Ben's English Channel challenge 2014
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Back into full swing!

3/2/2013

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Hi Everybody!  It's been nearly four months since I last wrote to you, so really I should wish you all a happy new year!

Back in October when I last wrote I was struggling to get back into training.  Motivation was a struggle.  I feel as if I've almost had to grieve for the loss of the goal.  The "five stages" (Kubler-Ross) typically quoted are below.  I've represented them in the order I feel I experienced them (this time):
  • Denial - "I don't believe it!"
  • Anger - "robbed of my opportunity by the stupid English weather"
  • Bargaining - "I'll sacrifice life for another 9 months, I have to do this now"
  • Depression - "I don't want family and work to suffer for this damn challenge"
  • Acceptance - "I am ready to train, and can balance the demands of my life for the next 16 months".

Last October when I wrote, I was angry and in "bargaining".  I had convinced myself that I should bash on for another 9 months, and that the sacrifices would be ok.  Not long after I had written this, I was sitting in a hotel room in Brisbane, having begun travelling regularly for work as the business expands, feeling guilty about not having made it to the pool.  Being honest, I was thoroughly depressed, and in a moment of clarity realised that if I didn't remove some strain from my life I would crack.  There are really only three things in my life:  Family, work, and swimming.  The swimming had to be deprioritised as work's a massive committment (necessarily) and my wonderful family was due to expand to three children in Feb. 

So, over a plate of sashimi and miso soup I decided to push the channel back another year, and focus my time on my family, work (Tempurer). and general health and wellbeing.  I was nursing various injuries, was 10kg overweight (channel fat), and had become pre-diabetic through all the weight gain and high GI food.

I am sorry I did not write sooner, I have often thought about doing this, but I knew at some point the time would be right as I'd have clarity on what would follow.  So, let's address these priorities one by one, and then talk about the plan:

  1. Family - last week Sascha and I had our third baby, and third girl!  Wonderful addition, and the five of us have had a great week together hanging out and being a family.
  2. Work - business going really well and expanding internationally this year.  We have a great team and awesome product, the market seems ready, and the world is our oyster.
  3. Health - have made great progress: hand injuries fixed, lost 8kg of the extra 10, through detox and diet change have stopped taking the pre-diabetic medicine.
  4. Grief / mental health: I have reached acceptance, and rediscovered my love of swimming, particularly in the ocean.  With the support of great coaches (thanks Vlad & Charm), and great mates (Frosty Nuts) with whom no swimming adventure is dull, I am back in both the ocean and the pool, and swimming better than ever.

The plan is now clear.  I have booked the first slot of the 2014 channel season (1 - 10 July).  That gives me 16 months to train.  I am optimistic, have a great training buddy (Cae) who's also committed for the same window, and am starting from a much better place both physically and mentally than I did last time.

I thank you all for your ongoing interest and support.  I will aim to provide an update, hopefully in the form of an entertaining story about an adventure in training.  If you have aspects of the process that particularly interest you, please post a comment or write to me.  It's always wonderful to get feedback!




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Challenge 2012 now Challenge 2013!

10/13/2012

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As many of you will know, my Channel Crossing did not exactly go to plan, and I was thwarted by the English Weather and did not get a chance to even attempt a crossing!  As it turned out, England had the worst low-pressure system for 50 years, leading to very windy weather.  This is not good for the Channel as when combined with big tides it causes nasty chop which makes swimming almost impossible.

Whilst the wait and the uncertainty was agonising, I do now have a very clear appreciation for what's involved, and will be very well prepared next year.  

It's been tough returning to life as normal without having resolved the goal of the last 15 months.  It feels very strange, knowing that I was so ready but unable to deliver on the challenge.  I've thrown myself back into work and family life, and whilst I've turned up to squad training a couple of times, I am yet to pull my head together properly and get on with training properly.  Hopefully this week will be the beginning of the next phase of training, and I'll get back into the groove.

One major incentive that I do have is the massive tyre I developed around my waist in the two weeks I was waiting to swim in the UK.  I was deliberately indulging in massive quantities of food, to help carb-load and bulk up to manage the crossing.  I have friends who managed to shed 5kgs on the way across the Channel.  I had gained the 5kgs, but given I didn't swim I still have them with me!  Not a great look, and certainly making me feel pretty uncomfortable!  My normal weight (pre-channel training) was 85kgs.  I now sit as a monstrous 94kgs, more than 10% overweight!

