Ailsa Craig Swim Challenge

2010-01-31T12:42:00.000-08:00

Sunday January 31st 2010

Hello friends it has been a long time and I have had time to reflect on my achievement. I must admit that I have had feelings of 'burn out' as the swim became very intense especially the stop start nature of things as we waited for the right conditions. On the day we were confident and excited and it never occurred to us that we would not succeed. We had trained hard and we were ready. I did not feel daunted by the task ahead.

Only after 6 wonderful hours when the unexpected swell pushed us so far off course did the pain and doubt begin. Everything hurt from my head to my toes and my mind was wandering. I knew that Harry would stop me if I went completely batty and he kept pulling me back to reality. I nearly gave up and I tried to concentrate on knowing that the minute I stopped swimming the pain would end. Some people live with pain forever.....

Things that went well and that I was pleased with were
My body worked really well
No back pain until the difficult last 2 hrs
Goggles perfect
Eyes no pain or problems
Stamina great
Attitude and atmosphere unforgettable
The Crew were perfect
The seal was magic, magic magic.
The welcome on the beach was amazing
I just hope I have thanked everyone to helped me.

Overall I never expected the whole thing to take off the way it has. The support has been phenomenal and I have had a great deal of publicity and I hope that continues if it means we can increase support for Alzheimer's and Dementia

2009 was the best year of my life.

Here's why

I saw Eric Clapton live with people I love
I won a National Social Work Award with my team
I went to tea with the Queen (Queens Garden Party Holyrood Palace Edinburgh
I saw the Eagles Live with people I love
The Spooky Men came to Stranaer and stayed with us
I became 50 and we had a great party
I swam Loch Rannoch (9 miles)
I swam 17.5 miles in 8.5 hrs an achievement I had worked towards for 3 years
I went to Terry and Elizabeths wedding
Our dear friends Claire and Jacqui got married
I attended the ISA experience

2010 so far

I was invited to Parliament
I raised over £12 000 for Alzheimer Scotland

and what next.....you'll have to wait and see

I am so proud and excited to have had such a great year. Talk again soon x x x x x

Is this the end?

2009-09-23T13:18:00.000-07:00

Wednesday 23rd September
It has been a busy and buzzy few days as I come to terms with the end of the project. I was back at work the following Monday and I felt unreal, emotional and happily tired. My arms were very sore and I had the best physio session ever with David who sorted out my shoulders and back mainly. He and Harry warned me that there are chemical changes that happen after a swim like that! Toxins have built up in my muscles and I will miss the endorphins which have been flooding my system with the amount of intensive training I have been doing. I ventured ointo the pool on Monday and swam for an hour and a half. I felt strong and it was lovely to see the Stingrays who had waited so patiently for me on the beach. They were lively and excited and gave me a boost. I did sets of 200 IM's which felt good but I guess may have been a bit much as I had difficulty waking up the next morning.
In fact this week has been more challenging than last week, as I feel the emotional drain and the stress of keeping up with the demands of my job. Luckily I love my job, so it's no hardship!
I have been asked some technical questions about the swim. I will try to upload Harry's swim log from the day which is very interesting. It shows that I dropped my stroke from 64 strokes a minute to 50 after only 3 hours. That was unexpected and I would have been worried about that if I had known. However I managed to maintain that stroke pattern for the rest of the swim which I am pleased about. I did not drop below 49 at all.
So what now?
I am going to see if I can keep my level of fitness up, maybe lose a little weight and shape up. This means that I will need to up the intensity of anything I do, but reduce the length and time of sessions. So a little and often and be careful of myself.
I am stressed about making sure I thank everyone and I think I will spend the rest of my life thanking you all. It's also expensive as now I feel I have to sponsor everybody....for ever....take note!
The administration of the fundraising continues and we're not closing the fund yet. We are asking that you log onto www.easyfundraising.com or follow the link on this website, register with the Ailsa Craig Swim Challenge and then shop away! Many retailers like Amazon, Ebay and Tescos will give us a percentage of what you spend! Costs you nothing and we make money for the fund. Tell your friends and we will then close the fund at the end of December to give everyone a chance to do their Christmas shopping......SPREAD THE WORD! It's been set up for a while but we just forgot to broadcast it.....I wonder why???

A full Report

2009-09-16T13:17:00.000-07:00

The Start

I promised a full report and I think I'm just about ready to share my experience although my brain isn't working very well. I think I am recovering well until I try to lift my arms.....don't lift your arms then!!!!!!

We left Ailsa Craig on the morning of September 12th at 8.20am. That was a special moment for me as the boat dropped me off and I swam to the rock all by myself. I scrambled onto the beach and there was just me, a grey seal and a large cormorant. Such peace and serenity. I stopped a while and breathed it in. I saw my trusty support team on the boat waiting for the start of the day we had waited so long for. We agreed that I would swim for 2 hrs and then have a stop and then hourly stops from then on.
It was a bit cloudy and Ifelt chilly and unsure for moments but overall I felt positive and strong. The water temp was about 15c and it was calm. It soon became clear that I had company. Seals! Especially an enormous dog seal we called Big Ed as his head was almost as big as my body. He was probably about 11 foot we reckon.

Big Ed swam with me for 7hrs. The last time I saw him was about 2 miles from the beach and he raised his huge majestic head and disappeared. He touched my toes and swam underneath me. All the time there were other smaller seals around me. It was spritual, magical, and forever with me.

Hours 3 and 4 were good and I felt the privilege of being out in such beautiful waters with amazing wildlife seemingly looking after me. The boat crew seemed happy and the atmosphere was wonderful. Hour 6 we felt optimistic as we thought that we were on the final stretch and we could see the buildings and the beach.

Unfortunately we were then caught in an unexpected atlantic swell which came from the storms we had last week. The swell caused us to be caught and pushed way off course, and we ended up getting stuck for about 2 1/2 hours. It was very frustrating and for the first time I honestly thought I was going to fail.

I was in agony and my shoulders and back in particular were very painful. In fact I can say that not one part of my body did not hurt. Then I remembered my friend in the village who had fallen off a roof the previous Monday and I thought....that's real pain, this pain will stop when I finish the swim....keep going.....keep going!

There were about 200 people on the beach and the drummers were drumming and the piper Andy was piping and the crowds were cheering and I couldn't hear any of it. I didn't know if I could stand up and I felt disappointed because I knew I had been in water much longer than we had planned. I had lost perspective though and I wasn't sure exactly what had happened. I heard almost immediately that I had swum 17.5 miles and it had taken me 8 hrs 27 mins and 44 secs.......oh boy that was some atlantic swell!!!!!

The reception was fantastic and everyone was crying.

The relief of completing the swim washed over me as I soaked up the love and support I received. Thanks to everyone who helped me to acheive this goal and the most important thing is that we continue to raise money for a cause which is crucial to the lives of carers and those who suffer from this wicked disease. We are lucky and just look at the faces of the crew as we celebrated months of hard work and determination. I'll add some more footage soon.

This is not over!

I did it!!!

2009-09-13T03:31:00.000-07:00

Completed the swim in 8 hours and 25 minutes!! and even managed a leap as I reached the beach!!

Conditions meant that by the time we'd got to the beach I'd swam 17.5 miles!

Will write soon.....am resting my weary arms!

Thank you for all of your support, it really did keep me going.

xxx

We're Off!

2009-09-09T13:12:00.000-07:00

ALL SET TO GO!
At last we're off and we have a confirmed date. Saturday 12th September is the date of the big swim at last, at last. The weather looks good and we have plans in place. Sadly not all our plans have worked out as the crew have changed due to availability and selfishly some people have other commitments........I know. My Mum warned me once that you just can't have it all.......I know
I am beside myself with excitement and I really believe that this is it.
For those of you who want to be there when I finish we are due to leave Ailsa Craig at 9am so we will hit the beach at Girvan anytime after 2.30pm. Collect at the snack kiosk just off the A77. Use my mobile phone number for updates. If I answer the phone take that as a bad sign.....There will be volunteers on the beach from about 12 noon onwards. We hope that South West Sound will broadcast my progress.
To stave off the adrenalin rush I have decided to share a quick check list with you

For pain;

Head .................. check
Neck ...................check
Shoulders............check
Back....................check
Hip......................check
Knee....................check

Everything seems to be in working order and in fact I feel great. The above parts of my body are the most dodgy and need extra attention, so I'll take extra care.

From now on I am resting, eating loads of chocolate cos Harry says chocolate helps you to float and stretching and trying to get loads of sleep if I can. I have re painted my toe nails as suggested in an earlier blog so

Toenails.........................check

I may check in again on Friday, but if not keep in touch and I will give you a full report AFTER THE SWIM!

Loch Ryan Double

2009-09-06T12:05:00.000-07:00

At last we managed something amazing! I swam across Loch Ryan and back avoiding ferries in 3 hours and 6 minutes. We were very pleased with the time. We think we may be able to register this swim so I have filled in the BLDSA form and here's hoping we have at last gone into the record books. We believe Lord Stair swam across Loch Ryan in the 1950's but we're not sure if he swam back again. Not sure if anyone else has done it.

The crew were as follows. Kayak, Harry Waugh and Emily Lawson who I have known since she was a bump and at 25 made a stunning debut on a sea kayak. She is an accomplished rower and took to the kayak like a duck to water (sorry about that one!) Harry Drysdale on the sailing club rescue boat. Reassuring and professional. Shore support, David Lawson, brother to Emily, very patient and thorough. Also the coast guard were on hand, saw us off and met us on the other side. Then they greeted me with a space blanket and loads of encouragement. The sailing club let me use their hot showers and it was the best shower in the world.

When we left the Wig slip at 11.30am, the water was calm. By the time we returned 3 hrs later it was raging. The wind whipped up and the waves were crashing over my head.

As we approached the beach on the other side I had figured that we would not be going back. I thought it was too rough and that the ferry was due. After a quick consult we realised that we could do it and it was worth a shot. There is nothing more motivating than seeing a very big boat loom at you on the horizon!!!

Once we had crossed the shipping lane I felt better but I still didn't want it tickling my feet..................

Thanks also to Gill for cooking the best Nut roast and trimmings I have ever tasted!!!!

We are still hoping to attempt Ailsa Craig next weekend.

Please cross everything you have to sort the weather out

Thank you

What Next?

2009-08-30T12:44:00.000-07:00

As August rushes to a close and another neap tide fades into the distance with the wind hammering the Irish seas I realise I have a lot to be grateful for. I am now 50 years old and I have had a wonderful couple of weeks surrounded by friends and family from all corners of the country and indeed the world. We had a superb party on the 15th to distract us from the disappointment of the swim being postponed. In fact we were able to relax and enjoy each others company. Yonni rocked the house and we celebrated both EB and I turning 50 as we danced to the early hours.

A week full of guests we then walked and explored and talked and drank and ate and celebrated life. Everyone worked together to cook and keep the house and we had a great week.

On Saturday 22nd The Spooky Men from Australia arrived and they ran an unbelievable workshop for the drumming group in the afternoon. They bought a magic quality with them which warmed our souls and raised our spirits even higher. That night they raised the roof at the Millennium Centre to an amazed and delighted crowd. We made £154 in the raffle that night and the Spooks gave us some of the profit from the door takings. A great night all round. We put the Spooky men up, 10 stayed with us and the other 16 were dispatched with our friends nearby. All agreed that they were the most gracious and generous guests. We drummed and danced after the gig until the early hours. Check them out on U tube or their website for further info. Unfortunately their tour is ending soon, but they'll be back. http://www.spookymen.com/ www.myspace.com/thespookymenschorale

Through all this excitement I still managed a couple of big long swims in the pool, some jogging and rowing. A huge amount of will power was required, but I've come this far and actually all the people inspired me to keep going.

So what now?

