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Training News
January 2008 |
January 15, 2008:
Massive Updates.
1. The boat has been booked! Last week I spoke with John Pittman (http://www.charterboatoutrider.com) , the Captain who will be piloting me across the San Pedro Channel. We agreed on the night of August 21st and morning of August 22nd. I'm not sure if I explained to everyone the twist of swimming from Catalina, but the attempt will start at midnight. This allows for a greater chance of success due to low wind speeds and smoother seas. Swimming in the dark makes my stomach do somersaults. Just when you start to get comfortable swimming during the day, someone throws a wrench in the spokes and relays the message that you'll be doing to majority of you swim in black water, with glow sticks stuck to you speedo...
2. Swim the Channel has joined forces once again and I now have a partner that will be swimming from Catalina with me. Christopher Roberts, a great swimmer, friend, and human being will be taking on the 26 mile adventure with me in August to raise money for ALS! Chris is an accomplished swimmer and his blog can be found here: http://www.geekindeep.blogspot.com/ -- There are a ton of pictures, videos, and other useful information regarding Chris and I's workouts. So take a peak. I am extremely excited to have Chris on the Swim the Channel team.
3. Now to the training news. The water is still 54 degrees. My coach Ahelee explains "You'll get used to the water temp, just keep swimming throughout the winter and you'll be just fine." I sure hope so. The most recent training session was more intense than usual due to the thick fog on top, limiting visibility. The water was murky, almost gray and it was difficult to see both under and on top of the water. These unusual situations arise frequently.
I've included my weekly training schedule to give everyone an idea of what I've been doing to in preparation for the swim.
Monday- Nova Swimming (usually 3500-4500 yards)
Tuesday- Resistance training and Open water swimming (35-60 minutes due to the water temp)
Wednesday- Nova Swimming (usually 4000-5000 yards)
Thursday- Open water swimming (same amt. of time) and Cross training- cycling or running (approx. 60 minutes)
Friday- Running/cycling/relaxing
Saturday- Open Water once again sometimes Nova Swimming as Well.
Sunday- Off.
The photos are of Chris and I. As well as another swimming buddy, English Channel Swimmer, Jim Fitzpatrick.
Any questions or comments just shoot me an email.
February 17, 2008:
The crazy shaking and post swim shivering has calmed down just a bit because of the added weight. The water continues to be low to mid 50s. So a once a week ocean swim on Saturday continues to stay the plan until the temp rises above 60. NOVA swim practices continue to be brutal but crucial in maintaining a good speed for the distance swims.
After yesterday's ocean swim, Chris and I walked out of the water to 3 women in full wet suits, hoods, and booties---staring like we were out of our minds. One came up to us and was like "are you guys serious?" and Chris replied "Yea...It feels a lot like a bathtub" but he was hypothermic and couldn't distinguish a hot tub from the burning cold.
The first weekend in March I am headed up to L.A. to be apart of the 2008 L.A. marathon. Along with several individual of the Orange County ALS Association, I will be pushing an individual afflicted with ALS 26.2 miles through the streets of The City of Angels. I am very honored to be apart of this day and will run as far as my bones allow me to go.
Be on the lookout for the next training video...Eating
"It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live."
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