What do I think about? June 27, 2007

A lot of times I get asked what I think about when I’m swimming.  I wish I could say that I was working out a cure for cancer or solving quantum physics problems.  Unfortunately my thought process isn’t that deep.

On my first long distance open water swim in Lake Minnetonka (5 miles).  I had a few things that continually repeated through my mind for the whole 2.5+ hours. 

1. Just Keep Swimming.  Just Keep Swimming.
   • I’ve never hated Disney so much as I did this day.  Now it has actually become a fairly funny mantra that I’ve passed along to as many people as possible.  I’m pretty sure that they don’t always have happy thoughts of me when Dori’s thoughts are running through their heads.
2. Little Fish, Big Fish swimming in the water. Come back here and give me my daughter.
   • Ah the only words that I know to that PJ Harvey song.  Let me tell you this is not an inspirational song for swimming.  In fact, it kind of freaked me out.
3. Why aren’t Katie and Dan driving the canoe straight?
   • I quickly realized that I was the one going crooked.

Now mainly when I swim in long distance, I try not to think about anything.  The first thoughts are to breathe in for 3 counts and out for 3 counts.  This helps me get over the gasp reflex when hitting the cold water.  Then I start swimming and continually state in my head 1-2-3 breathe, 1-2-3 breathe, 1-2-3 breathe, 1-2-3 breathe.  I know this is very profound, counting strokes and then breathing.  Other thoughts will come and go and I’ll definitely keep you all updated with any good ones, but the rhythm of 1-2-3 breathe tends to keep me calm and helps me focus on my swim stroke and keep my mind off the pain. 

You asked for it June 26, 2007

I received overwhelming response to my email requesting a blog site.  Now most of you must not know me as well as I thought.  I may work in IT, but it isn’t my passion.  So here I am fumbling through the creation of this blog.  Luckily I have a friend who makes beautiful websites for a living and she has agreed to help me.  Thank you Courtney. 

Welcome to my world June 26, 2007

Well it is time for me to come clean.  I have a secret.  And before you all get too far along; No I’m not expecting, No I don’t have a boyfriend, and No I didn’t win the lottery.

Since last June, I have been training for one of my all time dreams.  I never really thought that I would ever do it.  I thought that it was just one of those dreams that you shove in the back of your mind and think if only life were different.  Then June 2006 happened.  I read the book No Opportunity Wasted and attended a training class that made you think “What would you do if you didn’t have any obstacles?”  The answer for me was simple…I would swim the English Channel. 

That pesky little dream wouldn’t go back into its proper “only if” box after that.  After about a week of sleepless nights, I made some phone calls to a coach who had coached a woman across the Channel twice.  He gave me the name of a boat captain.  I called and got a slot for the Summer 2007 season.  Some of you may be doing the math, yes that is this summer and yes, I have known about this for over a year now.  So after getting a slot on a tide, I decided I should probably check to see if I can even swim anymore.  At this time I was swimming with Nike Masters 2 days a week.  I quickly signed up for the Minnetonka 5 mile lake swim and for an 8.2 mile swim in Alaska.  Minnetonka was to prove to myself that I could swim long distance and Alaska was to prove that I could do it in cold water.  Somehow both came back with a resounding yes.  I was on my way.

At the end of last summer, I began the task of getting my crew in place and determining costs of the trip.  Unfortunately my dream wasn’t going to come cheap.  I told a few very close friends about my crazy endeavor and then I asked them to keep it secret.  I thought that people just wouldn’t understand my dream and perhaps would even make fun of it.  I also tend to be a very private person and I knew that the fewer people that knew the fewer people I would have to tell if I ultimately failed.  It has come to my attention that I was wrong.  (Please note that I’m admitting it).  I need the support of others, spiritually, emotionally, etc.  I can’t do this alone. 

Thank you to the few friends that have known about this as long as I have and kept it secret.  I now know that this was causing strain on you as well as me.    I have learned that friends and family will support me no matter how crazy my dream is to them.  They will help me through those rough times and cheer me on even when I don’t think it is possible.  I realize that they will help me shout it from the rooftops and remind me to breathe. 

So here it is I’m shouting it.  “I’M SWIMMING THE ENGLISH CHANNEL!!!”

I’m guessing that some of you are stunned.  I know my family was when I finally told them almost 6 months after signing up.  Here are some particulars that I think people find interesting.

1. I’m the first swimmer on the second tide in September.  This means when the weather is good, I’m the first swimmer that has a shot at that tide.  The tide dates are September 16-24.
2. I’m flying to England on September 9^th to get acclimated and hopefully train with some Dover Harbour swimmers.  I’m dying to meet the Queen of the Channel, Alison Streeter (43+ crossings and counting) and her mother, Freda “The General” Streeter.  The General helps to train all swimmers in Dover harbour for their channel attempts.
3. No I can’t wear a wetsuit, which will now explain why I’ve been swimming without one.  I can only wear one standard swimsuit, one latex cap, one pair of goggles and as much grease as I can get my crew to slather on me. 
4. I will have a crew on the boat that will give me my feedings.  Yes I realize that I sound like a dolphin by calling it feedings, but this is what it is called.  I believe I will be feeding on hot tea with honey and carbo pro as well as shot blocks.  Feedings occur about every 45 minutes to 1 hour.
5. Reg Brickell is my boat captain and his vessel is the Viking Princess. 
6. Yes, the Channel is expensive especially since everything is in English Pounds Sterling.  For an idea, just the boat is costing me about $4000 after conversion. 
7. The Channel temperature will be around 60 degrees.
8. I’m mentally preparing for a 14 hour swim.  It could be longer. It could be shorter.  It all depends on how I hit the tides.

I’m coming into some very difficult training periods where I have to spend 6-10 hours in the water swimming at one time (no stopping) and practicing feedings.  This has been made all the more difficult due to a hiccup with my shoulder.  It has decided to start acting up…I can’t imagine why.  So now I’m walking the fine line of training hard, but not hurting my shoulder further.  And as my few friends that knew can attest to…I’ve been a little mentally nuts lately.  This is part of the reason that I need all of you. Thank you all for coming along on this ride.  I can’t do it without everyone’s support.  I’ll need swimming buddies, beach buddies, joke buddies, inspirational quote buddies, you name it I’m going to need it.