log for 2010

Rivers
Tees, Wharfe, Thames, Teme, Cam, Nene, Ulpha Bridge

Lochs, lakes, tarns
Loch o the Lowe, Grasmere, Rydal Water, Easedale Tarn, Coniston, Hayeswater, Buckstones Jump, Potter Tarn, Gurnal Dubs

Sea
Dover harbour, Solent, Croatia Dalmatian Coast, Felixstowe, Man o War Bay, Durdle Door, St Abbs Head, Wells-next-the-Sea

Lidos
Tooting Bec, London Fields, Collingwood (Canada), Oasis, Hathersage

Outdoor water temps from Minus 0.5 degrees C to 20 degrees C.

Looking forward to more in 2011, especially the Outer Hebrides island to island swim and a Swimtrek holiday in Sardinia.

And on a personal note, Kate swimming a mile in the sea with me.

in and out - fast

Last few swims since the 22nd December have been 60m, 120m, 15m, 60m. It's just too damn cold. One of the old lags today suggesting it was minus (yes, minus) 0.5 degrees C in the water. And the sauna, showers and electrics are all off, so it's old skool swimming.

ying and yang

To the lido for a dip at 0 degrees C  - brrrr - then off to Crystal Palace for a longer 2.2km swim. Feels good to be doing distance again, but I was so hot coming out that my coat was unzipped, kept my hat off and opened the window on the bus.

warm swimming

Just back from a leisurely 2.2km in Crystal Palace 50m pool. Not as warm as leisure centre pool, but at 25/26ish felt warm. As I've not done more than 200m for the last month or so, I thought I'd take it easy. A few varied speed lengths to see where my lungs are (need to do more), but essentially 20 minute kms, with four lengths of wind down at the end. Had a good chat with a fellow called Neil afterwards. And there's a direct bus door to door.

swimming in the snow

Could only get in at the deep end this morning; and by the time we left it was really coming down. Feels quite surreal to swim when it's snowing. Water didn't feel too bad though! Kate still braving the cold and doing her leisurely breaststroke.

heat!

So good to have a sauna to get into. Get out feeling like my hands are turning to ice and ten minutes later I can walk around with a towel round me and feel toasty.

frozen pants

This is what happens when you swim in freezing waters...

retreat of the glaciers

So still ice-y today, but much reduced from yesterday. Foolhardily agreed with Carl to do four widths (120m). First two were fine (in as much as swimming in 1 degree water can be), but widths 3&4 gave me the increasing sensation that my hands were turning to ice. Ten minutes in the sauna sorted that out and have felt amazing for the rest of the day.

ice age

With most of the Lido iced over, it's a little difficult to swim in. But the lifeguards are wonderful at clearing a passage between the steps. As it was the deep end the choice was enter down the ladder or jump. I jumped, and surprisingly didn't feel any shock. Unfortunately my goggles immediately filled up with water and made the crawl difficult.

Although mentally it seems I have acclimatised more, I almost immediately lost the feeling in my middle toes. Later in the sauna I was reminiscing about how we used to swim and barely be able to put our flipflops back on because we'd lost sensation in our toes and could don't our trousers up several minutes later. I'm going to have to stay in longer!

a proper dip

2 degrees, 2 widths (60m) - a proper dip, if not a swim. Sauna after and cake. Lovely. Kate still doing two widths without a wetsuit!

can't swim

Can't swim, as it's too far to walk, the trains have stopped working and I don't want to go in a warm, over chlorinated pissoir. Feeling mighty jealous of those swimming in the ice at TBL.

the silly season starts

Down to Tooting Bec lido with Kate. Sign in the entrance says 4 degrees. Kate does two widths (60m) and there's a film of her on Facebook. I think to myself that 15 widths is what I'll have to do for the endurance race in January, but get out after two. I don't get any shivers, but feel enough is enough. The other Carl has been made redundant, so we've got a few weeks to swim together (work dries up for a few weeks from early December) and get acclimatised.

Grasmere

Up in Cumbria working for a week or so. Today was my day off so went for a swim with some swimmers I've met through work colleagues - Becky and Lucy. The water is very cold up here - not yet suffering any shocked breathing, but I'd guess it was 6 or 7 degrees. My feet started to go almost as soon as I got in. Lasted about five minutes, but have felt dazzlingly refreshed ever since. Unfortunately working 9am to 9pm for the rest of the week, so will only be able to gaze longingly at the waters various as we drive by in our hired white van to locations around the Lakes.

Baltic

Got to the lido and the temperature has dropped again. The sign says 8 degrees, my body says it's less - it certainly felt colder than the sea on Saturday. Did 730 yards (6 lengths and 4 widths) and although I shivered afterwards, and am still a little fresh an hour later, I feel fantastic. From now on it's Baltic conditions, with Artic to come. I have to do 13 mins at 6 degrees to qualify for the endurance race at the Cold Water Swim Championships. Almost there.

last sea swim of the year (probably)

Met up with a host of wild swimmers yesterday at Wells next the Sea (north Norfolk coast) for a bracing swim off the beach.

A red headed seal and a yellow capped red head
Picture courtesy of Tom Reed

Those I can remember - Sarah Tunnicliffe, Claire Woodhead, Tonia, Tom Read, Dan Martin, Bryn Dymott, Stuart, Sarah...and my memory gives up at this point.