The next neap tide is September 12th, 13th and 14th. We are all set to go! The long term weather forecast looks hopeful but sssssh don't tell anyone just in case....so Harry and I and Andy went out today even though the weather was blustery and foggy. The sea was beautiful. A stunning colour and amazing fish today. We swam at Port Logan and managed a couple of hours. The temperature was good and I felt strong. Sadly I was stung immediately by Jelly Fish on the back of my legs and my feet and I think I will suffer tomorrow. . However I feel we boosted our confidence today, and the mood is better. This week I'll be in the pool tomorrow night and I hope to do 6000 meters. Then Wednesday we plan to go out on the Kayak after work. Pool Friday night and then we may try Loch Ryan across and back at the weekend. Certainly we'll do a big swim somewhere. I'll row inbetween and stay happy, and I hope you do too

Weather against us but not downhearted

2009-08-19T14:58:00.000-07:00

19th August 09

Well friends the weather is surely against us and I wish I had a pound for every person who has said that Saturday 15th was great weather and why didn't we do the swim? The sun did shine I grant you but the wind was our enemy and we made absolutely the right decision not to go.

However we did gather on the beach on August 15th and there were one or two souls there gazing hopefully out to sea thinking we must have drowned!

Let's swim to that rock!

Instead we frolicked and played in the sea and Jacqui and Harry got to practice in the Kayak. Nicky also had a go and she thought she was just coming for a party! Melissa and Ruby braved the sea which was actually quite warm. My sister Vicki, who is a nurse was in charge of hypothermia if we had done the big swim, was seen wandering vaguely about clutching a wrapped up thermal space blanket. My cousins and sisters and friends had fun and then we rocked the night away with a great party. Yonni did a great job singing for us and as usually we bopped till we dropped. We know how to cope with a bit of bad weather people....have a party anyway.

Go Nicky Go!

Please note the difference in attire!

So no news at the moment but it looks like there will be no chance until the end of the month. Meanwhile I keep up my training. 5000 meters in the pool yesterday morning and tomorrow morning, and rowing today.

Postponed

2009-08-13T12:55:00.000-07:00

Thursday 13th August
Well friends after all the preparation training and anticipation we find ourselves unable to complete the swim this weekend. There is a low weather front heading to Ailsa Craig and it is not shifting. We are all on standby and ready to go but it is a tricky time for everyone as the weather is changing by the hour. As it stands right now there are no plans to swim Friday Saturday or Sunday.
Keep checking in and I'll keep you posted.

Loch Rannoch

2009-08-10T12:17:00.000-07:00

Monday 10th August

Training during the week went more or less to plan and I feel good. Wednesday was very windy so Harry and I ventured back to wig bay to try and get rid of some demons about my eye crisis. I went in and there were big waves and a very strong current. It was exhilarating and gave me the chance to feel what it's like when the tide is against me.

A shorter swim on Thursday as I prepare for Sundays challenge. Met lots of enthusiastic people who sent messages of support.

Saturday Harry and I left for Loch Rannock at about 12.30pm. The journey was very long due to roadworks and we didn't get to the B and B till almost 8pm. We did stop for some food and we also found the finish of the race...a very beautiful loch and surroundings.

After a fitful night dreaming about boats and water Harry and I had a mediocre breakfast in our curious and strange B and B and headed off to the start of the race. I had to be dropped there on my own at 8am so that Harry could drive to the finish to leave his car there. He met up with the other swimmers and drove back which was a long process. I was left with the midges who tried to eat me.

I seemed to be in the grounds of an incredible house which was in the process of renovation. A man who said he was the groundsman arrived and said the place had burnt down in the 1980's killing two people who lived there. He said the owners would be along shortly. I tried the door and it was open so I could escape the midges.....

Soon I was joined by some people who worked there looking after holiday cottages and then along came Ian who was the owner. He told me of his dream to save the ruined house with his wife of nearly 50 years. They have been renovating the house since 1996. He showed me round and upstairs is his own lounge and bedroom and I told him it was one of the most beautiful views in the world from a bedroom. What do you think?

Sadly she never saw the dream completed as she died 15 months ago. Ian is surrounded by loving friends and family and I was very taken by the man and his story, but there was a sadness still which I think will in the end lead to the completion of his wonderful home and enterprise. If you want to learn more, visit http://www.rannock-lodge.co.uk/

I know I have met some new friends and could have gone home happy after stumbling on an amazing place and fascinating people. But don't forget...I was there to swim and soon the others arrived.

There were five swimmers in the end, three younger people who were out to win and then Morag and I who were older. Morag told me she swims steady and strong and she seemed to be someone of incredible determination and courage who had completed some incredible swims. If you read this Morag get in touch because I did not see you at the end and I'd like to keep in touch. I knew that the young champions would steam ahead. The atmosphere was great and so I felt really relaxed and ready to face the challenge ahead of me. There was some mention of the rule that swimmers had to complete the swim 90 minutes after the first finisher. I couldn't think about it as we were about to set off and I was fiddling about with my kit.

The water was 16c and so I felt optimistic as we set off. I didn't see the younger swimmers for dust and I quickly settled into a rhythm.

Most of the time I felt good and I really enjoyed the scenery and beauty. I was comfortable and got into my stride. I had some trouble keeping my mind in check as the swim went on relentlessly. I realised I was making progress and tried to concentrate on putting one arm in front of the other. Harry was there hardly taking his eyes of me and seemed to know when I was losing concentration.

About halfway I stopped for a drink and an energy gel. I felt the suspicion of cramp in both calves and this was a bad sign. When I stopped again about an hour later the cramp came back and threatened to take hold. I had to be so careful and I tentatively swam on without kicking much. Harry kept reassuring me. The trouble really started when I could see the finish. I suddenly thought that I was swimming backwards. It felt like a nightmare of arms whirling round and round to no avail against the black peat water. I was convinced I was swimming backwards and I told Harry I couldn't finish. My stroke went completely and dropped down to 46 strokes a minute. Harry told me later he considered stopping me especially if my stroke dropped any further. I realised I had absolutely no choice but to swim on and find my rhythm again. I was furious that I was in this terrible situation and I had no choice about it and that was so frustrating words cannot express my panic.........

I had also been in pain since the halfway point with my back and my shoulders. I decided to share this with Harry. ' I'm in pain you know!' Harry smiled and said 'Well I'd be worried if you couldn't feel anything...being in pain is a good sign!'

So I splooshed to the end and crawled onto the beach after swimming for 5 hrs 23 minutes and 30 seconds. The man with the clipboard told me I should be proud to have done Loch Rannock but he couldn't give me a medal. I had gone beyond the cut off time.........more about this later

Weatherbeaten but not beaten

2009-08-02T13:07:00.000-07:00

Sunday August 2nd 2009
Things are improving friends and I have swum well in the pool all week. Really worried about the heat in the pool and my lack of acclimatisation. Tensions are showing and we have had some tantrums this week as the team feel the pressure. By Thursday I decided that the only thing to do is to spread the love. Everyone has a role to play and everyone is doing their best and I realised that some people did not understand that perspective. Differing opinions are fine but consensus is crucial to our success. Some misunderstandings seem irreparable however and I feel that communication by text and email can be very misleading. If only we were closer geographically these things would not happen. However I can only hope that people will come round in time and get back on board...............the welcome will always be warm.

So today we had a rehearsal on board The Diva. The idea was to find out the best way to get the Kayak to Ailsa Craig for the swim. After much huffing and puffing and a tense try at towing the Kayak we finally hauled it on board and is sat snugly and efficiently on the boat. Hey presto we have lift off. This means that once we get the go ahead for the swim, we can get the Kayak aboard and head off for the Craig as fast as the Diva can muster! Thanks of course to Harry and Mike, but also to Chris and Harry H for all their support this morning.

SUCCESS!

After project Kayak this morning the two Harry's and I went to Sandhead for the first sea swim since my eye drama. The sea was clear and beautiful and NOT ONE Jelly fish which is unusual. I felt cold from the start and felt shivery when I got out. This is unusual and caused some concern. We put it down to stress at the moment and a tricky week. I was also playing with my friends last night at a wonderful party and although I wasn't drinking I had a late one. Harry has emphasised the need for me to get rest and plenty of sleep and to remain as stress free as possible. We swam for 2 hours and the eye was fine. Twinges in my back which is an old problem but not too bad.

This week I will swim 5000 meters tomorrow night. Tuesday or Wednesday in the sea with Harry. Thursday not sure but hopefully a sea swim. Friday rest and Saturday Harry and I are heading for Loch Rannoch.

After all the talk of Health and Safety I have painted my toenails bright red. This will help with visibility although if it's just my toes they can see it may be a bad sign.

Getting there

2009-07-31T14:08:00.000-07:00

Friday July 31st
Thanks once again for all your messages and encouragement. Things are better and my eye is holding up. I have been training in the pool which has it's limitations. It's boring and too warm when swimming the distances I am covering. But my fitness has improved and I am on track. The weather however remains appalling and I have not been in the sea since my eye drama. Harry and I met today and the plan is to swim in the sea on Sunday whatever the conditions. We are also meeting the Skipper to practice getting the Kayak on the boat. More later

One small step

2009-07-24T14:34:00.000-07:00

Friday 24th July
Thanks to those who reacted to my last entry. I guess my sad little note worried some of you. Well yeah.....worry away...oh and send money, that'll help.
Work was frustrating today as my computer crashed big time so the conspiracy theory remained dominant. However here's the good news. Step one of the plan has been completed. Got in the pool at about 5.30pm and started with 1000 meters with paddles. Fiddled about a lot and felt very anxious. 'My eye's clouding up oh no....no its ok it's the goggles...it's ok, ok ok. Pulled my goggles so tight I gave myself brain freeze. Just relax a little at a time...it's ok, it's ok. Followed first 1000 with 10 x 400 Individual Medley......no prob and hey what's that? Oh nothing, it's just that I completely forgot about my eye...is that a little sting?...maybe.
Completed 5000 meters in 500 front crawl and almost felt like I was getting stronger and stronger. Arms a little achy towards the last 1000 but felt really good and relaxed for the second half. No problem with the eye at all. A little itchy maybe but settled with no blurred vision and no pain.
So all a bit more chilled tonight and ready for a sea swim on Sunday.

Giving Up

2009-07-23T11:12:00.000-07:00

July 23rd 2009
Well they say that if the rehearsal is bad then it goes alright on the night. Well this rehearsal is appalling so the show should be fantastic.....if there is a show.
I was having such a great time as you know and then last Wednesday Harry and I had a short swim at Wig Bay. Something seemed to be blurring my vision so I poked and prodded my eye and when I got out I had very blurry vision in my left eye. By the time I got home it was agony and I ended up in A and E. Got some cream and the examination showed an unhappy eye but nothing much. Yes I could still go swimming just go easy and keep the goggles on and don't poke it! Next day the eye was fine!
The following evening Harry and I were set for a long swim with the Kayak. After 30 minutes my eye clouded over and we stopped the swim. A couple of hours later I was in A and E screaming in agony. All I could do the next day was lie in the dark. Thank god for radio 4.
Saw the specialist on Tuesday and I have a scratch on my eye and no wonder it was painful and it probably got infected. All healing now and anti biotic cream for a month and no he can't guarantee it won't happen again........
I know people...THIS IS NOT GOOD!
My morale is rock bottom and I feel like giving up. My eye is fine now and feels good today....but what if ...what if? Technical arrangements for the big day are much more tricky than we thought and the weather is terrible. It has been so windy we wouldn't have been able to go to Ailsa Craig for a practice anyway. Sunday looks just as bad. So here's the plan
Friday 5000 meter swim in the pool
Sat Rowing or running
Sun Ailsa Craig weather permitting or a local swim
Aug 9th Loch Rannoch race 9.5 miles

I'm not at all happy or confident about any of this. I have lost my good eating habits and have hit the chocolate big time. I hate the way I am making a bad situation worse but Harry says lots of chocolate makes you float!!!!!!

