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.

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!!!!!!

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

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

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

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