Svøm for livet!

Da var første treningsmåned og offshore uke over, det har resultert i 61,5 treningstimer. Det må jeg si meg passelig fornøyd med i og med at denne uka har jeg vært i nordsjøen, og siden jeg trente ganske rolig før nyttår.

Nå trapper jeg opp igjen folkens!

Når det gjelder nyttårsforsett så valgte jeg å ikke publisere det før etter at jeg hadde prøvd det en måned….

Det er i dag.

Nyttårsforsettet mitt var, og er, å aldri dusje i varmere enn 16 grader varmt vann, utenom når jeg hadde svømt ute, pga at da er kroppstemperaturen lav og jeg må få varmen igjen.

Det har denne måneden resultert i at jeg har dusjet 61 ganger i kaldt vann denne måneden og svømt ute (selvsagt i speedo) 6 ganger.  Temperaturene har variert fra 8,5 i haraldshallen, 5,5 i spyleslangen i karmøyhallen til 9-11 grader i nordsjøen.

Nå tenker sikkert mange at dusjing i kaldt vann ikke er for meg.. Men har du prøvd?

Husk at det er ikke alltid en har lyst til noe før man gjør det….

“every day I train is judgement day, each stroke, each wave matters. I´m not here to talk, not here to make friends. all that matters is moving water, nothing else. This is hard core, this is animal, can you handle it? Shut the fuck up and train..” -Phelps

As we were one of the later starters the other escort boats were somewhat distant, there was not much shipping activity about so it seemed we had the whole place to ourselves.

02.25 – First stroke rate taken at 54 per min.

03.00 – Stian’s forst drink stop, maxim in a red illuminated beaker. The sea was still quite loppy, still an absence of shipping movements.

03.23 – First proper lattitude and longitude taken along with sea and air temperatures.

03.35 – Maxim given again, still very much on our own, all escort boats are just lights in the distance.

04.08 – Maxim drink and energy bar given.

04.33 – Maxim gel given, Stian swimming well and stroke rate consistant, verbal encouragement given by his onboard supporters (I assume it was encouragement as i dont understand norwegian ) Sea conditions now quite loppy.

05.05 – Positive signs of dawn breaking.

05.12 – Maxim drink given again + 1/2 banana. Some deepening troughs now and quite lumpy but Stian swimming very well. Sønnøve Cirotzki herself a successfull channel swimmer tells me there is no doubt about Stian completing this swim, he’s trained long and hard and is very motivated.

05.40 – Some Ferry movements in the distance, a gas/chemical tanker passes astern.

05.41 – Maxim drink + 1/2 banana given.

05.49 – Entered the S/W shipping lane but you wouldn’t know it as there is a lack of shipping in our area. Still loppy , everyone having to hold on with one hand.

Fortsettelse følger…

I joined Sea Venture 2 early on the morning of tuesday 31st August arriving at the marina office Dover at 0100 as directed.
At that time it was a hive of activity, the pontoon was full of boats, people walking up and down looking for the boat and crew that was to help them across the channel. Bags, boxes and large holdalls all lined the pontoon prior to being loaded aboard.
People of all kinds of nationalities huddled together in groups, some looking nervous and others looking excited.

Within a few minutes boats were loaded and began to slowly make their way to the outer harbour. All that remained was a group of four people and me all waiting for Sea Venture 2 to come along side the pontoon.
Having made contact, I introduced myself and took the relevent details whilst waiting. Very soon Sea Venture 2 came into view and tied up against the pontoon. Afetr more introductions all their gear was stowed aboard.

Ray (Pilot) went through the safety precedures etc. prior to leaving at 01.37.
We made our way slowly to the western dock exit passing a large incoming wessel (N.V. Sand Fulmar) on our way, once past the pier heads we headed for Samphire Hoe Beach.

02.05 – Stian started to prepare, assisted by his brother Magne who applied grease then attached the light strips to his swim hat and costume.

02.16 – Sea Venture 2 arrived at Samphire Hoe Beach and after wishes of good luck he entered the water and swam to the beach. With search lights illuminating the beach Stian cleared the water and at a given signal re-entered and commenced his swim on the port side of the boat. The time was 02.19hrs.

Fortsettelse kommer…