The water was a very chilly 7.5 degrees and we all stayed in for 20 to 25 minutes, except Dan who stayed for a little longer. We were supposed to swim within the yellow bouys, but they weren't in deep water so we went further out - only to end up mixing it with launches going out to the wind farm offshore. The Harbour staff were none too happy, but no incidents occured. They did wind us up though by saying that Greenland Sharks had been attacking seals over the last few months. And readers I was shivering for some time; thankfully the coffee, cakes, sausages and flapjack did the trick.

glow

Got to the pool today, and being in no particular rush, chatted to the lifeguards about water temperature, fainting and so on. One thing that the conversation provoked in my head was the idea that there is a time to be in the water that creates a wonderful heating sensation afterwards, and beyond that you just get increasingly cold. I did just 400 yards (4 lengths) and was a nice beetroot colour when I got out. I could have done more, but didn't want to have that cold to the core feeling that I had for several hours on Tuesday. A couple of hours later I still have the wonderful endorphin feeling.

On the way out, I talked to Anne, and we discussed whether there was any regular pattern to the fainters. Aside from them all being women, they were of all ages, had been in the water for different lengths of time, were a mix of experienced and newcomers. One thought was that they'd all spent more than a short time in the showers.

shiver

It was 12 degrees on Saturday and today the sign in the lido entrance said - Water 9 degrees, Air 4 degrees and Wind Chill. A 3 degree drop in 4 days is a lot and I was a little apprehensive about doing more than a few lengths, but thought I'd do a km. I did. Felt good when I got out and sensibly only had the briefest of showers. The started to shiver. Not uncontrollably, but shivered nevertheless for the first time since March. A coffee and five minutes in the warmth of the cafe did the trick.

On the way out though, someone else fainted in one of the cubicles. And I was told that the water temperature was more like 7.5 degrees. I think I'll have to eat more cake to get some winter blubber.

carl v carl

Alex at Quick Dip has published some good pictures of Carl and I swimming on Saturday morning. A km without the sauna produced an interesting effect - I felt the endorphin kick for much longer and felt refreshed all the way to around nine at night, when gazing over the balcony at the National Theatre in the interval at FELA!

irrational decision making

The powers that be at the SLSC (the Committee) have decided to close the sauna for two weeks because people were using it to warm up after swimming in cold water! They felt people were over-extending themselves, and because ambulances have been called for four incidents, they thought that they'd close it for two weeks while we get used to cold water swimming without a sauna. This begs several questions -

1. Given that only one of the faintings, as I understand it, came after someone had been in the sauna - why aren't the showers banned?
2. Given that on a daily basis at least 60 people go swimming, why is it that 0.55% of the visits can restrict the opportunities of the remaining 99.45% of visits? (4 faintings from 720 visits over two weeks)
3. If the sauna is not for warming up, what is it for?
4. In relation to Q2 - why not suspend the membership of the irresponsible four, rather than inconvenience the vast majority?

And whilst I acknowledge that the committee is elected at the AGM, in this day of social media and emails, a consultation with the rest of us before the decision would have been more democratic and imho more fitting to the collegiate atmosphere at the club.

I guess we'll just see people shivering more.

natural swimming

Got in the pool today, and mindful of the fainting episodes, told the Aaron (one of the lifeguards) that I'd do two km. He was tranquil about this having seen me do this distance at less than 10 degrees. My first length was wonderful. Felt like I was cutting through a crust of leaves on the surface of the pool, reminding me of river swims where you're brushed by the weeds and fell twigs lightly scratch you as you go by.

Unfortunately I was asked to move to the clear side of the pool, as the other swimmers in the pool didn't want to swim through leaves. Did 2km without feeling adverse. The pool is up to 12 degrees, and while not exactly balmy, it feels a lot easier to swim in. Then spend 20 mins in the sauna chatting to people about how to spot hypothermia and how to be sensible about the lengths you swim. I kept my distances to myself.

fainting all around

The water temp is taking its toll on the swimmers. Four people have now fainted in the last few weeks after getting out of the water. Personally, it reminds me to keep a good check on my body and get out before I get hypothermic. On a more general note, it strikes me that an increase in fainters might put the access to the pool at risk and that perhaps the lifeguards should extend what they're doing at the moment and check people who have done more than a few lengths to check they are OK.

And it's not as though it's novices. Three of the four fainters have been experienced members - who imho should know better.

Anyways...met Carl today (working at home because of the tube strike) and did a leisurely km and had a good long chat afterwards.

brrr

26 lengths/2.38km. Felt fine on length 24, then started to lose feeling in hands on length 25. Could have gone on, but thought it wise to get out. 25 mins in the sauna and still didn't sweat. I must have been cold. It was a very meditative experience though.

Monday Monday

22 lengths/2km, 11 degrees, 70+ in the sauna, feeling blissful.

Kate gets her outdoor badge

Without a wetsuit and at 11 degrees Kate swam 630 yards today - now officially a hard core outdoor swimmer. Hooray!

immersed in Tooting and over the hills

Managed a mile last Friday - wasn't too motivated and the temp had dropped to 9 degrees. Then off to Shropshire for the weekend. No swimming, but a lovely long four hour walk up Caer Caradoc, Little Caradoc and The Lawley. Felt in it my calves a couple of days later.

Working Wednesday, so back into the pool yesterday for a km. Kate did 16 widths without a wetsuit - good on her - and will attempt to translate this to lengths this weekend. Because the air temp has risen and its been cloudly, the water is back up to 10 degrees.

Two km today. Felt I could do more, but have/had work to do. Good to see Julie and Sarah do a km though; and had to dodge the weaving Vince a couple of times.

disappearing toe

After doing two K yesterday, I thought I'd try three. Chatting to old hand Mick before getting in, he told me the pool had dropped to 10 degrees. On entry it felt fresh and I could feel the cold envelop my chest. After two lengths I was settled into the cold and regular checks on my fingers proved positive - I could still feel them. The sun was shining and creating a maze-y pattern on the bottom of the pool. I felt calm and relaxed and was enjoying the meditative rhythm of it.

