah right) and Val told me Charlie had done all he could for me and it was up to me now.
We met the pilot Neil and co-pilot Adrian at SUVA the boat where we also met observer Irene. Had a quick chat with Gábor Molnár who was also swimming last night and wished we wished each other luck before getting on our boats and travelling to Shakespeare beach. It was a very mild and still night so we were starting in perfect conditions. Barrie phoned me to offer his support and after to talking to him I got undressed as I already had my swimming costume on and mum applied large amounts of Vaseline to anywhere my straps might chaff as well as attaching a bright green light stick to my costume and a flashing green light to my head. On Neil’s command I jumped into the water with an “Oh My God!” and a scream and set off towards the beach to clear the water for the start. He told me to follow the torch meaning his torch but instead I followed the torch where Jill, Sanchia, Dave, Dan, Paul and Mr and Mrs Wells the standing. I cleared the water, made a cross with my finger, and looked up to my Gran in the sky and then the horn sounded. “See you later,” I said to my supporters and wadded out to knee height water before diving under. Knocked myself on the stones and thought, “this is going well!” before swimming back to the boat and adjusting my position so I was about 4 metres away. This is something I struggled with throughout the swim. By this time dad was already puking but the others were in full on support mode which was kept up throughout the swim. Luckily dad remembered my instructions and whenever I swapped sides of the boat he would swap to be sick on the other side!
The first hour went quickly and we made good distance, Emma told me later Neil was thrilled because I was fast enough that he could put the boat in gear where it remained for most of the swim apart from the bad patches. I remember thinking the boat and I must be having a race because I would swim and it would fall behind and then it would speed up and I would be behind. The spotlight gave me a headache and my goggles were too tight so I adjusted them but I didn’t ask them to turn off the spotlight as it made the boat easy to see. This continued throughout most of the swim. I fed very quickly at 1 hour and was surprised because I though it would be so boring but there was so much to think about, mostly staying close to the boat. Between 1 and 2 hours I was thinking about how long it was until it got light and looking forward to that, remembering my promise to Howard that I would swim until it got light no matter what happened. At 2 hours the crew told me I was doing brilliantly which was great because it was nice to hear their voices. It is a weird experience because you can hardly see, can’t hear or talk until feeds, can’t smell an only feel the cold and taste only salt. I declined the offer of moving to the other side of the boat due to the fumes because they were keeping me awake! It was very dark obviously which gave me a very funny feeling that I was in bed and this was all a dream, I actually think I did doze off at a few points! Also, the support crew was filming various bits which was great but also quite frustrating because, well, whenever they filmed I was trying to wee and it was quite off putting! Everything went smoothly until around four hours where I hit the wall because the dark was frustrating me, my goggles were fogging up and I was very cold. This was frustrating as my stroke rate dropped so I got colder and became disorientated so kept swimming away from the boat. Irene asked me what was wrong and when I told her I was cold she told me to kick and Neil moved me to the other side of the boat as it was getting rougher and I was getting the full brunt of the waves. On the other side there was a bit of protection. The bad patch continued to 6 hours when I saw the lights of France, or at least I thought I did and Paul came into my mind, about how he had never even contemplated getting out. “I can see it and I know it’s going to take hours but I am going to do this,” I said on my next feed which was greeted with lots of cheers. My shoulders were hurting as well as my legs and back but I knew this was natural and kept on swimming. At about 6 and a half hours it started to get light which was brilliant although it was very cloudy with no sun. The light meant Bizzie and Emma could write messages on the whiteboard to keep me going. For example they informed me Jill (my aunt) had stayed up all night watching the tracker. Irene told me I was over half way which surprised me as I thought I was already in the French shipping lane. I found out later that I was but the tide meant it was going to be a long swim to the finish. Neil asked me to keep swimming at a good pace which had really increased since my bad patch and on we went. I could see the French coast quite clearly by 8 hours and this boosted me further. At the nine hour mark mum hit me on the arm with my feeding pole which has given me a bruise and I noticed my mouth was full of ulcers. Dad said later I looked like I had been beaten up! Anyway at ten hours we were swimming towards a beach when we seemed to turn around! On the next feed I told Neil I was swimming in a circle and he replied he didn’t take swimmers in circles and told me to stop looking up as it was wasting energy. He moved me to the other side of the boat as the tide was going against us and the wind with us making it pretty rough again. The next four hours were so difficult. They kept telling me I was close but I couldn’t see the beach and was convinced we were going in circles. Emma kept telling me to keep going and in the end I told her to shut up. I was very tired and frustrated and needed to take it out on someone. I kind figures she was most used to it. I was so cold and I could see who was on the boat but couldn’t work out who was who. I kept stopping as I had cramp (Emma got another shut up when sea told me to kick!) Anyway mum and Irene gave me very strong feeds which made me feel ill and Neil made me drink them which was right because I had used up all my energy and these feeds were all I had to swim on. I finally managed to get my head down at 12-13 hours as I decided if I swam faster I would finish sooner. Mum told me Charlie had said I had to swim fast like I did at the end of a set and I informed her I usually go out early at the end of the sets. She told me that was rubbish and that I could yell at Charlie later; and I replied I fully intended to! Anyway kept going and kept feeding until 400 metres from the beach when I boat stopped and I was told to swim to the beach. I smiled for the first time in hours and started the swim in. Then I heard a splash and looked behind to see Neil had grabbed a hat and goggles and yes, the skipper had jumped in and was swimming in with me to the shore! This gave me the incentive to swim quickly because I was not going to be beaten why my pilot! I touched the ground and knelt on the sea bed in the water at Cap Blanc Nez. Neil told me to clear the water as to be in line with channel swimming rules I had to get out of the water unassisted. I stumbled onto the rocks and looked back. The support crew and Neil were cheering and my mum was already on the phone to Charlie but I literally felt absolutely nothing. I was totally numb and shaking like a leaf. My official time has been given as 15.43 but we know that isn’t right as I started at midnight and finished at 2.38 in the afternoon.
I picked up a small stone and Neil helped me back into the water. I tried to swim back but had totally seized up so doggy paddled back to the boat. Everyone was grinning so I thought I should smile too but I still, and I still do felt weirdly emotionless! I hugged everyone including dad who was very tearful after such a horrible journey for him and mum helped me get changed. Then I phoned Eleanor who was in sociology and totally disrupted that lesson! Drank some water and diet coke and ate some flapjack but as the boat started to move I realized it wasn’t going to stay down. Went outside and got all that out of my system as well as any excess maxim. Stayed on the deck and puked 8 times before half falling asleep on mum. We got back to Dover at 5 and saw lots of friends starting by the marina. Tried to wave but my arms were too tired and I was still shaking, not through cold but through shock and everything else. Got off the boat and Paul gave me some balloons and flowers which was lovely of him. So many lovely people were there; Paul, Howard, Dave, Charlie, Val, Sanchia, John, Liliana, Jill, Mrs. Wells, Sophie, Ellie, Jan and Charlotte as well as I guy from the KM Messenger. Talked to him quickly and he took some photos before leaving me with everyone who had come down. Hugged and talked to everyone, I was totally overwhelmed by the support. People started to leave and it was just my parents, Emma, Jill, Paul and Howard left. The latter two were very interested to hear about my ‘strop’ (when I told Emma to shut up) and agreed it was about time I had one! Talked about the swim and how I never wanted to see maxim, salt or water again before coming home. Amazing amount of messages on the phone and face book page. Had a bit of food and went to bed. Woke up this morning still not able to believe I have done it. Wanted to go to school (for the first time ever) but we decided it was probably too much. Ache so much and need to work out what I have done for myself before seeing people. Seeing Ellie tonight which will be brilliant and then school tomorrow. Back to normality.
There are so many people I have to thank, so here goes.
Mum – for always believing in me and making me believe too, for being my shoulder to cry on and tower of support. You are my rock.
Dad – you made this possible by always encouraging me and getting up at 4 in the morning for training. I couldn’t have done it without you.
Emma – for being my big sister, someone to argue with and someone to look up too. You gave up a lot for this and you will never know how grateful I am.
Bizzie – you supported me, were an amazing friend and were always brilliant. Having you on the boat yesterday was so wonderful, I am truly grateful.
Gran – you were with me yesterday and made me carry on. I love you.
Kate and Jill – you supported me and listened to my endless channel talk.
Granddad – if I know one thing about you it is that you don’t give up, you taught me that.
Kirsty and Mike – I’ve always looked up to you both, I don’t say it much but I love you both so much!Eleanor – My best friend. No matter how grumpy I’ve been you’ve still been there, that means more to me than anything. You make me laugh and gave me so many memories to think about during the swim.
School friends – we have a laugh, you get me through the days and supported me before and throughout the swim. The messages meant so much.
Everyone at Barton Court – the support was overwhelming. Thank you
Charlie – you were more than a coach, you were a friend too. You kept me going and prepared me better than anyone else could.
Val – I did it for you, you understood how I felt throughout this season I sometimes thought you were a mind reader.
Tony – you watched my pool swimming go down hill and supported me throughout. You were honest when I needed you to be and I have so much respect for you.
Canterbury swimmers (especially the morning crew!) – when I came to Canterbury I had no idea I would meet so many amazing people, you supported me and got me through.
Domi – you put up with my moaning and we did the distance stuff together, you were someone to talk to and an amazing friend.
Caz and Helen – you were always behind me and have been so good to me throughout.
Lewis – my relay buddy and a source of support and laughter.
Freda and the channel swimmers – you made sure it happened this year and always support us. Thank you.
Neil and Adrian – the best pilots I could have had. Don’t know how you put up with me but you did. Neil, getting in at the end was an amazing thing to do, it made my swim!
Irene – an amazing observer who did so much more than observe. You supported me and picked me up in the bad patches.
Paul – you did it and so did I, and that is so cool! You made me laugh, you made it possible for me to do the training and do the swim and you inspired me throughout.
Howard – it was so amazing to have someone to train with, especially such a nice person. I always looked forward to training with you and racing you was always fun!Dave – you officially give the best hugs in the world, you understood how I felt and always gave me confidence.
Everyone else – if I mentioned everyone who deserves to be mentioned I would be stuck in this chair for ever, Deal Tri, Karate Club and everyone who supported me, you are amazing.
One day on it still doesn’t feel real, I can’t attach any emotion to what I did yesterday, it doesn’t feel like I’ve really done it. I keep forgetting and then remembering but it just seems like, okay I went for a swim. I am going to school tomorrow so hopefully it will sink in before then. If it sinks in at school I think I will be in floods of tears!
Let’s start at the beginning of the end. The moment when I realised all my training was over and this was it. I got the call before maths which made it very difficult to sit through the lesson. Got home at 3.30, ate a plate of pasta and vegetables, and made final changes to kit and my bag before going to bed at 4. Didn’t get a wink of sleep but lay and rested for 3.5 hours. I got up and watched East Enders before having a long chat with Kirsty and drinking a cup of coffee with maxim. Everyone in the house was very nervous but I was fine, I felt excited but that was all.
We set off at 9.30 for the marina with a car full of stuff as mum, dad and Emma were joining me on the boat as well as Bizzie and they realise there wouldn’t be enough time to them to eat much between supporting and feeding me and in dads case being sick! We were greeted by Paul and Howard who I finally got a hug off. That sounds so strange but I must have hugged everyone else who has been on the journey with me and I was determined to get one from him as well as he has played a huge part in it. We were joined by Jill, Sanchia, Dan, Dave, Mr and Mrs Wells who came with Bizzie and also Charlie and Val. Charlie gave me my last instructions to enjoy it (yeah right) and Val told me Charlie had done all he could for me and it was up to me now.
We met the pilot Neil and co-pilot Adrian at SUVA the boat where we also met observer Irene. Had a quick chat with Gábor Molnár who was also swimming last night and wished we wished each other luck before getting on our boats and travelling to Shakespeare beach. It was a very mild and still night so we were starting in perfect conditions. Barrie phoned me to offer his support and after to talking to him I got undressed as I already had my swimming costume on and mum applied large amounts of Vaseline to anywhere my straps might chaff as well as attaching a bright green light stick to my costume and a flashing green light to my head. On Neil’s command I jumped into the water with an “Oh My God!” and a scream and set off towards the beach to clear the water for the start. He told me to follow the torch meaning his torch but instead I followed the torch where Jill, Sanchia, Dave, Dan, Paul and Mr and Mrs Wells the standing. I cleared the water, made a cross with my finger, and looked up to my Gran in the sky and then the horn sounded. “See you later,” I said to my supporters and wadded out to knee height water before diving under. Knocked myself on the stones and thought, “this is going well!” before swimming back to the boat and adjusting my position so I was about 4 metres away. This is something I struggled with throughout the swim. By this time dad was already puking but the others were in full on support mode which was kept up throughout the swim. Luckily dad remembered my instructions and whenever I swapped sides of the boat he would swap to be sick on the other side!
