Loch Rannoch

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.