I have booked in for July 13th neap tide, and so this gives me only 9 months to focus.  The big challenge in swimming this early in the year will be the cold, so no doubt some training with the crazy "black ice" crew in Melbourne will required in April, May, June.  

For the time being, I plan on getting back into the routine, and will roll in some gym and yoga time too to help me  gain some strength and flexibility.  Given the 9 months to train, I would like to think I can get a lot faster in the water, so I will definitely be focusing on my technique too.

Thank you all for the many supportive messages received both before and after the (non)-event.  I really appreciate it, and your support goes a long way to making it all worthwhile.  Together we have raised $34,000 which will help so many families under the guidance of Opportunity International and their partners.  Thank you, on behalf of all these very deserving people.
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A 30km, 10 hour training in ocean's finest aquarium!

8/5/2012

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Just a brief update to let you all know that I'm still training hard!  Only 48 days to go now......pretty scary but very exciting indeed.  I am really reaching the point of being completely over all these early mornings and training pressure.

However, that said, I had a wonderful day yesterday.  As you're aware, it's been on my mind that I will be in the water for a long time on the day, possibly 18 hours or so.....and this is a long time to be in 16 degree water!  So, yesterday I had planned a longer swim than the normal 6-8 hour sessions we've been doing at the weekend.  My goal was to swim 30km, 20 return laps of Manly to Shelley.

We (Collie, Iain and I) started in the dark at 5.30am which was surreal.  The stars were magnificent, and the water so clear with wonderful phosphorescence.  After two laps my left hand was absolute agony.  It was like I could feel a tendon joining my chest to my  thumb, and on every stroke there was this tight, yanking sensation.  I got out, had a stretch, and started worrying........how could I possibly cope all day!?

For the half hour from 6.30-7.00 I was seriously contemplating getting out, and also bailing on the whole channel challenge.  I had thought through the consequences, the apologies I would need to make, the inner sense of failure, and the knowledge in my heart that if I didn't make it this time I would have to try again.........I had it all worked out.



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Then at 7, the 100+ Bold & Beautiful swimmers were in the water with us.  We did a lap, Julie announced my challenge for the day, and on we swam.  I was still festering then after a couple more laps stopped for a feed and my "handler" for the day brought out the pill box!  Pills are very important to long distance swimmers.  It's not unusual for a discussion to ensue when you meet marathon swimmers about what pills they take.......when you put the body through so much strain over long periods, you need to be able to block out the pain.

Nicole (handler) was a legend with me yesterday.  She gave me at least one pill almost every half an hour.....paracetamol, neurofen, ibuprofen, voltaren......you name it!  I think the pills helped, also about 10am we strapped my wrists up even more than they were already (see photo), and by the time I had done 7 laps I knew I had to finish the swim.

I was blessed, the water was so clear I felt like I was swimming in Sydney aquarium.  There were all manner of fish, and lots of friendly Port Jackson sharks.  I was joined during the day by lots of people, and never swam alone.  I am shocked by the level of support people have shown me, and I thank everyone of them.  I could not have done this without you.

On each lap, there was a mini-simulation of the last 3kms at France, where the tide pulls against you.  To get in at North Manly there was a reasonably strong rip, particularly on the outgoing tide.  This was mildly annoying at the time, as you faced a choice of swimming an extra 200m around the rip, or pushing through it for 5 mins (which I chose).......good training!



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By the end (10 hours 20 minutes) I was elated.  My family turned up to say Hi, and I got to see bewildered looks from my Kids - "where's daddy been all day?!?".  I got very cold when I got out, but was saved by my friend James and the Manly SLSC showers (thank you!) which were clearly plumbed pre-drought as it was like standing under a hot niagra falls.  Perfect! 

The great news about yesterday was that I made it, and mentally was able to push through, and also that my nutriion plan worked.  No sickness or tummy problems, so I was really happy about this!

So, on we roll.  Not long to go......some tough weeks ahead, just hoping my hand calms down a bit, and I may have to get some more injections in m wrists!  Oh the trials and tribulations of a Channel Aspirant!

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    Sydney dwelling, ocean loving, hard working, decidedly average swimmer and devoted family man.

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