Reading through the various blogs from the team brought back strong memories of the 28th April 2006 when "Channel 5" did their first swim in the sea.
So I went back to my computer and had a quick glance through the photos...and came across this video. Lest we forget what it is like in the sea without a wetsuit at this time of year, it is worth watching this interview with Sue after a swim in late May 2006...
Thursday 29 April 2010
Quiet your mind (by Sue)
Just read a great little pice in Tri magazine. This must have been written for me and I guess we can all do with some 'quieting of the mind' in our lives.
“Mental Chatter: You can practice this in every session. If you find yourself going through the mental chatter when the workout gets tough (it’s too long, I’m too tired…), just tell yourself to “shut up”. Silence your mind. Find that place inside that stops the thinking process, but is still aware. Be aware of the world around you; this takes your mind off you and helps you to be internally quiet. I practised this over and over. When races got tough and I started to sabotage my performance with negative thoughts, I would remember to “quiet my mind”. It may not happen immediately but it would happen. When I was quiet, suddenly hope would come back and my body would start working easier and the entire race dynamic would improve.”
“Mental Chatter: You can practice this in every session. If you find yourself going through the mental chatter when the workout gets tough (it’s too long, I’m too tired…), just tell yourself to “shut up”. Silence your mind. Find that place inside that stops the thinking process, but is still aware. Be aware of the world around you; this takes your mind off you and helps you to be internally quiet. I practised this over and over. When races got tough and I started to sabotage my performance with negative thoughts, I would remember to “quiet my mind”. It may not happen immediately but it would happen. When I was quiet, suddenly hope would come back and my body would start working easier and the entire race dynamic would improve.”
It time to go back in the water (by Sarah)
Once again in the Arch to Arc, I have been able to enjoy everyone’s company and cooking at the team dinners. This has made up for the reality of the training schedule, which, as predicted, is quite gruelling and impacts family life. With the long hours he works, Julian often has to do the majority of his training at the weekend. After a long run on Saturday and a longer cycle on Sunday morning I often look forward to a bit of family time on Sunday afternoon, forgetting that just as we are settling in to it, Julian has to leave again for swim training at tri club.
Sunday evening is then a wipe out as Julian collapses on the sofa, barely able to move! We have certainly had our tense moments over this, when I have to remember that I did have the previously mentioned "opt out" clause. The most notable of these was on the day of our youngest daughter’s 5th birthday party in January. As I rushed around getting ready for a party of 20 children in the village hall, Julian’s main concern was organising his cycle training and ‘did I really need the car to transport food, decorations etc to the hall because he wanted it to transport his bike to meet another member of the team’! To be fair he did eventually abandon and come and help me - but only because he had a problem with his bike.
The time consuming nature of the training is set to get worse as the team head down to Dover this weekend. Jocelyn and I are going as drivers: the cold I mentioned before means it’s not safe to drive directly after a training swim in the sea in May. I am partly doing this to support the brave team, but also because Julian has never let me forget that I missed the first training swim of the Channel 5 relay in 2006 as I was on a girls’ weekend away. Never mind that I attended other Dover relay training swims and numerous of his solo training swims, including his first ever training swim in the sea – yes I know that stony Dover harbour beach very well indeed!!
Apart from the vicarious cold swimming, I have also had a tiny (more physical) taste of the training schedule of our intrepid lady participant –Sue. I have started to go to a spin class with her, on a Wednesday morning. In the first session, a few weeks ago, I was feeling quite smug, after being complimented on not vomiting by the teacher -apparently some people do when they first start! ‘It’s really not too bad’ I was thinking to myself, when suddenly I realised that when the teacher said ‘turn a circle’ she did not mean turn the bike (I had wondered HOW you could do that on a stationary bike) but increase the resistance. As we took a drink rest and Sue turned back her resistance knob about 20 circles I realised I had been freewheeling the whole way! Power to you Sue.
Good luck to the fantastic 6 on Saturday – your dedication so far is inspiring.
