I haven't written for a couple of weeks so here is an update. The week beginning Jan 14th was busy from a training perspective and I acheived two significant things. I feel I am beginning to keep up with the young Stingrays although this could be a feeling rather than a reality! However, for the first time I managed to do the hypoxic breathing exercise. This is a series of lengths of the pool (25 meters) with increasing and decreasing breath patterns like this;
All Freestyle
Two lengths breathing every 3 strokes
One length breathing every 3 strokes and one length breathing every 5 strokes
One length breathing every 3 strokes and one length breathing every 7 strokes
One length breathing every 3 strokes and one length breathing every 9 strokes
One length breathing every 3 strokes and one length breathing every 7 strokes
One length breathing every 3 strokes and one length breathing every 5 strokes
One length breathing every 3 strokes and one length breathing every 3 strokes...
Finish
Looks easier than it is believe me.... but I would be interested to see how you get on if you want to give it a go. I had to build it up amd I know the exercise has improved my swimming and my overall fitness.
The second thing I achieved was in the rowing. Harry asked me to do 2000 meters in splits of 500 keeping the average time for 500m at 2 mins 20 secs. Then the last 500 meters to push it to under 2 mins. I managed to do this and got the time to under 2 mins by pushing really hard for a few seconds...... I could hear Harry's voice in my head shouting 'PULL Ros!!!!' Scary now I'm hearing voices.
This last week has been challenging as work has been in the way. I haven't been in the pool since Friday night (18th) and I have been to Edinburgh since Tuesday night at a huge conference run by an organisation called PEPE. (Practical Experiences in Professional Education) The conference was fabulous and will definately influence the way I work so I am excited about that. There were people there who had written Social Work books that I have had on my shelf for years, and I found out they are just people after all........
I did really well with my diet in spite of being surrounded by temptation and I made up for lack of exercise on Thurs night when they laid on a big dinner dance and I danced for 3 hours....feeling fit and well, I saw off people half my age. It was strange doing the dozey-doh with some of the authors I have admired for years. That's what its all about.
Since I got home I have been on the Rowing machine and it feels great. Must go.......
Saturday, 26 January 2008
Saturday, 12 January 2008
Jan 12th 08
This week has been challenging as I am back at work full time and my training has been more difficult. I swam with the Stingrays on Monday night. They were doing some long distance which is great for me, although 500m in 8 mins is too fast for me. I ended up swimming for an hour and a half fairly constantly, and my arms are feeling it. In a way I seemed to get stronger the longer I swam which is a good feeling, and I guess is what I am aiming for. I swam again on Thursday morning and got very tired and hungry. Harry thinks I am doing too much and I have to watch it. He said if I don't eat after a session, and push too hard it can negatively effect the immune system. The last thing I need is a cold! So, we are now looking at 2 heavy sessions a week, either on the rower or in the pool and two days rest in between. I also need to make sure I don't get hungry.
While I was swimming this week I pondered on my past swimming experience. The ocean swimming in Hawaii began purely because of one woman.....Lenore Rick. She is an amazing runner and swimmer who loves taking part in events. She is inspirational and positive about saying yes to adventures. I am forever grateful to her and I have wonderful memories of swimming the Maui Channel and other open water events with her. We also visited the under water world together, scuba diving with our friends and partners. What a life eh?
While I was swimming this week I pondered on my past swimming experience. The ocean swimming in Hawaii began purely because of one woman.....Lenore Rick. She is an amazing runner and swimmer who loves taking part in events. She is inspirational and positive about saying yes to adventures. I am forever grateful to her and I have wonderful memories of swimming the Maui Channel and other open water events with her. We also visited the under water world together, scuba diving with our friends and partners. What a life eh?
Sunday, 6 January 2008
Jan 5th 2008
Jan 5th 08
Harry put me through my paces yesterday. I visited his shed which looks quite ordinary but in fact contains instruments of torture! We talked about our plans for the year as we up the pace, and my general fitness needs to improve. He is pleased with my progress so far but I am so aware that I have a lot more work to do to get in shape and get tough enough to cope with this challenge.