The Diva

2009-07-12T15:22:00.000-07:00

Back on track...All aboard The Diva with Mike the Skipper

July 12th

This week has been much better as I go from strength to strength. I have been in the pool although not with the Stingrays and work is full on including a day trip to Belfast. I am full of happy memories as we did some hob nobbing at the Queens garden party and then we saw the Eagles in Glasgow which was just awesome! We were 5 rows from the front and I still don't know how I managed that. If you ever need good seats just ask me and I'll do it without trying! I looked into the eyes of Joe Walsh and Don Henley and I think this has enhanced my week and probably my year hugely!!!
So now I am swimming again in the sea and the tune I have in my head is Waiting in the Weeds by the Eagles from The Long Road Out of Eden. There's plenty of seaweed and green algae which is not toxic to us but is devastating for shell fish. Luckily it is also deterring the jelly fish so far. I am up to 400 meters and on Friday night we finally boarded the Diva which is now the boat for the main event! She's a beauty and quite fast so she wasn't at my shoulder but ahead all the time. It was like a computer game, she would hover and then as I approached she would take off again. The verdict though is positive and we will have a kayak in the water as well on the day. Logistics are tricky but we are squaring up details each day now.
Today Harry and I went out in the loch and I truly found my pace again. Swam about 3.5 miles.
Plans for this week are to swim Monday with the Stingrays, Wednesday hopefully with the Diva and Friday with Harry. Sunday we are going back to Ailsa Craig on the Diva.
Loads of pressure now as the fundraising reaches its peak and time is running out.

Ailsa Craig at last

2009-07-06T13:14:00.000-07:00

Monday 6th July
Got back to work part time and then managed a full week last week. The bad news is that I now have an infection and I'm still feeling a bit low. Swam 300o meters last Wednesday and felt OK but very tired afterwards. Have done some rowing and two runs to Ladybay and although I have had no ill affects it's all a bit slow ya know!
Oh right....Ailsa Craig. Yes we got there courtesy of the boat The Glorious with skipper Mark. No swimming due to slow recovery but we climbed up. We only had 2 hrs on the rock all together so it was a struggle. Very very steep with undefined paths and loose stones underfoot. Not for the feint hearted actually but I loved it. Harry got to the top, Carrie made it almost half way and I could see the top and was tantilisingly close but knew my limit. She is very beautiful and we saw puffins, seals loadsa birds and even 2 dolphins! I would recommend the trip, it's well worth the money....£25 each.
The plan this week is to swim Wednesday at the pool, Friday open water and Sunday open water.

A bit Pear Shaped

2009-06-26T11:27:00.000-07:00

The thing about being unwell is how wonderful it is when you feel better, which I finally am. It also makes me realise how lucky I am to have my health and to have the privilege to swim and gad about the way I do.
The title of this entry is not a description of my shape!!! It's actually a description of my encounter with a surgeon last Monday. Someone thought I said an encounter with a sturgeon and that I had been attacked by a fish, but no unfortunately this was not the case. I think caviar is so overrated. So here's what happened...
Diary of a middle aged patient
Monday 15th June
08.45am
Got to Day Surgery in Dumfries. My friend Jane and I were so tired as we left home at 6am. 'No anaesthetic required' I quipped. All good news, I was second on the list and I had visions of eating toast and heading home by lunch time. I know how this works.......
9am
Nervous looking registrar suggests that the surgery may be more complicated than they initially thought so I would be moved to the end of the morning list. 'Don't send me home!' I quipped
10.30am
Was given strong painkillers as a pre med. 'Is this a clue to how bad it could be?' I quipped
11am
Reassured by anaesthetist that they knew my heart was a bit weird and that my pulse and BP could be low. 'Try not to kill me' I quipped
1pm
Surgeon tells me they have had second thoughts about surgery today due to possible complications. I pleaded with dignity like this....'Please please please please please don't send me home Dr....you have no idea etc etc etc etc etc. ' Then comes a speech from me about how surgeons need to understand that people who come for day surgery have to set up all kinds of things to get there like care for dependants, time off work, friends to bring us....yeah you get the picture. He heard about the swim last. Anyway anyway anyway, we came to an agreement that they would proceed and if it turned out to be complicated they would call me back another day. Then he told me I had missed my place on the list and he would have to plead with theatre staff to fit me in. He went away to negotiate. I waited in my hospital gown and dressing gown and crocs feeling like I was waiting for the car salesman to return after negotiating the price of the car with the boss.
He came back shook my hand and said the deal had been sealed. Before I had time to work out that maybe fitting me in wasn't perhaps the best idea for the morale of the the staff who would be in charge of my unconscious body, I was on the anaesthetic table. Wait a minute....the shift has changed and it's a different anaesthetist....'You do know about my heart' I managed to gulp while the oxygen mask was heading my way. 'Thank you so ....much.....for ........fitting.....me...in zzzzzzz z z z '
3pm
In recovery sleepy...ouch ouch ouch...more painkillers...more more
5pm
BP 87 /40
PULSE 28
Feel TERRIBLE!
5.30pm
Intensive Cardiac Unit Dr leans over me....'Did you tell anyone about your heart and low BP and Pulse?'
Me 'I don't think I told that lady over there or the cleaner, but I told everyone else'
Result
Procedure was fine and was tricky but not as complicated as the surgeon feared so all was well
I was admitted and monitored overnight.
Got home Tuesday lunchtime
Tuesday pm Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
No idea.....wafted about like a ghost. Read a little, mostly brain dead
Saturday
Thought RIGHT this is enough...got up and dressed and went to Portpatrick for lunch with EB and gang
Saturday pm
wafted about like a ghost
Anyway anyway anyway I finally got back to work for a half day yesterday (Thursday) and today looked a little less like a ghost. No swimming.
PLAN
Ailsa Craig attempt 2 is on Sunday. I know I know I know but the boat has been booked for weeks so we're going. Harry has been keeping in touch and says he's not worried, and I musn't take risks. Hopefully I'll be in the water and then business as usual next week. We think that just to be at the Craig will give me a psychological boost, so we may just climb up it.
Did I tell you we did win a National Care Accolade at work?.....maybe I dreamt it in a drug induced haze.....

A moment's pause

2009-06-14T14:04:00.000-07:00

Sunday 14th June

Harry and I had a great swim today on Loch Ryan. The weather has been gorgeous for 2 weeks if a bit windy at times. I like this shot which gives an idea of the scenery and the ferry in the background. I tow a buoy behind me when we practice for safety purposes and there's a picture further on to give you an idea of our set up when we take the Kayak.

Meanwhile here's a round up of my week.

Monday

Met Harry at Wig Bay Bill came down with his boat again. Swam for about an hour and a half. Bit chilly but OK. The water temp is good. Must get used to going out in the sea after work as I was a bit disorganised. I had no shoes apart from my work shoes and I forgot the Vaseline so I got chaffed under my arms...silly!

Tuesday

Long and arduous day at work

Wednesday

Swam at 6.30am and worked on stroke correction mainly with paddles. Did a couple of times 500's and keeping well under 9 minutes. Managed 8.40 and 8.47 but to be honest we forgot to stop the watch so it's a bit of a calculation. Fell strong and well and stroke has definitely improved. 3,800 meters

Managed 10 minutes of rowing when I got home

Thursday

Back in the pool at 6.30am and continued work with paddles. Also did 10 IM's which is good for the soul. Did about 4000 meters

Friday

Meant to go to the pool after work but didn't finish work till 7.30pm so gave up that idea!!! Went to the Blue Peter with mates and started to unwind.

Sat

Power walked to village to school event and then worked in the garden. 20 minutes rowing.

Now that's a tiring week eh?

Part of the reason that I was so manic this week is that I am in hospital tomorrow as a day case. I am having a general anaesthetic so I'll be laying low for a few days. This is now officially a rest week, so I'll be hanging up my goggles for a week. There will be a brief interlude, and I'll talk to you when I 'm back at it!!! Don't worry it's nothing serious but I hope that I will be cured this time............

CHALLENGES AND TRIUMPHS

2009-06-07T11:26:00.000-07:00

Sunday June 7th 2009

The support boats are fading into the distance as they make their way into the sunset to make a living.....how selfish!!! Fish being the main word here. Most boat captains I have approached are now busy. This week I visited a very gorgeous large boat which can have 20 passengers. He has now been booked for the actual swim but can't get us over to Ailsa Craig for a practice until the end of July because he is fishing and is booked for trips and so on. So now I'm pursuing other options. Luckily today our lovely neighbour Bill came to the rescue and we went out into the Loch for a 3 ish mile swim with his wee boat. Euan joined us for safety and I managed without my aqua skin. We swam for about an hour and a half. Ian came too and it was great to see him after his triumph in Lanzarote....a real Ironman now! Here is a picture of me taking some water as I gulped loads of sea water today being as the water was quite choppy.

So, some frustrations and it seems like a mammoth task to coordinate everything. Many many doubts right now....many doubts.

Meanwhile I was away this week for three days with work. Very difficult to concentrate on swimming but even so I managed an early swim on Wednesday morning and then drove to Dumfries. That day I spoke to 100 or so Health Care professionals about how we cope living with memory loss. EB gave me permission to speak about her experiences and I think the talk went very well. I also got some sponsors which is brilliant. Writing about our life is a great way to focus the mind and heart on why I am bothering to do all this. The chief exec of Alzheimer Scotland was there and made a fantastic speech about the personalisation agenda and radical changes in the way we think about how we deliver care. I then worked in Glasgow and then Dundee where on Friday we won a really important National Award for the project I manage at work which is very exciting.

So I remain very tired and concerned, but the positive thought for today is to trust that we will make this swim happen and with your help smash the target of £10 000 for people who really really need our help.

Sunday May 31st 2009

2009-05-31T11:48:00.000-07:00

I knew something was wrong. This despondency was more than my imagination and I just couldn't work out what the problem was. Then Harry came to the poolside on Monday. I managed to get there in good time this week and Harry decided to look at my stroke, and hey presto! My stroke has gone array, and I was losing power causing extreme inefficiency and therefore losing seconds every length of the pool.

He asked me to warm up as usual with a steady 500 meters. I did it in just less than 9 minutes. Then he adjusted my stroke which was mainly that my left arm is pulling almost at right angles instead of down towards my body. Also I am reaching too far forward. After a couple of practices he asked me to do another 500 meters at the same steady pace. I did it in 8.12......WOW what a difference. This technique could shave 30 minutes off the Ailsa Craig swim.

Since then I have been unable to get in the pool but I have been concentrating on stretching, jogging, and rowing.

Delighted that Jane and Chris are also going to the Queens garden party at Hollyrood Palace on June 30th .....I don't know who nominated me or why, but we think it must be something to do with the swim. Strange eh? It's something I haven't done yet and I haven't given anyone any money yet!!! A funny old world.

The photo was taken by Chris at the top of Byne Hill on the walk last week. I love it. Plans are that we head to Ailsa Craig the weekend after next...Back in the pool tomorrow and then I'm away Wed Thurs and Fri. Friday is the final for the Care Accolades in Dundee, so I'm hob nobbing!!!! I'll let you know how I get on but work is playing havoc with my training this week.

By the way, I do apologise the setting for leaving comments was restricted so now I have adapted it, so anyone can leave a comment....so please do!

A famous day

2009-05-24T14:59:00.000-07:00

Sunday May 24th
Have you ever had one of those days when everyone says 'remember that famous day when....?' Well today was the famous day when we didn't go to Ailsa Craig.

Giddy with excitement we arranged to meet the boat pilot in Girvan at 9.30am. Apart from the boat pilot, the crew were my mate Chris his friend Linda and our Harry. I had that much stuff with me as instructed by Harry who always says be ready for anything. We were hoping do a combination of climbing to the top and down again which would take about an hour and a half and swimming round it which is about 5k we think.
The day was sunny and the mood was riotous as we headed up the coast with the taste of adventure in the air. Soon to be dampened however as we met an unhappy skipper who said the wind had picked up and it was just too risky. Undeterred we decided to walk and headed up Byne Hill which was very steep. How lovely to sit on a hill in the sun with good friends eating sandwiches. Yep well you have a point ...obviously being on Ailsa Craig could have topped that but what can you do?
Then I swam at Girvan beach for about 40 minutes.......aaaah it was cold and I am reducing my comfort aides....so no boots and my feet never actually stopped hurting with cold. It may have been because we had been for long walk, but Harry did point out that the sea was only 13 c and hasn't warmed up for 3 weeks.
A bit shivery afterwards.

Plan B we will try again and again till we get there. It was wonderful to swim with Ailsa in sight.

Meanwhile the plan is to break the myth that I hate 500's. Monday night sessions will be short training sets with a mixture of drills with pullbuoys and paddles, and Wednesday mornings will be 500's with split timings breaking it into 100's but not stopping....get it? Then a weekend open water swim with some stretching and rowing inbetween.

