Aftermath

Well we did it. Sort of.

We all ran and we all rode our way to Paris. However - the weather, the tide and Reg had other ideas about us actually completing the swim. We spent 6 hours attempting it but in the end the effort was fruitless.

I will post more details in due course. Including:

• Photos
• Who uttered the words "does anyone have a towel - I seem to have forgotten mine" as he got out of the Channel
• Who had a clipless pedal moment
• Who had the hardest run (me)
• Who had the longest run (Simon)
• Who had the most illegal run (Richard)
• What 'popsy' really means
• What it is like in the channel
  
• And a count of how many corners there are on the way to Paris (About 4)

So I'm a year older and still no closer to completing the Arch2Arc!

The Long Wait

So the wait begins.

Reg (the boat man) informs us that the weather is a bit 'popsy' at the moment. We have decided to sit it out at work and use the word 'popsy' as much as humanly possible.

Bedford Olympic Triathlon

For me its like Fight Club:
Rule one - No-one talks about Bedford Olympic
Rule two - No-one talks about Bedford Olympic

Walberswick Chronicles

So most of my swim training is done in a pool. Some of it in a lake, but mostly in a pool. The pool is warm. The lake is cold. Neither is salty, neither have waves. So rather than wing it I thought I’d get myself down to the seaside for a dip to test it out. It was also an excuse to stay at a nice hotel and take the family.

We decided, eventually, to stay at the Westleton Crown (http://www.westletoncrown.co.uk/) which was superb, food and staff were excellent. There was even the annual “Barrel Rolling” festival on on the Sunday. Which provided some rather wet entertainment.

ANYWAY…early on the Saturday morning we packed Roxie and Teena into the car and we drove to Walberswick. There was what you might call a ‘stiff’ breeze, the clouds were grey, the girls had their coats on, but I HAD to go in. I was going to start with the wetsuit on, but that idea was dumped when I saw the group of people already in the water (bear in mind this was a little after 8am). So it had to be speedos, hat and goggles. That’s it. Getting in was fine. Acclimatising was fine. Swimming was fine. I managed about 50 minutes with no dramas. It was supposed to be 45, but the tide had other ideas and kept pushing me down the shore and back out to sea. Those tides can be a little on the strong side. Uncontrollable shivering ensued for the next few hours as expected.

Session one (of four) Done. Tick.

So then it’s a play about all day, watch some limpics and wait until session 2 scheduled for 4pm. That also goes without a hitch. Swimming about around the pier in Southwold. Although it was a bit more ‘choppy’. My untrained eye put the swell at about 3feet or so, could have been 4. It actually wasn’t that bad. It destroys your rhythm, and plays havoc with your technique, but accept that and move on. Its fine it really is. I was in there for just shy of 40 minutes this time. I could see lots of people on the pier pointing at me as I swam out towards France, I got a bit self conscious and called it a day. Uncontrollable shivering ensued for the next few hours as expected.

Session two (of four) Done. Tick.

Session 3 was a little more tricky. It was 8am, in Dunston (just to utilise as much of the coastline as possible) and it was not only very windy, but the swell looked (again to my untrained) to be about 4+ feet, oh and I had consumed about 1.5 bottles of red the previous evening. I was very, very scared. I didn’t let on to Dave (who had kindly agreed to accompany me and leave T at the hotel). I just got in. Once you are going though you don’t really notice the waves. I managed about 45minutes before the tide had other ideas of me swimming parallel to the shoreline and unceremoniously dumped be back ashore. Yes I could have gone further out, but I was hungry anyway and there were pancakes to be had. Uncontrollable shivering ensued for the next few hours as expected.

Session three (of four) Done. Tick.

So Sunday afternoon rolls in and at the allotted time of 4pm the sun came out and I decided that a fourth session was fruitless and decided to make a boat in the sand for Roxie instead. Much more fun and meant that I didn’t spend any of the journey home feeling slightly sick and uncontrollably shivering.