Rowing
I used Harry's concept 2 and now I really know how to row. It made my previous attempts to row look inadequate but Harry explained that this new technique is competitive and there is a place for a slightly gentle technique as well. The key to the new approach is to reach forward so you virtually touch the front of the rower. Then lean right back and pull hard at the last minute. So I am working on long consistent strokes. We did two sets of 10 minutes with a stretch and then 10 more minutes. Then we did 2000 meters in 500 meter splits with varied pace. I will also be entering some open water events this year, and I will confirm these with you shortly. There is a possibility that I will be taking part in some indoor rowing events also.
Harry and I discussed putting my training schedule on the blog including my observation dairy. The diary includes daily blood pressure, pulse and temp as well as mood. This helps us to understand the natural pattern of my body so we can assess when it is best for me to tackle the swim. It isn't just the tides, currents and jelly fish we need to monitor!! We will add it to the links and it will be called Training and Fitness.
Organisation
I met up with Karen (coordinator) and Pauline (publicity) for a last minute spontaneous coffee and we looked at the blog and discussed plans for the year. We are woefully inadequate with the technology of this site but we know we will get better, so watch this space.
We also discussed the importance of regular meetings and more help regarding ongoing fundraising and event coordination.
More later
Cheers
Ros
Harry put me through my paces yesterday. I visited his shed which looks quite ordinary but in fact contains instruments of torture! We talked about our plans for the year as we up the pace, and my general fitness needs to improve. He is pleased with my progress so far but I am so aware that I have a lot more work to do to get in shape and get tough enough to cope with this challenge.
Rowing
I used Harry's concept 2 and now I really know how to row. It made my previous attempts to row look inadequate but Harry explained that this new technique is competitive and there is a place for a slightly gentle technique as well. The key to the new approach is to reach forward so you virtually touch the front of the rower. Then lean right back and pull hard at the last minute. So I am working on long consistent strokes. We did two sets of 10 minutes with a stretch and then 10 more minutes. Then we did 2000 meters in 500 meter splits with varied pace. I will also be entering some open water events this year, and I will confirm these with you shortly. There is a possibility that I will be taking part in some indoor rowing events also.
Harry and I discussed putting my training schedule on the blog including my observation dairy. The diary includes daily blood pressure, pulse and temp as well as mood. This helps us to understand the natural pattern of my body so we can assess when it is best for me to tackle the swim. It isn't just the tides, currents and jelly fish we need to monitor!! We will add it to the links and it will be called Training and Fitness.
Organisation
I met up with Karen (coordinator) and Pauline (publicity) for a last minute spontaneous coffee and we looked at the blog and discussed plans for the year. We are woefully inadequate with the technology of this site but we know we will get better, so watch this space.
We also discussed the importance of regular meetings and more help regarding ongoing fundraising and event coordination.
More later
Cheers
Ros
Friday, 4 January 2008
History of the Swim Challenge and a summery for 2007
A Brief History
I thought it may be helpful to outline how this idea of a marathon swim in the cold Irish Sea came about. My partner was diagnosed with a form of dementia in 2004. It is difficult to diagnose and there were a number of extensive tests and procedures to go through before the difficulties were given a possible name. It was obviously devastating news for a person at the peak of their career who was only 45 years old. We have had difficulties coping and receiving appropriate services due to our young age and our needs are clearly different. Now unable to work, my partner keeps busy by being involved in the local community and is now helping with our fundraising effort.
As a carer I realised I needed to stay well and strong and I have always enjoyed swimming. So, when we moved to Scotland in 2004 I started training again. In the pool I was lucky enough to meet Harry Waugh who is a veteran fundraiser and a superb athlete. Harry has organised many marathon events (you can find Harry on Google as he has a habit of going from John O Groats to Lands end!) and he suggested that I swim from Ailsa Craig to Girvan beach. Little did he know that ever since I saw the gorgeous Ailsa Craig, I wanted to swim there.
