Back into routine.....

So I'm back in Cork since the second week of March, but it's taken me a while to get back into the swing of things. Back to work and kids back to school was relatively easy, but made the mistake of assuming that I would treat Rottnest as a training swim and just keep on swimming afterwards. It took the body a bit of time to recover, and of course we were on holidays, so sticking to the training schedule didn't happen. We had another long session in the pool on the 26th of March where I really paid for my time off. Just over 6 hours in the pool and then into the sea for a quick dip. I must admit I was paranoid about getting into the sea after being in the lovely warm Indian Ocean, however I was pleasantly surprised and it was just the kick start I needed to get the head sorted. Since then I have managed two 10 minute sessions in the river which has been freezing, but has the same effect on my aching muscles as an ice cold bath. A few more dips and I should be ready for longer stints. Looking forward to it!

Rotto 2010

Well the Rottnest Channel Swim is complete, and I am now enjoying(?) a scorching heat wave in Perth. The swim was tough as the conditions were way rougher than last year, so much so I got seasick for the first time in my life (only to the point that I couldn't eat any solid food from the 8km mark on). It was a new experience to hit the wall so early on in a swim, but I decided that I could be completely miserable for the remainder of the journey, or put the head down, stretch out the arms and focus on swimming until the next drink stop. This I did and managed to feel stronger again by the 10km mark. I kept swimming from feed to feed which were at half hourly intervals, feeling stronger and stronger each time. The last couple of kms were extremely tough as we had to fight against being pushed north. Was a bit like swimming on a tread mill, but I was expecting it as last year I had the same problem only the opposite direction. All in all, the swim took 8hrs 45mins, just over an hour off last year which I owe to my crew, Des McLean, skipper, Mick and Derek Hurley, Matt Holden, kayakers and my increased strength since last year due to the programme my Coach Eilís has set for me.
Have been enjoying a bit of a break since, catching up with family and hanging out with the kids. Back to it today though which is no problem since it's a good way to escape the heat!

Sunshine and heat!

Arrived in Perth on Sunday, managed to get into the water yesterday. Deliciously warm! Swam a bit longer today and will swim tomorrow before putting the feet up and waiting for the Rottnest swim on Saturday. Tomorrow I start stuffing the body with food in between visiting family. Looking forward to catching up with my friends after the swim. Will keep you posted.

Fundraising news...

Been organising a few fundraising events for during the year. Will keep you posted. Don't forget you can donate here.

Still alive!

The 8 hour swim went surprisingly well on Friday. I swam with the 6 other lads that are booked in to do solo crossings this summer, Rob Bohane, Liam Maher, Ciarán Byrne, Donal Buckley, Danny Walsh and Gabor Molnar (who was battered and bruised). We all had a laugh and managed the sessions that Eilís set out for us. Was expecting to be completely wrecked but was buzzing afterwards.

Getting ready for Rotto

Hi there,

Been a while again, I know. Have been training consistently, getting stronger and going for longer. I must admit that this week I'm fairly shattered. Have found the whole balance between training, family and work a bit all over the place for the last couple of weeks. Have taken the last couple of days off to recharge and the attitude is now good looking forward to next week. Have a big 8 hour swim coming up on Friday which I'm a little concerned about, but will use it as a practice run for Rottnest which is only 4 weeks away. Looking forward to seeing all my family and friends in Perth, and getting a bit of heat into the bones, and am also looking forward to doing the Rottnest Channel Swim on Feb 20. My goal this time around is to make the celebrations after the awards. Last year I was lucky to make it back to the boat I was staying on and pass out!

I'll be in Perth for a couple of weeks after the swim and plan to enjoy some non swimming related activities with the family and refresh the body and brain for my return to Ireland. Once I'm back I'll have to focus on organising the logistics of the English Channel Swim, and get moving on raising some money for my charity, Barretstown, in Co Wicklow.

Will try and post more from Perth after the swim!

Training, training, training.......

It's been a while, I know. There are a couple of reasons for this. Firstly, I hate computers and am broadband deficient, secondly, I have been training more seriously and have been left at the end of each week with the inability to lift my arms, let alone type!
October was a good month for me. As suspected I was the only swimmer training with Eilís to be behind in training after September, but I managed to turn things around slightly to cover all of her sessions for last month. Just as I was easing into a bit of a system and thinking that the training wouldn't be so hard, and would easily fit into my already busy schedule, we had our November meeting and all my illusions came crashing down around me. Although Eilís had mentioned that our training would keep at the same pace until after Christmas, she upped it considerably for the month of November.
After the initial panic following a review of her sessions, I sat down with Mick and worked out how on earth I was going to manage to complete the extra mileage. I was glad to have been up to date with the previous month as my head was in a good place, and so far I am doing well, although my arms have been constantly aching for the past couple of weeks. Last week was my biggest week and I went to bed on Friday night barely able to lie on my side, but happy in the knowledge that I had completed the week and had two days off to recuperate before my final week of the month next week. Today I am feeling a lot better and ready for the water again from tomorrow.
A few interesting things have happened along the way over the past couple of months, some good, some a bit frightening, namely the improvement showing in my support swimmer, Derek (16) and Niamh (9). Even though I am training hard and getting stronger by the week, so are they and I find I am hard pushed to stay ahead of them both :) I even had to leave Niamh pass me out on Friday as she was annoying me by touching my toes!! Caelan (8) is also flying and loving the fact that he is helping his mum training by jumping in the lane when I'm getting tired.
Also, I have registered to swim the Rottnest Channel Swim again in Feb next year as we are heading out to see family anyway. It's amazing how differently I think the Rotto swim this time around. It was my swimming goal for this year, but now a training swim for next year... Really looking forward to getting back to Rottnest Island though-it really is a magical place. Oh yes, and it will be nice to see the family and friends too!
Earlier in the month, we went to the Cork Masters Swimming Club 30th Birthday party at Maryborough House in Douglas, where I discovered that tequila and training were not going to work. Since then the social life has been on hold and will probably stay that way until Christmas...
So that's the story so far, will try and be a bit more disciplined with updating my progress. I guess it's not that hard once you get going. Finally, I'd like to say a huge thank you to Christine in Leisureworld, Bishopstown for her support.