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
Saturday, 28 August 2010
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
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