2007
This was the year that things really started to get going and I upped my swimming experience and training. I have some experience of Open Water Swimming but only in warm waters. In 1992 and 1993 I had taken part in the Maui Channel Swim with the legendary Swimmin Wimmin. We were awarded the honour of the longest ever recorded time in the 21 year history of the swim in 1992 with a stunning time of 9hrs 30 minutes. The winners who were the male Olympic team from Australia completed the swim in 3 hrs. However, the following year we shaved 3hrs 30 minutes from our record breaking time and still came last, but only just this time! We got press attention and many accolades for our bravery and endurance which was very exciting, and we held up the flag for amateur swimmers and especially women who can! While I was in Hawaii I also swam the Waikiki rough water swim 3 times and various local open water events. You may have gathered that I am not heading for any speed records!
So 2007 saw me entering the cold waters for the first time. I loved it and Harry accompanied me to the beach at Sandhead for several training swims. I also had a small group of cheerleaders depending on the weather and they included Eleanor, Marlene, Pauline, her lovely springer spaniel Susie, and David and Maureen. I was also watched over by a beautiful seal on most occasions. Thanks guys.
A New Friend
2007 also saw me link up with the accomplished and amazing channel swimmer Margaret Hodgart. She first swam the channel when she was 17, and she is training for another channel swim in August 2008. We will post her web site and blog on our web page soon. We will be swimming together in 2008 and I am intending to enter some open water events this year, which I hope she will also take part in. I have some trepidation about these events as my track record isn't great!! (see comments regarding Maui Channel!)
Swimtrek
I also had the holiday of a lifetime in August with the amazing SWIMTREK organisation. I swam between the islands of the Inner Hebrides with 10 swimmers and 2 experienced swim guides for 5 days. One of the swims included the CorryVrecken Whirlpool. We camped out on the uninhabited island of Scarba. This holiday really tested my stamina, and my mental capacity to cope with very cold rough inhospitable water. I managed well and the photos on this blog are from that adventure.
Stingrays
I have been adopted by the local swimming club the Stingrays who train at the Ryan Centre Leisure Centre who have also been very supportive. The swimmers in the club range from about 6 or 7 years old to 16 and they are superb in the water. I am honoured that they let me plod along beside them and I have no hope at all of keeping up. Linda and Euan are fantastic coaches and have given me a huge amount of encouragement. Harry will be coming on the pool side as well while we wait for Spring so I should be put through my paces ..... Come Spring I will be back in the Open Water.
Committee and fundraising
Following these experiences which tested my stamina and determination, Harry and I realised I was ready to commit to the swim in 2009 but we realised we needed some extra help. So we now have an active committee headed by our amazing coordinator Karen O Pray. We have already started raising funds and we are beginning to get some publicity from the Free Press newspaper.
2008
This is my first official entry for 2008 and I am just off to the pool. I am intending to swim 2 - 3 times a week in the pool and I row on the indoor rower 2 - 3 times a week also. I am so lucky that I have been lent a Concept 2 indoor rower for 2 years and I love it....Thanks to the lovely William MacKinnon for this loan and you are now one of my official sponsors!!
I'll write again soon now you are all up to date, and I look forward to some exciting events in 2008.
My moto? Lose more weight in 2008 ...... and stop being late!
Cheers everyone
Ros
I thought it may be helpful to outline how this idea of a marathon swim in the cold Irish Sea came about. My partner was diagnosed with a form of dementia in 2004. It is difficult to diagnose and there were a number of extensive tests and procedures to go through before the difficulties were given a possible name. It was obviously devastating news for a person at the peak of their career who was only 45 years old. We have had difficulties coping and receiving appropriate services due to our young age and our needs are clearly different. Now unable to work, my partner keeps busy by being involved in the local community and is now helping with our fundraising effort.