Well done Ian who did a fantastic time at the triathlon in Lanzarote yesterday. Mmmm Lanzarote warm, sunny what a good idea. There must be a rock out there I could swim to.

By the way, did I tell you I've been invited to have tea with the Queen?

A new world order

2009-05-18T14:24:00.000-07:00

So there is a new world order but someone forgot to tell me. I turned up on Monday night last week for the 8pm session with the Stingrays and the pool was empty...like a bad dream. Similar to when you find yourself with no clothes on, maybe not! The good news is that the 8pm slot has shifted as it was really too late for the children to be finishing at 9.30pm and not getting home till 10pm......never mind the children, what about 50 year olds? So today was a challenge as now I have to get to the pool between 4pm and 5pm on Mondays so it will take some organising to get out of work in time. I got there tonight just in time to see the kids getting out! I swam, but I missed them.

Harry suggested that I do sets of 500 now in 10 minutes. This means that any time left up to 10 minutes I get to rest. Harry wanted me to keep times down to below 9. Euan timed me on Wednesday morning and Rachel and Kieran joined me. We warmed up with 10x100 IM's with 10 seconds rest. Then the sets. My first set was 8.37. Next one 8.55, next 8.57 next 9.10......damn it! Felt lumbering and slow, new swanky goggles leaked and had a tantrum throwing my goggles off. Euan said gently that maybe I could work on my self belief ....Ok Ok I can I can I can. Help!

Took off that night to stay in Stockport for a few days R and R staying with my sister. Saw Eric Clapton at the MEN arena on Thursday night and I love him so much. The concert left me breathless and I loved being with my family just spending time together. Went shopping in Manchester with my sister on Friday. It's years since we have done that together. Managed a good run on Thursday maybe 3 miles or so we reckon, and then I went to circuit training with my sister on Saturday which was great.

Home now and facing a really busy time at work. We seem to have reached the finals of the SSSC Care Accolades and this is very exciting but has generated a huge influx of work and travel. The final is on June 5th in Dundee so I'll keep you posted. Any of you mad YABBA's out there I may be in touch for a swim while I'm in Dundee. (See previous Blogs when I did the Woodhaven swim last June) Getting tougher to keep up all my training with extra work pressures

May go to Ailsa Craig on Sunday....watch this space!

Swimathon

2009-05-10T14:13:00.000-07:00

May 10th 2009

When I said I ran to Ladybay and had no ill effects I lied to you. I ran on Saturday and spent the whole bank holiday weekend trying to pretend that I wasn't stiff!!! It was very painful and my legs felt wobbly and sore. However I had a great week swimming with the Stingrays and doing well.

However, I ran again this Saturday and this time I mean it.....NO ILL EFFECTS! This thing is working and I'm getting fitter!

The main story this week though is that the amazing Stingrays did their swimathon on Saturday for our fund.

They swam anything between 20 and 160 lengths non stop, and some of them swam further than they had before in one go. I think it made them realise how far 10 miles is! The atmosphere at the pool was fantastic and we had volunteers and parents counting lengths and shouting encouragement. Iain Dick and John Dougan came along to support us but didn't show their legs this time. I'll let you know how much the Stingrays have raised but they were awesome. I love this collaboration, and it will continue after the swim I'm sure. I get so much from knowing these young people. Please note that following this photo the kids lept up and John, Iain and I were left struggling to our feet, in my case knees cracking.

Swam at Sandhead today with Harry in the Kayak. It was fantastic to be out there again. No wetsuit now and although cold I did really well. 40 minutes with no problems. It was great to see my old buddy Ian Hannah who is training hard for a big triathlon in 2 weeks time in Lanzarote.....GOOD LUCK Ian. He's great company. The weather was stunning today and Scotland was looking its glittering best.

Back in the Driving Seat

2009-05-03T13:23:00.000-07:00

May 3rd 2009
I got some good advice this week
'Ros, just get on with it! If we put you in the sea right now you know and I know that you could swim to Ailsa Craig. You've just got to believe it' Yeah ok then, but I'm not minimising my challenges regarding not feeling in the best of health. However having consulted the GP who also told me not to panic things really do seem to be back in hand this week.
Only managed one pool swim. Got on the rower and got sweaty a couple of times. Easily ran to Ladybay with no ill affects. Then today, I finally got in the sea at Ladybay. I loved it although it was extremely cold and I went numb, but I did really well and swam for 25 minutes.
Back? a OK
Heart? a Ok
Hormones? ***!?""*"!?

This week, I will be in the pool with the Stingrays tomorrow night, wednesday morning at 6.30am and then Harry and I are going to be at Sandhead or Port Logan on Sunday for a really good long swim.
I will row at any chance I get although I am away for work one night this week.
Ta Ta for now

A slump!

2009-04-29T10:45:00.000-07:00

April 29th
I know I've been a bit quiet but I have had a couple of weeks of severe doubt! Not feeling at all well and facing some medical challenges hasn't helped. It seems like a clash when others around you seem to be feeling the same. On a positive note, I can tell you that the Stingrays taught me to tumble turn which has been a liberating experience. However, sometimes I forget to do them, I can't do them in the shallow end in case I hit my head and I definitely can't do them with flippers on. I will work on these issues by talking about them.....
So, I am over it OK? I will do it, I can do it and I will not be intimidated by those who are worthier than I and much more dedicated to their sport. I say this with admiration, not criticism or bitterness......no no no.
I can do it
I can

A fantastic boost to our funds

2009-04-12T14:01:00.000-07:00

April 12th 2009
Easter Day
I have has some health problems and have not been swimming this week. Had some really good sessions with the Stingrays the week before which were good, and I have kept up with my rowing this week and upped the pressure a bit. The challenge with Concept 2 has now finished so I have to work hard at keeping my motivation up. However having increased the rowing I have enjoyed it much more and I can feel the benefits.
Harry is back which has really given me a boost and he has enjoyed reading the blog which has kept him up to date. We had a chat yesterday about my back which is in fact holding up at the moment.

Here's a story about cooperation and opportunity.

My friend Veronica who is raising money for an amazing project in Kenya which is called the Tara project had organised a couple of events to raise money which I had attended and donated some raffle prizes. Veronica reached her funding goal and asked me last Friday if we would like the bag packing session she had booked at Morrisons on Easter Saturday. I accepted immediately and tried to round up some volunteers at the last minute. Many of my friends were away, but we managed. We packed bags for 4 hours. I 'd like to thank Veronica, Jane, Thomas, Gina, Chantice, Kaitlin, Jane, Katie, Vicki, James, Anne, Dave, Lesley and EB for their hard work. Suzanne was away but came up to the house with buckets and stuck on posters and tops. Ladies and Gentlemen I would like to announce that we raised £1003. Can you believe it? A wonderful boost to our funds and great timing because it seems that many people had seen the article and photo of me with the politicians on the front page of the Free Press. People wanted to speak to me about the swim challenge and seemed interested in what we are trying to achieve.

At one point, my legs were aching and I hate supermarkets and shopping so it was in fact my worst nightmare. However I enjoyed meeting people and we all agreed it had been a highly successful event.

I'd rather be swimming though...any day

Diary of a middle aged swimmer

2009-03-29T11:24:00.000-07:00

March 29th 2009

I have had an interesting week which has helped things along somewhat.

Monday

Felt no ill effects from the run to Lady Bay the previous day so I'm very pleased. Got to the pool in the evening with the Stingrays and we did 3900 meters. It was a tough swim as after a warm up of 900 meters in sets of 12, we did 30 sets of 100 meters on 2 minutes, all freestyle. Now, in order to meet the time, I need to breathe unilaterally as I can really get into the rhythm and pull strongly. Unfortunately I could feel the tweak in my back and I worried that I was damaging it. The minute I try bilateral breathing I feel my stroke weakening and I feel like I lose my speed. I need to ask Harry and David my physio how to stretch afterwards to combat the bias. However, I did seem to keep up my time and on the sets where I alternated my breathing I actually didn't lose as much time as I thought. Euan the coach thought my stroke stayed strong.

Tuesday

Got up at 5.50am but went back to bed as I knew I hadn't had enough sleep, so I chose to miss the early swim session. I was really pleased with my back though, and the body felt good. I knew I had a challenging week ahead work wise, and I got to work feeling refreshed and strong. Had a fantastic African drumming session as always in the evening.

Wednesday

Left for work at 6am and drove to Dumfries to work with a new group of people facilitating a challenging seminar. Got home at 7.45pm and got straight on the rower for which I feel very proud. I did 20 minutes.

Thursday
A follow up seminar but local this time and I felt refreshed and relaxed. I had some concern about our plans for a photo shoot on the beach on Saturday as the weather is looking bad. It has been very windy and if there is a hurricane blowing we will have some difficulty. I sent all the people involved an email saying we were monitoring the situation.

That night we swam 3,200. This time we did kicking and 25 meters at a time. I kept up, even though we mixed our strokes and I am so slow at backstroke and breaststroke. I like to mix my strokes though as it helps my overall fitness. Euan said I have improved greatly in the last month alone. He says I look strong. We are beginning to think about 'after the swim' which will be a challenging time for me.

Friday

Back to Dumfries for another busy day and straight out the minute I got home to a charity do for the Tara Project. Confirmed arrangements for tomorrow. Did interviews on the local radio about tomorrow for

BBC radio Scotland and South West Sound.

Saturday

As forecast very windy but sunny with great visibility. I jumped up feeling excited. It was wonderful to get out all my open water swimming stuff again. Wetsuit, boots, gloves, thermos, safety blanket, thermals etc etc......

Down to the beach and there was Suzanne. It was freezing and windy and I felt nervous. My risk assessment was negative as the wind chill factor was a major issue.

Then they came, one by one my VIP's as follows

Councillor Willie Scobie

Councillor Iain Dick

Councillor John Dougan

Russell Brown MP

Alex Fergusson MSP

I had challenged them to meet me on the beach and wear their trunks to launch the Open Water swimming season(sort of) and to get some publicity for the Fundraising

I felt overwhelmed and with the high winds and one or two over excited dogs, it was difficult to talk. The Free Press were there and we took our positions on the beach. After the photo op, what could I do?

I got in and swam at least 5 strokes. A quick change in a little brick building and it was all over. Thanks to everyone who came to support me, and to Carrie for the photos.

Sunday

Completed Concept 2 challenge on rower. Washed, shopped for food and cooked.

Challenges this week have been

Travelling for work
Not enough rest and sleep
Back is sore after Saturday's dip and sitting in a draught in Hall for long meeting in the afternoon. I'm cross about my back as I know that is a danger and I allowed myself to sit in a draught.....
EB has dismantled the house and is decorating. The kitchen bedroom and lounge have been fairly uninhabitable for 4 weeks!!!! Good news..nearly done and looks fantastic.
Harry is away and I miss him
Cats are stressed and naughty due to disruption in house and they are into everything!

Highlights this week ....see for yourself!

It's a bit chilly on the beach today. I'm not putting on my trunks!!

Oh alright then! Iain Dick John Dougan Alex Fergusson Me Russell Brown Willie Scobie

March 22nd 2009

2009-03-22T15:13:00.000-07:00

I feel a bit like Bridget Jones this week even though I hated the book but quite liked the film. For example....Big Pants! Diet V bad mainly toast and chocolate. Make the conclusions you wish. What are the stress factors? Well I got really tired last week and had kept the training going with almost 4000 meters per session plus at least one blast on the rower. I always thought that the more you try and train and work the better things get. Not so at this age it seems. The benefits of exercise change. I decided to take advice from those with wisdom.

Conversations I have had are as follows

My super fit Physio who by the way has sorted my back out, thinks that maybe I'm not doing enough and maybe that's why I feel sluggish, and a rest week means cutting down the pace not stopping and eating chocolate! Oh dear
I told my cousin I thought I was not a natural athlete and it all seems quite hard and overwhelming. She thinks I am a natural athlete and that I always have been. Natural athlete in my mind probably means slim and toned and is someone who does not think a rest week means staying in bed and eating toast and chocolate. Oh dear

So today I realised that my rest week had extended somewhat and I had slipped so easily into V bad habits, so I rowed for 20 minutes and ran to Lady bay. Let's see how the legs are after that little number then!!