The first hour went quickly and we made good distance, Emma told me later Neil was thrilled because I was fast enough that he could put the boat in gear where it remained for most of the swim apart from the bad patches. I remember thinking the boat and I must be having a race because I would swim and it would fall behind and then it would speed up and I would be behind. The spotlight gave me a headache and my goggles were too tight so I adjusted them but I didn’t ask them to turn off the spotlight as it made the boat easy to see. This continued throughout most of the swim. I fed very quickly at 1 hour and was surprised because I though it would be so boring but there was so much to think about, mostly staying close to the boat. Between 1 and 2 hours I was thinking about how long it was until it got light and looking forward to that, remembering my promise to Howard that I would swim until it got light no matter what happened. At 2 hours the crew told me I was doing brilliantly which was great because it was nice to hear their voices. It is a weird experience because you can hardly see, can’t hear or talk until feeds, can’t smell an only feel the cold and taste only salt. I declined the offer of moving to the other side of the boat due to the fumes because they were keeping me awake! It was very dark obviously which gave me a very funny feeling that I was in bed and this was all a dream, I actually think I did doze off at a few points! Also, the support crew was filming various bits which was great but also quite frustrating because, well, whenever they filmed I was trying to wee and it was quite off putting! Everything went smoothly until around four hours where I hit the wall because the dark was frustrating me, my goggles were fogging up and I was very cold. This was frustrating as my stroke rate dropped so I got colder and became disorientated so kept swimming away from the boat. Irene asked me what was wrong and when I told her I was cold she told me to kick and Neil moved me to the other side of the boat as it was getting rougher and I was getting the full brunt of the waves. On the other side there was a bit of protection. The bad patch continued to 6 hours when I saw the lights of France, or at least I thought I did and Paul came into my mind, about how he had never even contemplated getting out. “I can see it and I know it’s going to take hours but I am going to do this,” I said on my next feed which was greeted with lots of cheers. My shoulders were hurting as well as my legs and back but I knew this was natural and kept on swimming. At about 6 and a half hours it started to get light which was brilliant although it was very cloudy with no sun. The light meant Bizzie and Emma could write messages on the whiteboard to keep me going. For example they informed me Jill (my aunt) had stayed up all night watching the tracker. Irene told me I was over half way which surprised me as I thought I was already in the French shipping lane. I found out later that I was but the tide meant it was going to be a long swim to the finish. Neil asked me to keep swimming at a good pace which had really increased since my bad patch and on we went. I could see the French coast quite clearly by 8 hours and this boosted me further. At the nine hour mark mum hit me on the arm with my feeding pole which has given me a bruise and I noticed my mouth was full of ulcers. Dad said later I looked like I had been beaten up! Anyway at ten hours we were swimming towards a beach when we seemed to turn around! On the next feed I told Neil I was swimming in a circle and he replied he didn’t take swimmers in circles and told me to stop looking up as it was wasting energy. He moved me to the other side of the boat as the tide was going against us and the wind with us making it pretty rough again. The next four hours were so difficult. They kept telling me I was close but I couldn’t see the beach and was convinced we were going in circles. Emma kept telling me to keep going and in the end I told her to shut up. I was very tired and frustrated and needed to take it out on someone. I kind figures she was most used to it. I was so cold and I could see who was on the boat but couldn’t work out who was who. I kept stopping as I had cramp (Emma got another shut up when sea told me to kick!) Anyway mum and Irene gave me very strong feeds which made me feel ill and Neil made me drink them which was right because I had used up all my energy and these feeds were all I had to swim on. I finally managed to get my head down at 12-13 hours as I decided if I swam faster I would finish sooner. Mum told me Charlie had said I had to swim fast like I did at the end of a set and I informed her I usually go out early at the end of the sets. She told me that was rubbish and that I could yell at Charlie later; and I replied I fully intended to! Anyway kept going and kept feeding until 400 metres from the beach when I boat stopped and I was told to swim to the beach. I smiled for the first time in hours and started the swim in. Then I heard a splash and looked behind to see Neil had grabbed a hat and goggles and yes, the skipper had jumped in and was swimming in with me to the shore! This gave me the incentive to swim quickly because I was not going to be beaten why my pilot! I touched the ground and knelt on the sea bed in the water at Cap Blanc Nez. Neil told me to clear the water as to be in line with channel swimming rules I had to get out of the water unassisted. I stumbled onto the rocks and looked back. The support crew and Neil were cheering and my mum was already on the phone to Charlie but I literally felt absolutely nothing. I was totally numb and shaking like a leaf. My official time has been given as 15.43 but we know that isn’t right as I started at midnight and finished at 2.38 in the afternoon.
I picked up a small stone and Neil helped me back into the water. I tried to swim back but had totally seized up so doggy paddled back to the boat. Everyone was grinning so I thought I should smile too but I still, and I still do felt weirdly emotionless! I hugged everyone including dad who was very tearful after such a horrible journey for him and mum helped me get changed. Then I phoned Eleanor who was in sociology and totally disrupted that lesson! Drank some water and diet coke and ate some flapjack but as the boat started to move I realized it wasn’t going to stay down. Went outside and got all that out of my system as well as any excess maxim. Stayed on the deck and puked 8 times before half falling asleep on mum. We got back to Dover at 5 and saw lots of friends starting by the marina. Tried to wave but my arms were too tired and I was still shaking, not through cold but through shock and everything else. Got off the boat and Paul gave me some balloons and flowers which was lovely of him. So many lovely people were there; Paul, Howard, Dave, Charlie, Val, Sanchia, John, Liliana, Jill, Mrs. Wells, Sophie, Ellie, Jan and Charlotte as well as I guy from the KM Messenger. Talked to him quickly and he took some photos before leaving me with everyone who had come down. Hugged and talked to everyone, I was totally overwhelmed by the support. People started to leave and it was just my parents, Emma, Jill, Paul and Howard left. The latter two were very interested to hear about my ‘strop’ (when I told Emma to shut up) and agreed it was about time I had one! Talked about the swim and how I never wanted to see maxim, salt or water again before coming home. Amazing amount of messages on the phone and face book page. Had a bit of food and went to bed. Woke up this morning still not able to believe I have done it. Wanted to go to school (for the first time ever) but we decided it was probably too much. Ache so much and need to work out what I have done for myself before seeing people. Seeing Ellie tonight which will be brilliant and then school tomorrow. Back to normality.
There are so many people I have to thank, so here goes.
Mum – for always believing in me and making me believe too, for being my shoulder to cry on and tower of support. You are my rock.
Dad – you made this possible by always encouraging me and getting up at 4 in the morning for training. I couldn’t have done it without you.
Emma – for being my big sister, someone to argue with and someone to look up too. You gave up a lot for this and you will never know how grateful I am.
Bizzie – you supported me, were an amazing friend and were always brilliant. Having you on the boat yesterday was so wonderful, I am truly grateful.
Gran – you were with me yesterday and made me carry on. I love you.
Kate and Jill – you supported me and listened to my endless channel talk.
Granddad – if I know one thing about you it is that you don’t give up, you taught me that.
Kirsty and Mike – I’ve always looked up to you both, I don’t say it much but I love you both so much!Eleanor – My best friend. No matter how grumpy I’ve been you’ve still been there, that means more to me than anything. You make me laugh and gave me so many memories to think about during the swim.
School friends – we have a laugh, you get me through the days and supported me before and throughout the swim. The messages meant so much.
Everyone at Barton Court – the support was overwhelming. Thank you
Charlie – you were more than a coach, you were a friend too. You kept me going and prepared me better than anyone else could.
Val – I did it for you, you understood how I felt throughout this season I sometimes thought you were a mind reader.
Tony – you watched my pool swimming go down hill and supported me throughout. You were honest when I needed you to be and I have so much respect for you.
Canterbury swimmers (especially the morning crew!) – when I came to Canterbury I had no idea I would meet so many amazing people, you supported me and got me through.
Domi – you put up with my moaning and we did the distance stuff together, you were someone to talk to and an amazing friend.
Caz and Helen – you were always behind me and have been so good to me throughout.
Lewis – my relay buddy and a source of support and laughter.
Freda and the channel swimmers – you made sure it happened this year and always support us. Thank you.
Neil and Adrian – the best pilots I could have had. Don’t know how you put up with me but you did. Neil, getting in at the end was an amazing thing to do, it made my swim!
Irene – an amazing observer who did so much more than observe. You supported me and picked me up in the bad patches.
Paul – you did it and so did I, and that is so cool! You made me laugh, you made it possible for me to do the training and do the swim and you inspired me throughout.
Howard – it was so amazing to have someone to train with, especially such a nice person. I always looked forward to training with you and racing you was always fun!Dave – you officially give the best hugs in the world, you understood how I felt and always gave me confidence.
Everyone else – if I mentioned everyone who deserves to be mentioned I would be stuck in this chair for ever, Deal Tri, Karate Club and everyone who supported me, you are amazing.
Friday 24 September 2010
For Sam
As promised, this blog post is in honour of the star that is Samantha West, more commonly known as Swest or Sam. For those who don't know her she is an all round amazing person as well as being my Spanish, English and PCS buddy who makes me laugh at the most terrible times, for example when the teacher is talking about terrorism. But oh well, thats why I love her.
Anyway back to training, just a quick one today. This week I have tapered in preparation for the big swim. This means I haven't really swum, just gone running each morning so I can concentrate at school. (Ever seen me trying to sit still for 100 minutes without training in the morning?) I have been going to bed early and trying to get 9-10 hours sleep a night as well as eating a lot of carbohydrate (porridge yuk) and relaxing as much as which is not easy. I was hoping to swim this week but the weather has been conspiring against me so it wasn't to be. Fingers and toes crossed for next week.
Recruited a new crew member too this week, I was absolutely delighted that Bizzie (a friend from swimming) agreed to come on my boat with my mum and support swimmer to help out with feeding and generally supporting. Cannot wait to get in and swim. I have done the training, I have an awesome team and pilot. I am 100% ready, so lets go! I will update as soon as I have a date/time so hopefully in the next few days.
Thank you so much for all the support so far, especially the ccsc people and the teachers/year 11 at Barton Court!
More asap.
Abby x
P.S: Sam West you are a legend, hope you enjoyed the post!!!!!!
Anyway back to training, just a quick one today. This week I have tapered in preparation for the big swim. This means I haven't really swum, just gone running each morning so I can concentrate at school. (Ever seen me trying to sit still for 100 minutes without training in the morning?) I have been going to bed early and trying to get 9-10 hours sleep a night as well as eating a lot of carbohydrate (porridge yuk) and relaxing as much as which is not easy. I was hoping to swim this week but the weather has been conspiring against me so it wasn't to be. Fingers and toes crossed for next week.
Recruited a new crew member too this week, I was absolutely delighted that Bizzie (a friend from swimming) agreed to come on my boat with my mum and support swimmer to help out with feeding and generally supporting. Cannot wait to get in and swim. I have done the training, I have an awesome team and pilot. I am 100% ready, so lets go! I will update as soon as I have a date/time so hopefully in the next few days.
Thank you so much for all the support so far, especially the ccsc people and the teachers/year 11 at Barton Court!
More asap.
Abby x
P.S: Sam West you are a legend, hope you enjoyed the post!!!!!!
Sunday 19 September 2010
Sweet Sixteen
Sunday was a much better set, 2 hours of tide fighting one way and surfing on the way back. Then Monday morning training of main set 10x300m, call me crazy but I adore this set, it's an easy one for just getting your head down. School and then a run on Monday night. Tuesday was my rest day, ton of homework meant my early night went right out the window. With the swim so close now I am finding it very hard to concentrate on my school work so it took twice as long and my Spanish learning ended up with me giving up in despair after failing to remember anything! Wednesday morning was not my set at all, far too much short distance but Bizzie was there which was great as we could have a good old chat and speed the set up a bit! Thursday I went for a run and then to school to celebrate Eleanors sixteenth which was good fun. 15 hours more knowledge than me and my goodness it shows! Friday, my sixteenth! Good run and then focus day at school before celebrating with the family.
Yesterday I swam 8km, 6km and 3km, yuk. I found it frustrating as I feel so ready for this now and just want to get it done, not train more! This morning I just did 6km at a reasonable pace and saw Lewis, my relay buddy from 2008 who is doing another relay on Tuesday. Best of luck to a really good friend but it will never beat our amazing antics e.g swimming away from the boat and laughing our way across!
So now it's the waiting game. From tomorrow I can swim the channel as I will be in accordance to the rules old enough. Spoke to the pilot today which was great, putting a name to a face. Anytime from Wednesday so hopefully by this time next week I will know. Feel so ready right now and really want to do this. Yes I am nervous and yes it's going to be hard, (okay very very very hard) but hey, nothing great is easy.
Update as soon as I know more.
Abby xx
Yesterday I swam 8km, 6km and 3km, yuk. I found it frustrating as I feel so ready for this now and just want to get it done, not train more! This morning I just did 6km at a reasonable pace and saw Lewis, my relay buddy from 2008 who is doing another relay on Tuesday. Best of luck to a really good friend but it will never beat our amazing antics e.g swimming away from the boat and laughing our way across!
So now it's the waiting game. From tomorrow I can swim the channel as I will be in accordance to the rules old enough. Spoke to the pilot today which was great, putting a name to a face. Anytime from Wednesday so hopefully by this time next week I will know. Feel so ready right now and really want to do this. Yes I am nervous and yes it's going to be hard, (okay very very very hard) but hey, nothing great is easy.
Update as soon as I know more.
Abby xx
Saturday 11 September 2010
Life is a rollercoaster
To be honest it hasn't been an amazing week, plenty of highs but a few lows as well. I swim is almost upon me and it feels real now; a real scary thought. Everyone I speak to believes I can do it but I am having trouble believing in myself. Self belief has always been a problem for me so I guess it is just part of the journey.
Sunday was just an hours swim with Howard which was good fun and hard work. I love training with him because I really have to work and it's a lot more interesting than training by myself. Monday I was back in the pool for the first time which was interesting. I was standing on poolside thinking can I actually still dive and tumble turn? Whats the I.M order again? Luckily this wasn't needed as my main set was 1600m, 800m, 2x400m, 4x200m, all in freestyle which I quite enjoyed. Tuesday was a hard day, I was tired, had a lot of work and many people were asking me about the swim. I don't want anyone to take that last comment the wrong way, I am extremely blessed to have so many people interested in my swim and very grateful for all the support but I wasn't feeling great about it on Tuesday so it was hard to talk about.
Wednesday was morning training during which I got a bit frustrated. It wasn't really my set but I did it, okay, I missed some of the kick but I did want to get out before midday. Kingsdown where it was a very low tide which made things amusing. A hard hour with Howard followed by ten minutes trying to get into shore by skulling on our backs so our feet didn't get cut by the rocks below. Very amusing for dad and Charlie.