I was also looking out for the glint of foil in the leaves at the bottom of the pool each time I returned a length, to check I was swimming in a straight line. At about length 20, I saw Julie and Sarah get in and decided to chase them to vary my speed. All was good at length 28 and I was thinking, "I'm cold, but I'm going to get to 3km". But coming up length 29, I lost the feeling in the middle toe of my left foot. I tried kicking more to get the circulation back, but it dominated my psychic self. I could think of nothing else and it was beginning to hurt - even though I couldn't feel it! I decided it was an early sign of hypothermia so got out after 30 lengths (3000 yards). I then spent the next ten minutes shivering in the sauna, and it took thirty minutes before I started sweating.

I think I'll stick to 2km today.

temperatures falling fast

Just two weeks ago it was 15 degrees C in the lido. After a week in Vienna I was keen for a cold swim, so went with Kate for a dip on Saturday morning. The pool was a cool 12 degrees and it felt like it. Didn't get numb fingers or toes, but could feel the chill enveloping my chest for the first few hundred metres. Got out after a kilometre and sat in the sauna for a while.

Did another kilometre on Monday at lunchtime with the sun on my back; and two kilometres today without the direct sun - as it hadn't risen high enough yet. Again it felt cooler and was told on exiting that it was down to 11 degrees.

I'm going to aim for three kilometres tomorrow, but knowing it's just two more lengths of Tooting for two miles, may well end up doing that. My aim is two miles at sub-10 degrees; as I'll need to be able to do this come next June in the Outer Hebrides.

Kate gets her kit off

Kate took the next step in the progression of the cold swimmer and did 200 yards without a wetsuit. I think we'll be seeing more of her as the temperature drops. She's glad there's a sauna.

pootling about

A few swims here and there. Tooting was lovely yesterday morning. For half of my 2K swim I was the only one in the water. The sauna is now open and it's nice, rather than vital to warm up after a cool dip. The lido is still a refreshing 14 degrees, but its going down and the warmth of the sauna is going to be critical to my ability to swim more than a few widths.

Downham pool is small, but has a large window overlooking the valley looking westwards towards Crystal Palace. Not going to be a regular venue, but it was good to have a dip with Kate before she went off for day three of her jury service.

Off to Devon tomorrow night. Staying for a residential on the River Avon (so good they named it twice), but uncertain whether I'll have a time for a dip, or indeed if the river will be deep enough where we're staying.

tri result

10th overall, but 1st in the veterans category. Yippee! Thanks to Simon and Jon for being excellent team mates.

two K and a tri

Met my friend big Carl on Saturday morning for a cool water two 2k. TBL now at 14 degrees, so for the first time in a few months, I felt fresh. Even fresher than I had in the Lake District three weeks ago. Autumn is coming in.

This morning up at an unseemly hour to do the swim leg of a relay triathlon. Myself, Simon (on bike) and Jon (runner).

Thanks to Kate for the photos, moral support and impromptu stewardessing. And finally, my pleasure at the team coming 10th -

enjoying the mid Sept sunshine

It's been sunny around my birthday for what feels like over a decade now. Lovely time to be swimming as the water is not warm and not yet cold either. It was 14 degrees C today and for the first time I felt slightly 'fresh' when still in the water and talking. Kate got in and did 8 lengths and two of those were non-stop crawl. As this is her first time swimming crawl for such a distance, I'm very proud and look forward to her joining me on epic river and sea swims!

I did a 20 lengths on Thursday day and bumped into Alex (I'd seen him sprint by in his orange hat), who was mulling over whether he should do the 104 lengths challenge in Tooting Lido (6 miles)and Sue who was 'only' doing 12 lengths. And had a day on dry land on Friday.

cruising with the big fella

Met Dan Martin this morning - he of the Global Triathlon fame - for a chat and leisurely ten lengths in Tooting. Also had a quick chat with Elizabeth, a slightly longer one with Jo Scanlon (who's just done the OSS Dart 10K) and lots of smiles between the other habituees of TBL.

And the sun was shining into all the corners of the huge water tank that is the lido. Quite odd to see arms and legs moving over 50 metres away in a swimming pool; and the stains of leaves and other droppings; and the blue sky above.

teaching and chatting

Had some time off swimming! But took a neighbour to the local pool on Friday night to help him improve his stroke. He was an energetic front crawler - arms and legs churning away. But he had a good roll. So I showed him some drills to get the position for a more gliding stroke and got him to practice. Then continued to give him small bits of feedback, so that after 45 minutes he was much smoother. Going to work on his breathing next.

And Saturday morning for a leisurely swim and chat with the other Carl in Tooting Lido. No doubt I'll find time for some more swims this week.

great north swims

Up to the Lakes last weekend. I was working in York on Thursday, so stayed in a B&B at Burnsall and had a swim in the Wharfe, just down from Loup Scar. I'd have done the jump, but there was no one esle about. A lovely ride across the moors and into the south Lakes on Friday to meet friends at Ulpha Bridge -

Photo by Claire Woodhead

 And then up to Coniston for a swim and jump from the jetty at Rigg Wood to Peel Island and back. And lots of general dips -

Photo by Keith Midgeley

And then up to our lodge at Troutbeck north of Ambleside; where I had the pleasure of Tom, Bryn, Sam, Lee and Gary's company for a few days. Sam made the most amazing cakes; Lee organised the accommodation; Bryn made great porridge; Tom kept us tidy and Gary spent time packing and unpacking his bags.

On Saturday I took twenty or so swimmers up to Buckstones Jum for gasps, plunges and general wonderment,

Photo by Lee Reed

before we all descended to Rydal Water for a swim along the river, through the weeds and out into the water. And later a long swim in Grasmere and lunch with a crowd of swimmers.

On Sunday five of us explored new territory with a walk up to Hayeswater. After a quick skinny dip we then kept our clothes off for another hour or so in two wonderful churning plunge pools in the ghyll on the way down. Lunch on the ridge followed by a walk (and long swim) up to Easedale Tarn - punctuated by another naked plunge in Sour Milk Ghyll falls plunge pool.