Overall though I won. I reckon the temperature was of 16+ degrees and I feel happier about the day.

However I have injured my foot and have not run for two weeks. I am still limping and am somewhat concerned about it. However both Woody and Si have the same injury. So maybe I’ll be OK.

Been out of touch for a while but back with a vengeance (oh and a chest infection). Completed Ironman Switzerland about an hour slower than hoped for mainly due to rain,rain,rain all day and an over zealous attitude to carbo loading in the 6 months prior to the event. Tipped the scales at 14.5 stone in race week and I wonder why I can't climb hills or run! At least my new bike speeded up my bike split from Austria 2 years previously where I did 7hrs 40, as I tore round the Swiss course in a good 3 to 4 minutes faster. I reckon that's good value as the bike was (cough) £3k ish so 3 minute improvement equates to how much per minute - I'm an accountant and however creative I try to make these numbers it doesn't really help.
Must admit to having a couple of real "what the hell I am doing this for ?" moments on the bike and run course but struggled through somehow totally drained emotionally and physically.
I said to my wife "I've done it, it's all over" or similar and she helpfully replied "Yep, just Arch to Arc now" ermmm oh yeah.
Still haven't swum open water without my wetsuit yet and meant to go last w/e but felt terrible so saw Doc and he's put me on drugs for a chest infection so gottta leave it a bit longer. How hard can it be?
At least when I do my 15 of the 90 miles run to Dover the others will be able to hear me coming with the paving stones bouncing along in rhythym.
Am away at end of August so will definitely get some sea swimming in then, I hear the Med is similar to the Channel. Back to training next week honest.
Tim

Milton Keynes Olympic

It was a week after the long swim and it was time for MK olympic. Great venue that one, one I always enjoy. I was full of bravado and yet another new bike - a fast one this time. And I was secretly thinking I had a chance of, maybe not beating, but certainly worrying Simon.

Needless to say I didn't beat Simon. But I did do a reasonable time. I was very pleased with the swim (22.26) and put my heart and soul into the run. But the ride let me down. Maybe I should have taken more time to set it up. Maybe the broken spoke slowed me down. But really, I simply didn't ride it fast enough. Oh well. I was pleased with a 2hour 19 anyway.

The Long, Long, Long Swim

About six months ago Simon sent out an email asking who was up for doing 'The Long Swim at Box End'. This would be good training as it is a 3.8km (2.4 mile) open water swim. We even got a special "no Wet Suit" category created for us.

It was a lovely day and Richard, Woody and I stood around at about 8 in the morning wondering if Dawn and Simon would actually turn up. They didn't. Guy (FVS TRI swimming Conneston Water the next week) stood rubbing goose fat all over himself. and soon it was time to get in the water.

It was cold.

No time for real acclimatising we are under starters. Is is 3 laps of the lake. The first leg is around 500 meters. As you start swimming towards to buoy the thing that strikes you is that each 'sighting' seems to bring you no closer to the thing. It is rather disheartening. But that feeling continued for the next hour. It was hard. But we all made it.

Woody did brilliantly finishing first out of the non-suited in a time of 1h 4minutes. I came second and Richard 4th (just out of the prizes, Guy came 3rd - not sure if the goose fat did anything though). But Rich did look rather pleased with himself as he 'danced' out of the water. It was all I could do to get up the ramp and not be sick. But it stands us all in good stead for the day.

Realisation

I got out of the pool this morning and thinking about my holiday I suddenly realised: When I get back it is 2 months to go.

Oh golly. Better up the running then.

Jerseys and updates

Golly! won't we look smart! These are to be delivered to my sicky little hands in the very near future. Think I'm going to wear it all the time. So big thanks to Andy at Amersham Road Cycling Club for putting up with the barage of emails about them. And thanks to Inverse for making them - although by all accounts they liked them so much they had some themselves - cheeky!