Thursday was morning training again, main set of 15x200 and 4x300 which was okay but this was really when I week started to go downhill. Didn't have a good day at school and was tired from morning training which allowed the dark thoughts to enter my head and self doubt to creep in. Stayed like this through Friday and this morning when I finally let my emotions get the better of me and had a bit of a cry. I know, I'm a wimp. Thought I felt better but once in the water it started to get rough and I wasn't feeling good. Charlie cut my set a little short and I got quite angry with myself. Spoke to other people in there who all seem to confident about their swims. I know that I am physically very strong but looking back I think my injury knocked me a bit because I felt great before then. I just have to get my head down now, in a couple of weeks it'll be over and I don't want it all to be for nothing.
More soon,
Abby x
Sunday was just an hours swim with Howard which was good fun and hard work. I love training with him because I really have to work and it's a lot more interesting than training by myself. Monday I was back in the pool for the first time which was interesting. I was standing on poolside thinking can I actually still dive and tumble turn? Whats the I.M order again? Luckily this wasn't needed as my main set was 1600m, 800m, 2x400m, 4x200m, all in freestyle which I quite enjoyed. Tuesday was a hard day, I was tired, had a lot of work and many people were asking me about the swim. I don't want anyone to take that last comment the wrong way, I am extremely blessed to have so many people interested in my swim and very grateful for all the support but I wasn't feeling great about it on Tuesday so it was hard to talk about.
Wednesday was morning training during which I got a bit frustrated. It wasn't really my set but I did it, okay, I missed some of the kick but I did want to get out before midday. Kingsdown where it was a very low tide which made things amusing. A hard hour with Howard followed by ten minutes trying to get into shore by skulling on our backs so our feet didn't get cut by the rocks below. Very amusing for dad and Charlie.
Thursday was morning training again, main set of 15x200 and 4x300 which was okay but this was really when I week started to go downhill. Didn't have a good day at school and was tired from morning training which allowed the dark thoughts to enter my head and self doubt to creep in. Stayed like this through Friday and this morning when I finally let my emotions get the better of me and had a bit of a cry. I know, I'm a wimp. Thought I felt better but once in the water it started to get rough and I wasn't feeling good. Charlie cut my set a little short and I got quite angry with myself. Spoke to other people in there who all seem to confident about their swims. I know that I am physically very strong but looking back I think my injury knocked me a bit because I felt great before then. I just have to get my head down now, in a couple of weeks it'll be over and I don't want it all to be for nothing.
More soon,
Abby x
Saturday 4 September 2010
Time to get serious
Yesterday morning Paul completed his channel swim in 18 hours 19 minutes, an amazing swim in what sounded like very tough conditions. I am totally inspired by his fantastic effort but it has also been a reality check that the elements could be against me as well and I could have to swim for that long or longer. Over the moon for Paul who showed real mental strength to get to France but I can't even begin to imagine what it was like.
Went to Dover today to do two 7 km swims with a feed imbetween. I have done my six hours and am now working on maintaining my fitness and speed endurance before the swim which weather permitting is about 3 weeks away. Swam the first as Charlie instructed as a fartlek, 1km relaxed, 1km fast until my feed. Maxim and mini jaffa cakes at 1 hour 40 minutes and then 5km of relaxed swimming followed by a 2km sprint to the finish. I got a bit annoyed, (okay very annoyed) by the way a few sailing boats seemed intent on killing me in the first couple of laps and to be honest I wasn't in a good frame of mind. I don't know why which makes it quite frustrating. This wasn't a long swim and I was pleased to hear the set but for some reason it wasn't quite there. I think I possibly need some sleep, going back to school takes it out of me and it was a pretty sleepless night when Paul was swimming as I kept checking the tracker!
Got out and was cheered up to hear Paul was coming down and also to speak to Michelle, Howard and Lara who have all completed the channel. Charlie pointed out to me that I shouldn't let Pauls swim worry me as we just don't know what my day will be like and I have, like him, done lots of training. Saw Paul and congratulated him again before hearing a little about his swim; he was very honest about it which I really appreciated and gave me some advice and food for thought about my swim.
So like I said 3 weeks to go. I am praying to God, Jesus and Mary that the weather will be okay. Although I would do it the idea of waiting until next year and doing this all again is not an attractive one. I do feel ready to take on the English Channel and feel although I am very young that it is the right time to do the swim. I am very nervous already but I trust in my team and well, theres nothing I can do about the weather or the tides.
Post again soon, thanks for reading,
Abby xx
Went to Dover today to do two 7 km swims with a feed imbetween. I have done my six hours and am now working on maintaining my fitness and speed endurance before the swim which weather permitting is about 3 weeks away. Swam the first as Charlie instructed as a fartlek, 1km relaxed, 1km fast until my feed. Maxim and mini jaffa cakes at 1 hour 40 minutes and then 5km of relaxed swimming followed by a 2km sprint to the finish. I got a bit annoyed, (okay very annoyed) by the way a few sailing boats seemed intent on killing me in the first couple of laps and to be honest I wasn't in a good frame of mind. I don't know why which makes it quite frustrating. This wasn't a long swim and I was pleased to hear the set but for some reason it wasn't quite there. I think I possibly need some sleep, going back to school takes it out of me and it was a pretty sleepless night when Paul was swimming as I kept checking the tracker!
Got out and was cheered up to hear Paul was coming down and also to speak to Michelle, Howard and Lara who have all completed the channel. Charlie pointed out to me that I shouldn't let Pauls swim worry me as we just don't know what my day will be like and I have, like him, done lots of training. Saw Paul and congratulated him again before hearing a little about his swim; he was very honest about it which I really appreciated and gave me some advice and food for thought about my swim.
So like I said 3 weeks to go. I am praying to God, Jesus and Mary that the weather will be okay. Although I would do it the idea of waiting until next year and doing this all again is not an attractive one. I do feel ready to take on the English Channel and feel although I am very young that it is the right time to do the swim. I am very nervous already but I trust in my team and well, theres nothing I can do about the weather or the tides.
Post again soon, thanks for reading,
Abby xx
Thursday 2 September 2010
Sunday was another rest day as we went for a power boat ride along the Thames and to see Priscilla Queen of the Desert in London for dads birthday then Monday I was back in the water for my last weekday morning swim before mum went back to work on Tuesday and I went to school on Thursday. Swam 6km pretty fast and then went home to rest up for the Deal Tri Handicap Swim in the evening. The aim of this swim is that all the swimmers start at different intervals according to previous times of the season so in theory everyone should finish together. For me this meant started 11 minutes 14 seconds after the first person. I was very glad Howard turned up or I would have been totally on my own on the beach for a minute and 14 seconds whilst the second to last person starting swimming. Wasn't good conditions for a fast time but overtook a fair few people and was pretty pleased at the end.
Tuesday and Wednesday morning I went running and Wednesday night was the weekly Kinsdown evening; not a long swim but a hard one as I had someone to swim with who wasn't going to let me plod! Thursday morning was another run before school. The new mobile phone rule being very irritating (sorry Barton Court) because Paul was due to start his channel swim yesterday at midday and I really wanted to know if he had gone. Oh well, I found out after school that he had and am currently glued to the tracker as he closes in on the French coast, just looked again and I reckon he's made it. Absolutely buzzing for an amazing person, can't wait to see him and hear all about it. Anyway thats it for now, going to get ready for school, so happy for Paul!
Thanks for reading,
Abby x
Tuesday and Wednesday morning I went running and Wednesday night was the weekly Kinsdown evening; not a long swim but a hard one as I had someone to swim with who wasn't going to let me plod! Thursday morning was another run before school. The new mobile phone rule being very irritating (sorry Barton Court) because Paul was due to start his channel swim yesterday at midday and I really wanted to know if he had gone. Oh well, I found out after school that he had and am currently glued to the tracker as he closes in on the French coast, just looked again and I reckon he's made it. Absolutely buzzing for an amazing person, can't wait to see him and hear all about it. Anyway thats it for now, going to get ready for school, so happy for Paul!
Thanks for reading,
Abby x
Saturday 28 August 2010
Ticking all the right boxes
What a week I've had, I'll start where I left off last time.
Went and collected my results from the gcses and as level I did on Tuesday, I absolutely thrilled and very relieved. Well done to everyone! Went down to Dover for a 'long' swim with very good intentions but took one look at the very rough harbour and this became a short swim! Did 8km and actually felt sea sick by the end! Was reasonably happy with that because it was literally like being in a washing machine!
Went to London with Eleanor on Wednesday where we saw Billy Elliot - absolutely amazing! Then very tired on Thursday, delayed train plus sleepover equals getting to bed at two, falling asleep at gone four. Went on a 5 mile run which was quite good, I thought my limit was maybe 2 or 3 miles at the moment but I didn't die. Also wrote a playlist of music to be played on my feed and if I get into trouble in the channel. Tried to choose motivational music and a mix of music I like including Shine - Take That, Airplanes -B.O.B, Flying Without Wings -Westlife, Remember the name -Fort Minor, a bit of Taylor Swift, Jason Derulo, Enrique, The Kinks and Good Charlotte along with inspirational favourites Eye of the Tiger and Footloose.
5km on Friday in preparation for todays 25 kilometre/6 hour qualifying swim. So here goes on the Abby Taylor - Baptie 6 hour swim experience.
Got woken up at 5am as we planned to start the swim at 7am and I have to eat 1 and a half or preferably 2 hours before a swim. Got woken up again at 5.17 by dad after falling back to sleep, already 17 minutes behind in my plans and I was still under my duvet! Got up and went downstairs, made my porridge. Its funny, if I do say so myself I am a pretty good desert cook. I can make cakes, roulade, crumble, biscuits, anything sweet but give me a microwavable tub, milk, porridge oats and I am guaranteed to mess it up. Today I somehow managed to cook it for too long and had to scrape it off the sides of the bowl. Prepared the kit, did my exercises, went back to bed for twenty minutes and we were off down to Dover. Met Paul who is tapering and had a shorter swim (therefore was subject to my curses later in my swim - nothing personal, I think you're a legend but getting out two hours before me is criminal! Was told to do 9km, feed, 9km, feed, 7km OUT! Got in and dad started the stopwatch. Lovely and calm, sun on my back, can't complain (yet.) Got into a rhythm of counting to four as I breathe every four strokes, may sound boring but it's not, it helps me keep focused. Continued this to 1km and then changed to counting to four in French followed by Spanish, Japanese, German and then using letters (a,b,c,d or w,x,y,z) and then phrases. Admittedly curses were used later in the swim. Made it to the first feed very quickly and fed on a mini jaffa cake, a jelly baby and about 300ml of warm maxim in lemon squash which is quite good for me. I find it very difficult to drink over 100ml or so in one feed but I need more than this because too higher concentration makes me feel ill. I am quite lucky in that I am 5 foot 7 and 58 kilograms so compared to my dad who is 5 foot 11 and 83 kilograms or a man who is bigger I need to drink a lot less but as today I was feeding very infrequently (most people feed every hour in a 6 hour swim) I needed to drink more than I would like. The next 9km I madea very silly mistake; boosted by my speed during the first 9 I set off very quickly after my minute long feed and consequently suffered in the latter stages. Reached the next feed aching a lot and unable to take in as much maxim. Drank some black coffee, maxim and ate a sponge finger and agreed with my dad I would feed again with 2km to go to enable me to sprint the last bit (yeah right.) Swam for five kilometres with very aching arms and shoulders getting a bit emotional. I had been swimming alone for 5 and a half hours by the end of this and I was very tired but knew the channel was going to be a lot tougher than this. Met dad in the kayak for my final feed, a piece of flapjack that I had swam for for the past 23 kilometres and told him I was going to cut off a bit. He told me what I knew he would say that I never cut corners and if I started now I would regret it. I don't think I really had any intention to, I just needed some encouragment! By 23 kilometre sprinting meant increasing my stroke rate by about 2 strokes a minute not a lot more like usual and I finished in 5 hours 59 minutes. Waited until 6 hours 2 minutes to get out (breaststroked into shore) because there was no way I was doing that again if they decided 5 hours 59 minutes wasn't close enough to 6 hours! Really pleased to finish and qualify to swim the channel; dressed, ate, went home, ate more (eggs - protein to help with muscle repair.) and now looking forward to another trip to London tomorrow to see Priscilla Queen of the Desert and take a speed boat up the channel. School and morning training next week. School means I will be even more tired as I need to keep up my intensity and do a day at school and homework so I will probably be a bit grouchy. Sorry family, friends, teachers and anyone else who has to risk talking to me! Still less than a month to go (two weeks until taper time) and then I big swim. Only a little bit excited! =D
Thanks for reading,
Abby Taylor - Baptie signing out.
xx
Went and collected my results from the gcses and as level I did on Tuesday, I absolutely thrilled and very relieved. Well done to everyone! Went down to Dover for a 'long' swim with very good intentions but took one look at the very rough harbour and this became a short swim! Did 8km and actually felt sea sick by the end! Was reasonably happy with that because it was literally like being in a washing machine!
Went to London with Eleanor on Wednesday where we saw Billy Elliot - absolutely amazing! Then very tired on Thursday, delayed train plus sleepover equals getting to bed at two, falling asleep at gone four. Went on a 5 mile run which was quite good, I thought my limit was maybe 2 or 3 miles at the moment but I didn't die. Also wrote a playlist of music to be played on my feed and if I get into trouble in the channel. Tried to choose motivational music and a mix of music I like including Shine - Take That, Airplanes -B.O.B, Flying Without Wings -Westlife, Remember the name -Fort Minor, a bit of Taylor Swift, Jason Derulo, Enrique, The Kinks and Good Charlotte along with inspirational favourites Eye of the Tiger and Footloose.
5km on Friday in preparation for todays 25 kilometre/6 hour qualifying swim. So here goes on the Abby Taylor - Baptie 6 hour swim experience.