Sunday evening is then a wipe out as Julian collapses on the sofa, barely able to move! We have certainly had our tense moments over this, when I have to remember that I did have the previously mentioned "opt out" clause. The most notable of these was on the day of our youngest daughter’s 5th birthday party in January. As I rushed around getting ready for a party of 20 children in the village hall, Julian’s main concern was organising his cycle training and ‘did I really need the car to transport food, decorations etc to the hall because he wanted it to transport his bike to meet another member of the team’! To be fair he did eventually abandon and come and help me - but only because he had a problem with his bike.
The time consuming nature of the training is set to get worse as the team head down to Dover this weekend. Jocelyn and I are going as drivers: the cold I mentioned before means it’s not safe to drive directly after a training swim in the sea in May. I am partly doing this to support the brave team, but also because Julian has never let me forget that I missed the first training swim of the Channel 5 relay in 2006 as I was on a girls’ weekend away. Never mind that I attended other Dover relay training swims and numerous of his solo training swims, including his first ever training swim in the sea – yes I know that stony Dover harbour beach very well indeed!!
Apart from the vicarious cold swimming, I have also had a tiny (more physical) taste of the training schedule of our intrepid lady participant –Sue. I have started to go to a spin class with her, on a Wednesday morning. In the first session, a few weeks ago, I was feeling quite smug, after being complimented on not vomiting by the teacher -apparently some people do when they first start! ‘It’s really not too bad’ I was thinking to myself, when suddenly I realised that when the teacher said ‘turn a circle’ she did not mean turn the bike (I had wondered HOW you could do that on a stationary bike) but increase the resistance. As we took a drink rest and Sue turned back her resistance knob about 20 circles I realised I had been freewheeling the whole way! Power to you Sue.
Good luck to the fantastic 6 on Saturday – your dedication so far is inspiring.
Wednesday 28 April 2010
Spring Training Camp (by Julian)
So just back from "Spring Training Camp" - otherwise known as Miami. Unfortunately I saw very little of the sun since it was work from 4:30am to 10:30pm in a windowless hotel. But I did manage a swim in the sea and a run along the beach...
The swim wasn't exactly like Dover...the water was probably 70-75F rather than below 50F. The water was a blue rather than green colour. But the waves did bring back memories and after 40 minutes, I could feel the salt beginning to bite under the arms.
Somehow I doubt on Saturday Dover will be like Miami. For a start the BBC weather forecast for Dover says "Heavy rain showers" with a 13mph wind. So should be lots of fun in the "washing machine" that is the harbour, when the wind blows.
The swim wasn't exactly like Dover...the water was probably 70-75F rather than below 50F. The water was a blue rather than green colour. But the waves did bring back memories and after 40 minutes, I could feel the salt beginning to bite under the arms.
Somehow I doubt on Saturday Dover will be like Miami. For a start the BBC weather forecast for Dover says "Heavy rain showers" with a 13mph wind. So should be lots of fun in the "washing machine" that is the harbour, when the wind blows.
Where do the hours go? (by Andy)
Training since January has been a challenge to fit in four hours a week around work, travel and refurbishing a house. The last six weeks have had a constant ache across shoulders from swimming or calves from running. The worst has been getting to Sunday lunchtime knowing there was still another discipline to complete before the end of day light.
As April comes to an end, is the end in sight? Not really. From training for the first Channel Swim the Open Water swim was a clear milestone when the training routine changed to be less often but longer (and colder). At the moment I know the water is 1 degree Celsius below the seasonal norm and its going to be Cold, and I know that each do three hours a week of the other disciplines on top of that as well. I am sure after my second swim the event date will seem with reach and some of the mental milestones will have been crossed.
To most sports training I would have been happy to have stripped off 10lb and dropped two belt sizes, but I know that for the Open water I need every ounce of extra padding that I can get so I have managed to eat a few more pastries !
As April comes to an end, is the end in sight? Not really. From training for the first Channel Swim the Open Water swim was a clear milestone when the training routine changed to be less often but longer (and colder). At the moment I know the water is 1 degree Celsius below the seasonal norm and its going to be Cold, and I know that each do three hours a week of the other disciplines on top of that as well. I am sure after my second swim the event date will seem with reach and some of the mental milestones will have been crossed.