Still trying to do 2 rides, 2 runs and 2 swims during the week. Makes me pretty tired on Monday (rest day), but it seems to be paying off. I'm still averaging around 150miles a week riding. Still trying to make the pool swims more interesting, breathing every nine strokes helps, but makes my legs go like jelly after a few lengths though - not sure it actually gives any fitness benefit either. Still hate running - but I do actually go.

But the best thing is I have joined the league-of-the-new-bike. Perhaps not as bling-bling as either Tims or Richards nor a shiney as Simons. But it is a new bike. And its fixed gear! And it is brilliant to ride, once i got used to spinning like a nutter. I am now trackstanding at every light and skip-stopping when the need/desire arrises. Such good fun, its like learning to ride all over again.

Things to do:

• Buy a proper bike that actually goes fast
• Do a triathlon this season
• Book a holiday
• Learn to wheelie the fixie
• Learn backwards riding (yes, on the fixed)
• Get some major publicity
• Continue with the training

Until next time...

At last, I am back in the land of blog..........

Since I last posted things have been a bit hectic with Paris Marathon, National Duathlon Champs, and a few sprint tris under my belt I am on the way.

Looking at Steves progress however on the bike I am feeing very inadequate and need desperately to get out more, to that end I have snaffled a new bike on e bay to incentivise me and currently have the chaps in Trisports Letchworth adding some bling with new wheels, tri bars, etc.

I have now done a few laps of the pit sans wetsuit, and that feels pretty good now, but Tims note on sea swimming has me more than a little frightened, so to the coast it is shortly to get out into the waves and have a go.

Blenheim Triathlon this Sunday and first outing on the new bike...... wish me luck!!!!

Back from a week in The Scilly Isles and the stark realisation of swimming the channel has hit me:

The sea is cold, and I mean cold.

The sea has waves that go up and down and break in your face.

I get seasick on a ferry when the sea is flat. 12 hours on a fishing boat will not be fun.

Swimming into things is not at all fun.

Seeing loads of fish should be done at an aquarium.

An orange swim hat doesn't stop you from feeling pretty vulnerable and isolated.

On top of all that my right calf muscle has decided to perform as it did in my build up to my last Ironman so no running for me for several weeks now with Switzerland just over 5 weeks away. I'm thinking a long walk will follow the swim and bike.

Hope everyone else is doing well.

Too much beer

Right then so I've done no training and I've drunk too much beer so far and the weekend has not begun yet! Itinerary for abuse:

• Wednesday - KB's for Champoins league
• Thursday - Muggers leaving do
• Friday - Gareth's leaving do
• Saturday - Steve's b'day pt 1 - beers in portsmouth preceded by fixed wheel ride of considerable length!
• Sunday - Steve's b'day pt 2 - bbq
• Monday - hangover with fixed wheel ride back (see Saturday)
• Tuesday - run and beer with Dave Parratt
• Wednesday - Whitwell TT
• Thursday - sleep I hope, Ruth?
• Friday - Critical Mass ride + beers
• Saturday - stay at Steve's (may involve beer)
• Sunday - Chiltern Hundreds
• tbd - beer with Ruth, Some pit swims, Some running!

All in all i'm gonna hurt a bit

Finally got some time to blog again as work is beginning to calm down.

Highlights since last blog are:

• First pit swim on Saturday, felt great not too much panic and felt like I might do MK Sprint this Sunday but lets wait and see. Without the wetsuit was weird - cold and the water felt very thick and heavy after swimming with the wetsuit on!
• Ordered new bike - Bianchi Pista. And no Steve you're wrong it is way prettier in chrome. A man who rides a gold postman's bike clearly knows nothing about style
• New Rapha soft shell in the sale...hmmmm its lovely to touch and wear and even just look at!
• 2 nd in my cat at Bedford and 4 mins off my pb for the sprint.
• Got out for a ride in the sun on Sunday
• Watching Steve nearly fall off and sh1t himself going downhill on his fixie
• Publicity in the Comet (despite looking like a bunch of freaks on the cover) and them not publishing the url
• I've not yet been outsourced!