Got woken up at 5am as we planned to start the swim at 7am and I have to eat 1 and a half or preferably 2 hours before a swim. Got woken up again at 5.17 by dad after falling back to sleep, already 17 minutes behind in my plans and I was still under my duvet! Got up and went downstairs, made my porridge. Its funny, if I do say so myself I am a pretty good desert cook. I can make cakes, roulade, crumble, biscuits, anything sweet but give me a microwavable tub, milk, porridge oats and I am guaranteed to mess it up. Today I somehow managed to cook it for too long and had to scrape it off the sides of the bowl. Prepared the kit, did my exercises, went back to bed for twenty minutes and we were off down to Dover. Met Paul who is tapering and had a shorter swim (therefore was subject to my curses later in my swim - nothing personal, I think you're a legend but getting out two hours before me is criminal! Was told to do 9km, feed, 9km, feed, 7km OUT! Got in and dad started the stopwatch. Lovely and calm, sun on my back, can't complain (yet.) Got into a rhythm of counting to four as I breathe every four strokes, may sound boring but it's not, it helps me keep focused. Continued this to 1km and then changed to counting to four in French followed by Spanish, Japanese, German and then using letters (a,b,c,d or w,x,y,z) and then phrases. Admittedly curses were used later in the swim. Made it to the first feed very quickly and fed on a mini jaffa cake, a jelly baby and about 300ml of warm maxim in lemon squash which is quite good for me. I find it very difficult to drink over 100ml or so in one feed but I need more than this because too higher concentration makes me feel ill. I am quite lucky in that I am 5 foot 7 and 58 kilograms so compared to my dad who is 5 foot 11 and 83 kilograms or a man who is bigger I need to drink a lot less but as today I was feeding very infrequently (most people feed every hour in a 6 hour swim) I needed to drink more than I would like. The next 9km I madea very silly mistake; boosted by my speed during the first 9 I set off very quickly after my minute long feed and consequently suffered in the latter stages. Reached the next feed aching a lot and unable to take in as much maxim. Drank some black coffee, maxim and ate a sponge finger and agreed with my dad I would feed again with 2km to go to enable me to sprint the last bit (yeah right.) Swam for five kilometres with very aching arms and shoulders getting a bit emotional. I had been swimming alone for 5 and a half hours by the end of this and I was very tired but knew the channel was going to be a lot tougher than this. Met dad in the kayak for my final feed, a piece of flapjack that I had swam for for the past 23 kilometres and told him I was going to cut off a bit. He told me what I knew he would say that I never cut corners and if I started now I would regret it. I don't think I really had any intention to, I just needed some encouragment! By 23 kilometre sprinting meant increasing my stroke rate by about 2 strokes a minute not a lot more like usual and I finished in 5 hours 59 minutes. Waited until 6 hours 2 minutes to get out (breaststroked into shore) because there was no way I was doing that again if they decided 5 hours 59 minutes wasn't close enough to 6 hours! Really pleased to finish and qualify to swim the channel; dressed, ate, went home, ate more (eggs - protein to help with muscle repair.) and now looking forward to another trip to London tomorrow to see Priscilla Queen of the Desert and take a speed boat up the channel. School and morning training next week. School means I will be even more tired as I need to keep up my intensity and do a day at school and homework so I will probably be a bit grouchy. Sorry family, friends, teachers and anyone else who has to risk talking to me! Still less than a month to go (two weeks until taper time) and then I big swim. Only a little bit excited! =D
Thanks for reading,
Abby Taylor - Baptie signing out.
xx
Monday 23 August 2010
"A mere ditch that shall be leaped".
Just a short one, anxiously waiting for results (even though I only have a few to collect this year) but I couldn't sleep so was reading about other peoples swim and found out my post title is a quote from Napoleon when he was crossing the Channel to invade Britain. I kind of like it but unfortunately unlike me he didn't have to do it in his swimming costume!
Going for a long swim today and to the physio after going into school then BILLY ELLIOT tomorrow - not at all excited obviously.
Going for a long swim today and to the physio after going into school then BILLY ELLIOT tomorrow - not at all excited obviously.
Thou shall not be eaten by a crocodile
So, the 'crocodile' in the English Channel turned out to be a bit of wood. Darn, my perfect excuse,it has been swept away by the tide.
Right, back to business, Sunday morning was a couple of hours at Kingsdown fighting the current one way and surfing back. Good session and great to see Howard back in the water. Today I went running then had a five kilometre swim in the rather rough Dover Harbour. You know several people have said to me that I wouldn't be considered a wuss to pull out, just sensible and looking at the waves crashing on the stones sending spray onto the pier I didn't think i was a bad idea. Just kidding, I loved it. I was literally being tossed out of the water and not being able to breathe for 15-20 strokes at a time. At one point I stopped swimming and yelled 'this is madness' at the beach. I don't think mum heard me though. Anyway Evie joined me halfway through which was great, haven't seen her for ages and it's always nice to have a good old chinwag when your bobbing up and down in waves taller than yourself. Thrope Park, eat your heart out because I have never been on a rollercoaster as good as that one. (Probably because I hate rollercoasters but that is besides the point.)
Anyway on this rather grey afternoon I have decided to write a bit about English Channel Swimming for anyone who has asked me a question, enjoy...
1) Historically only 1 in 10 people who attempt the English Channel make it across. TRUE
2) The others generally get eaten by sharks. FALSE contrary to Eleanors belief sharks are rarely seen in the channel and never Abby-eating ones. Most people get pulled out due to hyperthermia, feeding problems or sheer exhaustion.
Okay I'm being serious now - too much salt water does funny things to people, I do apologize for my terrible jokes. Can I just point out I am no expert on channel swimming so if my answers make no sense please forgive me.
How far will I swim?
Well, the English Channel is 21 nautical miles at the closest point between England and France(approx) however there are strong tides that can push you forwards, backwards and to the side so you cannot swim straight to France. Most people swim in an 'S' shape, the wider the 'S' the longer you swim for.
How long will I take?
Your guess is as good as mine, as long as I need. Ideally yes I want to do a fast time but hey, if the tides don't like me I will be in there for a very long time. It doesn't really matter to be honest, I just want to get out the other side! I can always watch Eastenders on iplayer.
Why do I want to swim the English Channel?
Several reasons.
1) I love to swim, especially in the sea.
2) Because I told my gran I would when I was five and I want to do it for her and make her proud.
3) Because it's a challenge and a great way to raise money for Demelza House.
4) Because it will look good on my university application.
5) Because I am a raving lunatic.
6) Because it's my dream.
Where do I start and finish?
Start - Shakespeare beach or Samphire Ho - you'll be the first to know when I find out.
Finish - in France with any luck, Cap Griz Nez is the closest point but anywhere along the coast will do - wherever the tide takes me.
When do I start?
My window is on the neap tde (no, I don't know what that is either) between the 26th September and the 1st of October so probably between those dates. You cannot swim until three days after your sixteenth birthday so I can't swim before the 20th September. What a great birthday I'm going to have - pasta and an early night!
Do I have to put on lots of weight?
The saying is that to swim the channel you can't be too vain to gain but lets face it, I'm a 15 year old girl who has always been weight conscious. I am very lucky in that although I have a low body fat percentage I don't feel the cold that badly. I have put on a couple of pounds as I have a very slow metabolism but my weight fluctuates a lot so I may have lost them by next week. An example of how bad my metabolism is, is that my parents worked out with my activity level I should be eating 3000 calories a day yet I put on weight if I go over 2200 - it's a hard life. I will probably put on a little bit of weight when I am tapering because my activity level will be lower but I will need to eat more than usual to make sure I have enough energy to complete the swim but I will hopefully burn that off during the swim. However generally speaking it is good to have lots of body fat as it keeps you warm.
How much training do I do?
I generally swim about 40000 metres a week, more at the moment. I am currently swimming all my metres in the sea. I also do running, karate, cycling and gym work to keep my fitness up.
Who will come with me on the swim?
I will be accompanied my a boat containing a pilot and his assistant, an observer to make sure I do it by the book and my support crew. My support crew are my long suffering parents Maggie and Alec, my support swimmer Howard (who can join me in the water for an hour every three hours) and hopefully my sister Emma and maybe one other person.
Can I wear a wetsuit.
Wetsuits are for wimps, fact. (Sorry wetsuited readers) to swim the English channel I can wear a standard swimming costume, 1 hat and a pair of goggles which I can change if I want.
Do I use goose fat?
As a vegetarian it would be against my principles to use animal fat and I heard it stinks as well. I use large amounts of vaseline. Contrary to popular belief goose fat or vaseline do not keep the cold off, they just stop chaffing.
What do you feed on?
As I can't touch the boat or anyone of my crew I have to feed on things I can eat in the water. Everyone is different but in training I have fed on maxim (energy solution) in lemon squash or black coffee (Milk makes me sick in the water) with jaffa cakes, ginger biscuits, sponge fingers or jelly babies. I am not a fan of maxim but it doesn't make me sick so it has to do.
What do you think about?
Lets face it, try as I might I cannot deny the fact that swimming for hours on end is boring. Generally I just let my mind wander until I get bored then I do difficult maths problems, alphabets of different things, dream up characters and plots for my stories, sing songs, imagine that Taylor Lautner is swimming next to me and pray.
How do I use the toliet?
Use your imagination.
On that note the Abby guide to swimming the channel is complete.
Adios amigos.
x
Right, back to business, Sunday morning was a couple of hours at Kingsdown fighting the current one way and surfing back. Good session and great to see Howard back in the water. Today I went running then had a five kilometre swim in the rather rough Dover Harbour. You know several people have said to me that I wouldn't be considered a wuss to pull out, just sensible and looking at the waves crashing on the stones sending spray onto the pier I didn't think i was a bad idea. Just kidding, I loved it. I was literally being tossed out of the water and not being able to breathe for 15-20 strokes at a time. At one point I stopped swimming and yelled 'this is madness' at the beach. I don't think mum heard me though. Anyway Evie joined me halfway through which was great, haven't seen her for ages and it's always nice to have a good old chinwag when your bobbing up and down in waves taller than yourself. Thrope Park, eat your heart out because I have never been on a rollercoaster as good as that one. (Probably because I hate rollercoasters but that is besides the point.)
Anyway on this rather grey afternoon I have decided to write a bit about English Channel Swimming for anyone who has asked me a question, enjoy...
1) Historically only 1 in 10 people who attempt the English Channel make it across. TRUE
2) The others generally get eaten by sharks. FALSE contrary to Eleanors belief sharks are rarely seen in the channel and never Abby-eating ones. Most people get pulled out due to hyperthermia, feeding problems or sheer exhaustion.
Okay I'm being serious now - too much salt water does funny things to people, I do apologize for my terrible jokes. Can I just point out I am no expert on channel swimming so if my answers make no sense please forgive me.
How far will I swim?
Well, the English Channel is 21 nautical miles at the closest point between England and France(approx) however there are strong tides that can push you forwards, backwards and to the side so you cannot swim straight to France. Most people swim in an 'S' shape, the wider the 'S' the longer you swim for.
How long will I take?
Your guess is as good as mine, as long as I need. Ideally yes I want to do a fast time but hey, if the tides don't like me I will be in there for a very long time. It doesn't really matter to be honest, I just want to get out the other side! I can always watch Eastenders on iplayer.
Why do I want to swim the English Channel?
Several reasons.
1) I love to swim, especially in the sea.
2) Because I told my gran I would when I was five and I want to do it for her and make her proud.
3) Because it's a challenge and a great way to raise money for Demelza House.
4) Because it will look good on my university application.
5) Because I am a raving lunatic.
6) Because it's my dream.
Where do I start and finish?
Start - Shakespeare beach or Samphire Ho - you'll be the first to know when I find out.
Finish - in France with any luck, Cap Griz Nez is the closest point but anywhere along the coast will do - wherever the tide takes me.
When do I start?
My window is on the neap tde (no, I don't know what that is either) between the 26th September and the 1st of October so probably between those dates. You cannot swim until three days after your sixteenth birthday so I can't swim before the 20th September. What a great birthday I'm going to have - pasta and an early night!
Do I have to put on lots of weight?
The saying is that to swim the channel you can't be too vain to gain but lets face it, I'm a 15 year old girl who has always been weight conscious. I am very lucky in that although I have a low body fat percentage I don't feel the cold that badly. I have put on a couple of pounds as I have a very slow metabolism but my weight fluctuates a lot so I may have lost them by next week. An example of how bad my metabolism is, is that my parents worked out with my activity level I should be eating 3000 calories a day yet I put on weight if I go over 2200 - it's a hard life. I will probably put on a little bit of weight when I am tapering because my activity level will be lower but I will need to eat more than usual to make sure I have enough energy to complete the swim but I will hopefully burn that off during the swim. However generally speaking it is good to have lots of body fat as it keeps you warm.
How much training do I do?
I generally swim about 40000 metres a week, more at the moment. I am currently swimming all my metres in the sea. I also do running, karate, cycling and gym work to keep my fitness up.
Who will come with me on the swim?
I will be accompanied my a boat containing a pilot and his assistant, an observer to make sure I do it by the book and my support crew. My support crew are my long suffering parents Maggie and Alec, my support swimmer Howard (who can join me in the water for an hour every three hours) and hopefully my sister Emma and maybe one other person.
Can I wear a wetsuit.
Wetsuits are for wimps, fact. (Sorry wetsuited readers) to swim the English channel I can wear a standard swimming costume, 1 hat and a pair of goggles which I can change if I want.
Do I use goose fat?
As a vegetarian it would be against my principles to use animal fat and I heard it stinks as well. I use large amounts of vaseline. Contrary to popular belief goose fat or vaseline do not keep the cold off, they just stop chaffing.
What do you feed on?
As I can't touch the boat or anyone of my crew I have to feed on things I can eat in the water. Everyone is different but in training I have fed on maxim (energy solution) in lemon squash or black coffee (Milk makes me sick in the water) with jaffa cakes, ginger biscuits, sponge fingers or jelly babies. I am not a fan of maxim but it doesn't make me sick so it has to do.
What do you think about?
Lets face it, try as I might I cannot deny the fact that swimming for hours on end is boring. Generally I just let my mind wander until I get bored then I do difficult maths problems, alphabets of different things, dream up characters and plots for my stories, sing songs, imagine that Taylor Lautner is swimming next to me and pray.