Swimming full programme this week and there is a photo opportunity on Saturday to re launch the Just giving button and the sponsor sheets.

More soon

March 8th 2009

2009-03-08T13:27:00.000-07:00

I have had a productive week as the Stingrays up their game. They are increasing their weekly lane tally and the pace is harder. No time for chat, the coaches have found their voices as they count us down to the next set. On Monday I did 4,300 meters in just over an hour. Wednesday I managed to get to the new DG1 Leisure Centre in Dumfries as I was staying overnight, partly for work reasons but I did go and see Fairport Convention on Tuesday night and confirmed my aging hippy status and thoroughly enjoyed the gig. The new pool in Dumfries is really good. The young squad were just getting out when I got there for public lane swimming at 7am and they told me they start at 5.30am. I joined the lane swimmers and it seemed well managed with attentive lifeguards who ensured we were in the right lanes. I only got 45 minutes but managed 2,250 meters and concentrated on long stretchy technique as Harry had suggested. Thursday morning, I was back with the Stingrays and completed 3,800 meters. I had a problem with my back midway and had to get out and lie on the floor to 'unkink' it. As I lay there the kids had finished their set and were regarding me through their bug goggles looking like strange insects from the deep. One of them said 'shall we call an ambulance?' Cheeky and wonderful children. It made me smile all day.

Holiday and Penzance Masters

2009-03-01T13:04:00.000-08:00

March 1st 2009
We decided to go on holiday early this year in view of the fact that I need to be able to concentrate on the swim now, and the summer will be taken up with events to support the fundraising effort and also I will be entering some open water events.
So we went to Cornwall for 11 days or so and drove down via friends and family and back via other friends and family. Our holiday was initially hampered by snow and we were amazed by the amount of snow in Devon. We stayed in a cottage in Porthleven with our good friends Claire and Jacqui and their adorable 16 month old Border Terrier Dudley. We were beyong excitement when we thought that we would battle through the snow and then get to play with it!!! However we were sorry to find that not a flake had survived in Cornwall.
The sea was wild though and provided a spectacular show. Once the wild weather had subsided it was almost like Spring and we spent our time walking round gardens and sitting outside pubs drinking fine ale and eating pasties....marvelous.
I went to Penzance Leisure Centre and was delighted to find a lovely pool with some friendly swimmers. Peter Marks who I met in the fast lane during a public swimming session told me I should turn up at 6.30am on Wednesday and talk to Jim Saulter the coach. I was made to feel very welcome at the club and was delighted to find that they were ADULTS!!! This was the Masters squad and they were hot dang. I swam with them 3 times and they were very very fast. Jim was a little baffled by me as I told him I didn't do tumble turns and he watched as I struggled to keep up and in the end I pulled a muscle when I was diving in off the blocks. 'What happened to the sprint?' he shouted....I don't do sprints. I think my performance was fairly pathetic as I struggled with my back which had started an acute phase. Could have been the beer and the pasties of course, and I also had stopped taking by glucosamine tablets. Could have been a coincidence, could have been a combination of factors, but all resulted in a period of 'can't do it!'
Actually I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the sublime Penzance Masters. They were hard working welcoming and enthusiastic. I have been in touch with Jenny from the club and I look forward to swimming with them again one day. Thanks to Jim for all his support and encouragement.
Since I got back from holiday I have given up alcohol, I've been eating carefully, stretching, taking my tablets, rowing and swimming. Although my back is still tender and is firing warning shots across the bow, it has responded somewhat to my routine. I don't feel really really old anymore and I think that I have to accept that pain is part of a long distance swimmers lot. Any ideas on that one?
I have stopped dreaming about huge waves engulfing me and getting lost in the ocean, and I know that these are signs that anxiety is around and the seriousness of my challenge is a teasing spectre in my every day life.

We've set the date!

2009-02-01T14:22:00.000-08:00

February 1st 2009
Well friends we have set a date and we will be swimming from Ailsa Craig to Girvan beach on August 15th 2009 at 6am. Following a series of meetings this week we have consulted the expert Scott Smith our fearless boat captain and he reckons that tides are favourable that day. We do have 3 back up dates just in case. This has caused me to go into orbit and even Harry is smiling broadly and admitted to being a little bit excited. VERY excited Harry .....VERY excited!!
I am so motivated now I can hardly keep up with myself. I have had a couple of challenging sessions with the Stingrays to try and iron out my poor sore legs following an unwise run/jog/shuffle last weekend. I swam with my young mate on Wednesday morning and we completed just under 4oo0 meters in an hour and 15 mins....not much chat I can tell you.
Today I completed the gut buster for the Concept 2 rowing challenge. I have been building up my rowing gradually and the challenge today was 1000 meters. I managed it with some mind trickery to stop myself giving up after 3000 meters. I've never rowed so far all at once before and I logged 46 minutes 46 seconds. Looking at the results page I am in the top half in my age group but with a little analysis it seems that the people behind me haven't actually completed the monthly events so I feel a bit deflated about that. It was quite funny as I rowed to think of hundreds of other people around the world doing the same thing. Strange world isn't it?
So, please visit the diary page of the website to find out more about the events we are planning. You can contact me on ros.surtees@yahoo.co.uk to get your sponsor sheets to swim, run, walk, ride or knit 10 miles over time. You need to complete your 10 miles in any way you choose by the end of September 2009. Any other ideas about how to complete 10 miles, please write in!

Poor Wee Soul

2009-01-25T11:33:00.000-08:00

January 25th 2009
It's amazing how time flies and happy new year to you all.

Suzanne and I have struggled a little regarding accessing the blog and the website so I apologise for lack of news. I hope we have rectified this now.

After I last wrote I was OK for a while and was starting to swim a little and I even managed to log my entry for the 5000 meter December challenge with Concept 2. It wasn't as good as I'd hoped but I am still holding my own in the field. I love the rower and I enjoy the challenge the Concept 2 have set us.

We had a lively and full New Year with friends and family around as usual, but I never quite felt well. I never quite shook that cold and cough and that someone had pulled out my plugs! Then on the Saturday after New Year I was floored with the most dreadful flu which took me off my feet for 5 days. I went to the Dr about something else on Monday 5th and she gave me a diagnosis for my flu symptoms...she said I was a poor wee soul and I was to go home to bed!!! What? She obviously doesn't realise that I am an amazonian open water swimming person.....

So much for a winter training programme. I managed to stay positive and just go with it and I got back to work the following week. Since then I have been back in the pool and on the rower but I have to say that when I got on the rower at first I felt very breathless and I could only manage 5 minutes at a time. Harry told me that if you resume training after a nasty bug you have to be very careful. If you feel breathless and sweat profusely you can cause scar tissue in your lungs which will give you problems later in life. Did you know that? No, I didn't either.

So, I was fine at work, but I felt very down for a while when my body just wouldn't keep up. I felt so full of life and excited about being well finally and I was gutted that my body just would not swim run row and even walk like I used to before Christmas. I honestly felt my resolve slipping. The swim felt almost out of reach.

Motivation is not a problem, so here's the deal. I'm swimming with the Stingrays twice or three times a week and rowing in between. Yesterday I ran to Lady Bay (downhill) right along to the Bothy's (flat) and back to the bottom of the hill at the car park. I reckon that's about 4 miles at the most and then I power walk back up to the house. As I was doing it I knew I was doing too much. Stamina wise I felt great and it was the most beautiful day without a cloud in the sky. But my legs were like jelly. Today I am in agony and I can hardly walk. Oh bummer! I did a lot of stretching but it was obviously a bit too much.

So annoying. Sorry what was that? Oh you're reminding me that I am 50 soon are you? And your point is?

I think that's quite enough for one day and I need to go and take some more ibuprofen and sink into a nice hot bath...oh shut up............................

December 26th 09

2008-12-26T04:48:00.000-08:00

Good Morning Friends and I hope you all had a lovely Christmas. Anyone who believes the ads on telly which tell you that all you need is a lemsip and you'll be able to fight back armies of bugs and difficult work colleagues and bing around with a spring in your step is sadly mistaken. All the lemsip did for me was to help me lie in bed without a generally sore body telling me I was lying on a bed of uncooked spuds!!
The cough I have had since Dec 11th seemed to get worse and a sneezy cheesy sleazy cold seemed to take over my eyes, nose and all other parts of me it could reach. I was in bed for most of Sunday all of Monday and most of Tuesday. Briefly got to work on Wednesday but didn't last long.
I seem to be on the mend now and got my appetite back just in time to manage Xmas dinner cooked by Elizabeth. Our relatives Elizabeth and Terry have been here since EB's 50th birthday on Friday and if it hadn't been for Elizabeth we proabably would have starved as neither of us have been well really. Thanks Elizabeth you're our Christmas Angel x
So, the best thing about being ill is feeling better, and today I finally woke up feeling really human again. I'm off for a walk to Lady Bay which I am excited about, and I may try the rower again later to at least try and attempt the concept 2 challenge for the month. This cough and cold is still hanging around so I know I need to watch it. The trouble is it feels like a different person who swam all that way in the summer, and now I really have built a mountain to climb.
I wake up in the night with a bit of a sweat on thinking that I've blown it and I'll never be able to do this challenge now!!! I feel like time is really running out. Come to think of it, maybe the sweat in the night is the other problem I have.....mmmm menopause and dodgy hormones which is the other thing...............
OK I'll spare you that one.

A cold dip!

2008-12-15T10:35:00.000-08:00

I took the plunge on Sunday 7th December and threw myself in the sea for some acclimatisation training. It was a beautiful sunny morning and the dog walkers looked a bit astonished as they broke the ice on the puddles. I wore 2 hats and a wet suit with my skin suit underneath plus boots. I couldn't find my gloves though!

Suzanne, Greg, Josh and Sam looked on and took pix, so thanks to my support crew! We just managed this snap with the HSS at my shoulder before it disappeared. It was a short dip and I barely got wet really although I told the boys to say I'd been swimming for 20 minutes! Gosh I look gorgeous, this is such a glamorous sport. Meanwhile the training is going badly. I have been overnight in Dumfries with work last week and again this week and it eats into my routine. I know its an excuse but I do feel busy at the moment with everything. I also have a nasty chesty cough and I had a nose bleed yesterday which is very unlike me. I guess I need to watch it but I feel really unfit already as I hadn't been at all consistent leading up to this.

Met Harry today and he gave me a talking to. I need to register my Concept 2 challenge this month which is 5000 meters so I'm getting on the rower today to see if my breathing is ok with this cough.

I am so excited about the swim though and I know once Christmas is over I'll get back to it. The just giving button and other fundraising developments are just so inspiring. Cameron did a brilliant article this week in the Free Press. I'll try and find out how I can scan newspaper articles onto the blog so you can see them.

I was spotted this weekend dressed as the Snow Queen helping at the village lighting up ceremony with a couple of glasses of mulled wine. By the end of the night I was calling myself the So Squeen so I'll leave you to your own conclusion. I think its the stress of being the Chair of the Community Council as well....I'm about to stand down and let someone else organise village events because I must give up alcohol at some point so I don't see two Ailsa Craigs .........

I'll check in before Christmas, so take it easy friends and enjoy the festivities safely.

Fancy a dip on Christmas Day?

Santa Hats compulsory.

December 5th 08

2008-12-05T10:59:00.000-08:00

I am feeling much better and I have some exciting news to share with you all. Suzanne and I have called a couple of committee meetings and we have renewed our confidence and enthusiasm for the fundraising aspect of our project. We are updating the website and we will be re launching this in the press for a wider audience. This Sunday I am hoping to take a chilly dip at Lady bay so we can get some photos for the press and for Alzheimer Scotland who want to do an article for their newsletter. I have also been contacted by The Solway Firth Partnership for an article in their magazine Tidelines.

We have also found some easy fundraising ideas. One is to register with the easyfundraising site (see shopping link) You just register as a user and the charity you sign up for is the Ailsa Craig Swim Challenge. Then when you shop, a donation is sent to us. Fab eh? We have also registered with a company who ask us to send them old mobile phone handsets and ink cartridges. We then send them to the recycling company free of charge and they send us a cheque....! Look out for bins at Sun St Offices and Dumfries Crichton Hall. If you're not local contact me and I'll tell you how to do it in your area. How easy is that? Much better than dragging round car boot sales I feel! I call it fundraising by sitting on your bum!