As a carer I realised I needed to stay well and strong and I have always enjoyed swimming. So, when we moved to Scotland in 2004 I started training again. In the pool I was lucky enough to meet Harry Waugh who is a veteran fundraiser and a superb athlete. Harry has organised many marathon events (you can find Harry on Google as he has a habit of going from John O Groats to Lands end!) and he suggested that I swim from Ailsa Craig to Girvan beach. Little did he know that ever since I saw the gorgeous Ailsa Craig, I wanted to swim there.
2007
This was the year that things really started to get going and I upped my swimming experience and training. I have some experience of Open Water Swimming but only in warm waters. In 1992 and 1993 I had taken part in the Maui Channel Swim with the legendary Swimmin Wimmin. We were awarded the honour of the longest ever recorded time in the 21 year history of the swim in 1992 with a stunning time of 9hrs 30 minutes. The winners who were the male Olympic team from Australia completed the swim in 3 hrs. However, the following year we shaved 3hrs 30 minutes from our record breaking time and still came last, but only just this time! We got press attention and many accolades for our bravery and endurance which was very exciting, and we held up the flag for amateur swimmers and especially women who can! While I was in Hawaii I also swam the Waikiki rough water swim 3 times and various local open water events. You may have gathered that I am not heading for any speed records!
So 2007 saw me entering the cold waters for the first time. I loved it and Harry accompanied me to the beach at Sandhead for several training swims. I also had a small group of cheerleaders depending on the weather and they included Eleanor, Marlene, Pauline, her lovely springer spaniel Susie, and David and Maureen. I was also watched over by a beautiful seal on most occasions. Thanks guys.
A New Friend
2007 also saw me link up with the accomplished and amazing channel swimmer Margaret Hodgart. She first swam the channel when she was 17, and she is training for another channel swim in August 2008. We will post her web site and blog on our web page soon. We will be swimming together in 2008 and I am intending to enter some open water events this year, which I hope she will also take part in. I have some trepidation about these events as my track record isn't great!! (see comments regarding Maui Channel!)
Swimtrek
I also had the holiday of a lifetime in August with the amazing SWIMTREK organisation. I swam between the islands of the Inner Hebrides with 10 swimmers and 2 experienced swim guides for 5 days. One of the swims included the CorryVrecken Whirlpool. We camped out on the uninhabited island of Scarba. This holiday really tested my stamina, and my mental capacity to cope with very cold rough inhospitable water. I managed well and the photos on this blog are from that adventure.
Stingrays
I have been adopted by the local swimming club the Stingrays who train at the Ryan Centre Leisure Centre who have also been very supportive. The swimmers in the club range from about 6 or 7 years old to 16 and they are superb in the water. I am honoured that they let me plod along beside them and I have no hope at all of keeping up. Linda and Euan are fantastic coaches and have given me a huge amount of encouragement. Harry will be coming on the pool side as well while we wait for Spring so I should be put through my paces ..... Come Spring I will be back in the Open Water.
Committee and fundraising
Following these experiences which tested my stamina and determination, Harry and I realised I was ready to commit to the swim in 2009 but we realised we needed some extra help. So we now have an active committee headed by our amazing coordinator Karen O Pray. We have already started raising funds and we are beginning to get some publicity from the Free Press newspaper.
2008
This is my first official entry for 2008 and I am just off to the pool. I am intending to swim 2 - 3 times a week in the pool and I row on the indoor rower 2 - 3 times a week also. I am so lucky that I have been lent a Concept 2 indoor rower for 2 years and I love it....Thanks to the lovely William MacKinnon for this loan and you are now one of my official sponsors!!
I'll write again soon now you are all up to date, and I look forward to some exciting events in 2008.
My moto? Lose more weight in 2008 ...... and stop being late!
Cheers everyone
Ros
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