How do I use the toliet?
Use your imagination.
On that note the Abby guide to swimming the channel is complete.
Adios amigos.
x
Saturday 21 August 2010
Half way there
First and foremost, happy birthday to my long suffering father today who is half way to 100. I've only been around for nearly sixteen years of his first half century and I should be there for all of the next; bet that makes him feel so much better!
So, 12km swim on Tuesday went well with just a bit of an ache in the shoulder. Went to Kingsdown and had an awesome swim; very rough, strong current, I loved it! Rested Thursday and a 6km swim yesterday in the harbour, not as fun but a lot easier!
This morning was an 18km swim which I'm not going to say I enjoyed but it was certainly a positive experience. I felt a lot more focused than before as I know time is only just on my side now and after the first 7km and feed I just thought, 'okay, only eleven kilometres to swim, thats alright' and carried on easily. I have this holiday developed an obsession with writing stories which provides me with entertainment in the sea. It is amazing the ideas that come into my head out in the water.
Hectic rush this afternoon, we got dad out of the house and final preparations for a surprise party tonight which I have just slipped away from. I had 35 cupcakes to ice, a trifle to finish and a fruit salad to make (I was desert-maker-in-chief) as well as getting changed. Note to self: Channel swimmer chic is not suitable for parties. All the family arrived and dad got home - he didn't have a clue which shows how often he listens when I speak because I have definitely let it slip a few times! Really nice get together with family, including baby Kasen who fell asleep on me for half an hour. I've only just got rid of the pins and needles on my arm.
Another long swim tomorrow and an exciting week ahead. Results day on Tuesday which I am not looking forwards to at all but it's all fun from there. LONDON on Wednesday with Eleanor to see Billy Elliot and be tourists which I am very very very excited about and then LONDON again on Sunday (oh yes!) for a power boat trip up the Thames and Pricilla Queen of the Desert. I deserve it, I haven't moaned once about going back to school yet. (Actually I haven't moaned once, I've moaned about one hundred times but never mind) Anyway Abby Taylor - Baptie is going back to the party.
Thank you and Goodnight
Abby x
So, 12km swim on Tuesday went well with just a bit of an ache in the shoulder. Went to Kingsdown and had an awesome swim; very rough, strong current, I loved it! Rested Thursday and a 6km swim yesterday in the harbour, not as fun but a lot easier!
This morning was an 18km swim which I'm not going to say I enjoyed but it was certainly a positive experience. I felt a lot more focused than before as I know time is only just on my side now and after the first 7km and feed I just thought, 'okay, only eleven kilometres to swim, thats alright' and carried on easily. I have this holiday developed an obsession with writing stories which provides me with entertainment in the sea. It is amazing the ideas that come into my head out in the water.
Hectic rush this afternoon, we got dad out of the house and final preparations for a surprise party tonight which I have just slipped away from. I had 35 cupcakes to ice, a trifle to finish and a fruit salad to make (I was desert-maker-in-chief) as well as getting changed. Note to self: Channel swimmer chic is not suitable for parties. All the family arrived and dad got home - he didn't have a clue which shows how often he listens when I speak because I have definitely let it slip a few times! Really nice get together with family, including baby Kasen who fell asleep on me for half an hour. I've only just got rid of the pins and needles on my arm.
Another long swim tomorrow and an exciting week ahead. Results day on Tuesday which I am not looking forwards to at all but it's all fun from there. LONDON on Wednesday with Eleanor to see Billy Elliot and be tourists which I am very very very excited about and then LONDON again on Sunday (oh yes!) for a power boat trip up the Thames and Pricilla Queen of the Desert. I deserve it, I haven't moaned once about going back to school yet. (Actually I haven't moaned once, I've moaned about one hundred times but never mind) Anyway Abby Taylor - Baptie is going back to the party.
Thank you and Goodnight
Abby x
Tuesday 17 August 2010
Upping the hours
I had a rather productive day yesterday. Swam in the morning in an uncharacteristically rough Dover Harbour which was great because I'm pretty sure it won't be as flat as a swimming pool beyond the harbour wall. Then went to the pool to shower having planned a half an hour run but saw when I looked in the pool three very fast swimmers one of which is attempting to break the world record for the channel in the next week or so. I wasn't going to miss an opputunity to gawp at how amazing they are so I had a very short fifteen minute run and compromised I would go for another this morning so I could sit and watch them whilst mum was doing aquacise. I think by the end of their session they probably thought I was a badly dressed stalker. (if they even noticed anyone was watching which I doubt) I was talking to mum the other day, and we reckon I should bring out a channel swimmers fashion line: three jumper and sandals wth socks chic I think!
Anyway not to get sidetracked, I went and saw Paul in the afternoon and he was pleased with my shoulder and my shoulder blades because as I have been doing my exercises obsessively (or whenever mum tells me to do them which is at least ten times a day) they are looking in a better position. He did some more work on my neck and shoulders, painful as ever but effective I am sure.
Then in the evening I secured myself a support swimmer in my training partner from the early season. Absolutely thrilled he agreed because I can't think of anyone better to do it; we are practically the same speed (for example finished 3 seconds apart over a 3 mile race) and he has already swam the channel one so it will be good to have someone with that experience on the boat. For anyone who doesn't know a support swimmer goes on the boat and is allowed in the water with you for 1 hour in every 3 or when you are having problems.
Today I am planning on my run and then down to the harbour for a 12 kilometre swim before karate. I called my last blog 'it's all uphill from here' and this is true. Due to my injury I haven't been able to put in as many hours as I would have liked and need to do some long swims (24-28km) to get myself mentally prepared. The last thing we want is for me to be standing on the beach at Dover thinking I am not ready. It's gonna be a long hard and hopefully fun (who am I kidding?) slog for the next month before I start tapering for the big swim. I am really looking forward to it and getting more excited by the day. I'm also looking forward to taking a week or two off afterwards and enjoying my birthday which is technically a few days before my swim but I have postphoned it. I will be thinking of being able to go to bed on a Friday night without having to set my alarm and how great it will be not to dread my favourite lessons at school because my legs are too tired to walk up the stairs without feeling like lead to get to them. There is also the fact that I will be able to see my friends from outside of swimming and make up for being so anti-social over the summer! I am also looking forward to getting out on my bike and for some long runs and pool sessions (Warm water!) a couple of weeks after the swim to work on my triathlon but first I am going to swim the English Channel and smile through the whole thing. Or at least thats the plan...
Anyway not to get sidetracked, I went and saw Paul in the afternoon and he was pleased with my shoulder and my shoulder blades because as I have been doing my exercises obsessively (or whenever mum tells me to do them which is at least ten times a day) they are looking in a better position. He did some more work on my neck and shoulders, painful as ever but effective I am sure.
Then in the evening I secured myself a support swimmer in my training partner from the early season. Absolutely thrilled he agreed because I can't think of anyone better to do it; we are practically the same speed (for example finished 3 seconds apart over a 3 mile race) and he has already swam the channel one so it will be good to have someone with that experience on the boat. For anyone who doesn't know a support swimmer goes on the boat and is allowed in the water with you for 1 hour in every 3 or when you are having problems.
Today I am planning on my run and then down to the harbour for a 12 kilometre swim before karate. I called my last blog 'it's all uphill from here' and this is true. Due to my injury I haven't been able to put in as many hours as I would have liked and need to do some long swims (24-28km) to get myself mentally prepared. The last thing we want is for me to be standing on the beach at Dover thinking I am not ready. It's gonna be a long hard and hopefully fun (who am I kidding?) slog for the next month before I start tapering for the big swim. I am really looking forward to it and getting more excited by the day. I'm also looking forward to taking a week or two off afterwards and enjoying my birthday which is technically a few days before my swim but I have postphoned it. I will be thinking of being able to go to bed on a Friday night without having to set my alarm and how great it will be not to dread my favourite lessons at school because my legs are too tired to walk up the stairs without feeling like lead to get to them. There is also the fact that I will be able to see my friends from outside of swimming and make up for being so anti-social over the summer! I am also looking forward to getting out on my bike and for some long runs and pool sessions (Warm water!) a couple of weeks after the swim to work on my triathlon but first I am going to swim the English Channel and smile through the whole thing. Or at least thats the plan...
Sunday 15 August 2010
All uphill from here
The shoulder is recovering! Is that not the greatest thing you have ever heard. Okay, maybe not but for me this is like all my Christmas's coming at once. Not totally there yet but a definite improvement; lots of exercises though, sometimes I feel like I have only just got up from the floor from doing them when its time to do them again.
Anyway Wednesday Paul joined me in the harbour where I did 5km, not much but building up slowly. Then saw Mary to see Step Up 3 and hear about her trip to Venice which sounded amazing. Great to see my oldest friend too! Kirsty's 21st birthday meal in the evening which was pretty good too, awesome cake I can assure you.
Thursday was rest day so did very little, watched European swimming championships; sorted out folders for the dreaded return to school and of course, did a zillion rounds of my beloved exercises. Friday I did 6km in the harbour feeling very inadequate getting in with a man who was doing 10 hours. No thank you, the first time I do 10 hours will most likely be on the big day.
Saturday at Kingsdown it was low tide which was irritating but we did about 5km, feed on the old favourite maxim and lemon squash and another 5km. Hard work because of the tide but I actually completed a Charlie set which hasn't happened for a long time. Slightly slower on the second 5km, probably because it started to rain very heavily indeed and I couldn't swim for laughter at the slight of everyone crouched under an umbrella which I knew wasn't particularly good trying to get my stuff ready for when I got out. The things my parents do for me; if I ever have a child, he/she will not be a open water swimmer!
So we arrived back at Kingsdown on Sunday to find a) a low tide b) swimmer swallowing waves c) a very very very very strong current. Charlie arrived a few minutes later Paul and the Baptie crew and declared we were not getting in. The low tide and waves meant the chances of getting smashed agains the rocks at the bottom was very high so it would have been a silly risk to take. Charlie told us to take a day off but Paul and I had other ideas, secretly planning to meet in Dover for a quick swim. So off we went down to the seafront for an hour where I was swimming along and met an incredibly fast swimmer. Naturally my competitive instinct made me stick with them which I did but lets be honest, I was sprinting and they were cruising. Paul found this incredibly funny. Went for a run and then to watch the regatta in the afternoon and caught up with a few people. Especially great to see Lewis from my relay tam in 2008, the memories of which still make me chuckle.
Going to do about 6/7 km today and a quick run and then to see Paul and check on the shoulder.
Update soon.
Thanks for reading!
Abby x
Anyway Wednesday Paul joined me in the harbour where I did 5km, not much but building up slowly. Then saw Mary to see Step Up 3 and hear about her trip to Venice which sounded amazing. Great to see my oldest friend too! Kirsty's 21st birthday meal in the evening which was pretty good too, awesome cake I can assure you.
Thursday was rest day so did very little, watched European swimming championships; sorted out folders for the dreaded return to school and of course, did a zillion rounds of my beloved exercises. Friday I did 6km in the harbour feeling very inadequate getting in with a man who was doing 10 hours. No thank you, the first time I do 10 hours will most likely be on the big day.
Saturday at Kingsdown it was low tide which was irritating but we did about 5km, feed on the old favourite maxim and lemon squash and another 5km. Hard work because of the tide but I actually completed a Charlie set which hasn't happened for a long time. Slightly slower on the second 5km, probably because it started to rain very heavily indeed and I couldn't swim for laughter at the slight of everyone crouched under an umbrella which I knew wasn't particularly good trying to get my stuff ready for when I got out. The things my parents do for me; if I ever have a child, he/she will not be a open water swimmer!
So we arrived back at Kingsdown on Sunday to find a) a low tide b) swimmer swallowing waves c) a very very very very strong current. Charlie arrived a few minutes later Paul and the Baptie crew and declared we were not getting in. The low tide and waves meant the chances of getting smashed agains the rocks at the bottom was very high so it would have been a silly risk to take. Charlie told us to take a day off but Paul and I had other ideas, secretly planning to meet in Dover for a quick swim. So off we went down to the seafront for an hour where I was swimming along and met an incredibly fast swimmer. Naturally my competitive instinct made me stick with them which I did but lets be honest, I was sprinting and they were cruising. Paul found this incredibly funny. Went for a run and then to watch the regatta in the afternoon and caught up with a few people. Especially great to see Lewis from my relay tam in 2008, the memories of which still make me chuckle.
Going to do about 6/7 km today and a quick run and then to see Paul and check on the shoulder.
Update soon.
Thanks for reading!
Abby x
Monday 9 August 2010
Summer, sunshine and shoulder pain
Lots of physio and not much swimming since the last entry. Swam Saturday morning, raining, windy, rough choppy water; my favourite type! No kidding, I love it but on the day of the swim lets be honest, I want that sea to be flat.nAnyway, I reached my first feed at 8km and was getting quite a lot of pain in my shoulder; told dad but we agreed it was probably the conditions and I just needed to get my head down and swim. So I did another 8km to finish but during the last 2km I could barely lift my left arm and was hardly using it on the pull through. Got out in a lot of pain in the shoulder but numbness in my fingers. Got changed, went home and discovered the pain wasn't going away; went onto the anti-inflammataries on Saturday and barely used my left arm (bit of a pain as I am left handed!) but when dad woke me up on Sunday I knew I couldn't swim. Throughout Sunday I had no strength in my arm and couldn't lift it above shoulder height. Went on a long walk with my mum and tried to ice it as much as possible.
Monday I was going mad, try asking someone who is OCD about exercise to stop; it doesn't work so I went in the gym and went on the static bike; most boring thing in the world but I felt a bit better afterwards. Saw Paul and he worked on the shoulder but told me I shouldn't swim again until the weekend. Saw him again on Thursday after using the bike a few more times and he confirmed the shoulder was loose enough for the weekend. Got in on Saturday and did 7km before getting out with the usual pain. Did the same on Sunday and got a bit frustrated; obviously I can't swim the channel on a bad shoulder but I can't swim it on no training either! Still, I have plenty of time. Gym yesterday and then saw Paul again and he explained I have short tight muscles in my neck and long weak ones in my back as well as shoulder blades that are too wide due to so much freestyle training which is causing the catching in the nerves. Went in the water today after agreeing with Paul it is best at the moment to swim little and often just to keep me in. Did 4km in the rough water and rain, mum got as wet as me just watching! Bit of pain but nothing bad. Have to do lots of exercises and with any luck I will be back on form soon.