Monday saw everyone depart, but not before a swim in Potter Tarn and (for me only) a run over to Gurnal Dubs for a plunge.

I was going to swim with Bryn today in the Ouse at St Neots on the way home, but was a little too tired.

like a caged fish

Kate is still working on her drills, so I've joined her for swims in the Greenwich Arches. It's an old style pool that's 25 yards long, so 44 lengths for a kilometre. Two very good things about the pool though - it is all day fitness with very slow, slow, medium, fast and front crawl only lanes; and it's only just above 20 degrees C, so cool. Two swims - four km. Kate is feeling a little guilty though and described watching me swim in the pool as like seeing a fish in a cage longing for open water. Roll on this weekend in the Lakes.

Dorset dipping

Just back from a few days (mostly wet) camping with Kate above Durdle Door. 

We swam mostly in Man O War Bay

but also managed swims at Durdle Door 

and a walk over to Lulworth Cove 

and a dip over at Studland Bay. 

on tour - days 3,4,5,6&7

A long ride up to Scotland. I was going to swim in St Mary's Loch, but got the wrong road! But arrived safe in St Boswells for a nice cuppa with my Mum and Dad.

Up the next morning and out to the Loch o the Lowes (next to St Mary's) for a swim across to the far side and back and a few splashes. There's a good cafe on the road, easy parking and a stony beach to walk into the loch - although it slopes steeply quickly.

Sunday and out to St Abbs Head, above Eyemouth. A beautiful sunny day which gave us a good ten metres of visibility through the water. Great to see the yellow and orange corals, sea urchins, kelp forests, rocky outcrops; and the dreaded jellies. Of all shapes and sizes, but thankfully not massing.

On Monday, I had a lovely ride over the north Pennines

from Selkirk down to Burnley, and stopped at Middleton for lunch and a cooling dip under the road bridge in the Tees.

Tuesday, I stopped off at Hatchmere (home of one of the wild swim originals, Yacov Lev) for a dip in the drizzle,

before seeing Kate's Mum and staying the night with some biker friends south of Craven Arms.

Wednesday, I sped across England and stopped at the Newnham Riverbank Club for another swim in the Cam...and felt my wedding ring slip off my finger and sink down into the silt and reeds. Yikes.

So, all in all, a wonderful week seeing friends and family, a swim everyday bar one, and some lovely, exhilarating bike rides on Britain's wonderful minor A roads, B roads and national speed limit unclassifieds!

On tour - days one and two

Lovely swim in the Cam yesterday afternoon. Joined the Newnham Riverbank Club. Then biked on to Ashbourne and played a game of footie, followed by a couple of pints with the Derbyshire lads. Today up at Hathersage Lido with beautiful views of the surrounding hills. Unfortunately the River Derwent was too low for another swim.

easy ks

A dip with Carl this morning. A chat after every two lengths meant that the km clocked in a a leisurely 40 minutes. Nice latte from the cafe. Back home to spend the rest of the day on food prep with Kate for Sunday's party.

knee

Kate tripped up the other day and hurt her knee quite badly. I stayed at home in sympathy with her for a couple of days, but have been down the Lido for the last two mornings. A couple of km each time. Nice and cool, not too crowded and a few chats with Egg, Alex, Gus and Elizabeth. And Sue - who said I was quick!

indoors, outdoors, clothed and not

Friday to Greenwich so that Kate could do her drills. A little warm, but not too bad. Saturday morning off to Cambridge for a naked dip in the Cam at the Newnham River Club.

And Sunday thru' the Blackwall Tunnel again for a training swim at London Fields Lido - heated, so that Kate could do her drills.

with no competitions to think about...

it seems more seemly to enter the water and move through it in a more leisurely fashion. So a lovely km with Kate in Tooting on Monday. With many pauses at the end of lengths and lots of breathing drills - 11 strokes, then 9, then 7, then 5, then 3, then back up to 11 again.

And today in Greenwich Arches, as Kate's just had a swimming lesson from The Art of Swimming crew and needed to do her drills. So I did a couple of kms, some lengths slow and languid, some pacy, some breaststroke and a few increasing the distance between me and someone else in the lane.

local water heroes

A short piece to say thanks to Bryn, Sarah and Tom for organising swims around the SE, in the Nene, Ouse and Cam which have brought swimmers outdoors in increasing numbers. If only we had a river in London that wasn't a little too dangerous to get into...

If you want to know more about outdoor social swims (eg non competitive, all shapes and sizes welcome), then join the Outdoor Swimming Society on facebook.

Nene and Cam

Kate grinning after a refreshing dip in the Cam

This was on Sunday morning after a sleepless night listening to the Baltic bullshitter and others chundering on round a camp fire til 4am. It woke us up!

A mass of OSSers getting ready for a two mile swim from Tansor to Fotheringhay Castle up the River Nene in Northants.

Grasmere and Rydal

I had to go to Kendal for a meeting and needed to be there the night before; so I just went earlier in the day and had a stroll around Grasmere

Had lunch and swam, twice, opposite Helm's Crag

Walked on to Rydal Water

And swam around these islands

And got in again. Met some friendly cyclists, who also got in; and various people who inevitably said, "Isn't it cold?"

work work work

Haven't swum much lately. A leisurely km with the other Carl on Saturday morning in a very crowded pool and 2km on Monday. Been working since and failed to make the journey over to Tooting this morning. Working away a lot next week too, but am going to the Lakes on Wednesday for work; will get there early and go off for a swim in Grasmere. Then Brighton on Friday, so will take an evening dip on Friday evening - a pier to pier and back again methinks. Followed by Beaulieu River on Saturday and a 7km swim round Brownsea Island in Sunday. Makes me exhausted just thinking about it.

