Training has been a rough go as of late with the constant storms and searing heat, however my spirit has been strong and unwavering these past few weeks! I am back in the indoor/outdoor pool (only cooler water I can find) until the lakes drop below 80-degrees, and have felt stronger since I am doing more difficult, faster sets of training. I will continue with the 6-days/week training, including 3-double day practices for the final weeks prior to leaving forIrelandon 15 August 2013. Cannot wait…
I had the distinct honor of swimming with 2-time Catalina Channel swimmer Cliff Crozier and Sarah Thomas (recent, unprecedented double-Tahoe, and Triple Crown) out ofDenver,Colorado. I completed about 20K at the 58-60 degree Turquoise Lake at 10,000 feet with Cliff (including a 55-degree section) and then just shy of 10K with Sarah the following day at the 62 degree Wellington Lake around 9,000 feet. Such beauty, as I was just beyond jealous of that training atmosphere, and couldn’t have been more excited to train with such great friends!
The final few weeks will include two swims of distance, including a 9+ hour ‘Three Rivers Marathon Swim’ in the Ohio, Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers on 3 August 2013, and a 12-24 hour pool swim at Olympic Swim and Health Club on 11 August 2013. I am confident that these two, plus three more weeks of weekly training will adequately prepare me for the physical training involved for theNorth Channel. The two weeks prior to the attempt will find me submerged, and acclimating to the frigid waters of the North Sea, and giving me enough time to get used to being freezing cold again! I couldn’t think of anywhere I’d rather be!!