Bye for now,
Abby x
Monday I was going mad, try asking someone who is OCD about exercise to stop; it doesn't work so I went in the gym and went on the static bike; most boring thing in the world but I felt a bit better afterwards. Saw Paul and he worked on the shoulder but told me I shouldn't swim again until the weekend. Saw him again on Thursday after using the bike a few more times and he confirmed the shoulder was loose enough for the weekend. Got in on Saturday and did 7km before getting out with the usual pain. Did the same on Sunday and got a bit frustrated; obviously I can't swim the channel on a bad shoulder but I can't swim it on no training either! Still, I have plenty of time. Gym yesterday and then saw Paul again and he explained I have short tight muscles in my neck and long weak ones in my back as well as shoulder blades that are too wide due to so much freestyle training which is causing the catching in the nerves. Went in the water today after agreeing with Paul it is best at the moment to swim little and often just to keep me in. Did 4km in the rough water and rain, mum got as wet as me just watching! Bit of pain but nothing bad. Have to do lots of exercises and with any luck I will be back on form soon.
Bye for now,
Abby x
Friday 30 July 2010
Well it's not been my best week as far as swimming has gone; Saturday was overcast and horrible so not my favourite conditions but in we got same as usual after talking for a while and dragging out our preparations. We had planned a 15km swim but my shoulder wasn't happy right from the start. Charlie had told me to get out if it started hurting as I had had to miss the session during the week and looking back I think I stayed in too long but after about 8km Ii had to get out. I could have swum through it but it would have been a stupid thing to do with so little time left until the big swim. I was absolutely gutted when I got out as I was swimming well and hate giving up at the best of times but luckily my parents were on hand to (literally) pick me up from the ground and after talking to Charlie we decided that I clearly needed to rest until I saw Paul again to avoid further problems. Thinking about it now I think mentally a break was also a good idea because it has been a very long season this year and it's not even close to being over.
Sunday was the Deal Regatta swim which I won last year but of course I couldn't swim. We had to take the shield back which was a bit annoying but when we got there we saw the some of the successful channel relay team who have also trained with Charlie. It was great to see them, congratulate them and hear all about him. Such a brilliant group of people who have really lifted me many times and I am thrilled for them. Watched the race in the afternoon and saw Kathryn win the shield which was brilliant. She has always been so good to me and I was really pleased for her.
Couldn't sit still any longer by Monday so went in the gym for an hour and a half and then saw Paul and he sorted me out. We have again been very lucky, firstly that Paul is such an amazing physio and secondly that my injuries have not being too serious. This time it was stiffness in my back and left shoulder have caused trapping in the shoulder but Paul has fixed it and fingers crossed it will be okay. Then a sleepover with the amazing girls from swimming who have got me through so many sessions. We had a great time and I was knackered by Tuesday night. Wednesday morning I was back in the water for a pool session which went quite well. Wednesday night was a sea swim that was brilliant. I got ready to get in the water and suddenly the rain came down and the thunder started. We took shelter under the roof of a beach hut and got in slightly late. The sea was rough and it was very fun, I loved it.
Thursday was my our morning session (no morning getting up at 4am) and one of my last pool sessions as I am mostly based in the sea from now on. It was a good session with all the great Canterbury swimmers; good luck to all of them going to nationals, they are all so amazing in and out the pool and I am sure they will be brilliant. Went on a long walk and afternoon tea with Eleanor (because we're cool) and too Deal Carnival in the evening then running this morning before dossing around all day with mum. How I love the summer holidays!
Post again soon,
Abby x
Sunday was the Deal Regatta swim which I won last year but of course I couldn't swim. We had to take the shield back which was a bit annoying but when we got there we saw the some of the successful channel relay team who have also trained with Charlie. It was great to see them, congratulate them and hear all about him. Such a brilliant group of people who have really lifted me many times and I am thrilled for them. Watched the race in the afternoon and saw Kathryn win the shield which was brilliant. She has always been so good to me and I was really pleased for her.
Couldn't sit still any longer by Monday so went in the gym for an hour and a half and then saw Paul and he sorted me out. We have again been very lucky, firstly that Paul is such an amazing physio and secondly that my injuries have not being too serious. This time it was stiffness in my back and left shoulder have caused trapping in the shoulder but Paul has fixed it and fingers crossed it will be okay. Then a sleepover with the amazing girls from swimming who have got me through so many sessions. We had a great time and I was knackered by Tuesday night. Wednesday morning I was back in the water for a pool session which went quite well. Wednesday night was a sea swim that was brilliant. I got ready to get in the water and suddenly the rain came down and the thunder started. We took shelter under the roof of a beach hut and got in slightly late. The sea was rough and it was very fun, I loved it.
Thursday was my our morning session (no morning getting up at 4am) and one of my last pool sessions as I am mostly based in the sea from now on. It was a good session with all the great Canterbury swimmers; good luck to all of them going to nationals, they are all so amazing in and out the pool and I am sure they will be brilliant. Went on a long walk and afternoon tea with Eleanor (because we're cool) and too Deal Carnival in the evening then running this morning before dossing around all day with mum. How I love the summer holidays!
Post again soon,
Abby x
Friday 23 July 2010
Sorry I haven't posted in such a long time but here goes...
Monday morning training was hard as usual after the weekend in the sea but finished the session and hurried off to start my work experience: physiotherapy at Kent and Canterbury Hospital. Swam Tuesday night with Charlie which was great as the Deal Tri lot are a brilliant group of people who I always enjoy swimming with. Wednesday morning I almost slept in the water I was so tired, I didn't realise work experience was so tiring! I was gutted that it was my last day as I really enjoyed it and feel I definitely want to go into that kind of work. Wednesday evening was a fantastic session at Kingsdown with Kiri and Ellie, for once we all came out smiling and having enjoyed the whole session, not just the last five minutes! Thursday morning training and then I went to work with mum. Did some spanish homework and saw Shrek with Bizzie which was really funny. Slept late for the first time since April on Friday (bliss) and spent the whole day being lazy. (Well I went out for a run in the morning, bu most of the day.)
3x6km on Saturday which I kind of enjoyed in a roundabout sort of way. On each kilometre did a different times table (from 2 to 19 times table) which was suprisingly amusing. Probably very inaccurate but got me through the session. Sunday was a 2 hour session in Kingsdown which was really fun again and then a bike ride with dad.
Monday morning training came around all too quickly again but we did it and then went for a run and watched My Sisters Keeper with mum which still makes me cry after seeing it many times. Went training in the evening and found out that Emma (who was away in Hastings with a friend) was going to see Blood Brothers! I was very jeleaus and sent he a rather rude text telling her exactly what I thought of her going without me! Got up quite late on Tuesday and went into Folkestone after mum and I declared my wardrobe to be seriously lacking! Had a great day but for some reason my shoulder was hurting again which really worried me. Went to karate and saw Adrian who suggested some exercises. Got in the pool Wednesday and it started hurting straight away. Decided to keep going until the end of the warm-up and luckily it stopped hurting so I carried on. Began to hurt towards the end of the session so I iced it at home and decided to skip Wednesday nights swim. Went and saw Toy Story which was brilliant. Already made plans to see it again. Shoulder felt fine on Thursday despite it being a biggish set, sprints and then 500's. I have continued to ice it and do my exercises and it seems okay. Tidied and totally decluttered my bedroom in the morning and now it looks pretty good so I am really pleased. Afternoon with Eleanor, went walking in Tankerton and had a good gossip, haven't seen each other for a whole week; shocking! We had a lot to talk about!
Hopefully the shoulder will hold out tomorrow and Sunday when I am training and then raacing in the Deal Regatta where as reigning champion(!) I am quite hoping to win! The shield looks good in my room!
Thanks for reading and enjoy the sun.
Abby x
Monday morning training was hard as usual after the weekend in the sea but finished the session and hurried off to start my work experience: physiotherapy at Kent and Canterbury Hospital. Swam Tuesday night with Charlie which was great as the Deal Tri lot are a brilliant group of people who I always enjoy swimming with. Wednesday morning I almost slept in the water I was so tired, I didn't realise work experience was so tiring! I was gutted that it was my last day as I really enjoyed it and feel I definitely want to go into that kind of work. Wednesday evening was a fantastic session at Kingsdown with Kiri and Ellie, for once we all came out smiling and having enjoyed the whole session, not just the last five minutes! Thursday morning training and then I went to work with mum. Did some spanish homework and saw Shrek with Bizzie which was really funny. Slept late for the first time since April on Friday (bliss) and spent the whole day being lazy. (Well I went out for a run in the morning, bu most of the day.)
3x6km on Saturday which I kind of enjoyed in a roundabout sort of way. On each kilometre did a different times table (from 2 to 19 times table) which was suprisingly amusing. Probably very inaccurate but got me through the session. Sunday was a 2 hour session in Kingsdown which was really fun again and then a bike ride with dad.
Monday morning training came around all too quickly again but we did it and then went for a run and watched My Sisters Keeper with mum which still makes me cry after seeing it many times. Went training in the evening and found out that Emma (who was away in Hastings with a friend) was going to see Blood Brothers! I was very jeleaus and sent he a rather rude text telling her exactly what I thought of her going without me! Got up quite late on Tuesday and went into Folkestone after mum and I declared my wardrobe to be seriously lacking! Had a great day but for some reason my shoulder was hurting again which really worried me. Went to karate and saw Adrian who suggested some exercises. Got in the pool Wednesday and it started hurting straight away. Decided to keep going until the end of the warm-up and luckily it stopped hurting so I carried on. Began to hurt towards the end of the session so I iced it at home and decided to skip Wednesday nights swim. Went and saw Toy Story which was brilliant. Already made plans to see it again. Shoulder felt fine on Thursday despite it being a biggish set, sprints and then 500's. I have continued to ice it and do my exercises and it seems okay. Tidied and totally decluttered my bedroom in the morning and now it looks pretty good so I am really pleased. Afternoon with Eleanor, went walking in Tankerton and had a good gossip, haven't seen each other for a whole week; shocking! We had a lot to talk about!
Hopefully the shoulder will hold out tomorrow and Sunday when I am training and then raacing in the Deal Regatta where as reigning champion(!) I am quite hoping to win! The shield looks good in my room!
Thanks for reading and enjoy the sun.
Abby x
Sunday 11 July 2010
Schools out and the tides coming in
Thought I would have a nice easy set on Sunday after Saturdays effort but never underestimate the coach; Charlie thought I would like a nice 3 x 6 kilometre set. I had plans in the afternoon with the lovely Eleanor so had to get up at 4.45 and eat my porridge so I was in the water at 6. Really lovely and still so the first 6 km was great, fed and did the next one but was starting to notice some pain from my shoulder running down my arm. Survived until the next feed and took on some painkillers but 40 minutes later I was still in agony and mum (on the kayak) was probably suffering from sore ears from all my moaning. Saw Paul at 14 kilometres and he told me to get out. Luckily for me he is probably the best physio in the world as well as being incredibly kind so he told me to come and see him early Tuesday morning and he would fix it.
Had a great afternoon with Ellie and saw eclipse in the evening which was great. The image of Taylor Laugtner with his shirt off has got me through many sessions since! Morning training on Monday was fine apart from my shoulder so I did some kick and cut the session short. Then school for the last week until the summer holidays. Saw Paul on Tuesday morning and he fixed the shoulder and gave me some exercises. Cake sale at school on Tuesday and then karate before morning training on Wednesday and Thursday with my sports leaders final assessment in the afternoon. The last day of school on Friday, can't believe it is the summer holidays and I am going to be in year 11 next year! Also makes the channel swim seem ever closer as after the holidays it's 2 and a half weeks!
Four times 4 kilometres fast swim on Saturday. First two were fine but after 10 km was was very very bored and losing motivation. It is quite difficult at the moment; lots of hours and still 10 weeks to go but somehow got through and finished, but not very fast! Improved my hat line and tan line immensely, I am at the stage that no matter how bad my hair looks (and trust me, it can look awful!) I cannot pin my fringe back without being laughd at by everyone I meet. It makes running very hard.
Anyway, Kingsdown today which was great as it is know where near as boring as Dover, but this is where the blog title comes in. The tide was against us going to Deal pier which meant we were 1 hour 25 minutes for the 4 kilometres, without the tide we would cover it in under an hour. Anyway began to go back looking forward to an easy swim but... the tide changed and began to go in like no mans business. It was incredible, I swam for an hour and made about 100 metres! Anyway, saw Paul walking down the beach and got up myself, was coming up to some boats and it was getting dangerous. He had made no ground and knew we weren't going to make it back so we walked back and informed Charlie we were over determined idiots and dad was still in the kayak. Mum collected him so we all got back okay. Although it was annoying it as a great experience. At Cape Griz Nez we could be making no ground for up to six hours. It kind of hit home how tough the swim is going to be and has made me more determined, without training my very best and doing everything Charlie and Tony tell me I will have no chance. Everything, training, eating, resting and tapering has to be perfect and I also luck, God and everything looking favourably upon me. Thank goodness I will have a fantastic pilot and a wonderful support team in my family as well as two brilliant coaches and a lot of pure bloody-mindedness to help me!
Had a great afternoon with Ellie and saw eclipse in the evening which was great. The image of Taylor Laugtner with his shirt off has got me through many sessions since! Morning training on Monday was fine apart from my shoulder so I did some kick and cut the session short. Then school for the last week until the summer holidays. Saw Paul on Tuesday morning and he fixed the shoulder and gave me some exercises. Cake sale at school on Tuesday and then karate before morning training on Wednesday and Thursday with my sports leaders final assessment in the afternoon. The last day of school on Friday, can't believe it is the summer holidays and I am going to be in year 11 next year! Also makes the channel swim seem ever closer as after the holidays it's 2 and a half weeks!