Log - 3km since the last post ;-(

leisurely lido lengths

After getting the bike fixed and serviced; and working through a conference call, I figured I could sneak off for a dip. So fetched up at Tooting about 1.45pm and swam a lovely leisurely 2km. As it was a little cloudy there weren't many people about. A nice Twix afterwards too.

bike broke

So hard to get to Tooting without getting on several trains across SE London - so went indoors at Crystal Palace on Monday.

Out working all day Tuesday.

3km.

Congrats to the Swans for getting across the Channel in under 12 hours.

Calshot current

Met Martin off the train at Totton and drive down to Calshot Beach for a swim. We picked a spot about a kilometre up shore and said we'd go there and back. The waves were in our faces on the way out, but the water was refreshing and the swimming felt easy. Enroute we passed Luttrel's Tower - a Landmark Trust place I've wanted to go and stay in. Then we found out why the going was easy. It took us 20 minutes to our marker and 35 minutes to return. We then went to the Blue Cafe for coffee and cake - run by a self proclaimed 'erratic' owner - and listened to JJ Cale's Anthology.

Calshot Beach is the venue for an informal 4km 'race' on 18th July. 2pm in aid of Lifeguards.

About 2km.

A couple of lovely swims

Riding into the car park near Newnham swimming club at Grantchester, I parked behind a grey haired man snoozing in his car. Only to find, as I was changing out of my riding gear, that it was Bryn; who I was there to meet with Sarah for a swim. Both of them are in a relay across the Channel on Monday, so are taking it easy for a few days.

Newnham Swimming Club is one of the few naturist places in a city and its a little disconcerting at first to see a range of shapes and sizes diving and jumping into the river in birthday suits. But it is not compulsory. We swam downstream towards Dead Man's Corner and then back for some jumps and dives off the bank.

I then dashed through commuter traffic along the A14 to meet Tom and others for a two mile swim aling the River Nene near Wadenhoe. For most of the two miles you're tickled by weeds just underneath you, but because the water is clear you see fish, glimpses of sandy bottoms and weird suspended structures of weeds, lilies and rushes. Very bucolic and very relaxing.

The journey back into London was not so relaxed, as the Blackwall Tunnel is closed, I had to take a long diversion and in my tired state had a small accident braking too hard in Surrey Quays. Thankfully I am a relatively sensible biker and had protective kit on - so a slightly sore wrist, a sheared off foot rest and a crash mushroom that did its job, but now needs replacing.

About 4.5km.

chillin'

A relaxed swim this morning to stretch out. Just a mile. Had a chat with Carol about easy front crawl, Elizabeth about swimming in the Cam and John about Essex swims.

Felixstowe

Biked over to Felixstowe this morning to meet my mate Bryn, who was supporting a colleague of his do a two hour sea swim to qualify for the Channel Relay team. A nice surprise that Dan Martin turned up too. I met Dan last year in Sandycove; and he's still trying to get the sponsorship together to do his Global Triaithlon.

As to swimming...two hours in the sea. Going north was relatively easy as the waves were coming in behind us; going south was swimming into them and a metre or so of swell. Felt good, but worked those muscles.

About 6km.

Seahorse Swim

Spent a lovely couple of days with Kate on the Isle of Purbeck. Much time spent on Studland Beach

but we also had a walk down to Dancing Ledge

and had a little swim there

and on Sunday morning took part in the 3.8km Seahorse Challenge. Here's me discussing the swim with my friend, Sarah

orca

Not the wetsuit brand, but the style of swimming adopted by some old timers at Tooting Bec. At around 8.30, four swimmers got in and swam in a line for a kilometre or so. It would have been challenging if you'd have been coming the other way. It reminded me of a film I saw of Orcas lined up swimming towards their seal prey. Maybe these four were hunting down triathletes?

Had a nice chat with Pip, saw a group of wimmin practice a very bizarre synchronised swimming routine with Ingaland footballs, and swam three kilometres.

Lovely.

33 makes 3

Having failed (un)miserably to swim for an hour yesterday, I took a different tack today. Having not a lot to do ('cept buy paint, dig the garden, watch Italy lose) I took a flask of coffee and some reading to the pool thinking I'd do it bit by bit.

Resolved to start with two km - or 22 lengths of TBL. Took til about 16 before I felt I was in the swing of it. Stopped at 22 for a few minutes of stretching and then thought I might as well do 12 more, but leisurely. So, resisting the temptation to chase wetsuits, I took it easy. And reader...my time was almost the same. 38 minutes for the first two km and 19 for the third.

catch up

Three weeks of updates -

One week in Croatia with Swimtrek (see pics) - 25km over the week. A lovely combination of island crossings, down the coast swims and playful, leisurely swims in the morning, lunch and evening. If you swim and you also want a sun drenched, blissed out holiday - this is the one for you.

One week in Canada at a conference centre just inland from Georgian Bay (a massive offshoot of Lake Huron) - 4km in the hotel outdoor pool. Could have done more, but was working most days from 8am to 6pm; and then drinking with the burly fellas who made up most of the participants.

This week - back in the cool embrace of Tooting Bec lido. A mile on Monday and 2km today. I thought I'd do a two miler, but after 40 minutes I just couldn't be bothered. Nice to have the sun shine down and have a quick catch up with Elizabeth, Alex and Pip though.

I'm in the Seahorse Challenge on Sunday morning (3.8km round Studland Bay in Dorset) and am thinking it will be a leisurely swim.

Croatia Swimtrek

Click on the picture for more

Croatia here I come

Off to Croatia for a week with Swimtrek. I'm so looking forward to it.

Joss Bay

Stayed for a few days in Prospect Tower and whilst there, went off for a day to Joss Bay.

