The English Channel swim is fast approaching. I've been doing 30-35 miles per week and working on getting used to the cold water. Mike and I have been swimming 2-3 times per week and have had temperatures between 49 and 58. I found out that a one degree change in water temperature is significant. If the English Channel is 59-60 degrees it will be like bathwater!
The memorial day weekend was a real blast. Boris and Ramses came up from Florida to do their six hour qualifying swim. Both Boris and Ramses are going to swim the channel in late June to early July. Ramses and Boris took 1st and 2nd place in the Whiskey Joes 24 mile Tampa Bay swim. Both are exceptional athletes and no doubt will cross the channel.
Being from Miami the water temperature in the ocean is already in the 70's. So they came up for four days of cold water training and the six hour qualifying swim. The weather conditions were less than favorable. The water temp was 54-56 and the waves were pushing 2-5 feet. Air temp was around 60. Boris was able to make the swim but Ramses was not feeling well. You can see actual footage of the beginning and end of the swim by going to you tube and typing in Cuban swimmers.
Elias came with them. He is their good friend who will also be the support person on the boat when each of them do their solo English Channel swim. We had a blast and a strong bond of friendship was developed with them and my family.
The great news is they are returning this coming Friday, June 5th so Ramses can do his 6 hour qualifying swim. Boris will be doing another 6 hour swim as will Mike. I will be doing an 8 hour and this will be the peak of my training. This week, the first of June will be my highest mileage week. I plan on doing 50 miles. Then I will begin to bring the mileage down as my target date of July 9th approaches.
One note, Ramses family is coming with him so this weekend will be a great time!! I know with Ramses wife here he will no doubt do the swim!!!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
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