Low points are:

• Bike ordered but still not here!
• Still no swims at lunchtime!
• Still getting foot pain
• Drunk too much beer last two weeks
• Hungover today
• Constant corporate rejections for sponsorship

Coming up:

• Maybe MK at the weekend
• Beer fueled attack on bits of the Southdowns way on Milch's 40th b'day
• Stevenage CC Time Trial
• Maybe a new bike, if it ever arrives!
• Possible haircut...well only possible

A pretty good week

Is it just me that hasn't bought a new bike? Must rectify that as soon as humanly possible. And Si - yours is only the second prettiest bike in the world.

Been a good week for me in terms of training - I even went running. TWICE! TWICE I tell you! Not very far mind, but I've been out none-the-less. Running shoes still look box-fresh though.

So this weeks totals:
Bike: 300 kms
Swim: 3500metres
Run: 10k (check it out)

Not sure I can keep this level up for the next 5 months though. I seem to 'bonk' mid afternoon while sitting at my desk! So I think bigger lunches are in order.

Twang

Good luck Simon. Let us know how you get on.
Training for me coming along nicely. Up to 1hr 40 of slow (and I mean slow) running and 3 weekly rides plus couple of swims.
New bike purchased and rode in a 25TT last week and at club turbo last night. 5 minute run in the middle of the session and twang went my calf so will have to ease off a bit.
Weight was coming down nicely but no change for about a month due to Easter egg, wine, cheese and crisps diet. Still, on the bright side, children have only got one Easter egg left each; can't stop drinking Leffe blond beer either which probably isn't helping. Hey ho.
31/2 hours on the bike planned tomorrow am.

Bugger Swimathon tomorrow

Right then so its all going well, I do the Jurassic Challenge and it hurts but I'm ok. I get back on the training sort of and its fine. Work is calming down and thats good. I've ordered the world's prettiest fixed wheel bike and made the appropriate amendments to it and THEN I remember is the swimathon on friday.

Now last year I swam 140 lengths with chronic cramp and I'd swimming a bit before. This year I've not been in the pool at all and now I've got to swim 5k tomorrow morning at 6 o'clock bugger!!!! Not happy will blog tomorrow and let you know!

Look out for the comet this week as we may be featured following our photo-shoot on saturday!

Open Air Swimming

Finally I got an open-air swim in! I was with much trepidation that I braved the outdoor pool at Pools on the Park in Richmond. Turns out I needn't have worried -it's 24 degrees in there. So if it is anything like as balmy as that in the chanel come September this thing will be a peice of piss.

Still no running. But it is lighter in the evenings so the excuses are running out. Although the lawn does need mowing....

Amersham Road Cycling Club (of which I am a member) have been tremendously helpful of late. Helping us with ideas for promoting this event designing kit, promotion events, press coverage to name just a few of the things that Andy has been up to. Massive thanks to him for give us (me) a kick up the backside and providing some much needed impetus.

Another friend of mine has asked me to join him on a ride to Brighton and back in June. Got me thinking that there is an opportunity there for a quick dip in the briney before the homeward leg? I'll take me trunks.

Things to do this month:
1. Agree some events to do "mob-handed" with flyers and team kit
2. Order team kit
3. Get a date for a dip in the "pit"
4. Run

February Summary

So what did February hold for me?

Medical - Done. Doctor has signed me fit to go. So that's good news.
Running - Nothing. At all. Nada. Zilch. Very poor. Must try harder. I'd probably get a "Please see me" note if this was school.
Swimming - Working on stroke and consistency more than anything else and that is going OK. Need to make sure I go more. Work keeps getting in the way though.
Cycling - 488kms last month. So I guess that is about on track. Joined a club and am trying to get out with them as much as possible.

Aims for March:
Running - Do some. At least one a week. Just short ones. Please.
Swimming - Two extra sessions a week (in addition to the quick sessions post commute)
Cycling - Over 500kms. Really? With a week off? I think it is possible as I had a week off in February too. Maybe I should aim for 550.