Meanwhile I am still doing the Concept 2 challenge Series and I stand at 38th out of 83 in my category which is the 40+ age group. I'm enjoying the challenge and the December challenge is 5000 metres. It does help my motivation. Check out the Concept 2 website to find out more.

Bye for now, and keep warm and happy

November 17th

2008-11-17T10:29:00.000-08:00

So friends, when does a lack of motivation become terminal? I have reflected on some issues regarding my own self perception recently. Am I a finely honed athlete who is strong and fit and can hold her own in a competitive field, or am I an overweight middle aged woman with no will power and no consistency regarding motivation? The answer is probably somewhere in the middle. I recognise some aspects in both these characters but I would like to find a place of comfort and balance. I have lost my motivation since the Luce Bay swim and have managed a couple of swims and the rower was gathering dust. This is not unusual and if you read the blogs of some other swimmers they talk about these things too.
The factors influencing me right now are

Extra and unexpected pressure at work requiring lots of travel and longer hours
EB has been away for 2 weeks
Harry is also away for a length of time
I have a sore back
Its winter
I love eating too much
People keep inviting me out........

Then I had a chat with my friend David Hislop who is an indoor rowing champion. He told me to move the rowing machine which is in my hall so that while I am rowing I can watch TV. Up to now I have been glued to the monitor and he pointed out that if you watch the clock 10 minutes can seem like an age.

So I went to the pool on Thursday morning and thoroughly enjoyed the session with the Stingrays. I felt surprisingly strong which made me realise that I have not become a slob yet!
Then I pulled the rower into the lounge ( watch that back!) and had an excellent session while watching a film I had wanted to see for ages. I was easily able to monitor my pace and time. Such a simple piece of advice and so effective. I feel much better and I'm off to the pool tonight to see if I can keep up the pace a bit. I know that all the influential factors can become excuses but they also need acknowledging so I can tame them and not feel overwhelmed.

By the way, since EB has been away, the central heating broke down, the car broke down, there was a huge rat in the chicken coop, the lights in the chicken coop went out, Flo the cat went missing....she's back! and so I have had a great deal of stress........... Come back all is forgiven!

So, things are looking up and I will keep you posted. I understand some of you are reading this as I have had some complaints since I have stopped writing. Sorry!

I will write again and let you know some of my times as some of you seem interested in the technical side of things

Bye for now

Back in the Pool. Concept 2 challenge

2008-10-04T08:37:00.000-07:00

Saturday 4th October
Well after all the outdoor adventure its time to knuckle down and do indoor things. I must say that after all the excitement, my motivation dipped. I have reflected on the big swim and there are a couple of things I have pondered. One thing is that I am amazed at the power of the brain. My back troubled me throughout the swim but even if it hadn't I believe my experience would have been the same. One moment I would feel really strong and comfortable and at one with nature and literally the next second my body and soul would be screaming at me in complete panic! So from 'Yup I could do the channel if I wanted, probably both ways at this rate....' to 'I can't do this, I feel sick and I'm definitely going to faint!' Fighting the demons is surely the biggest challenge.

I also know that I just can't go any faster. I just get there in the end. I can't....I mean it. I'm still just a woman who is the wrong side of middle age and who has historically and hysterically battled with weight and whose motivation and willpower is about as consistant as the stock market. Give me a break I can't go any faster OK?

So back in the pool the consensus is that I need to concentrate on speed. Harry and Linda, the stoic coach of the Stingrays, stood above me on the poolside last Thursday morning chuntering about how I could go faster, I just don't know how.

So here's the plan. I will be doing speed sessions in the pool twice a week concentrating on 500 meter sets. I'll log my times at the risk of boring you senseless. Then a third session in the week will be slower stretchy distance work. I need to buy some new hand paddles which are a better deign than the ones I bought in 1982 apparently. All this will be supplemented with indoor rowing.

I have signed up to the Concept 2 challenge in order to increase my motivation on the rower. This is a series of challenges which you can sign up to on line. Septembers challenge was to row as fast as you can for 4 minutes, and you then log the distance you covered in that time. I managed 982 meters and came 49th out of 64 women in my age group which is the over 40's (just!) Octobers challenge is to row 2000 meters as quickly as possible. This morning I logged 8 minutes 57 seconds and then decided I could do better. So I tried again and did it in 8 minutes 46 seconds. I guess the challenge works then, as normally I would have done it once and then gone to lie down with some chocolate!

Take a look on www.concept2.co.uk/challengeseries

Can I keep this up as a winter plan? What do you think? I'll keep you posted.

By the way we are having a fundraising meeting on Wed 8th Oct at Bar 12 in Stranraer at 5.30pm. I'll do an update on how our summer went and then update plans for some events leading up to the big swim.

Stairhaven to Sandhead

2008-09-21T10:57:00.000-07:00

Saturday 20th September

Felt great after Loch Ryan. It boosted my confidence and I loved swimming with Scott on the boat. I swam with the Stingrays Tues and Thurs morning this week and we did sets of 5oo and 400. Thursdays session was really hard and I struggled to keep up and I think I found it really hard to be in the pool again. I just can't seem to go any faster although I know that is not my focus or who I am. I managed 400 in 7 mins 3 secs which is OK I think.

So after a few phone calls I found myself planning the big swim on Saturday. After talking about it for so long it seemed like a sudden and unexpected thing to happen. I felt extremely tired after Thursdays swim and a busy at work. I wondered if a big swim was wise....

I did not contact the Coast Guard as all I could find was the emergency number. I was also concerned that Luce Bay is labelled a bombing range so I tried to find the number for West Freugh. Couldn't find the number but did find out about the West Freugh Incident which happened in 1957! This involved a mysterious sighting of UFO's. Look it up it makes fascinating reading. I added to my Risk Assessment..'Risk of Alien Abduction' Action..'Make sure you sell your story!'

Anyway, we had a boat and Harry was all set with the Kayak and Ian was up for it, so it was all systems go!

When we got to Stairhaven, the wind was up more than we had expected. It was overcast but visibility was improving. There was tension in the air as some loyal spectators gathered on the beach and Harry was very keen to get going. Thanks to El, Elizabeth Carrie and her dogs, and Marlene for seeing us off. Bobbi and crew were a little late, so the tension increased. Finally all greased up and suitably nervous, Ian and I waded in. As we set off the cold gripped our bodies. It was rough almost immediately and the water was peaty and quite brackish. Soon Bobbi caught up with us and I realised I was swimming further than I ever had and with 5 men. Nadav and Harry in the Kayak and Bobbi and Robert in the boat. Ian set the pace and I knew I had to preserve energy rather than try and keep up.

It was rough rough rough! and there were many debates about the route we would take. Should we go to the left of the platform or to the right? We ended up going to the right and then swimming past some amazing ruins of some chimneys which are something to do with the war. I'll find out more about them. The sun came out quite a lot which saved our bacon and boosted our morale.

Ian is a gent and waited for me but I was worried about that as I knew the cold would get him. I loved it when I saw Ian supping tea on the boat. I stopped one time and everyone asked me what was wrong. I told them I was having a wee and that they were not to look! (Bobbi rang me today and told me never to wee in front of him again as he was embarrassed) We plodded on mapping our progress with the platform and the chimneys. I had few songs in my head this time as I had to keep my wits about me.

We swam along the shore for a while and I could see people looking...they must have wondered. So, with Ian ahead I struggled onto the beach about 5hrs and 20 mins after we started. There is some dispute but we reckon it was about 10 1/2 miles!

I knew we were going to make it and I feel it is an amazing acheivement. Thanks so much to Harry and Nadav who had a really rough ride battling those waves side on. I was worried when I saw a big breaker hit them side on! Also Bobbi and Robert who were great. Ian is a very modest man and a superb swimmer and I enjoyed his company. Thanks as ever to EB and the support crew on the beach. Terry and Elizabeth, and Scott and Margaret.

Oh by the way someone asked me the other day if we had any more eggs since our first excitement....er yup! Some people take them and give us a small donation for the swim so our clucky girls are contributing bless em

Loch Ryan

2008-09-14T13:46:00.000-07:00

Sunday 14th September
We had a wonderful break in Cornwall where very little swimming took place due somewhat to oppressive life guarding techniques, but also because I enjoyed walking and jogging on the cliff paths for a change.
It has been difficult to get going after the holiday, especially as work has been tricky on my return. My pal who lost his foot is doing really well and will be back at work next week which is a testimony to his courage and attitude. Unfortunately there are other problems now which means a few extra responsibilities which is stimulating but busy. So I struggled back to the pool last week and found sessions with the Stingrays very difficult.
However I worked through my usual doubts and connected with Harry again. He is away for a few days and encouraged me to try Loch Ryan in his absence. After some tooing and froing I contacted my buddy Scott who has a boat at Loch Ryan and after looking at conditions and tides we decided to swim from the Stranraer Marina to the boat slip at Kirkcolm. I wasn't sure at all as I had felt so unfit in the pool.
Ian decided to swim a short way with me, so we set off at 8.15am. We had the lovely Dawn on board who volunteered to be the lifeguard for the day, so our Risk Assessment was complete
I managed just under 4 miles in just over 2 hours. Scott was awesome and I trusted him implicitly. I loved the swim and I felt really strong. In fact, I have just spoken to Scott and I think we should have swum back again. I think I am up to it and we'll see if we can fit that in. The temperature was fine and I did not feel at all shivery. I wore my aqua skin because of the treat of jelly fish and guess what....yup, they sting through it. I only have one small sting though so I think it protects me a bit.
I'm thinking of my channel swimmer pals who I have been visiting on blogs, and it has been the worst season for 28 years. Maggie was defeated by appalling conditions and some never even got to start! Also the Windermere BLDSA event was aborted after only 20 minutes or so for the first time ever. I was hoping Maggie was going to join me yesterday but she couldn't make it. We will swim together in the next couple of weeks. The channel is awesome but we are surrounded by the most wonderful Scottish and Irish seas and yesterday I was reminded about how awesome it is to be out there in the beautiful ocean. There are adventures to be had! It was also the Great North Swim yesterday and it sounds like a magnificant event. Our great nephew Ryan Bishop swam it, and came first in his age group and 15th overall. He is only 15! Watch this one, he's good! Also Maggie told me that a woman from Dundee swam the Irish channel on Friday. Lookout guys, it's all happening.
Plans now are to have a meeting for fundraising soon, and at least two more sea swims if we can before we are defeated by cold.......

2008-08-19T13:29:00.000-07:00

Sorry friends I have been locked out of my blog for complicated reasons so here is what I have been up to. Photos will be added when I get back from a short break in Cornwall. I have lots of exciting plans to share with you soon..........

June 23rd 2008
Following my victory with the YeAbbas in Dundee I felt quite inspired and at first I got straight back into the pool. However life at home was very busy with weddings and community events so things went a bit hay wire after that........ It was easy to think that the swim had been a bit of a fluke and I started thinking to myself that it was tidal assisted so very difficult to measure my time and my ability in the water. Harry and I found it difficult to find time to get to the ocean, but one Friday when the weather was perfect I was able to escape and we had the moat wonderful swim at Sandhead heading towards Stairhaven for about an hour and a half. Harry H also managed to get there and it was funny seeing the boys having such a great time in the kayak while I puffed and spluttered along beside them. Thanks to Yonni and Marnie and Pauline and her Mum who came to cheer me on but soon got bored as I disappeared into the distance. When I landed....nobody in sight as they had retired to the pub. Oh well the thought was there.
Work was also busy as a dear colleague became seriously ill quite suddenly and had his foot amputated mid calf. Pressure and worry for my pal caused things to be challenging. I certainly haven’t been bored and I like challenge, and also the extra hours meant that at times I could escape for a quick dip!