Joss Bay is just north of Broadstairs and one of a series of lovely sandy bays with Blue Flag standards. Also worth checking Botany Bay (see the recent ads for Kent), Kings Bay and the odd seawater lidos in Margate.

Kate and I swam one way and then the other and spent quite a bit of time just floating and laughing.

last members day

The lido was again cool, refreshing and swimmable without a hat. Feels good to strip off another barrier between me and the water. Just did a km and some stretches. And can feel myself getting back into it. Off for a romantic weekend in a tower with Kate this weekend, but we're going to check out some of the beaches north of Broadstairs - one's called Joss Bay; and eat some seafood at Whitstable.

going with the flow

Another lovely morning at the lido. Had a chat with Elizabeth (author of the wonderful Unusual Love Affair in London) who unfortunately can't swim due to an ear infection. I also saw Alex speeding up and down in his orange hat. I got in with the idea of swimming for half an hour. I swam slowly focusing on my stroke and did a couple of lengths of 5/4/5 stroke breathing. A mile took me 34 minutes. Which is about 4 slower than usual. The only mild irritation was a triathlete who got in close to me, but didn't seem to be able to swim in a straight line - "sort your sighting out fella, or you'll swim further than you need to!"

Log - 1.65km at 17 degrees.

lively lido

Back in Tooting Lido! Yippee! An amazing 17 degrees C. My back still being a bit tender I decided to stay in for just half an hour. It was also a little busy (or as busy as a 100yd by 33yd pool can get) and I had to alter course a couple of times.

After two lengths I realised I was in danger of losing my new wedding ring, so hopped out to hide it away. Then back in for another few lengths before I thought my head was getting too hot - so off with the cap. Thankfully I'd covered myself with a one application suncream earlier in the morning, so my balding skull stayed pale and ginger.

Looking forward to tomorrow and what happens as the air temperature drops this week.


Log - 30 mins at 17 degrees. Wasn't counting lengths, but roughly 16 to 18.

heaven in the Teme

Kate and I are in Ludlow to get married, but couldn't resist a trip out to a nearby village for a swim in the river Teme. It was cool, clear and full of fishes and overhead there were clouds of midges. But they didn't bother us one bit. Then off to a nearby forest for a picnic.

back to swimming

I put my back out after the last swim - getting off the motorbike. I have only just got back in. I went for a warm swim at London Fields Lido with the wife - who will not do cold water unless we're on holiday, she has a wetsuit on and the sun is shining. But my main excuse is that I thought warm water would be better for the muscles. So I had a very langorous half an hour of what to me was slow crawl, but clearly to my lane companions was more than medium. I concluded that many swimmers interpret 'fast lane' to mean that their limbs move quickly, rather that the speed by which they travel through the water.

Back to TBL soon.

cold

Got in blithely thinking I'd do 22 lengths, only to find it was very much colder in Tooting Bec Lido than it had been last week. Got to 12 lengths and thought I'd go on to the mile, but after 14 decided to pack it in and shower. I am still cold two hours later. WTF?

Log - 1.28km at 9/10 degrees?

wild(ish) waters

Two contrasting swims this weekend. More accurately three swims. Two twenty minutes swims in Dover Harbour at the start of the Channel swimming training season and a lovely 2.5km meander along the River Cam from Byron's Pool to Newnham Swimming Club.

Dover beach was filled with over 100 aspirant Channel soloists, relayers, veterans and assorted supporters. At 10 o'clock the massed swimmers where sent into the harbour for a twenty minute swim at 9 degrees C. For those SLSC, Serpentine and other seasoned cold water swimmers we got out with a mere shrug of the shoulders, but among the less hardy there was a whole lotta shakin' going on. After an hour to stop shivering and stuff yourself with a bacon sarnie, it was back in for another swim. Feeling ridiculously confident, Carl and I, stopped several times to chat, float and spout on about the the wonders of being in the sea. And for the first time in a while, found myself chilled after getting out.

I thought a day at home with Kate might be prudent, so didn't go off to Oxford for a swim in the Thames in Sunday. But Monday saw me up at Byron's Pool on the Cam with 30 other Outdoor Swimming Society members to celebrate the poet's crossing of the Bosphorous Straits 200 years ago. A lovely 2.5km meander through fields, overhanging willows; being brushed by silky weeds and ending at the naturist Newnham Swimming Club. Where I felt I had to take a naked dip. Not a lot on show though after the hour in 10 degree water.

May 1 and 3rd log - 2km at 9 degrees and 2.5km at 10 degrees.

what a relief

phew...a week (nearly) of work and not a chance to swim in TBL. So it was lovely to firstly meet up with Elizabeth and Alex before swimming and then to experience water that was cool, but not cold. So I was able to do a mile of easy strokes - I'm sure Alex lapped me at least twice.

Now that the water is cool it doesn't matter so much that today was the last day of the sauna - at least until late September. It's been such a blessing to get warm after a chilly swim.

Mucky Dover Harbour tomorrow morning. Yikes.

two strokes and you're out

Working away from home in a conference centre based in an old country house. The old orangery has been converted into a pool. But. It only takes five strokes to get from one end to the other. I swam for 20 minutes very slowly and just worked on stroke. It was also very warm.

couldn't resist

Got up with Kate this morning and thought I might as well go to the Lido earlier than usual. Signed in at 7.45am and met Jo Scanlan on the way in. She's doing a 10K swim in September in the Lake District, but I'd met her on a Swimtrek holiday in the Inner Hebrides last year.

I thought (see Mission accomplished post) that I'd stick to 2km, but I felt fine in the sunshine, so kept going to 2 miles. Then had a long luxurious sauna, met Alex in person, had a chat about TI and Art of Swimming styles with Elizabeth, then hopped back on the bike for a ride home.