This month I have a holiday so I'll put that down as "high altitude training" in my diary. Although in reality I'll be snowboarding and drinking (It is a holiday!).

6 Months to go so I think now is the time to start to take this seriously.

A whole month

Its been a whole month since anyone has blogged so thought I'd better sort it out.
Highlights of the month are:

• I'm running again - hooray 10 miles this week
• Acupuncture - cheers Shalini
• My foot not broken
• Got business cards / notepaper
• Got medical booked

Low points are:

• No swimming
• Hardly any cycling
• Mental at work
• Nowhere near ready for Jurrasic Challenge - am gonna struggle on the day. See www.justgiving.com/jurassiccoastchallenge

just keep swimming......

very excited now...2008 is here and suddenly it is no longer a 'next year' event. After a recent meeting of minds I am very pleased about the team building that is already occurring...it will prove vital when one has to 'kick ass' or 'kick overboard' (!) during the event. Simon has kindly found a long open water swim for us to do on the 13th July at Bedford. Even more kind was him asking the organiser if we could it with no wetsuits...and even kinder is the fact that it is the day after a big birthday bash I am planning to organise....won't bother going to bed that night..morning..whateva.

training is going ok...running regularly with the club and some new recruits from my sons school ( who i have now convinced to do their first triathlon in Bedford !) The swimming is very boring for me at the moment as I just find pool swimming increasingly tiresome and dull..but as the title suggests.... one has to just keep swimming.....until them freezin' pit waters beckon. Been ploughing up and down cambridge pool this evening next to the cambridge city swim club lanes. I do this on purpopse as I imagine their turbulent waters to resemble conditions one might find in the channel ....got to try and replicate that 'swimming in a washing machine' feeling. Perhaps I will do it after a big meal next week for the full -on 'nausea' effect.Unfortunately an article in 220 this month (highlighted by a fellow team member-thanks !) discussed the delights of swimming through raw sewage with 'hard bits' whilst swimming the Channel...still waiting to remove this picture from my head..so whilst swimming I was imagining what wise seafarer 'Reg' would look like whilst guiding us through the crystal blue (?!) swell....must catch some zzzzzz's now-all this training is doing me in

Charity

Guys,

As my Dad has just been diagnosed with Bowel Cancer I am proposing I/weraise money for Bowel Cancer UK as well as /instead of any charities already identified.. I've been in contact and they will give us loads of support on their website and some publicity and possibly some logistics help.

Stuff coming in the post before the next meeting.

Find out soon, the extent of the cancer, prognosis and treatment.

Cheers

No more excuses

So I wake up on Christmas morning (well actually it was early evening on Christmas eve, but you get the idea) and wonder what Santa has brought me for being such a good boy this year. Well I can't have been that good - I excitedly opened carefully wrapped present after present to reveal a new set of running gear: shorts, top, tracksters. So my "I'll start running in the new year" promise will have to be put into practice - I was actually banking on the "I have no kit" delaying tactic. Bums. Actually T had other ideas about the timing and we were up on Boxing Day running around Macclesfield. And to be honest - I actually enjoyed it.

So almost true to my word I have ordered a training diary, been commuting in on a regular basis and started concentrating on my swim technique. I have yet to do another run.

Oh and the single speed has had a new sprocket fitted and now I am down to a rather more realistic 71 gear inches. Which is much, much better.

Only 9 months to go.

Xmas Xcess

Now the festive period is over I'm not sure what's happened I've actually managed to lose weight despite not running. I have been careful food-wise but only really avoided sweets and puddings plus I've drunk an obscene amont of booze, typically 120+ units a week since early december so thinking a detox might be in order.



Bad news is still can't run with little prospect of any improvement, good news is I'm lighter for not running and got some bike miles in.



Starting to try to get a weight training program together so anyone any ideas on exercises, let me know.