Swim for a cause...February 14

Many swimmers throughout the world will be swimming on February 14 to bring an awareness of heart disease in their country. As many of you know, heart disease has killed many young athletes. My 34 year old brother died suddenly and unexpectedly of a heart attack...Robbie had broken several swim records. In England, English Channel swimmer Mark Rickhuss died of a heart attack at the age of 41. In his memory, his friends started a swim team called "Big Rick's Outdoor Swim Team". They have raised a substantial amount of money for their Heart Association in England. They are to be commended for their hard work and continued effort to raise money for heart disease. Please visit their website. And in Mexico, Antonio Arguelles has organized 25 swim clubs and 1400 swimmers to participate in the Feb. 14 swim. Every swimmer will have the opportunity to have their blood pressure checked, blood glucose and cholesterol levels tested prior to their swim. Also, every swimmer will receive a swim cap with a logo of a "red heart". And two cardiologist will be helping with this major Heart Awareness Campaign. I am inviting you to join us in thought and action on February 14. On that day, go to your local community pool or open water swim.....and tell your fellow swimmers that you are swimming to bring an awareness of heart disease and make a donation to your local Heart Association. Together we can make a difference

Countdown to English Channel Swim

I am so excited that 2011 is finally here.... I've been training hard for my English Channel attempt in August. I've had several emails from swimmers asking about my training program so I will try to give a brief outline of my schedule. Like many other swimmers I work (4 days a week as a nurse) and have a very busy family life (husband, kids, grand kids), so I have to carefully plan my training. Currently, I've been training six days a week.....three days a week are 4+ hours of swimming each day with cross training of one hour, the other three days are 2+ hours of cross training and 1 hour of swimming. Also, I weight train every two days and it includes upper body and core strengthening. My cold acclimation is easy living here in Maine where it's currently 30 degrees....my cross training is outdoors and I wear very lightweight clothing so I am intentionally COLD. I take one day off for rest. NOW for the confusing part......every two weeks I add one hour to "one"of the long day workouts. I make sure it's added to a "back to back" workout days....for example: On Saturday I will swim 5 hours and Sunday I will swim 4 hours. A few weeks later I will increase by one hour the Saturday workout.... Saturday 6 hour swim and Sunday 4 hour swim. This will continue each month until I reach a 10 hour swim on a Saturday and 4 hour swim on a Sunday. I continue with my routine workouts on the other days. A marathon runner doesn't run a marathon everyday likewise a marathon swimmer doesn't have to swim a marathon distance everyday. But it is very important that every week,a long distance of swimming should be met. I will start my transition from pool to ocean in April when the water temp is mid-forties. It will be a gradual transition where I will swim mornings at the pool and ocean swim in the afternoon. I will have a few night swims in July. Early August I will continue to train hard and I will start my taper when I board the plane to England. I will be celebrating my 60th birthday in a few weeks and I have surprisingly discovered that my endurance has improved again this year....Go figure!!!!!

Strait of Gibraltar Swim Association.....New Records

Rafael Gutierrez, President of the Strait of Gibraltar Swim Association (ACNEG), announced last week that starting in 2011, records for age categories will be established. This is exciting news for all marathon swimmers worldwide. It's been long overdue that swimmers should be recognized for their achievements in their designated age groups. I hope that other swim organizations will start to follow his leadership. Currently most of the major marathon swims throughout the world have records for the fastest man /woman and oldest man/woman and don't acknowledge age group records. Marathon swimming is becoming more popular every year and most athletes enjoy comparing their swim times to others in their age group. Rafael has the positive insight to move this sport forward. I would highly recommend for any marathon swimmer to attempt swimming the Strait of Gibraltar with ACNEG ...... Rafael and his crew are very dedicated to this sport and they make every attempt for a swimmer to be successful in their crossing. Thank you Rafael for adding these new record categories.

Congratulations Steven Munatones

Great news travels fast! Steven Munatones received the prestigious award "2011 Irving Davids / Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award" presented by the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame. This award was established many years ago to honor and recognize those who have made major contributions to marathon swimming. The Hall of Fame selected him because he is one of the finest individuals in this field. And he has become a world leader in marathon swimming. Steven is an accomplished marathon swimmer. Also, he coached for several years for the USA Swimming national open water swim teams. His websites, "Daily News of Open Water Swimming", "The Water is Open", and "Open Water Source" are the most comprehensive websites that I have visited. The list of his distinguished accomplishments is remarkable....I'm in awe. In addition, Steven has acknowledge marathon swimmers of all ages and not just the elite. His love of the sport is very evident. He deserves this special honor for all the hard work he has done. He has brought marathon swimming to a new level....... Well done, Steve! Congratulations!!!!

Impact of Mother Nature

Years ago when I started training for my very first marathon swim, I never thought that "Mother Nature" could possibly have a major influence in the outcome of a swim. After all, I trained very hard and my swim started with near "perfect" weather conditions......what could go wrong? I quickly learned that I was a bit naive. I thought that if I focused on taking "one stroke at a time" I would eventually reach the finish line..... I was wrong. In my 2008 English Channel attempt, "Mother Nature" provided very strong currents off the coast of France....my swim ended 1.7 miles from France. It was very disappointing not to complete that swim. I later learned that many well known marathon swimmers such as Penny Palfrey, Allison Streeter, Julie Bradshaw, Ned Denison, ....all have one thing in common....they had to abort a swim due to "Mother Nature", too. At the beginning of a swim, weather conditions can be perfect and suddenly turn to very treacherous seas. Safety of swimmer and crew is a priority. They learned from their experience and planned for another day. On their return, they succeeded in finishing their swim. My return to England in 2009 I saw the wrath of Mother Nature again.....and returned to Maine without a swim. Again, disappointed but I learned from my previous experience not to get discouraged. I plan to attempt the English Channel in August of 2011. When I swam the Strait of Gibraltar earlier this year, Mother Nature gave me a "big" surprise....wind, current and tides in my favor. I expected to finish my swim in about six and half hours but much to my surprise I set the new U.S. Woman's record with a time of 3 hours and 28 minutes. Again, another learning experience ...Mother Nature can sometimes have a positive impact on the outcome of a swim. If you are planning a marathon swim, prepare that "Mother Nature" may possibly decide the outcome of your swim. And realize that many of the world famous marathon swimmers had to abort a swim and attempt it another day. So, good luck with your training and hope that Mother Nature will be on your side.