Four times 4 kilometres fast swim on Saturday. First two were fine but after 10 km was was very very bored and losing motivation. It is quite difficult at the moment; lots of hours and still 10 weeks to go but somehow got through and finished, but not very fast! Improved my hat line and tan line immensely, I am at the stage that no matter how bad my hair looks (and trust me, it can look awful!) I cannot pin my fringe back without being laughd at by everyone I meet. It makes running very hard.
Anyway, Kingsdown today which was great as it is know where near as boring as Dover, but this is where the blog title comes in. The tide was against us going to Deal pier which meant we were 1 hour 25 minutes for the 4 kilometres, without the tide we would cover it in under an hour. Anyway began to go back looking forward to an easy swim but... the tide changed and began to go in like no mans business. It was incredible, I swam for an hour and made about 100 metres! Anyway, saw Paul walking down the beach and got up myself, was coming up to some boats and it was getting dangerous. He had made no ground and knew we weren't going to make it back so we walked back and informed Charlie we were over determined idiots and dad was still in the kayak. Mum collected him so we all got back okay. Although it was annoying it as a great experience. At Cape Griz Nez we could be making no ground for up to six hours. It kind of hit home how tough the swim is going to be and has made me more determined, without training my very best and doing everything Charlie and Tony tell me I will have no chance. Everything, training, eating, resting and tapering has to be perfect and I also luck, God and everything looking favourably upon me. Thank goodness I will have a fantastic pilot and a wonderful support team in my family as well as two brilliant coaches and a lot of pure bloody-mindedness to help me!
Saturday 3 July 2010
Feasting with the fish
Start again where I left off. Monday night time trial. The sun was out and unfortunately, so was the fast swimmer in the wetsuit meaning I got beaten. Only by 15 seconds but just goes to show the importance of my attitude when I swim. The minute I saw the swimmer who I knew was as fast or more likely faster than me I was beaten, even before I got in the water. I swam okay and the time wasn't bad but I was really angry with myself for being beaten, not because he was faster but because I didn't fight for the race because mentally I was already second. Anyway, I swam back to get my kit and got the disappointment out of my system and got stung twice more by those stupid jellyfish.
Back in the pool Wednesday morning for a short set as I had to get out early to get ready for a fundraising day and sports day at school. In case any of you are reading this, thanks to all the people who helped out, really fun day with Ellie and I getting into the roles of Jack and Jill quite well dragging buckets of water up onto the field for throwing sponges at teachers. Thanks to all the teachers who volunteered for that! The unofficial total is £250.40 for the day so thanks to everyone for being so generous. In the sea for a session on Wednesday night with Howard and Paul which I enjoyed immensely. Then a BBQ on the beach to celebrate mums birthday before heading to bed rather late. Thursday morning came around all too quickly and the set was not an Abby set. One hundreds? No thanks, I always find you start to get into it and the wall gets in the way. Then again, thats always the way in the pool!
Went for a run on Friday and then watched Murray. I think I must be cursed, I came back to watch it and he immediately lost his serve. Anyway woke up early this morning to eat my porridge and go to the beach. Thought I would improve my tan line but the sun never appeared. Charlie dropped a bombshell when I arrived. The most I have done in one go is 12km (a bit under 3 hours) and today he asked for 9km, feed, 7km, feed, 4km. 20km! I was slightly scared (especially when I got stung almost straight away) but was already with my new found operation combat boredem after telling mum I was going mad in the water with so little to think about. It didn't quite work though. I planned to do an A-Z of everything and yes, I did an A-Z of girls names, boys names, spanish words, biology, chemistry and physics words, history words, books, films, songs and everything else but I had done them all by 4km and had to count to some big number to keep myself amused before lapsing into daydreaming about nothing and singing the songs on my ipod that I am not going to name through fear of embarassing myself! Anyway dad was on the kayak and kept me company, he even gave me my feeds in the water! Kept amused until 16km but my shoulders were starting to hurt and I was seriously in need to motivation. Luckily for me Paul was on hand when we saw each other in the water and he told me I couldn't count and actually I had only 3 km to go, that cheered me up and I finished in about 4 hours and 40 something minutes chuffed to bits having swum for 2 hours longer than ever before.
Suffering now with sore shoulders, tiredness and stings but still smiling. Going to cook dinner now so if dad and I don't turn up where we are meant to me next week, just assume with have food poisoning!
Thanks for reading
Abby x
Back in the pool Wednesday morning for a short set as I had to get out early to get ready for a fundraising day and sports day at school. In case any of you are reading this, thanks to all the people who helped out, really fun day with Ellie and I getting into the roles of Jack and Jill quite well dragging buckets of water up onto the field for throwing sponges at teachers. Thanks to all the teachers who volunteered for that! The unofficial total is £250.40 for the day so thanks to everyone for being so generous. In the sea for a session on Wednesday night with Howard and Paul which I enjoyed immensely. Then a BBQ on the beach to celebrate mums birthday before heading to bed rather late. Thursday morning came around all too quickly and the set was not an Abby set. One hundreds? No thanks, I always find you start to get into it and the wall gets in the way. Then again, thats always the way in the pool!
Went for a run on Friday and then watched Murray. I think I must be cursed, I came back to watch it and he immediately lost his serve. Anyway woke up early this morning to eat my porridge and go to the beach. Thought I would improve my tan line but the sun never appeared. Charlie dropped a bombshell when I arrived. The most I have done in one go is 12km (a bit under 3 hours) and today he asked for 9km, feed, 7km, feed, 4km. 20km! I was slightly scared (especially when I got stung almost straight away) but was already with my new found operation combat boredem after telling mum I was going mad in the water with so little to think about. It didn't quite work though. I planned to do an A-Z of everything and yes, I did an A-Z of girls names, boys names, spanish words, biology, chemistry and physics words, history words, books, films, songs and everything else but I had done them all by 4km and had to count to some big number to keep myself amused before lapsing into daydreaming about nothing and singing the songs on my ipod that I am not going to name through fear of embarassing myself! Anyway dad was on the kayak and kept me company, he even gave me my feeds in the water! Kept amused until 16km but my shoulders were starting to hurt and I was seriously in need to motivation. Luckily for me Paul was on hand when we saw each other in the water and he told me I couldn't count and actually I had only 3 km to go, that cheered me up and I finished in about 4 hours and 40 something minutes chuffed to bits having swum for 2 hours longer than ever before.
Suffering now with sore shoulders, tiredness and stings but still smiling. Going to cook dinner now so if dad and I don't turn up where we are meant to me next week, just assume with have food poisoning!
Thanks for reading
Abby x
Monday 28 June 2010
Attack of the jellyfish
Monday morning was interesting last week. I felt like I had been swimming in horrible conditions all weekend. Ohy yeah, I had been. Anyway my arms somehow survived training but there was no way they would have survived the evening so Tony ordered me to take the evening off. Back in the pool for a Charlie session on Tuesday which was quite fun. Felt better than Monday but the sensation of aching arms was returning by the end of Wednesday morning training. Back to Kingsdown on Wednesday which was beautiful. I love training at Kingsdown and can' wait to go in again this week. Did an assembly at school about my fundraising for Demelza House which went down well. Back in the pool on Thursday morning before the final exam in the afternoon. Rather pleased their over to be honest even though I had finally worked out where my seat was after wandering around all the desks for the other exams. Went into town with Eleanor after school and went around the shops begging for prizes for a raffle (More fundraising). Friday was a rest day to prepare for a weekend of training and racing.
Saturday morning was the first time I have really wanted to get out. 9km to start with and then I was to be told after my feed what I was doing next. It seemed to go on forever and was so cold. Came into the feed in a bit of a state but was persuaded to go back in. Cried my way through a kilometre before deciding it made swimming to difficult and gave myself a good talking to before finishing the next 4km.
Saturday night was the deal tri aquathon, mass start on the beach meant I was guaranteed to be trambled on as I was a bit shorter than the adults. Got beaten up a bit at the start but to be fair, I gave as good as I got and came out the water in third place. The run went well but I noticed at the end I had blood all over my knee, I fell over coming out the water but I was too cold to feel anything. Anyway, I think I looked kind of cool running around with a bloody knee! I won the ladies race which we were pleased about and even got home in time to watch Doctor Who, which was amazing. Now its finished my Saturday nights will be incomplete, maybe I should get some kind of social life. Then again, I'm a swimmer, so maybe not.
Anyway back to the post title. 4km, feed, 4km, feed, 2km on Saturday. 2 and a half hours in flat water and beautiful sun shine. (My tan line is amazing!) Sounds great doesn't it. Well it would have been if it wasn't for some stinking jellyfish who thought they would ruin my swim. Got stung on the face, legs, shoulder, under the arm, chest and arm. How I don't know. The last one was my arm and the jellyfish was as big as my hand and wrapped itself around my arm leaving me with lots of marks for a while. But after all that pain the marks had disappeared by the time I got my camera at home so I couldn't put the gory pictures on here.
5800 metres (a sprint set) this morning and an open water time trial tonight. Fingers crossed the jellyfish will leave me alone.
Mums home, bag to get ready,
Thanks for reading.
Abby x
Saturday morning was the first time I have really wanted to get out. 9km to start with and then I was to be told after my feed what I was doing next. It seemed to go on forever and was so cold. Came into the feed in a bit of a state but was persuaded to go back in. Cried my way through a kilometre before deciding it made swimming to difficult and gave myself a good talking to before finishing the next 4km.
Saturday night was the deal tri aquathon, mass start on the beach meant I was guaranteed to be trambled on as I was a bit shorter than the adults. Got beaten up a bit at the start but to be fair, I gave as good as I got and came out the water in third place. The run went well but I noticed at the end I had blood all over my knee, I fell over coming out the water but I was too cold to feel anything. Anyway, I think I looked kind of cool running around with a bloody knee! I won the ladies race which we were pleased about and even got home in time to watch Doctor Who, which was amazing. Now its finished my Saturday nights will be incomplete, maybe I should get some kind of social life. Then again, I'm a swimmer, so maybe not.
Anyway back to the post title. 4km, feed, 4km, feed, 2km on Saturday. 2 and a half hours in flat water and beautiful sun shine. (My tan line is amazing!) Sounds great doesn't it. Well it would have been if it wasn't for some stinking jellyfish who thought they would ruin my swim. Got stung on the face, legs, shoulder, under the arm, chest and arm. How I don't know. The last one was my arm and the jellyfish was as big as my hand and wrapped itself around my arm leaving me with lots of marks for a while. But after all that pain the marks had disappeared by the time I got my camera at home so I couldn't put the gory pictures on here.
5800 metres (a sprint set) this morning and an open water time trial tonight. Fingers crossed the jellyfish will leave me alone.
Mums home, bag to get ready,
Thanks for reading.
Abby x
Sunday 20 June 2010
sore shoulders and sun burn
Not a bad week of training this week, 10km, feed, 2km on Saturday, 10km on Sunday and then pool training all week in preparation for Champion of Champions yesterday. Quite nervous all week knowing it was going to be a tough race. Skipped training on Friday night and watched the England match which frankly put me off my porridge but was a good insentive to get a rare early night as after 50 minutes I couldn't bear to watch it anymore.
Woke up early on Saturday and ate MORE porridge with maxim (joy) before checking the bag which I think weighed more than me and set off for the halbour. Signed in and went to briefing where we were told that the water was 15 degrees. Yeah right, I would advise them to check their themometers because seriously, it doesn't feel any warmer than when it was ten degrees. 5 mile race first and the conditions were quite good but a little choppy. Swam well and came 6th doing it 16 minutes quicker than last year. Dressed and fed on cous cous, rice cakes, half a kit kat, maxim, coffee and lemon squash followed by an apple and dolly mixtures (don't worry, I don't usually eat that much!) before greasing up again for the three mile race. Still a bit cold when I got in and had a good race with my training buddy but my arms kind of hurt at the end and had cramp in my hips which I thought was pretty impressive, normally you hear about arms and legs. However the conditions had really detiroated during the break and got worse during the race with the harbour turning into a washing machine and the spectatators getting soaked and then having their hair dried by the wind. It almost looked as good as my hat hair did with it's salt water shampoo and probably sewage conditioning. Found it hard to get warm after the three miles and didn't want to eat much as the gap before the one mile was quite small. Forced down some custard, grapes and carmel nibbles (very difficult obviously) with a bit of maxim before getting greased up once more. Really didn't want to get in the water again as the conditions were getting worse by the minute. My training partener passed me at the half way stage and I had nothing in my arms to respond. I also knew I had about 15 minutes to spare in the overall race in my age group so to be honest I didn't feel the need to kill myself. Got out and had the shower I had been waiting for all day; then the presentation after coffee, carrot and a jaffa cake where I got the junior trophy and came sixth overall. I was disappointed with the time because I had hoped to go under 4 hours for the 9 miles but the conditions meant it wasn't to be. Overall it was a great day made even better by a friend and his mum coming down to support us. Thanks Sanchia and Dan, it was very kind of you and meant a great deal.
Had a meal with the family and then went to bed in a bad mood having been told I was going training this morning despite thinking and dreaming about lying in bed until mid day. Did 6km with very sore arms but saw some club mates who cheered me yesterday which was great as I really wanted to thank them. Had breakfast afterwards as I couldn't get out of bed early enough to eat before and now I am relaxing until morning training. It's true what they say, there really is no (or very little) rest for the wicked.