July 7th 2008
We managed to get to Port Logan one Wednesday after work, and when I left Stranraer the weather was sunny and still. By the time I got to Port Logan, Ian was in the water and Harry and his grandson Nadav were in the Kayak. By the time I changed, the wind was howling and the rain had started. It was cold as I waded into the water to catch up with them. Ian had been in the water for at least half an hour and was feeling the cold. We set off towards to fish larder building across the bay and I saw a couple of jelly fish. After one round I had been in about 40 minutes and Ian got out. Harry also said he was cold but that Nadav was willing to do another circuit with me. As I swam round waiting for Nadav, I felt a slight sting on my arm. In preparation for Coniston Seniors I was only wearing my swim suit and hat and goggles. I seemed to be coping with the extreme cold, but the sting made me feel that we should give up for the day.
Three days later the stings came out fully and my left arm was stung badly. I also had been stung on my feet. I met with Harry and we discussed the jelly fish and realised that this is a major hazard. A fisherman I know said that the Jelly fish were really bad at this time of year. Harry and I began to discuss the possibility that I may do the swim in June 09 which is 3 months earlier than planned. This means I will have to get in the ocean in April to become acclimatised.
Harry and I went to Sandhead a few days later and I was taking no chances. I wore my aqua skin and tarbies on my feet. I must have swum through 60 jelly fish that day. They got my wrists but I coped and we had a long swim.

Sunday July 20th
The swim at Coniston Lake on July 19th had taken a lot of planning. Our friends Claire and Jacqui were coming up from Berkshire on their way to stay with us for a week. Also Ruth had come from Sheffield for the weekend. EB and I had booked into the Black Bull which was famous for its beer which with hindsight may not have been wise....
We arrived on Friday night and Saturday was spent walking around Coniston and checking out the lake. We spoke to the guy who was in charge of boats and he seemed a bit stressed by the whole thing. He confidently told us that the boat called ‘Pat’ was the easiest rowing boat to manoeuvre. He seemed to think that all the rowing boats were being towed to the start which was the other end of the lake in a private water park. It all seemed a bit confusing to us, and we also had fallen out of touch with our boatman Jim. We realised that Jim was probably not coming and so EB and Jacqui were the boat crew whether they liked it or not! It was great to see Ruth who said she was there to spread her wide knowledge of swimming technique having been practicing the Alexander technique on her living room floor....thanks mate, I couldn’t have done it without you.
Saturday morning brought a moment of magic as I forced down a heart attack breakfast while feeling the stirrings of serious nerves. I remembered a little ditty from Jonah -Man Jazz (Michael Hurd 1966) about a boatman. It starts ....’I need a boat man, that’ll carry me away, and how I hope, man she’s sailing today’ Ruth put in some impressive harmony, and Claire contributed percussion with her famous squishy hand technique. We thought it was magic, but the breakfast room seemed to empty quite quickly.
We gathered at the Bluebird Cafe and there were over 40 swimmers. The atmosphere was quite tense and I saw some very nervous looking people, especially EB and Jacqui. We gathered at 9.30am for all the briefing information and they emphasised that the water was cold today. Probably temperatures which I am used to but I have never swum these distances so this was going to be very challenging for me, and possibly beyond my reach.
We then drove to the start and stood on a rocky outcrop for what seemed like ages. The first thing we saw was ‘Pat’ being emptied of water as she seemed to have a hole......Finally the 15 minute warning went off and suddenly EB and Jacqui rushed off for a pee!! That minute it was announced that boats should be in the water!
When we set off there was a flurry of activity as everyone sorted themselves out. The water felt ok to me and eventually EB and Jacqui caught up with me. They were smiling broadly to the point where I thought they must be having a ball! The reality was that they couldn’t steer the boat at all due to a faulty oar, and she was seriously leaking. I thought I was winning as their faces and thumbs up were so enthusiastic.
The reality of the swim was very challenging and probably the most difficult things I have ever done. The water seemed heavy and dead compared to the ocean. There was the odd weed and rock, but it was dark and murky all the time. I couldn’t see anyone or anything most of the time, but soon I fixated in a couple of swimmers and I thought if I could keep up with them that would be good. I stopped a couple of times for a drink but this did not go at all well. The bottle didn’t have a good top and I had trouble getting any liquid at all and also I started getting cramp while treading water. It seemed to me that I was gradually over taking a couple of people but I was very unsure of where I was going and what would happen at the end. I wasn’t convinced that I would know when I got there! Sounds silly I know.
I reached the end after just over 3 hours and I had experienced a great deal of pain in my back and my shoulders. I felt very cold and I had been aware of cold about half way. I met a tall man when I landed who I remembered from the start and he was so warm and friendly and said I had swum a good race. This turned out to be Des Griffiths and there is more about him later. I also saw another man who made positive noises and he told me this was his 65th Coniston. I told him it was my first and he said I did well to finish. 6 swimmers did not complete due to the challenging conditions. He said the wind and weather made it a difficult year. Claire was there looking worried with my biggest fan, Dudley the border terrier and of course Ruth who greeted me with a very welcome flask of hot tea.
I was very concerned to see a man called John who I had bonded with at the beginning being taken into an ambulance. It turned out that he had completed the race but had suffered terribly from the cold and collapsed at the end. He recovered well and we had some contact afterwards which reassured me that he had made a full recovery.
I came in 26th and if you follow the link to the BLDSA website you can see the results on the swim reports link. This race was the Coniston Seniors
We went home almost immediately as we had a long drive and my core temperature rose hugely once we ate a curry on the way. It tasted great.

Sunday August 4th
Funnily enough I felt very unsure of my capabilities following the Coniston Seniors race. I didn’t think I had done very well and I felt tired and that I had been pushed to my limit. It seemed like quite a costly and gruelling effort for all concerned and there was doubt in the camp as to the wisdom of repeating the exercise. I was due to swim in the Coniston Senior event on Aug 3rd and I had very mixed feelings about entering.
However on Wed 23rd July I had a day off and Jacqui and I decided to take her Kayak out with Harry. It was beautiful weather and we headed off to Sandhead. I was definitely taking no chances and Jacqui and Claire had bought me some superb swimming gloves. So this time I had my aqua suit, ankle boots and gloves so the little blighters had no chance of getting me this time. Ironically I only saw 4 jelly fish this time!!
Harry and Nadav were in his Kayak and Jacqui in hers and Harry said we would swim out towards a yellow satellite buoy. It was the most beautiful occasion and a huge seal came to join us. It took about an hour and a half to get to the buoy which is huge.
On the way back the tide turned and it became challenging to get back in. I was beginning to feel the effects of the cold and I was feeling tired. The beach just did not seem to getting any closer and suddenly my vision was totally obscured by what I took to be a large jelly fish. I yelled and tensed which caused my left leg to go into major cramp. Jacqui said that one moment she was enjoying the peace of being out in the ocean and listening to the soporific sploosh sploosh of the oars and my arms, when suddenly all hell broke loose! I was yelling ‘DO SOMETHING HARRY!!’ as I had never experienced pain like it. I hung on to the front of the kayak as Harry and Nadav paddled me ashore as quickly as possible. It took longer than I expected and I had a severe attack of the shivers. Probably my first real crisis and lessons learnt. Thanks to Marlene for persuading the local shop to open up so I could have emergency mars bars!

Aug 3rd
So, I entered the veterans Coniston on Aug 3rd and met up with some old friends. Des Griffiths was there with his partner Sharon and they greeted me like long lost friends. I really loved their enthusiasm and passion for swimming. They thought I had done really well at the Senior Coniston race as many gave up and struggled with the conditions.
Jim came up trumps this time and we made a fantastic team. Jim and Nicola welcomed me into their home and I enjoyed meeting their beautiful 3 month old son Jake.
I finished the race 3rd in the womens race and 7th overall out of about 26 swimmers (see website) Jim and I may have been blown slightly off course but we worked really well together and Jim was astonished to witness one of my famous tantrums 20 minutes into the race. ' Jim I'm last' ' No you're not' 'I know I am and I can't do it' With Jims encouragement and bemusement I carried on and thank goodness I did. My demons are really strong at times and I just can't fathom it at all. Harry and Marlene came too and we had a great weekend. Harry tried to emphasised that we were not in it to win it. This was a training swim........ok? But I think I have realised that I may be quite good at this, especially when I realised that I had beaten Sally the winner of the race at the Coniston seniors 2 weeks before....fancy that?!

JUNE 22nd 2008

2008-06-22T04:50:00.000-07:00

June 22nd 2008
Does this look like a river to you? No it doesn't to me either. However, this is the river Tay, and the starting point for the Woodhaven Swim organised by the YAABA swimming club in Dundee, which took place yesterday June 21st. The swim is 4.5 miles across the Tay under the bridge from Broughty Ferry to Woodhaven, and I was one of the 6 intrepid swimmers who had entered.

I drove from Stranraer and gave myself a ridiculously early start and stopped regularly for nervous loo visits and refreshments.

Once I got to Dundee I realised that I had no idea where the YAABA clubhouse was situated. So I walked into the lifeboat station and asked them. Once I found the right place I met Joyce who is the convener although her title is officially chief ancient.
The swimmers were friendly and delightfully mad, and I got a sense that everyone was out to have a good time and test their abilities. Once we got changed and stood on the dock the sun had gone and the wind was getting stronger, there was talk of strong currents, jelly fish and that this was a very challenging race. I wondered with growing anxiety if this was why there were only 6 of us. At this point I can only describe my feelings as utter terror. I was convinced that if the cold didn't defeat me, the distance would, and I couldn't imagine finishing in one piece. We were frozen as we descended the steep metal ladder in to the water. No place for wimps, we just had to throw ourselves in. I was pleasantly surprised that the water was considerably warmer than the Irish sea. I had managed a 30 minute swim at Lady Bay on Wednesday night with my lovely family watching from the beach in the pouring rain. It was breathtakingly freezing and I'm sure that had helped me to acclimatise.

Boosted by the temperature, I started swimming with my boat crew right beside me. I was impressed with the YAABA outfit who take safety seriously, and I felt completely at ease so I could concentrate totally on the swim. I got into my stride almost straight away.
Swimming under the Tay bridge was one of the highlights of my life. It was so beautiful and I wanted to stop. Alan the boatman and Graham the lifesaver were shouting at me to keep going as I was ahead of the others. I had overtaken one swimmer but I had no sense of where I was or where I was going. I allowed myself to believe I that I may be doing quite well. The final 1/2 mile was the most challenging and I could feel my pace dropping. There was a strong current pulling us, and I could see the young channel swimmer just ahead of me. I reached the end and I had come in third, 4 minutes behind the leader. However the swimmer just ahead of me had not registered, so I was officially 2nd. At the end
I was a little rubber legged and I staggered up to the clubhouse feeling dazed. Alan and Graham told me they thought I had achieved a remarkable swim and that I had picked up quite a pace at one point.

So, second place in a time of 1hr 20 mins and 57 seconds, not bad for my first experience of cold water long distance swimming, and I think to be so close to two very experienced channel swimmers is great. I have reached 48 and 3/4 and I have won my first ever medal!! Actually I think I got one in 1974 for diving in the Middlesex springboard championships. Quite a long wait really!

Ailsa Craig and some nerves

2008-06-15T15:03:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends

I have had a busy week and I have managed some long swims in the pool. Unfortunately for various complicated reasons I have not made it to the sea this week. I am nervous because I am swimming in a race next week and it is the longest swim I have ever done in cold water. I am also driving up to Dundee on my own and I am worried about the long drive in top of a strenuous swim. I am not worried about my fitness but my enemy will be the cold. I am gaining inspiration from reading the journeys of the channel swimmers Mark and Maggie who have battled so hard to swim the channel in August. Harry has also had some words of wisdom for me and has told me that I must remember this is a training swim for me, not a race and I need to make sure I enjoy it.

Today I went to see Ailsa Craig and I felt very small. Just looking at her was awesome but overall I just can't wait and I am determined to complete my challenge.

June 8th 2008

2008-06-08T11:43:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends

As suspected I have a difficult month but seem to be settling now. We were away with family for 10 days and had an amazing time. We saw my auntie off with style in the form of a big party which was a celebration of her life.

Finally I got back in the water last Sunday with my friend Ian who is training for a triathlon.

