what is it with the French?!

It must be a personality defect in the genes. Nature or nuture, i am still trying to work it out. Now before i begin this post, i must stress that i know some lovely French people (sylvie, karine, Jules, Alan, etc) but ....

Swimming pool etiquette - what is it with not wanting to let anyone pass you even if they are doing a lazy sunday backstroke and someone else (me) is doing crawl twice as fast...? Getting to the end of a length knowing i am right behind and pushing off immediately to stay ahead.. I havent found this problem in the UK but find it all the time in France. Some people know of the mad woman in the pool as well....
another story..!


Fishermen - had a huge tirade of abuse from 2 fishermen in the lake the other day. A lake which is used by everyone for many things, but they had decided that their fishing took priority and i shouldnt put their fish off!? FOr those who know me, you can imagine i gave back at least twice as much as i was given then just ignored them.

At the moment, i seem to get nervous each day, sometimes about the swims i know i need to do, but usually about the channel - usually the cold, dark and jellyfish. The distance isnt something which is really worrying me at the moment... surprisingly! I have a long swim tomorrow in the cold water - really hoping i handle it ok as that will give me a lot of confidence (or take it away). I bought some Anti-jellyfish sun lotion today.... apparently works on 'most' jellyfish and has a secret formula including plankton?!?! I guess they are working on the fact that out of every 1000 swimmers in the med, 1 will get stung but if all 1000 buy, they will get 999 good stories and one bad?!! anyway - i must give it a go! Although the channel grease (basically vaseline) doesnt work on the cold at all (a myth that everyone seems to now believe), it apparently can help a little with Jellyfish stings as well.

Touch wood - no real injuries yet, just feeling tired as i am increasing the distance.

The cold!

Just as i was starting to feel a little more confident, i went for a swim in Lake Passy nr Chamonix which was 16-17 degrees (not far off the Channel temp in August). I felt cold during most of the swim and started shivering at about 1hr 20 and eventually got out at 1hr 40mins. Went back again today and managed 2hrs and felt less cold/no shivering. The acclimitisation is a real worry although i am trying to add a few layers of fat on to counter this (thanks to the guys for helping out during 3 man over the last 2 weekends!). I think from now on, swimming in the cold is a must to try and get used to it, although the expletives dont seem to stop when i first enter the water no matter how many times i go in. Nothing on Google to help apart from get in the cold water more or wear a wetsuit (thanks - not allowed). This will be my biggest week of training so far as i should do more than 41km of swimming, mostly in cold water. I had a dog jump in the water after me today which i thought was quite sweet as most dogs turn round after about 5m but this one was still chasing me after about 30m and closing which made me put my head down for a sprint. NOt sure what would happen if you met an inquisitive dog 30 m out in a lake but didnt really want to find out...!
Thanks to those who have already helped me out - Obviously George and Bertie, Dave Joyce the sports science guru, Frodo and Laura for swimming with me, Martin Shyvers for helping on a weights programme, Julie Bradshaw for her input and Charles Noble for general info and help.

First Sea Swim

SO on the 14th April i decided to face the music and try the sea for the first time at Bournemouth. I managed to rope Laura into swimming with me in a wetsuit and we lasted 26 minutes or so. Laura's hands had turned purple and frozen although i seemed to be relatively ok which was good. 10 degrees in the sea that day!
Definitely an eye opener with the waves and how it throws the easy breathing of the pool but just another hurdle! Warmed up in Bill and Carol's beach hut with a cup of tea at the end - very much appreciated.

Food

The cold is a big issue for the channel swim with a number of people suffering from Hypothermia, so putting on weight is a big bonus. That might sound good to some of you but it is not as easy as it sounds with the training counteracting - i know - diddums.. Heard a few days ago that someone attempting the swim in July has put on 2 stone since Xmas with 'active' eating. I have managed 1 lb so far despite 2 cakes a day, Bertie's proper butter, cheese with everything etc... really have to focus on this going forward! Got a week's all inclusive work trip with Duncan in June and he assures me that will do the job - just keep up with him...

First Cold water

After a few months of monotonous swimming up and down lanes in a pool, and having to put up with an evil French witch trying to scupper the routine, i ventured down to Lake Passy nr Chamonix at the end of March for a tester... 11.5 degrees.

I dont think one person who saw me, didnt stop, point and basically think i was mad. I felt it. George and Bertie were there to help me if i froze although i am not sure who i would have had more faith in saving me in cold water! It hurt for about 1 minute then amazingly, like a beer coat late on a cold saturday night, it felt relatively ok, although i could feel the ice chill. Then my wrist joint froze, like arthritis i am guessing, and after only 12 minutes i had to stop as swimming with one hand is not the easiest in open cold water! Got out to rethink and face the music another day!

Went down again on 1st April. Water still only 12 degrees and managed to stay in for 28 minutes this time and swim c 1.5km. Could hear all the 'bravos' whilst i was in there and came out of the water to clapping! Again, i had the least qualified life saving team with me :) although the warm tea, cake and towel at the end were
invaluable.