Thanks for reading and hasta luego,
Abby x
Woke up early on Saturday and ate MORE porridge with maxim (joy) before checking the bag which I think weighed more than me and set off for the halbour. Signed in and went to briefing where we were told that the water was 15 degrees. Yeah right, I would advise them to check their themometers because seriously, it doesn't feel any warmer than when it was ten degrees. 5 mile race first and the conditions were quite good but a little choppy. Swam well and came 6th doing it 16 minutes quicker than last year. Dressed and fed on cous cous, rice cakes, half a kit kat, maxim, coffee and lemon squash followed by an apple and dolly mixtures (don't worry, I don't usually eat that much!) before greasing up again for the three mile race. Still a bit cold when I got in and had a good race with my training buddy but my arms kind of hurt at the end and had cramp in my hips which I thought was pretty impressive, normally you hear about arms and legs. However the conditions had really detiroated during the break and got worse during the race with the harbour turning into a washing machine and the spectatators getting soaked and then having their hair dried by the wind. It almost looked as good as my hat hair did with it's salt water shampoo and probably sewage conditioning. Found it hard to get warm after the three miles and didn't want to eat much as the gap before the one mile was quite small. Forced down some custard, grapes and carmel nibbles (very difficult obviously) with a bit of maxim before getting greased up once more. Really didn't want to get in the water again as the conditions were getting worse by the minute. My training partener passed me at the half way stage and I had nothing in my arms to respond. I also knew I had about 15 minutes to spare in the overall race in my age group so to be honest I didn't feel the need to kill myself. Got out and had the shower I had been waiting for all day; then the presentation after coffee, carrot and a jaffa cake where I got the junior trophy and came sixth overall. I was disappointed with the time because I had hoped to go under 4 hours for the 9 miles but the conditions meant it wasn't to be. Overall it was a great day made even better by a friend and his mum coming down to support us. Thanks Sanchia and Dan, it was very kind of you and meant a great deal.
Had a meal with the family and then went to bed in a bad mood having been told I was going training this morning despite thinking and dreaming about lying in bed until mid day. Did 6km with very sore arms but saw some club mates who cheered me yesterday which was great as I really wanted to thank them. Had breakfast afterwards as I couldn't get out of bed early enough to eat before and now I am relaxing until morning training. It's true what they say, there really is no (or very little) rest for the wicked.
Thanks for reading and hasta luego,
Abby x
Friday 11 June 2010
hello sunshine
I am sitting at my computor (revising in a roundaboout sort of way) looking out the window and the scene that is before is a SUNNY day! Yes! After yesterdays rain (the pond flooded at school) I thought it was going to be horrible today but no, thank you weather men and women, because it looks beautiful.
Hard weekend last weekend, 6km, a feed of a cup of warm lemon and maxim and another 6km on Saturday. Eight km on Sunday. Lovely sunshine saturday, the opposite on Sunday and no, for those who were wondering, the sea isn't warm yet. I am still waiting for that miracle but if it was I would be so shocked I probably wouldn't get in!
Anyway it was back at school this week, so no more sitting outside in the sun to do my revision in shorts and a t-shirt. Trained Monday morning (6400m) and then did a 1000m race in the evening, good fun and good preparation for champion of champions. Swam back afterwards. Rested on Tuesday to get ready for a tough day of exams on Wednesday. 6200m Wednesday morning and 105 minute history exam in the morning and 45 minutes of biology in the afternoon. Saw letters to juliet in the evening. 6400m Thursday morning and landtraining before 5200m last night.
Thats all for now, chemistry awaits before the all too cold water.
Adios amigos. x
:)
Hard weekend last weekend, 6km, a feed of a cup of warm lemon and maxim and another 6km on Saturday. Eight km on Sunday. Lovely sunshine saturday, the opposite on Sunday and no, for those who were wondering, the sea isn't warm yet. I am still waiting for that miracle but if it was I would be so shocked I probably wouldn't get in!
Anyway it was back at school this week, so no more sitting outside in the sun to do my revision in shorts and a t-shirt. Trained Monday morning (6400m) and then did a 1000m race in the evening, good fun and good preparation for champion of champions. Swam back afterwards. Rested on Tuesday to get ready for a tough day of exams on Wednesday. 6200m Wednesday morning and 105 minute history exam in the morning and 45 minutes of biology in the afternoon. Saw letters to juliet in the evening. 6400m Thursday morning and landtraining before 5200m last night.
Thats all for now, chemistry awaits before the all too cold water.
Adios amigos. x
:)
Sunday 30 May 2010
Long time no posts
Just a short one today, revising for exams and training hard. Pool swimming is slightly better though still not where it was but the extra carbs seem to be working a bit. Last week we did 8km on Saturday and 5km on Sunday and this weekend, 8km yesterday, 6km today and tomorrow and going in on Wednesday too. Swam quite well yesterday but was a bit off balance afterwards and dodgy sign placing meant I fell off the wall I use to get off the beach (the sign is in a position where you have to step around it) and I fell. Bit through my lip but luckily for me my mum was still on the beach behind me and I fell onto her (Sorry mum) and avoided hitting my head on the concrete. Look like I've done a few rounds with Mike Tyson but other than that I am fine, just determined to get that sign moved! Anyway revision to do, biology now and more history later. Adios amigos. :)
Wednesday 12 May 2010
It's not getting any warmer...
Well, it's been an interesting few days what with the general election and all that excitment but unfortunately my week of swimming has been comparable to Gordan Brown's week of politics, pretty dismal. Starting with Saturday because I can't remember any further back than that. Went down to Dover expecting a short swim when Charlie dropped a bombshell; my third sea swim of the year, 1 hour in 10 degree water. Got through that to my suprise and didn't feel too bad afterwards. Went to a wedding in the afternoon, (congratulations Ollie and Zoe!) and didn't get home til very late so was very tired on Sunday.
Sunday was an hour and fifteen minutes and my body didn't like that too much; felt alright (bit tired) until about 4 kilometres but the last kilometre was a real struggle. I was very very cold and a bit disorientated, swallowing a lot of water and couldn't feel my hands and feet. Luckily got into shore okay where I was helped out the water and my dad had the job of trying to warm me up. Pretty scary experience, especially when I couldn't warm up for quite a while but fine now and looking forwards to Saturday.
Had very little energy these last couple of weeks so have started using Maxim carbohydrate powder which seems to be working so should be back to normal soon and it will be more than 'sheer bloodi-mindedness' that gets me through swims!
More soon :)
Sunday was an hour and fifteen minutes and my body didn't like that too much; felt alright (bit tired) until about 4 kilometres but the last kilometre was a real struggle. I was very very cold and a bit disorientated, swallowing a lot of water and couldn't feel my hands and feet. Luckily got into shore okay where I was helped out the water and my dad had the job of trying to warm me up. Pretty scary experience, especially when I couldn't warm up for quite a while but fine now and looking forwards to Saturday.
Had very little energy these last couple of weeks so have started using Maxim carbohydrate powder which seems to be working so should be back to normal soon and it will be more than 'sheer bloodi-mindedness' that gets me through swims!
More soon :)
Saturday 1 May 2010
10 degrees too cold
2 swims done, absolutely freezing!
Got in yesterday for the first time with the water at 9 degrees centigrade. Low tide meant a long walk out which made getting in really hard (lots of whimpering), my whole body went stiff and got a banging headache but after a couple of minutes I started to enjoy myself and had a great swim up until about 20 minutes when I started getting really cold and couldn't feel my feet or keep my fingers together so I turned back and got out reasonably happy after 31 minutes swimming 2 kilometres. I think I scared a few CS & PF swimmers who were getting in at 10 as I was very cold getting out but still smiling and thawed out after a couple of hours! Cycled to the pool in the evening for a swim, sprint set so I didn't enjoy that too much but its all training and I slept well last night.
Today was a really great swim, thee was a group of us getting in at 9 so I wasn't on my own and the tide was higher which made getting in a little bit easier. Swam quicker today but got a bit of a shock when I stopped to adjust my goggles and saw my hands were turning blue but kept going as quick as I could and got out feeling a lot better. Still cold but warmed up quicker which is a great sign.
Resting for the rest of today and then swimming at CCCS early in the morning and bank holiday so no school(!!!) so meeting the group at 9 again for another sea swim. Hopefully it will be nicer weather than this weekend.
Update soon :)
Got in yesterday for the first time with the water at 9 degrees centigrade. Low tide meant a long walk out which made getting in really hard (lots of whimpering), my whole body went stiff and got a banging headache but after a couple of minutes I started to enjoy myself and had a great swim up until about 20 minutes when I started getting really cold and couldn't feel my feet or keep my fingers together so I turned back and got out reasonably happy after 31 minutes swimming 2 kilometres. I think I scared a few CS & PF swimmers who were getting in at 10 as I was very cold getting out but still smiling and thawed out after a couple of hours! Cycled to the pool in the evening for a swim, sprint set so I didn't enjoy that too much but its all training and I slept well last night.
Today was a really great swim, thee was a group of us getting in at 9 so I wasn't on my own and the tide was higher which made getting in a little bit easier. Swam quicker today but got a bit of a shock when I stopped to adjust my goggles and saw my hands were turning blue but kept going as quick as I could and got out feeling a lot better. Still cold but warmed up quicker which is a great sign.
Resting for the rest of today and then swimming at CCCS early in the morning and bank holiday so no school(!!!) so meeting the group at 9 again for another sea swim. Hopefully it will be nicer weather than this weekend.
Update soon :)
Friday 30 April 2010
First of the month
Well 1st of May has dawned... cold, wet and overcast, what a surprise! But still it will be fun to get back in the sea (At least thats what I'm telling myself.) Meeting Charlie (coach) at the beach and getting in with Domi, who has kindly agreed to join me at 9.00. An hour and a half to go! Don't know how long I will last today, the water is 10 degrees so it is going to be freezing!
Good week this week, a run and 2 hours Saturday (5800m); 4 hours on Monday (11,800m); 2 hours each on Wednesday and Thursday (6000m and 5400m) and a run, land training and an hour and a half on Friday (3800 sprint set).
Going to go check the bag and get ready, be back on late to share how it went. Byee! :)
Good week this week, a run and 2 hours Saturday (5800m); 4 hours on Monday (11,800m); 2 hours each on Wednesday and Thursday (6000m and 5400m) and a run, land training and an hour and a half on Friday (3800 sprint set).
Going to go check the bag and get ready, be back on late to share how it went. Byee! :)
Saturday 24 April 2010
Fit to swim!
Hey, tough week this week with exams and lots of training, so here goes on the second update.
First really early morning session for two weeks on Monday making it pretty hard to get up at the unhumane hour of 4 a.m. Two hours and then school and exams before another two hours in the evening. 12,600 metres covered and two tough sets.
No early training on Tuesday, exams all day and then an hour session with Charlie (open water coach) in the pool which was really enjoyable, great to see him and chat about the season coming.
Early morning training on Wednesday meant I only got six hours sleep resulting in a very grumpy Abby all day but it was an okay session, 5800 metres before more exams and a medical to confirm I am fit to attempt the channel which didn't quite go to plan. The doctor tested my heart rate which came out at 43 bpm which she thought seemed very low. She had a listen to it and discovered my heart bet was a bit strange with a few longer pauses and then quick beats. To be on the safe side she booked me in for an ECG scan which I wasn't thrilled about but luckily I was fitted in for Thursday as the form is due in soon.
Early morning training Thursday, 6,600 metres, a really tough session and then school before the dreaded ECG scan.
Friday, got the results of my scan after school and too our relief my heart is fine so I have the forms and am officially fit to swim the English channel. :) Then an hours land training involving interval training and a pool session of 5,400m in an hour and a half involving 20 x 200 metres. How we did that I will never know!
Early morning training this morning but 6 til 8 instead of 5 til 7 on a Saturday but no easier to get out of bed. Distance set with aching arms from last night resulting in Domi and I moaning our way through which was to be honest rather fun(although I don' think she would agree!). Would usually train tonight but having a rest as from next week resting time will be in very short supply. Thats it for now, someone has revision to do and an open water bag to sort out which could be quite amusing, I haven't a clue whats still in it from last year! Sea swimming in seven days so there will be some rather funny photos of the first swim next week and maybe another update during the week.
Thanks for reading :)
First really early morning session for two weeks on Monday making it pretty hard to get up at the unhumane hour of 4 a.m. Two hours and then school and exams before another two hours in the evening. 12,600 metres covered and two tough sets.
No early training on Tuesday, exams all day and then an hour session with Charlie (open water coach) in the pool which was really enjoyable, great to see him and chat about the season coming.
Early morning training on Wednesday meant I only got six hours sleep resulting in a very grumpy Abby all day but it was an okay session, 5800 metres before more exams and a medical to confirm I am fit to attempt the channel which didn't quite go to plan. The doctor tested my heart rate which came out at 43 bpm which she thought seemed very low. She had a listen to it and discovered my heart bet was a bit strange with a few longer pauses and then quick beats. To be on the safe side she booked me in for an ECG scan which I wasn't thrilled about but luckily I was fitted in for Thursday as the form is due in soon.
Early morning training Thursday, 6,600 metres, a really tough session and then school before the dreaded ECG scan.
Friday, got the results of my scan after school and too our relief my heart is fine so I have the forms and am officially fit to swim the English channel. :) Then an hours land training involving interval training and a pool session of 5,400m in an hour and a half involving 20 x 200 metres. How we did that I will never know!
Early morning training this morning but 6 til 8 instead of 5 til 7 on a Saturday but no easier to get out of bed. Distance set with aching arms from last night resulting in Domi and I moaning our way through which was to be honest rather fun(although I don' think she would agree!). Would usually train tonight but having a rest as from next week resting time will be in very short supply. Thats it for now, someone has revision to do and an open water bag to sort out which could be quite amusing, I haven't a clue whats still in it from last year! Sea swimming in seven days so there will be some rather funny photos of the first swim next week and maybe another update during the week.
Thanks for reading :)
Friday 16 April 2010
Counting down to May 1st
Hello! Thanks for coming and reading my first blog post. I am currently doing all my training in the pool but cannot wait until the 1st of May to get back in the sea for the first time this year. I'm not sure I will feel this way if it's windy and raining on Channel Swimmers beach on the day though! Still, looking out of my window now the sun is shining so it's all good! Anyway, I'm going to get ready for training so I'll leave it there. Update soon. :)
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