To most sports training I would have been happy to have stripped off 10lb and dropped two belt sizes, but I know that for the Open water I need every ounce of extra padding that I can get so I have managed to eat a few more pastries !
Tuesday 27 April 2010
Dover Harbour beckons! (by Mike)
How easy one forgets the pain of the first open water swim in the freezing cold waters of the English Channel. Dover harbour may protect you from the waves but there's no escaping the ice cold grip of the cold dark waters. 4 years ago I recall entering the harbour down the pebble beach thinking how bad is this going to be.
Well the answer was .......very bad, very bad indeed. You soon forget the discomfort of walking barefoot on the polished surface of the pebbles as you visibly recoil from the shock of the sea water as if swooshes round your feet. Everyone looks at each other in semi disbelief at what lay ahead. Fortunately peer pressure and the sight of some truly crazy individuals who dive straight in is enough to keep you edging forward. You move in further and find your instinctively walking on your toes. Finally you have to take the plunge!
Those first few strokes and breaths are like you have never swum before. A mild panic flashes across your mind as you try to warm up by moving arms and legs quicker whilst keeping your head above water which is not a natural style. Your body starts to ease into its new icy environment and to swim properly you have to let your head drop into the murky waters. Next is the ice cream headache across your forehead but you accept that and the erratic breathing. You buddy up and start to focus on the task ahead....
Swim done getting out is as hard as getting in, only this time your body is so cold some lose motor functions and the ability to balance on two feet. Others need to help you dry and put clothes on. Others stand towelling off as though getting out of the bath.
The good news is that you have an hour to stop the uncontrollable shivering before going back in again!! Great!
Roll on this Saturday, whats not to like :o)
Well the answer was .......very bad, very bad indeed. You soon forget the discomfort of walking barefoot on the polished surface of the pebbles as you visibly recoil from the shock of the sea water as if swooshes round your feet. Everyone looks at each other in semi disbelief at what lay ahead. Fortunately peer pressure and the sight of some truly crazy individuals who dive straight in is enough to keep you edging forward. You move in further and find your instinctively walking on your toes. Finally you have to take the plunge!
Those first few strokes and breaths are like you have never swum before. A mild panic flashes across your mind as you try to warm up by moving arms and legs quicker whilst keeping your head above water which is not a natural style. Your body starts to ease into its new icy environment and to swim properly you have to let your head drop into the murky waters. Next is the ice cream headache across your forehead but you accept that and the erratic breathing. You buddy up and start to focus on the task ahead....
Swim done getting out is as hard as getting in, only this time your body is so cold some lose motor functions and the ability to balance on two feet. Others need to help you dry and put clothes on. Others stand towelling off as though getting out of the bath.
The good news is that you have an hour to stop the uncontrollable shivering before going back in again!! Great!
Roll on this Saturday, whats not to like :o)
Sunday 25 April 2010
Training so far...(by Sue)
I've woken up to a beautiful sunny day, it's supposed to be a rest day for me but I really want to go running!!
So training is going brilliantly. I feel fit and strong. I'm eating well, drinking less and not smoking at all (finally kicked that habit).
Being the only girl on the team, I'm very determined not to be the weak link. So physically I'm good but mentally I'm scared of 'hitting that wall' as they say. On the Channel 5 crossing in 2006, I was the only team member who caved in. The only one who said "I'm not going in again" and I meant it with every fiber of my being.
Luckily we reached France and I didn't have to go in a fourth time! What if that happens again? The boys do seem to be made of more grit (don't tell them I said that) than me...or being male do they feel the same only don't say it?!
The first dip down in Dover is fast approaching. I'm kind of sacred, kind of excited. I'm telling myself I've done it before and I can do it again. It's only freezing cold water afterall!
I'm really looking forward to the team being back together, enduring the cold and most of the warm, half asleep drive home having survived. And then eating a massive lunch having burnt a zillion calories.
Really like to say a huge thank you to Ian for supporting me again through this new challenge which he does with a big positive attitude which we all love him for. We have been through the mill over the last couple of years, in our financial meltdown, the Sound Sanctuary not working out, moving house etc etc. I'm so glad he is part of the support team this time. When I hit the wall, he will be there to push me over it...
