North Channel swim training.....Plan "B"

In July I will attempt to swim the North Channel between Ireland and Scotland. This will be my second try at the 21 mile swim known as one of the most difficult channels in the world.  I've been preparing for this grueling swim for the past several months.  However, sometimes the best-laid plans can go wrong.  Part of marathon swim training is that a swimmer should always be prepared for the unexpected.  A few months ago, I was slammed by a large wave to the ground and landed on my right scapular on my back. Initially, I did not feel any discomfort from being thrown like a rag-doll.  But a few days later I started to develop tendonitis in that area. I felt no pain during my swims but afterwards I felt a dull ache in my scapular. After 18 years of open water swimming, this was my first injury.  I didn't want to jeopardize my swim career so I quickly decided to go to plan "B".  I went to a sports rehabilitation center for treatment. No swimming for three weeks to allow my tendons to heal. The recommended treatment was deep muscle massage and acupuncture. After three weeks of intense therapy, my scapular is pain free. I am very pleased with the outcome.  Taking a few weeks off from swim training helped in my recovery.  Lessons learned in life.....always have a back-up plan.