Log - 3.3km or 2 miles at 12 degrees.

old McDonald

Walking up to the lido today and bumped into Jim McDonald on the way in. I haven't seen Jim for ages - as he's usually behind the wheel of a black cab. He's been going in all winter and thought I'd gone soft, until I told him what I was swimming these days. Spurred on, Jim decided to go for 12 lengths. I got in before him and had done 4 by the time he got in. I'd done 18 when I paused mid-length and asked him if he was getting out - as I wanted more of a chat. He said, "Oh, I'm feeling fine, I'm gonna do another ten." I thought, "What the hell, that'll make around 28 lengths for me."

That is, until he stopped me at the end of my 24; he'd managed another 4, and said he could only manage 2 more. So I ended up doing 26. And on exiting I know why he wanted to stop, as he didn't stop shivering for the next 45 minutes as we chatted over coffee about the sad shower that are our political representatives.

2.38km at 12 degrees. Feels so much warmer than 8!

Mission accomplished

Tooting Bec Lido was up to a balmy 12 degrees C today, so thought I'd do at least 2.5km or 28 lengths. Got to 28 and thought why not do 30? Got to 30 and thought, "Might as well do 3km" or 33 lengths. But you have to come back, so then I thought 2 more and I've done 2 miles. So 36 lengths of Tooting Bec Lido - officially 3.0454 miles! Timed at 62 minutes.

Oh and had a lovely, leisurely 10 lengths with t'other Carl and his shameful mate, Steve, on Saturday morning, when it was at 10.5 degrees C. Why shameful you ask? Well he was wearing a wetsuit and he's the author of a book on shame. Which I couldn't find a reference to on-line...cause for more shame?

Anyways. now I've done the two miler I think I'll stick to maximum 2km swims for the time being.

Log - 4.2km in two swims. 0.91km at 10 degrees and 3.29km (2 miles) at 12 degrees.

old man and the sea

http://www.tide.org.uk/film/Old-Man-in-the-Sea

swimming and moving house

Managed a Move Eve swim of 2km at 9 degrees. Then had a mad Friday moving two houses into one. Kate, Ethan and I finally wrapped up in the same space - rather than spread along the Peckham/Lee axis.

And as a relief from the mountains of boxes a quick mile on Saturday morning in ten degrees. And the interesting thing is that ten degrees feels a lot warmer than 9 degrees. Someone described temperature sensitivity as being an exponential experience rather than an arithmetic experience. I'm not sure about this (I'll say more in a minute), but I think the idea of varying responses to temperatures is one worth exploring more - especially as the science of it is being developed by Gordon Lewis-Pugh and his team.

So I'm in the sauna with Gus after a long cool dip and we start talking about how Tooting Bec lido regulars have swimming targets. Gus says it used to be a length for each degree of temperature. I say that I think it's easier to swim 20 lengths at 10 degrees (doubling) than it is to swim 4 lengths at 4 degrees. Gus - who's been in and out of the lido all winter - says that he thinks 1 length at 1 degree is easier than 2 at two degrees. This leads us to the hypothesis that there's a waveform of possibility.

In my mind it might go something like -

1 to 3 degrees - 1 or 2 lengths
4 to 6 degrees - 3 to 5 lengths
7 degrees - 7 to 10 lengths
8 degrees - 10 to 18 lengths
9 degrees - 12 to 22 lengths
10 degrees - up to 40+

Log - 8th to 16th April - 5.65km. 9 to 10 degrees C

creeping upwards

A mile on Tuesday - and at 8 degrees it felt cooler. And two kilometres today. The difference in Tooting Bec Lido is 4 lengths. Am aiming for two miles (36 lengths) by the end of April - when I'm hoping it'll be above 10 degrees C.

dropping temperatures

Another mile in Tooting Bec this morning, but at 8 degrees its a lot cooler. Got lots of admiration for the distance (thanks to all the generous SLSCers), and even managed to do some 3/4 breathing sets. Its a bit too cold to do 7s or 9s. And Martin has set me the challenge of doing 5/7/9/11/9/7/5 for a couple of Lido lengths (182metres).

1.65km - 8 degrees C

Calshot Beach

Got soaked riding down to Calshot Beach to swim with my mate, Martin. We were in for a chilly 15 minutes and got out with hands and feet like cooked lobsters. Then down to the activity centre for a cheap, but good, Thai chicken curry. They've got a great set of climbing walls there too.

Sea. 7/8 degrees. 15 minutes.

lonesome lengths

Another mile in Tooting Bec. Although the thermometer still read 9 degrees, it felt colder. Maybe because the air temperature was lower and the sun wasn't shining. And maybe because until the end of my half hour in, I was the only one swimming. Going after 11 misses the morning crowds - all six of them!

1.65km at 9 degrees

a friend in need...

My friend Bridged has a damaged ankle. She's been cycling, but hasn't swum for ages. She's not an aficianado of cold water, so we agree to a compromise - Crystal Palace. It's 50m and its heated to about 25/26 degrees C - so it doesn't feel like swimming in a bath.

I've never been in all my 24 years in SE London. It was a bit of a shock to find a direct train from Peckham Rye station, every half hour and only 15 minutes in duration. And an even bigger shock to find that it was only £2.25 to swim there.

I was in a little longer and clocked up about 3km - with a mixture of speedy and slooow swimming. And chasing one or two frantic crawlers down the lanes.

3km.

outdoor swimming season starts!

The news that Tooting Bec Lido was up to 9 degrees filled me with delight. At this temperature I can easily do a kilometre. So on Friday I went over to the lido, got into the trunks, stepped into the water...and paused. It was chilly. Not Baltic, but definitely shrinking temperature.

