English Channel Training

I will be swimming the English Channel in four months. My training is going very well and I feel encouraged with my progress.  Today I completed a five hour pool swim.  Tomorrow I will be swimming for six hours and cross train for one hour. During my last few months of training, I will not use pool toys.   Transitioning from pool to ocean will start within the next couple of weeks. The ocean temp in Maine is 40F degrees with a wind chill of 45...still a bit chilly for open water training.  During my transition period, I will swim at the pool for a few hours in the morning and then swim at the ocean for a short swim in the afternoon.  When the ocean temperature reaches 50 degrees, I will have longer swims in the ocean. My goal is to transition completely to the ocean by mid June when water temp averages 52 degrees. I train 5 to 6 days per week.  On days that I work as a nurse ( work 4 days per week), I will swim for one to two hours after work. In July I will swim a few long ocean swims of eight to ten hours.  On the other days I will swim shorter swims.  I include weight training as part of my program. Also, crew training will resume in a couple of months for final preparations.  Between swim training, work and family life, there isn't enough time in the day....but I'm loving it.  :-)