Successful early winter test - 10,000 meters (6.3 miles) for fun?

Completed my 10,000 meter swim this morning (100 x 100's) averaging 1:30 per 100 on an interval of 2:10. We have 5-6 folks per lane so it was a little crowded early on before others dropped out. The last time I did this was either high school. Rachel, my daughter came along for moral support.

My distance coach, Marcia Cleveland has said a curious statement several times when describing training for the Channel; you have to "let go ... don't try to control things". Little did I know how true this was to be when no sooner did I walk into the pool to learn yards became meters.  The pool was a meter vs. yard pool, that means about 10% longer distance. My original 10,000 yard swim quickly became a 11,154 yard (10,000 meter) swim but this didn't phase me as I knew the distance was not an issue. My goal all along was consistency of time per segment.

I knew to play it cool early on as the "kids" thrashed away the first 20 or 30 sets while I averaged 1:30's per 100 meters. I felt very relaxed the whole way, keeping my heart rate at 130 beats per minute. By the end I was swimming as fast or faster than a good portion of these same kids consistently finishing between 1:20 and 1:25 per 100 for each of the last ten. Then of course Rachel, my daughter, said "come on dad can't you go faster, she said dad I swim my 100 free in a 1:03? ... with only the look of a proud father she could see, I said good point and said "well I probably should make the last one the fastest, so I clipped off a 1:13 and with that finished just a hair over 3 hours.

In the end a nice training swim and thats another 6.3 miles in the bag or as I am becoming fond of thinking ... that was 25% across the English Channel.

Alcatraz swim with my sister

Forgot to tell everyone early this fall but the day after I swam my Alcatraz race, Katie did the same as part of a triathlon race. Her she is with her husband Ted after.

10,000 for Fun

Decided that an early winter endurance test of my training might be fun and something different to see how both physical as well as the mental training (i.e. spending long periods of time going back and forth in a pool) are shaping up. Decided to try the 100 x 100 yards (10,000 yards or 5.6 miles) race at the Latoff Chicago YMCA on December 27th. I figure it should take me a little over three hours at a relaxed pace of 1:30 per. This should be simple for the first 50-60 but later as the mind begins to tire I suspect it will become a little harder, but thats the point, work on the mental toughness since 400 laps.

Training otherwise keeps plugging along at 20k yards this past week.  Adding weights has gotten my shoulders sore but working through it. Last night at practice we did a whole workout in sweat shirts. I brought along my trusty old heavy duty Indiana sweatshirt (what the hell was I thinking??). Needless to say I felt like a drowning rat but managed to keep going through 4000 yards (2+ miles). for awhile I thought i was back in Goshen swimming a "Rathke" practice with Steve Conder in lane 1?

Deep in winter workouts

Workout yardage continues at 20 - 25,000 yards a week but now have added 2 weight lifting sessions per week and on those days cut back yardage a bit to balance my energy needs. This of course means I had to up the yardage on the remaining days. Pretty sore, so taking these weeks slow and steady to protect my shoulders as I build up muscle. Despite being tired and a now able easily repeating 100's at 1:15 minutes and typically hold these for 1000 - 2000 yards within a total workout of 5000. So despite be sore and tired the base conditioning continues to improve which is a nice step forward.

For all you old Goshen swimmers you'll remember this classic christmas swim set ... 100 x 100 yards ... The Lattoff YMCA nearby my house is hosting a swim meet in December and the only race is 100 x 100. This will be a good test of both my mental and physical conditioning (thats 10,000 yards or 5.6 miles but in a very boring 25 yard pool). I'll be able to test some of my nutrition supplements and timing of taking them for longer swims (high glucose gelpak's and electrolite replacement drinks).

I continue to seek out a charity to link/support with my efforts. I sent an email to the CEO of "Swim across America" to see if they might be interested, they sponsor all sorts of swims throughout the US on behalf of the american cancer society. Waiting to hear back on this one. I also have given some thought to setting up a specific scholarship drive for Goshen athletics that folks from Goshen could support and the same for the town I live in now Barrington, IL.

August 20 - 27th, 2011 - Channel here I come!

Commitment is a funny thing... You stew over these things, ponder "what if", try to answer as many questions as you possibly can before making that commitment.

I have spent the past weeks discussing the channel, the level of effort, researching everything imaginable about cold water, weather, tides, who is the best boat captian, coaches, family impacts, training, food....yada, yada, yada and in the end it just comes down to commitment.

My long winded point? I have choosen the date range for the channel swim - August 20 - 27th, 2011. Thats 664 days from today and counting.

Now the fun begins....

Eye Opener - Meeting one of the Channel Legends for lunch

Well, today was a big day mentally. Finally met with Marcia Cleveland for lunch (with my friend and training partner Doug McConnell) and got down to the business of whats involved, organization, how she helps as a coach, time, costs, etc. Meeting went well and feel comfortable with continued path.

I however for the first time wondered what am I getting into? Not a bad thought but just the sheer training, time, leading up and then the actual swim started to really sink into my brain.
I'll begin digesting all of this Sunday when we as a group go swim for the first time in Lake Michigan, assuming weather is ok.

Planning, planning and more planning

Thanks to all the kind notes and encouragement

Charity:
I met with a guy and my training friend Doug McConnell last week to learn about how to use my (and Dougs) desire to swim between now and when we go in 2011 as a charity fund raiser. His name in Bob Lee and he recently rode his bike 6500 miles (yes that number is correct) all across America to raise money for several charities. He provided some great insights but the point that stuck in my mind was when he asked... what was my passion? I couldn't really say since I have been blessed with (knock on wood) little physical or mental health issues.

He really got me thinking ---- what is it beyond my selfish desire to accomplish this life goal that is important to me? So, the self reflective quest begins? The sooner the better since every mile I swim is one that could be making money. I would very much like to do something both in Goshen, IN and Barrington, IL so your ideas and suggestions are welcome. 


Training:
I continue to swim 5 - 6 days a week at 4000 yards and continue to get in Lake Zurich near my house (or actually Kevin Rillo's house for those of you that know him) with my usual training partners. The recent cold snap should drive down the water temp and make this Fridays swim, ugh cold. I prefer not to know the temp before I get in just like I didn't like having Goshen coach Brian Rathke telling me 10,000 yards of workout was coming my way. I'm in that "just do it" mode and accept its cold and swim hard. With this colder water also comes concern about how far, how long and how cold I can tolerate swimming outside. I am looking to get a kayak so my wife, Jennifer, or others can come along for safety.