The first length was a challenge. The shock of the cold (having not been outside in just skin since late November) made it a little difficult to breathe, so had to do every two strokes. While at the same time trying to calm down and ease into the breathing. I did the second length a bit more gracefully and sped up a bit to generate some heat. By length three I was calmer, breathing normally and the shock had passed. I ended up doing ten lengths and feeling I could have done more.

On the Saturday, I met the other Carl, who has hardly swum since he crossed the Channel last year. He wasn't up for more than a width really, but persuaded him to do four lengths. And we got photographed by Elizabeth Wurth for her blog - An unusual love affair in London.

Sunday saw a mammoth lie in by Kate and I with cups of tea and the Observer.

And this morning 18 lengths (just over a mile) in Tooting Bec Lido, followed by a long, lovely sauna. The outdoor season has arrived. I'm off down to Calshot Beach for a swim on Good Friday.

Friday - 0.91km, Saturday - 0.37km, Monday - 1.65km - all at 9 degrees C.

work gets in the way of swimming

Managed 10.5k since the last entry, including a lovely 3kin London Fields Lido. Been practising breathing drills and slooow strokes to fine tune.

18th to 23rd March - 10.5 k

Ballantyne baths

Just finished a day of talking about geoengineering in Birmingham and needed to relax with a swim. The only pool close by and open was a local Ballantyne spa. Got into a 21m pool with minimal lighting, underground and with very strange patterns of the wall. Had it all to myself except for the last twenty minutes and enjoyed a good steam too.

3k

eleven days of March

Back into a normal flow now. Stopped the fags two weeks ago and have been interested in what difference it'll make. At the moment very little to my speed, but am able to go on for longer and sprint without being overheated.

Swam mostly in Peckham Pulse, but had an hour and a bit in the Queen Mother Centre near Victoria (nice pool, but expensive at £4.90 a swim) and at Kelso pool (cheaper at £3, but not very wide). Am finding that what I have experienced up to now as a quiet time (3pm) is now becoming more popular; and despite my leisurely pace am having to lap everyone continously. Tried a different tack today and went to the side of the lane and swam close to the lane divider - up and down.

Log - 1.3.10 to 11.3.10 - 20.5km

a month of swimming and working

A lot has been going on. I sold my house on 2 February and started to do a lot of work. Managed 5.5K in the first week of Feb, zero in the second week due to working morning through to night, just 3.5K in the third week, but 11K in the final week. One of my swims was in Tooting Bec at 1 degree C, one was in a tiny pool at the Golden Lane Leisure centre (a charity relay with some mates), two or three at the Arches in Greenwich (indoors but cooler than most) and the rest in Peckham Pulse.

I'll be moving in early April, so just one more month of Peckham Pulse.

Log - 2.2.10 to 28.2.10 - 20km.

almost back to normal

The cold has disappeared and the swimming has resumed. Normally, during the winter, I'll swim in Peckham Pulse in the mid afternoon. It's public swim session, but there are rarely more than ten people in the pool. This means I can get a good 45 mins to an hour without having to worry about people in the way. But if I've got a lot of work on, the chances to do this diminish and I have to contemplate the horrors of adult lane sessions. My previous experiences of adult lanes are as follows. I get into the 'fast' lane with six to seven other swimmers. All of them, with the occasional exception are slower than me; several of them can't swim in a straight line; and a few of them have no concept of letting me pass. I attempt to maintain a zen like calm, but inevitably fail and fall into the arms of lane rage.

I decided some time ago not to bother going to adult lanes because it's not good for my mental health. Consequently, given work, I can't go as often as I want to.

Log for 26.1.10 to 1.2.10 - 7km indoors (Peckham Pulse, Downham baths and Greenwich)

one stroke backwards, one forwards

The dreaded cold re-entered my system last Wednesday and didn't clear until Sunday. So I have only looked longingly at other swimming blogs and my OSS mates photos from a trip last weekend to Norfolk.

Today was the first swim since last Tuesday. I met my cereal pack designer buddy and we were joined in the lane by a frantic type. The arms and legs were going furiously, but he was moving at about a third of our speed.

So this week's total is a little paltry. Just two swims.

Log 19 to 26 Jan. 2 swims, 5km in total. 20mins/km.

gliding back to shape

Except for a micro-swim in the River Tweed on the 28th December, and a couple of kms in London Fields Lido on New Year's Eve, I've didn't swim much between the last post and January 11th. Mostly due to three colds in a row and the unseemly thought of trailing snot down the fast lane.

Several doses of multi-vits later, I got back in on Tuesday 11th and have been practising slippery swimming - as the creator of Total Immersion, Terry McLaughlin calls it since. Having also had a few lessons with people inspired by Steven Shaw's Art of Swimming (based on Alexander Technique), I can see/feel the similarities and syntheses between the two approaches. In particular swimming with my fist closed has focused me on two things - alignment and the use of the forearm in propulsion.

When I first tried the closed fist drills back in early 2009, I could barely breathe and gave up trying them fairly quickly. But because I'm having to ease myself back into training, I've been going at a very (for me) leisurely pace, so the closed fist drill is more relaxed. What I notice is that it is a remarkable measure of how well you're gliding through the water. If the arm isn't straight and aligned with your sideways body, then you feel yourself turning. When I use my hand, I unconsciously make micro compensatory movements.

However, the closed fist drill's primary use (according to TI method) is to make you aware of your forearm in the pull-through of your stroke. Again, the closed fist heightens the impact of not aligning your pull-through stroke, but it also makes you more aware of the central rotation through your middle.

But then maybe I'm becoming too obsessed with swimming. A friend wants to 'de-friend' me on facebook because I only ever post about swimming.

Log for 11 to 18 Jan 2010
13k indoors (20/21 mins per km), lots of closed fist drills
River Thames at Pangbourne on 16th. Water about 4 degrees C. More of a float than a swim, as the river was up and the current about 2mph.