So training is going brilliantly. I feel fit and strong. I'm eating well, drinking less and not smoking at all (finally kicked that habit).
Being the only girl on the team, I'm very determined not to be the weak link. So physically I'm good but mentally I'm scared of 'hitting that wall' as they say. On the Channel 5 crossing in 2006, I was the only team member who caved in. The only one who said "I'm not going in again" and I meant it with every fiber of my being.
Luckily we reached France and I didn't have to go in a fourth time! What if that happens again? The boys do seem to be made of more grit (don't tell them I said that) than me...or being male do they feel the same only don't say it?!
The first dip down in Dover is fast approaching. I'm kind of sacred, kind of excited. I'm telling myself I've done it before and I can do it again. It's only freezing cold water afterall!
I'm really looking forward to the team being back together, enduring the cold and most of the warm, half asleep drive home having survived. And then eating a massive lunch having burnt a zillion calories.
Really like to say a huge thank you to Ian for supporting me again through this new challenge which he does with a big positive attitude which we all love him for. We have been through the mill over the last couple of years, in our financial meltdown, the Sound Sanctuary not working out, moving house etc etc. I'm so glad he is part of the support team this time. When I hit the wall, he will be there to push me over it...
Friday 23 April 2010
We have a plan...or do we? (by Julian)
The ArchToArc2010 team met for their monthly meeting at Mike & Liz's for dinner. As usual a veritable feast appeared which was nearly as large as Mike's agenda. We discussed logistics, training (well done Sue on winning the month's training prize - a "head torch"!), the plan for the route and, of course, the most important question - when exactly will we do it?
The entire event relies on the swim - it is the hardest part by far and entirely dependent on the weather. A nice warm day is great. A small tidal flow is perfect. Mike had sourced the relevant tidal information from an expert within the Environment Agency and we established that based on that, Tuesday 6th & Wednesday 7th July are the ideal tides - nice and low 3.3m "height of tide". This means that the flows of water up the channel from the Atlantic into the North Sea will be as small as possible and therefore the minimum drift as we make our way to France.
But the most important thing is the lack of wind. Because wind on tide, creates wonderful waves as any sailor knows. And waves and swimmers aren't great bed fellows. So whilst we will hope to perhaps "Run on Sun, Swim on Mon and Cycle on Tuesday" at the start of the July...it will all remain in the lap of the gods as to whether the weather will let us.
So unable to plan the exact date for the event, we turned to the route. Our objective is to have the fastest runners run the most times and then put the strongest swimmers into the channel first so that they will swim the most times on the day. We found a great tool on the internet in "MapMyRun" and plotted the entire route in from Marble Arch to Dover. The site provides great information like the elevation along the route (see graphic below):
A few spreadsheets later and we had the right order. I run least. Mike & Sue run most. I swim most along with Mike & Alex. Perfect. Except now it appears that I am running up all the hills...oh well back to the drawing board.
The entire event relies on the swim - it is the hardest part by far and entirely dependent on the weather. A nice warm day is great. A small tidal flow is perfect. Mike had sourced the relevant tidal information from an expert within the Environment Agency and we established that based on that, Tuesday 6th & Wednesday 7th July are the ideal tides - nice and low 3.3m "height of tide". This means that the flows of water up the channel from the Atlantic into the North Sea will be as small as possible and therefore the minimum drift as we make our way to France.
But the most important thing is the lack of wind. Because wind on tide, creates wonderful waves as any sailor knows. And waves and swimmers aren't great bed fellows. So whilst we will hope to perhaps "Run on Sun, Swim on Mon and Cycle on Tuesday" at the start of the July...it will all remain in the lap of the gods as to whether the weather will let us.
So unable to plan the exact date for the event, we turned to the route. Our objective is to have the fastest runners run the most times and then put the strongest swimmers into the channel first so that they will swim the most times on the day. We found a great tool on the internet in "MapMyRun" and plotted the entire route in from Marble Arch to Dover. The site provides great information like the elevation along the route (see graphic below):
A few spreadsheets later and we had the right order. I run least. Mike & Sue run most. I swim most along with Mike & Alex. Perfect. Except now it appears that I am running up all the hills...oh well back to the drawing board.
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