It was a stunning beautiful morning at Sandhead as you can see, and Harry accompanied us on his canoe. Ian had to go in after about 40 minutes to honour other commitments, but I was pleased to be able to carry on and did an hour and a half with no shivering at all. I loved it so much and felt strong. Having said that I had a small tantrum minutes into the swim as I am slow and I was worried I was holding Ian up. I'm not used to swimming with people and I always feel inadequate....well actually I said I felt like a fat middle aged twat who was setting her sights too far. They soon put me right, and Harry said I may be a fat middle aged twat but I was perfectly capable of swimming the task in hand. I also had equipment problems and Ian ended up lending me his goggles bless him, so I managed. I think its a mixture of everything..........

However, I learned an important lesson that day. I knew I had a cold starting and I ignored it. By Sunday night I had a temperature and a heavy raging head cold. This turned into time off work and no swimming although I managed to row. A salutory lesson, as I still have a cough and therefore we had to cancel what was to be an amazing swim today. I will be back in the pool, but I feel quite down about everything and full of doubt. The lesson is that I should not have swum in the ocean last Sunday. Part of me sill thinks its best to swim through these things, and I would have become unwell anyway, but Harry said I am risk of damaging my health in the long term if I am not careful, and Harry should know.

On a cheery note though, we raised something in the range of £600 at the Elvis tribute night. It was great fun, and thanks to Suzanne for stepping in to save the day to organise it all. The committee are gradually re forming and there are plans afoot, so watch this space.

Many thanks to all involved including Bar 12 and Elvis of course

Suzanne in the pink wig, and myself (also in a wig!) getting into the spirit

And finally, EB and I would like to announce the arrival of our first egg. We got 12 chickens on Wednesday and on Saturday 7th June at 3pm our first egg arrived. We are very excited and I know, I know....we need to get out more

May 11th 2008

2008-05-11T14:41:00.000-07:00

Its been a terrible week. We are reeling from the news that my Auntie Val was killed in a car crash last Tuesday. It is even more unbelievable as her husband died a year ago from injuries he received when he was hit by a car. We will be heading to England soon for the funeral which is involving many complicated plans and a great deal of travelling. I come from a large and close family and we are all keeping in touch and trying to count our blessings.

On Wednesday I bravely (actually not at all bravely) underwent a necessary but traumatic procedure in day surgery which has taken me longer to recover from than I had thought it would.

Harry and I had managed a productive session in the pool on Monday night and I am pleased to report that I was back in the water yesterday for a long gentle swim which felt fantastic.
So friends, onward and upward, and an uncertain couple of weeks lie ahead.

May 6th Shrinking and Growing

2008-05-06T08:25:00.000-07:00

Harry and I at Sandhead Sept 2007

At last I have interesting things to report. I had my first dip in the ocean on Sunday which was the worst weather of the whole weekend. Harry and Iwere determined to brave the elements and feel the reality of the cold that I am up against and which I have to get used to. My brave buddies across the country got in weeks ago but I know they have to as they are competing this month in the champions of champions in Ireland. I think that is right and I'm sure they'll correct me if I'm wrong. I also swam with the stingrays last night and Harry put me through my paces. He told me the reality of the training schedule this summer and I need to get into the cold water twice a week. I am hoping to buddy up with a couple of local
swimmers and we will be swimming from Stairhaven to
Sandhead sometime in August. Swimming friends are welcome to join me on these training swim and events.

I have also joined the British Long Distance Swimming Association and I am entering some of their events this summer. I will post dates and times for all events and swims on this blog in due course.

Things feel really different and the pressure is mounting, and as you can see there have been a couple of changes since last year.

Now spot the difference!

A little rougher (the sea I mean!), a little leaner, a little colder!
I feel I am growing as a swimmer and becoming fitter and shrinking in size at the same time

Harry and I at Sandhead May 6th 2008

Wondering whether to get in ! May 6th 2008

Oh alright then!!

April 27th 2008

2008-04-27T14:05:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone
Once again time has lapsed and I have much news for all you swim nerds out there. Thanks to Harry, the ever supportive Mark and Gary for their comments and encouragement. As you can see I am slowly updating the site and soon some pictures will be added. Please visit the Diary of Events link which will be regularly updated as we are steadily raising money with various local events.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank our local Landlord and lady Ian and Ruth for their support. They have arranged for Prize Bingo to happen at the Blue Peter Pub Kirkcolm every other Sunday to help with our fundraising efforts. This starts next Sunday May 4th at 5.30pm. We'll see how it goes. The amazing Eleanor will be the fabulous caller having had almost professional coaching from the lovely Cathey! Thanks for the loan of the bingo machine Cathey. I would rather put pins in my eyes than play Bingo but don't tell anyone.....
Which brings us on to other events. As you can see we have a regular slot at the millennium centre car boot sale in Stranraer on the last Sunday of every month. Ann and Mark are coordinating the 'staffing' of this and thanks to them.
Yes yes as you can see, Elvis has agreed to come back from the dead and play for us at Bar 12th on May 16th. We are really excited and the publicity is everywhere....at last
This brings me onto the news of our intrepid committee who have struggled recently. We lost our Karen who has selfishly moved back South, but is in touch all the time thank goodness. Then our new coordinator Pauline had an unexpected (and selfish) stay of nearly two weeks in hospital. She is out now and recovering slowly. GET WELL SOON PAULINE!!! Liz has a new job and is moving to the other side of the region. She will be helping the group over there organise their Sink or Swim Event, so she's not off the hook. So we were worried about how to organise details of the Elvis night and so on until the lovely and talented Suzanne stepped into the breach and showered Stranraer with posters. I'll get her picture soon don't you worry.

What swimming? Oh the swimming, yes I see that is what this is all about.....yes I've been doing some of that. Harry had been away for 6 weeks (selfishly)and is now back. I missed him and it is good to have his wise advice again. I have been swimming with the Stingrays all winter and there is no doubt that this has done me good. But now I am concentrating on sets of 500 meters with a minute rest in between. On Thurs night I easily did 3000 meters, and I feel ready to get in the sea. Yesterday Harry and I were the mystery guests at the Stingrays Club Gala and we ended up swimming through hoops and picking up bricks in an obstacle race. It was great fun, but there was a huge audience and I got very nervous. I just don't like competitive races and being watched. Interesting choice of sport then eh? Unfortunately we were supposed to swim at Sandhead beach today for our first ocean dip, but my health let me down at the last minute. Very disappointing. Next week we will be there and there will be pix to prove it. Talking of health...get well soon Maggie.
Thanks too to John who has been helping to educate me now I am chief website editor...a very patient man!

March 30th 2008

2008-03-30T10:46:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone
Well I have been silent for nearly a month and I do apologise. Part of this is because sometimes I feel like I am talking to myself. I haven't had much feedback and nobody leaves comments. Either I am boring you to tears or nobody is visiting. IS ANYONE OUT THERE? I do agree that the website is dull and uninteresting and I promise we are about to rectify this.
I have some sad news. Karen O Pray has been our fearless coordinator since we started fundraising last year and sadly she is moving away. The call of the South has stolen her heart and she leaves us as the end of April. Thanks you for all your hard work Karen, you will be greatly missed. Here is an update of our achievements since Karen has been at the helm.

We received a generous donation from all at George St who collected donations instead of buying each other Christmas cards. Thanks to all my colleagues for this.

There have been two very successful handbag and jewellery swaps at Dunbae House.

We now have a regular spot at the car boot sale at the Millennium Centre in Stranraer on the last Sunday of each month. We have been there twice and I'd like to thank Karen and Paula for today....yes and you Pauline I'm coming to you later! and Mark, Ann and Matt for the February slot. There is a rota of people covering the sessions.

We are running a one off quiz night at Bar 12 in Stranraer on Wed night April 2nd. We have some fierce and competitive teams registered to play for an amazing prize......pst anyone know what the prize is?

Bar 12 are also putting on an event which involves Elvis sometime in May so watch this space cos I thought he was dead. Dates to be confirmed.

I was put in touch with a group of musicians from Combined Services in Dumfries who run a charity event every year and they had chosen Alzheimer's this year by chance. They were happy to channel the money through our fund and I attended the event which was a brilliant evening of live bands including a ceilidh. They have raised over £400 for us and I should receive a cheque soon. Thanks to Harry Thompson and Rory for this.

Thanks also to Clare Bannister who passed round a hat at an International Women's day event and gave us a donation of £25.

Meanwhile there is a lively group of Women who got together at the instigation of Val Williams to plan an event later in the year. It sounds like its going to be a hidden talent show called 'Sink or Swim' Just fabulous and thanks to all.

Other pending events include putting a couple of indoor rowing machines on the boat to Ireland, and rowing to Ireland in a relay while rattling buckets....great idea and thanks to Alan McCamon for this idea....we just need a date.

We also now have a logo which I intend to publish on here when I find out how to do it!!! Thanks to Ailsa for organising the logo and the artist who designed it...name to follow..

So, who on earth is going to pull all this together now we are losing the fair Karen? Well, by democratic vote, the lovely Pauline Baxter has agreed to take up this awesome role. Thanks so much Pauline!

So, in between all this I guess I need to be swimming to justify all this attention and effort.

I am managing three sessions a week with the Stingrays and on the whole I row on the other days. I must say my confidence is waning at times and I think I need to get in the ocean as soon as possible. I know I am getting stronger, but no faster which is OK.

I think that is enough for now.....watch this space and please don't give up on me now.

March 1st 08

2008-03-01T09:45:00.000-08:00

As I have already said February was a very busy month which we were prepared for but it has been wild. On reflection the Guernsey trip was very interesting and I can't say I was at home there. I was concerned about the fact that the States of Guernsey do not adhere to UK legislation and I thought they were vulnerable as workers and users of the service. I met some good people there but when events began to unfold in Jersey I felt a chill to say the least. I realise that Guernsey is separate to Jersey but there is a sense of familiarity when I hear about their independence and leaving themselves vulnerable to mistakes and secrets. All we can to is commit ourselves to helping where we can and improving standards for everyone.
I was only back for a week which was chaos at work and then we were away again up to Dryman to celebrate Betty's (gorgeous mother in law) 80th birthday. All inclusive, we felt obliged to drink as much as we could.......
So, training has suffered hugely and I am now struggling back to form. We got back from Dryman on Thursday and I was in the pool every day until Sunday when I rowed. Phew....
I feel I am catching up again but diet and weight loss have been on hold
I won't give up.........no way.

February 16th

2008-02-16T13:57:00.000-08:00

Guernsey was very very busy and I met some great new friends. It's an interesting place and I learnt a huge amount from the survey itself and the practice I witnessed as well as from the team I worked with. You get close to people quickly when you are working so closely in a team. Talk about bonding!!
This week I have called my 'sandwich' week. This is becasue I was away in Guernsey last week, and next week we are celebrating Bettys 80th birthday in an all inclusive hotel near to Loch Lomond. Are you keeping up?Peachy!
The sandwich week was predictably chaotic and I have been in Dumfries most of the week. For many reasons I have only managed one swim and it was a corker! I have been rowing, but I feel that my diet and fitness have suffered for work. I knew it would and I am trying to stay calm because I know I can get back on track and I have made choices along the way.
I am looking forward to swimming with Harry on Friday evening. Its ages since we have swum together and I hope I don't sink after my party week with Betty and co.........ha!

Feb 3rd

2008-02-03T08:59:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone
We went to see KD Lang on Tuesday night at Glasgow Concert Hall. It was an amazing concert and her voice just gets better and better. She sang all our favorites, and the atmosphere was brilliant. She makes you feel like she is singing to you and creates a rapport with a large audience.
I swam with the Stingrays a couple of times this week and one session was very creative. We swam 25 meters at a time and got out to do various exercises like using weights and doing The Plank which is a difficult strength exercise. I enjoyed it and can feel it in my muscles....... The kids really enjoyed it and it breaks the monotony of endless lengths.
I'm off to Guernsey today for an intense week of work. I've never been there so it'll be interesting. Not sure how the training will go this week so we'll watch this space.

Jan 26th

2008-01-26T16:24:00.000-08:00

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.......

Jan 12th 08

2008-01-12T02:12:00.000-08:00

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?

Jan 5th 2008

2008-01-06T01:03:00.000-08:00

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

History of the Swim Challenge and a summery for 2007

2008-01-04T14:58:00.000-08:00

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